Gibson Les Paul Custom

[Woogie]

Yeah, I`m gonna take my Legra in when I get it. Whenever we pass we ask how much super expensive guitars are like Gibson Zakk Wylde Les Paul's haha. Theres one ok guy who knew what we meant but he still didn't like hearing the truth!!

[Bob Johnson]

Woah Bob, you lost me there...

Are you saying the top one is better tonally?

To be frank I wouldn't be proud of either one; look at the voids in the mating surfaces of the bottom one.

What I was refering to was the curved sole on the heel of the top picture. It's definitely (notice the correct spelling of DEFINITELY you lot) a manufacturing feature; probably, in my view, there to facilitate the adjustment of the neck angle. What it also does is reduce the contact area between the neck and the body; something you'd expect to be much better in an instrument with a glued set neck.

[dave_mc]

i haven't tried any of the horror story gibby's that you hear mentioned, but I guess I've been lucky. That being said, none of the ones I've tried have been worth £1500 either.

Needless to say, I'm looking into edwards at the moment... can't really justify £1500 for a custom guitar which isn't really geared towards my main style of music... from what i can tell (though obviously i'll have to wait till i can try it), edwards is exactly what i'm after.

[horsehead]

I've tried quite a few gibson's in my time (which though isn't a lot, is still enough!) & there have been some lovely Gibsons...but they were all either orignal models ('59's etc) or high end custom shop jobs. I spoke to a guy called Paul Guerin from the quireboys & he recomended that I try a Tokai as it was his main guitar & he loved it & that he didn't want me to spend my money unwisely. I tried one in my local guitar shop to replace my fender that they lost (long story) & it was amazing. Totally thick & wonderfully woody. Yeah It fight's back, but I love that & compared to some of the gibsons not even half as much. I would always recomend that you go for a tokai against a les paul standard anyday of the week

[Dazza1004]

Maybe the name does appeal a little bit - even if its just psychological

to me there is nothing wrong with that, everyone does a similar thing everyday reflected in the clothes they wear and car they drive etc etc.

There are 2 questions here,

1) do you want a "Gibson" - if you do then only something with Gibson on the headstock will scratch the itch

2) is there any fundamental reason you shouldn't get one - in my experience, no, nothing over and above what applies to the majority of other guitars. I would recommend you do not mail order, go and try a few. I'm sure you are aware of the different neck profiles but even from an aesthetics point of view. the way a guitar looks is going to affect how you feel about it so make sure you get one you like the look of, the tops do vary quite a bit

let us know how you get on

[Catalyst77]

On a slightly difference note, does anybody know of any pre-lawsuit 70's Flying V Copies?
I'd def pick one of those up for a reasonable price.

[Johnny Mac]

I've played a few Gibsons in shops and was not that impressed. The first Les Paul I played I thought it was terrible. I've had a go on Tims Custom with Cold Sweats and that is very tasty. Felines Les Pauls feel, look and sound fantastic, you can just feel the quality. Personally I could never buy anything let alone a guitar on what the name is. It's actually got to be quality in your opinion. I spent years trying out amps until i found one i liked and i bought that purely on how it sounded not what injection moulded plastic badge it had on it.
Also my car is shitee and I buy corpses trousers in charity shops!  

[Dreichlift]

I feel it's only fair to say when Gibson get it right they really get it right.

That being said I've found that the lawsuit copys and for that matter most quality oriental guitars (Yamaha, Tokai, ESP, Ibanez) are far more consitant in terms of build quality.

It all comes down to brand identity vs sound, do you want to look good or sound good. (check your underpants, if they say "Calvin Klein" or "Tesco" your choices may be clear :D )

[indysmith]

Maybe the name does appeal a little bit - even if its just psychological

to me there is nothing wrong with that, everyone does a similar thing everyday reflected in the clothes they wear and car they drive etc etc.

