What kind of Les Paul and Why?

[tapper mike]

So our discussion on stratocasters led me down memory lane. When I was in a classic rock/blues band called Hit'n"Run

When I started with them I was playing my Strat Plus. Eventually I brought out my Les Paul Reissue(standard) and my Les Paul Custom. Both 70's era thin necks the Standard had P90's and the Custom had humbuckers. That Custom opened a lot of doors for me. And while I firmly believe that it's more about the artist than the guitar it really brought out my best playing while really hurting my shoulder. Which was why I'd only do one set.

Three LP's are on my mind. None of them I can afford. I've still got a Samick Fastback which I treat as a Standard and it's no cigar but close enough.

The three are_
Les Paul Supreme (current model)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrS-dPNce3c&t=956s
Peter Frampton Custom

Sawtooth Vudu Americana
https://youtu.be/8XpGtnUoKn0?t=437
Jump to the 7:30 mark for the demo

I've played my fair share of junk LP copies Cimar, 80's Epi, Magnum and, hondo to name a few.

So three questions.
What Les Paul type guitar do you own?
What Les Paul type do you wish to own?
Who inspires you to play a Les Paul (Page, Slash, Schon, other?)

[mrcleats]

I own a 2013 50s Tribute with P90s, and a '93 Orville by Gibson LP standard with Texas BBQ humbuckers.

They both play great, are different enough to justify having both. I really don't see me trading them for anything else. I don't covet another, these are perfect for me.

I'm not sure anyone in particular inspires me to play a Les Paul, my favourite guitar players tend to play telecasters, SGs and strats.

I just love them, they feel right, they sound great.

[pekbro]

That FRX bridge is interesting. My buddy has a LP Black Beauty with a Bigsby on it, it was Dave Murrays, but he didn't like it and gave it to my friend. That's right gave it to him, like $5k guitar. Sadly, I have not gotten any free guitars. TBF my friend got it for Dave at his request, Dave gave him the money and then the guitar some weeks later.

Anyway, I have an old 87 lp studio, I use it a lot since the finish is history on it and I don't have to worry about banging it around. I wouldn't mind having one of those lp Supremes, tho I wouldn't spend the money on one if had it laying around.

Who inspires me to play a lp? No one in particular. I don't really get inspired like that. I like guitarists due to the music they write for the guitar, their playing doesn't have much to do with it nor does the guitar really. Many can play the guitar well, the writing, that where it's at for me.

[Scrubbing Monkeys]

I play a The Paul. 1978 walnut. Not a true LP but for me it is better. More comfy and I like where the toggle is. I have had a few LP and though they were really nice they were uncomfortable and too thick in the tone. Granted though a turned up JCM 800 they are heavenly but......that is a narrow scope. I do however love the clean tones Les himself got.
My dream LP woyld be a 54 gold top w the p 90s......probably wouldnt play it though.
Ace Frehley was responsible for my LP lust.

[resynthesis]

I'm not sure I get inspired to play particular instruments by particular players TBH but, if pushed, I'd have to say Gary Moore and Mark Knopfler. I'm not really a big Dire Straits fan but I am a fan of the way Knopfler manipulates his tone so well.

I've had a 93 Historic '57 Gold Top for about 15 years and really like the way it plays. I love the neck pup but, while ok with gain, I don't find the bridge pup fantastic with clean and edge of breakup sounds. I should probably fiddle a bit more with the height and polepieces. If it was my only guitar I'd probably swap the pups out - a pal has an Eastman with Antiquities and that sounds excellent.

Wish to own? Probably either a Jr or Special DC with P90s. Maybe get a decent base instrument (Eastman probably) and do a Neil Young on it.

[lunardigs]

I've been on the lookout for a Les Paul for like 3 years now, but haven't bought one yet.
However, I did get an Ibanez 335 last summer, with Super 58 pups and it's been a lot of fun. In fact it's kinda convinced me that I should have a Les Paul.
I suppose if a good ESP came along I might grab it. Ideally though, I'd like a Gibson. Hard to say which exactly, but I'm kinda set on PAF/'58 style.

[tapper mike]

Yeah I played a few LP's made between 2004 and 2019, Fat chunky necks. I never liked the weight of standards and customs but I hated the tone of Less Les Pauls. The Chambered LP's like Peter Frampton's keep the tone and lose the weight. I've tried a few "Studio" LP they didn't work for me at all.

