Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? - Page 5

daimon · 03-07-2009, 11:20 PM

this might have been brought up in this thread but does anyone know why Gibsons are so ooooooooooooooo freaking expensive? When I got my Les Paul Studio back in 1995 or 96 I bought it new for about 750 or 800 bucks. If you look at the Les Paul customs costing freaking 4 grand??? Why would a guitar cost that much? I mean honestly the jackson I own was 1.3k but its worth every penny. I dream of owning a custom one of these days but if there going to be 3k - 4k I just don't think a guitar is worth that much unless it's signed by someone famous and is more for show then play.

ptate · 03-08-2009, 03:37 AM

It's primarily because of the Fender "Custom" idea........Get an off-the-shelf plank with (supposedly) better timber selection, send it to your (ahem..!) "custom shop" and have it finished by hand; i.e. hand finish the neck/body/get rid of any imperfections and so on etc.

This means that the CS guitars allegedly have a far superior finish and playability, plus all the upgrades (not too much on a Les Paul other than some binding and a couple of different pups!).

Any guitar is overpriced (especially the PRS "Let's slightly alter a 50 year old design" planks). Still, I couldn't care less and happily bought the Gibsons (especially the Custom) as any other "single-cut" is just a copy; plus, who can argue with Rhoads, Page, Beck, Hendrix, SRV (yep, the latter used Les Pauls) - the list is endless........

ptate · 03-08-2009, 03:38 AM

Oh, it plays sweet as well.............

hollayy:) · 03-09-2009, 08:50 PM

Les Pauls are amazing. A better question would be who doesn't like the les paul? I play a studio.

ptate · 03-10-2009, 04:24 PM

Lets see it then Hollayy

Puffer Fish · 03-12-2009, 03:25 PM

Who DOESN'T like the Gibson Les Paul is more like it! I for one LOVE the Les Paul. Feels good and sounds like rock and roll, for sure. I have a 1979 The Paul and my younger bro has a 1976 Standard and an 80s reissue gold top--they are all simply wonderful. The bodies have a delightful resonance that you really need to have the guitar unplugged to fully appreciate. When you have a Les Paul in your hands, you know you have a guitar with substance. You do not need to look at the head stock to figure it out, you just listen and feel it. Do I hear an AMEN! brothers and sisters? ; )

ptate · 03-13-2009, 08:59 AM

Amen..........

Truly the greatest guitar ever built.

spikei · 03-13-2009, 07:55 PM

i love it, BUT my shoulders are killing me.

bigfoamfinger · 03-13-2009, 10:37 PM

I want one and will own one..some day...theyre just priced SO high that Ill probably have an Epiphone LP before a Gibson

cudamax2343 · 03-15-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiomatts

It's funny.... I have a 1981 LP Standard that I bought in 81 for $500.00 with the case! When was the last time you walked into a store and bought a guitar that came with a hardshell case?

This LP has been through the wars with me. On tour, being played by toddlers while I wasn't looking...everything. You name it. It still kicks some serious ass.

I went into Guitar Center last summer to play this guitar through a Vintage Modern with two JCM 800 4X12 cabs. Couldn't afford the stack, but the guys at GC let me just play what I want. Anyway, the manager of the guitar department thought I was trading in my Paul and on the spot offered me $2400.

I nearly choked.

By the way, outside of Custom Shop stuff, Gibson Les Pauls are terrible now. They just don't feel right. All that weight relief crap is a crime too, and I love the fact that Gibson wasn't telling anyone about the chambering right away and then got caught because of that incident at GC in Hollywood. Just my opinion, but I'd almost have an Epiphone LP Ultra II with a few mods over most the the LPs Gibson is putting out. They're whoring out the Les Paul name with all the custom versions. Do we REALLY need a Neal Schon model Les Paul, or a Billie Joe model Junior.

Hell, does Joan Jett really need a model of her own?

I'm with you Man, and vary well said.

steelhorse · 03-15-2009, 09:15 PM

I definitely think it was uncool the way they tried to slip the weight relief thing past the public. Bizarre.