If lots of people do something stupid, it doesn't make it any less stupid. What you're saying is that it's okay to be a tool and pay thousands for a name that used to stand for quality, because everybody else does. Gibson are laughing.

BTW I'm not having a go - this is just something i have a strong opinion on. Obviously it's your right to pay what you want for what you want

[Woogie]

There is somewhere on the net that makes replica Gibson necks but replacing a set neck Les Paul isn't really worth it for the logo imo.

[Bird]

Some interesting and enlightening reading about Gibson.

http://www.dinosaurrockguitar.com/interviews/MrX.shtml   8)

[Dazza1004]

Maybe the name does appeal a little bit - even if its just psychological

to me there is nothing wrong with that, everyone does a similar thing everyday reflected in the clothes they wear and car they drive etc etc.

If lots of people do something stupid, it doesn't make it any less stupid. What you're saying is that it's okay to be a tool and pay thousands for a name that used to stand for quality, because everybody else does. Gibson are laughing.

BTW I'm not having a go - this is just something i have a strong opinion on. Obviously it's your right to pay what you want for what you want

yeah, I think the point I was trying to make was if having the name Gibson on the headstock is important then I can understand why.

[Ted]

I've tried quite a few gibson's in my time (which though isn't a lot, is still enough!) & there have been some lovely Gibsons...but they were all either orignal models ('59's etc) or high end custom shop jobs. I spoke to a guy called Paul Guerin from the quireboys & he recomended that I try a Tokai as it was his main guitar & he loved it & that he didn't want me to spend my money unwisely. I tried one in my local guitar shop to replace my fender that they lost (long story) & it was amazing. Totally thick & wonderfully woody. Yeah It fight's back, but I love that & compared to some of the gibsons not even half as much. I would always recomend that you go for a tokai against a les paul standard anyday of the week

Tokai's are ace as are Burny's and Grecos. My Gibson Les Paul is the least reliable guitar out of all of my axes, certainly would not gig it without backup...

I had to rewire the damn thing, my Korean PRS SE has better tuners etc etc  :x I'm never buying Gibson again, unless its cheap as chips...OR Custom Shop ...but for that money you can go custom built from a quality luthier in the UK.

[dave_mc]

Some interesting and enlightening reading about Gibson.

http://www.dinosaurrockguitar.com/interviews/MrX.shtml   8)

that was excellent, thanks!

[FELINEGUITARS]

Some interesting and enlightening reading about Gibson.

http://www.dinosaurrockguitar.com/interviews/MrX.shtml   8)

I enjoyed that - thanks for the Link Bird

I often get to play a great guitar that is brought into the workshop and am pleasantly surprised to see that it isn't one of the high price brand.
Just a guitar where all the pieces go together to produce a great mix of sustain, tone & sound.

Sometimes they may just need a good set up (as do many high end Fenders, Gibsons etc etc) and maybe the hardware and electronics might be improved upon, but the raw acoustic sound is just right from the start.

We currently have such a guitar in for set-up - it's a £129 Squier Affinity strat.

It's a real beauty and makes you want to play.

It does seem odd to be trying to tell the customer that upgrading to a higher price guitar with a big brand name wont necessarily be an upgrade and that he might be better off sticking with the Squier (maybe stick a set of BKPs in). I fear that his wish to impress his mates or feel that he has moved up in the world will lead him to blindly go and buy a NAME guitar without necessarily finding one that just sings in his hands.

Oh - I have played many Fenders and Gibsons that have been fantastic, but  am just making the point that budget price guitars can be great too.

It's like the wood when it was still part of a tree didn't know if it would end up as a PRS, Fender, Gibson  or as a Squier, Cort , Epiphone or even as a table leg, chair or chopsticks.

As a custom builder I strive to find woods that will be lively and work well together . I think this is also true for most custom guys (guys like Bob at Legra, Nathan Sheppard and Doug at Black Machine too..... and all the ones who I havent listed here)