When I pick up my LP I immediately want to play Allman Brothers stuff. Jessica, Melissa, Ramblin Man Midnight Rider. Songs I've performed publicly before.

Then I gravitate to Santana again I've played several covers as a gigging musician with my Custom. Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, Open Invitation, Samba Pa Ti and Europa. I worshipped Santana's playing style.

I should know more Led Zepplin songs but I only know a few.

Now I'm off to the races, going to download some Journey tunes for Guitar Pro. Some I remember bits and pieces.

[mountainmaster]

This is my limited edition 2014 Gibson Les Paul Double Cutaway.



I pre-ordered this guitar upon its release from a large online shop which shall remain nameless. They sold it new for 1200 euros whereas the correct price tag should have been 2100 euros. They never noticed their mistake and I received the guitar at a generous 900 euros "discount".

I did not care much for Les Paul guitars but I figured I would try this one and then sell it at a profit. However, it turned out to be surprisingly good and so I kept it.

[imrae]

Strongly suspect the best Les Paul for me is a Tele Custom

Les Paul sound is good but the bodies feel weirdly small and heavy. And 335 feels weirdly big and light

Tele Custom has very similar features/layout; how do people rate the sound comparison?

[Magic Russ]

My Les Paul is a Japanese copy. It's my first guitar and I doubt I'd get anything by selling it so I may as well keep it.

[pekbro]

I prefer the scale of the lp over the tele, i wouldnt mind getting a reverend greg koch
signature, basically a tele lp I believe.

[VOODOO U]

This is my limited edition 2014 Gibson Les Paul Double Cutaway.



I pre-ordered this guitar upon its release from a large online shop which shall remain nameless. They sold it new for 1200 euros whereas the correct price tag should have been 2100 euros. They never noticed their mistake and I received the guitar at a generous 900 euros "discount".

I did not care much for Les Paul guitars but I figured I would try this one and then sell it at a profit. However, it turned out to be surprisingly good and so I kept it.

Jackpot. That thing looks f**king sweet.
I'm an SG guy but it is a nice LP.

[jens]

I have a (non-vintage) Höfner Club Solid and it's a gorgeous guitar in all regards - got it for peanuts.



https://www.beatlebassdealer.com/hofner ... guitar.htm

[tapper mike]

Strongly suspect the best Les Paul for me is a Tele Custom

Les Paul sound is good but the bodies feel weirdly small and heavy. And 335 feels weirdly big and light

Tele Custom has very similar features/layout; how do people rate the sound comparison?

A 335 is not a Les Paul by most measures. 335's are semi hollow, LP's are solid. I've owned both.
The shallow semi hollow body and shallow hollow body field is just as wide as the les paul or strat field.


Tele Deluxe has "Wide Fidelity" and are characteristically Not humbuckers they are three poles per side which does work for noise canceling but also have a brighter thinner sound. There's a reason why no one is still playing them after 1979.

The "Tomcat" was released by Seymour Duncan back in the 60's when he launched his pickup company. A Tomcat uses real Humbuckers (JB SH-01) and a simple 3way selector one volume and one tone. Jeff Beck used his Tomcat on most of his post yardbird recordings and live appearances until adopting a Les Paul
Look at the cover. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MMye6isvLY
It's a Tomcat
Look at this cover it's a Les Paul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5i_y_ItAnQ

Not that I have any problems with full humbuckers on Tele's my MIM Blacktop Telecaster has Alnico5 pups. I'm just saying it's not a Les Paul by any measure and shouldn't be thought of as a replacement for one.

Scale Length makes a difference in feel and tone. 24.7 will always feel easier to press down on than comparative 25.5

Every time you switch from guitar type to guitar type there will be and adjustment period. To a certain degree the more you experiment with more guitars the more flexible you become as a guitarist. Granted we all have our limits. I'll never be a Gretsch player

[tapper mike]

I prefer the scale of the lp over the tele, i wouldnt mind getting a reverend greg koch
signature, basically a tele lp I believe.

I remember when Joe Naylor sold off his amp business so he could build american made guitars here in Michigan. I loved the tone and action of the original Reverend Rocco I didn't love the hard edge where the back met the sides of the body. It was constantly digging into me.