As for the playability of the newer vs. the older models I have a few of each and I have to admit I really like the fact that the newer models are lighter, not by a lot, but by -enough- so I can gig all night with it if I choose to.

Heck I have an import washburn (limited edition from boogiestreet) and it weighs almost 13 pounds. I need an adjustment and advil after a night with that thing.

The newer models have all the bells and whistles which I find appealing because I go and replace the bridge and add strap locks anyway, and I have huge mitts anyway so the asymmetrical neck is no big deal, it works fine for me.

cudamax2343 · 03-15-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psphill27

I just played one of the new 2008 standards last month. Looked really nice and was light, but I didn't like the tone as much as my 2000 model which is heavy as lead. I'm not saying it sounded bad, but I like the sound of the denser wood better. Just my opinion.

Yea I agree, the Chambering looks bad too me, and don't sound right. If I want a 335 with a center block I'd get one. I don't like them in a les paul. They are real thin sounding when pushed through some real Power. At low volumes they do shine and Ring out nicely. IMO

rockinr0ll · 03-16-2009, 02:47 AM

Les pauls are nice but I don't have a thing for them. I like bolt on necks. My dream guitar would be a Prs ce24.

ptate · 03-16-2009, 08:08 AM

That'd be the Paul Reed Smith that has spent all his career chasing Gibson's Les Paul feel/tone then......?? ("I know, I'll design an original guitar made of mahogany, single cut with a maple cap and two humbuckers then.......etc.")

Owned lots of them, both Epi's and Gibsons; but the best, by far, are the ones that hang around your neck, stretch the strap, make your spine bend and force you into that Les Paul/Rock n Roll slouch ready for playing, like my two 1970 models and '04 Custom......
Weight relief, who needs it; they should add some lead to the control cavity.....

cudamax2343 · 03-16-2009, 08:46 AM

Yea

***Adwex*** · 03-16-2009, 12:49 PM

Nuthin' in the world can beat a Les Paul and a Marshall.

cudamax2343 · 03-16-2009, 01:39 PM

You Got That RIGHT and your Set-up is Real Sweeeeeet.

ptate · 03-16-2009, 02:41 PM

Oh yes............Marshalls and Les Pauls...........Sorry, just pee'd a bit with the excitement

: My three:

airborne strat · 09-27-2009, 01:14 AM

Alex,
Man that is a crazy blue!!! I love that color...gorgeous axe!!!

lucidspoon · 09-28-2009, 11:10 AM

I'm glad someone revived this, because I just got a Marshall, and I've been playing with a Les Paul for a while, and agree that the two go together like nothing else! My LP is just an Epiphone Limited Edition Custom, but I still love it. Luckily, I got it before they raised the price, so i got it for $540!

I plan on getting a Gibson someday though.

T-Bird · 09-28-2009, 11:31 AM

Hi.

I love Les Pauls, but they doesn't necessarily have to be Gibsons.

Out of the LP's I've had, the '8? Studio was among the worst, the '73 Custom fourth or fifth.

The best have been the vintage Japanese Tokai's, some with the original pickups, some with swapped PU's. The top of the line Epi Black Beauty I sold to my guitarist, I'd rank 3rd.

For me it's a shame that people associate Gibson brand with exeptional quality and pay accordingly, sadly it isn't so IMLE (5 real deals/about a dozen copies).

Regards
Sam

Webslinger · 09-28-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

I love Les Pauls, but they doesn't necessarily have to be Gibsons. Out of the LP's I've had, the '8? Studio was among the worst, the '73 Custom fourth or fifth. The best have been the vintage Japanese Tokai's, some with the original pickups, some with swapped PU's. The top of the line Epi Black Beauty I sold to my guitarist, I'd rank 3rd.

For me it's a shame that people associate Gibson brand with exeptional quality and pay accordingly, sadly it isn't so IMLE (5 real deals/about a dozen copies).

So you had 17 Pauls. And the Epi was 3rd best and Gibson Studio was the worst? Ok, but was your 73 Custom the fourth best, or fourth worst? (from the bottom of the scale).

