Les Paul info needed

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 26 Dec 2010 4:09 pm

I had a Les Paul many years ago and like most great instruments I obtained I sold. With thet said, there are many types of LP's so what model/type are more desireable? I am not into the vintage mega buck stuff, I'm looking for a player.

Thanks in advance,

Lenny

Dana Blodgett · Post by **Dana Blodgett** » 26 Dec 2010 5:10 pm

Len, I think it boils down to what you prefer, Do you like light or heavy bodied guitars? Gibson Makes les Pauls that are solid mahogany and also "weight relieved." An example of a "non-weight" relieved would be most Les Paul Customs.Most Les Paul Studio's are "weight relieved", except for their new model called a "Deluxe".You need to do your homework on this matter. I prefer the Les Paul Specials myself they used to be called "Juniors" in the old days.Some models even had a flat maple cap on top of the mahogany slab and sounded very close to a "Standard". The Les Paul Custom I had years ago was very,very heavy and killed my back and neck after playing for an hour or so. The "Specials" (single or double cut-away) weigh in at about 6lbs. or so. The Customs are 9-10lbs.
Also the subject of neck profiles should be of interest. Gibson makes at least three different profiles-a rounded '59, a 60's slim-taper, and a assymetrical rounded '59 slim taper. This is personal taste I think.
Tuning machines are different also. Some models have Grovers (which are heavy) and Kluson style (2 styles) which are lighter.I prefer these.
Then the subject of pickups are of interest too. They make so many different styles of Humbuckers-the 490r-490t's alnico 11,paf's 57 classics,Burstbucker pro's 1,2,3,ceramic HB's 498r-500t, P90's, P100's and so on.This is a matter of taste again.Try different models and different pickup configurations.For myself I love the sound of an old les Paul with P-90's in it. The p100's sound similar in tone but are a lot more "clean" than a P90.Similarly a 57 classic p/up sounds a little more distorted to me than say a 490HB with a similar sound.
My son just bought a new Les paul Studio for $799 no tax, no shipping thru MF. I played it yesterday and it sounds really good to me, has great action, a'59 neck that feels good and a satin "worn" finish. It is weight relieved but is not neck heavy. It is good enough to gig with. I'm sure he'll get 200-300 gigs out of it! Good luck!

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 26 Dec 2010 5:34 pm

These are Jay Turser guitars..2 LPs and a jazz box..Great bang for the buck..Very nice necks,good finish,exelent sound and low cost..
BTW the white LP is for sale...PJ...

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 26 Dec 2010 7:07 pm

Thanks guy for the info and insight. This won't be a quick decision and I'll just have to keep trying various guitars to see what feels and sounds right.

Lenny

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 26 Dec 2010 10:13 pm

The archetypal Les Paul guitar would be the Gibson Les Paul Standard. It comes in a variety of colours, but sunbursts seem to be the most common. The typical Les Paul Standard has two full size humbucking pickups, a single cream coloured binding around the top half of the body, cream coloured plastic parts, and trapezoidal inlays in the fretboard.

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 27 Dec 2010 8:00 am