I remember back in the 70's there were many companies making Les Paul copies. I've played many. Most looked good and crafted well, but the tone & action were horrible, others played & sounded decent but material-wise were cheaply made & didnt hold up over time, or too easily damaged from normal use. With a few exceptions*, I never played a LP copy that was as good as even the Norlin-era specimens, which was supposed to have been Gibson's low point, but in reality those are decent guitars.

*Oh yes there are some very good copies. Epi, Burny & later Ibanez are supposed to be the best. I've never played an Epi or Burny, but did play several Ibanez Pauls. I didnt think the older ones were so great, but later ones are better. Gibsons worst mistake was suing them over the headstock shape, because after that point, they drastically improved the quality, and when they gave it a double cutaway and re-badged it as the "Artist" those rival a real Gibson.

I have a 78 Gibson LPC, and an 82 Ibanez AR300. I love them both, but being brutally objective, the Ibanez seems to be crafted better and have better action than the Gibson. But the Gibson has some sort of "feel" and tone that the Ibanez doesnt quite capture. It's hard to explain.

I'll agree though that real Gibsons are way overpriced, and it's probably only brand loyalty that fetches those figures.

zslane · 09-30-2009, 09:54 PM

I have five Gibson Les Pauls and they are all pretty darned amazing. There may be some excellent Les Paul clones out there, but finding a Gibson that totally rocks is pretty trivial. Unfortunately, new Gibsons are priced beyond what I consider a "good value", and consequently, my last two Gibbys were purchased used. The used market is a veritable treasure trove right now, IMO.

rockinr0ll · 09-30-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptate

That'd be the Paul Reed Smith that has spent all his career chasing Gibson's Les Paul feel/tone then......??

PRS has bolt on necks that I mentioned I liked...

The best Gibson I ever played was a an old friends Les Paul Custom in Natural color. It was his uncles guitar who died young. If I'm not mistaken it was the same exact guitar (year and model) as Randy Rhoads guitar.

I own a Les Paul special I got when I was a kid which most people say sounds amazing still, of course, no where near the custom.

Insightibanez · 10-01-2009, 07:46 AM

My dream finally came true. I picked this one up not too long ago.

the_best_of_fools · 10-01-2009, 10:51 AM

My 83 Custom. Still rocks to this day.

tbof

Grandturk · 10-01-2009, 11:17 AM

I love Les Pauls. I had a beautiful '78 standard. Sounded awesome. Never played it. Traded it for a Dave Murray strat. No regrets.

lucidspoon · 10-01-2009, 12:58 PM

Like I said, I don't have a Gibson, but here's a couple pictures of my Epiphone LP...

The last time I was on stage with my Crate. Can't wait to do it again with my Marshall.

And my sorry excuse for a "collection".

The Silverburst LP is the only one that's currently even playable. I want to get the Squire (second from the left) working again, because it's not too bad of a guitar. I "decorated" the Epiphone "Strat" in high school just for fun, because it's not really worth playing. Same thing with the Lotus "LP".

bro blue · 10-02-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollayy:)

Les Pauls are amazing. A better question would be who doesn't like the les paul? I play a studio.

I love the sound, but every Gibson Les Paul I ever played was just uncomfortable (not the weight) and I didn't like the necks. Then I found this ESP LTD EC 1000 Deluxe:

and found something that sounded and played great. It came stock with a JB in the bridge and '59 in the neck.

steelhorse · 10-02-2009, 11:29 PM

Those ESP's are fanfreakingtastic for the dough. I have the one with the actives but I love the burst with Duncan's. Great score!

03-07-2009, 11:20 PM	#121 (permalink)
daimon Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? this might have been brought up in this thread but does anyone know why Gibsons are so ooooooooooooooo freaking expensive? When I got my Les Paul Studio back in 1995 or 96 I bought it new for about 750 or 800 bucks. If you look at the Les Paul customs costing freaking 4 grand??? Why would a guitar cost that much? I mean honestly the jackson I own was 1.3k but its worth every penny. I dream of owning a custom one of these days but if there going to be 3k - 4k I just don't think a guitar is worth that much unless it's signed by someone famous and is more for show then play.

03-08-2009, 03:37 AM	#122 (permalink)
ptate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 107	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? It's primarily because of the Fender "Custom" idea........Get an off-the-shelf plank with (supposedly) better timber selection, send it to your (ahem..!) "custom shop" and have it finished by hand; i.e. hand finish the neck/body/get rid of any imperfections and so on etc. This means that the CS guitars allegedly have a far superior finish and playability, plus all the upgrades (not too much on a Les Paul other than some binding and a couple of different pups!). Any guitar is overpriced (especially the PRS "Let's slightly alter a 50 year old design" planks). Still, I couldn't care less and happily bought the Gibsons (especially the Custom) as any other "single-cut" is just a copy; plus, who can argue with Rhoads, Page, Beck, Hendrix, SRV (yep, the latter used Les Pauls) - the list is endless........

03-08-2009, 03:38 AM	#123 (permalink)
ptate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 107	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Oh, it plays sweet as well.............

03-09-2009, 08:50 PM	#124 (permalink)
hollayy:) Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: On Planet Earth Posts: 5	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Les Pauls are amazing. A better question would be who doesn't like the les paul? I play a studio. __________________ hollayy.

03-10-2009, 04:24 PM	#125 (permalink)
ptate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 107	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Lets see it then Hollayy

03-12-2009, 03:25 PM	#126 (permalink)
Puffer Fish Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 69	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Who DOESN'T like the Gibson Les Paul is more like it! I for one LOVE the Les Paul. Feels good and sounds like rock and roll, for sure. I have a 1979 The Paul and my younger bro has a 1976 Standard and an 80s reissue gold top--they are all simply wonderful. The bodies have a delightful resonance that you really need to have the guitar unplugged to fully appreciate. When you have a Les Paul in your hands, you know you have a guitar with substance. You do not need to look at the head stock to figure it out, you just listen and feel it. Do I hear an AMEN! brothers and sisters? ; )

03-13-2009, 08:59 AM	#127 (permalink)
ptate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 107	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Amen.......... Truly the greatest guitar ever built.

03-13-2009, 07:55 PM	#128 (permalink)
spikei Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 124	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? i love it, BUT my shoulders are killing me.

03-13-2009, 10:37 PM	#129 (permalink)
bigfoamfinger Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 33	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? I want one and will own one..some day...theyre just priced SO high that Ill probably have an Epiphone LP before a Gibson

03-15-2009, 09:15 PM	#131 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,888	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? I definitely think it was uncool the way they tried to slip the weight relief thing past the public. Bizarre. As for the playability of the newer vs. the older models I have a few of each and I have to admit I really like the fact that the newer models are lighter, not by a lot, but by -enough- so I can gig all night with it if I choose to. Heck I have an import washburn (limited edition from boogiestreet) and it weighs almost 13 pounds. I need an adjustment and advil after a night with that thing. The newer models have all the bells and whistles which I find appealing because I go and replace the bridge and add strap locks anyway, and I have huge mitts anyway so the asymmetrical neck is no big deal, it works fine for me. __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

03-16-2009, 02:47 AM	#133 (permalink)
rockinr0ll Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,340	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Les pauls are nice but I don't have a thing for them. I like bolt on necks. My dream guitar would be a Prs ce24.

03-16-2009, 08:08 AM	#134 (permalink)
ptate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 107	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? That'd be the Paul Reed Smith that has spent all his career chasing Gibson's Les Paul feel/tone then......?? ("I know, I'll design an original guitar made of mahogany, single cut with a maple cap and two humbuckers then.......etc.") Owned lots of them, both Epi's and Gibsons; but the best, by far, are the ones that hang around your neck, stretch the strap, make your spine bend and force you into that Les Paul/Rock n Roll slouch ready for playing, like my two 1970 models and '04 Custom...... Weight relief, who needs it; they should add some lead to the control cavity.....

03-16-2009, 08:46 AM	#135 (permalink)
cudamax2343 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Outside of Chicago Posts: 108	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Yea

03-16-2009, 12:49 PM	#136 (permalink)
*Adwex* Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,631	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Nuthin' in the world can beat a Les Paul and a Marshall.

03-16-2009, 01:39 PM	#137 (permalink)
cudamax2343 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Outside of Chicago Posts: 108	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? You Got That RIGHT and your Set-up is Real Sweeeeeet.

03-16-2009, 02:41 PM	#138 (permalink)
ptate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 107	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Oh yes............Marshalls and Les Pauls...........Sorry, just pee'd a bit with the excitement : My three:

09-27-2009, 01:14 AM	#139 (permalink)
airborne strat Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: FT Benning GA Posts: 26	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Alex, Man that is a crazy blue!!! I love that color...gorgeous axe!!!

09-28-2009, 11:10 AM	#140 (permalink)
lucidspoon Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 19	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? I'm glad someone revived this, because I just got a Marshall, and I've been playing with a Les Paul for a while, and agree that the two go together like nothing else! My LP is just an Epiphone Limited Edition Custom, but I still love it. Luckily, I got it before they raised the price, so i got it for $540! I plan on getting a Gibson someday though.

09-28-2009, 11:31 AM	#141 (permalink)
T-Bird Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Finland (Northern Europe) Posts: 152	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Hi. I love Les Pauls, but they doesn't necessarily have to be Gibsons. Out of the LP's I've had, the '8? Studio was among the worst, the '73 Custom fourth or fifth. The best have been the vintage Japanese Tokai's, some with the original pickups, some with swapped PU's. The top of the line Epi Black Beauty I sold to my guitarist, I'd rank 3rd. For me it's a shame that people associate Gibson brand with exeptional quality and pay accordingly, sadly it isn't so IMLE (5 real deals/about a dozen copies). Regards Sam

09-30-2009, 09:54 PM	#143 (permalink)
zslane Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 286	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? I have five Gibson Les Pauls and they are all pretty darned amazing. There may be some excellent Les Paul clones out there, but finding a Gibson that totally rocks is pretty trivial. Unfortunately, new Gibsons are priced beyond what I consider a "good value", and consequently, my last two Gibbys were purchased used. The used market is a veritable treasure trove right now, IMO. __________________ JCM2000 DSL-100 head + 1960A 4x12 cab 30th Anniversary 6100 head JCM2000 DSL-401 combo Les Paul Standards ('96 Goldtop, '99 Ebony, '03 Honeyburst) Les Paul Custom ('04 Alpine White w/ gold hardware) Les Paul Supreme ('07 Trans Black w/ black hardware)

10-01-2009, 07:46 AM	#145 (permalink)
Insightibanez Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 10	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? My dream finally came true. I picked this one up not too long ago.

10-01-2009, 10:51 AM	#146 (permalink)
the_best_of_fools Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? My 83 Custom. Still rocks to this day. tbof

10-01-2009, 11:17 AM	#147 (permalink)
Grandturk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 110	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? I love Les Pauls. I had a beautiful '78 standard. Sounded awesome. Never played it. Traded it for a Dave Murray strat. No regrets.

10-01-2009, 12:58 PM	#148 (permalink)
lucidspoon Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 19	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Like I said, I don't have a Gibson, but here's a couple pictures of my Epiphone LP... The last time I was on stage with my Crate. Can't wait to do it again with my Marshall. And my sorry excuse for a "collection". The Silverburst LP is the only one that's currently even playable. I want to get the Squire (second from the left) working again, because it's not too bad of a guitar. I "decorated" the Epiphone "Strat" in high school just for fun, because it's not really worth playing. Same thing with the Lotus "LP".

10-02-2009, 11:29 PM	#150 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,888	Re: Who likes the Gibson Les Paul? Those ESP's are fanfreakingtastic for the dough. I have the one with the actives but I love the burst with Duncan's. Great score! __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

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