Les Pauls - I Have it Figured Out

[Zaphod B]

I finally figured out the whole deal on Les Pauls. Well, kind of.

Every time I get an American Musical Supply catalog, or surf the ZZSounds or Musician's Friend web sites (or even the Gibson web site), I get terminally confused about all the different models.

Here is the current Gibson Les Paul lineup:

The "Gibson USA" models are as follows:
-- LP Classic
-- LP Goddess
-- LP GT
-- LP Melody Maker
-- LP Menace
-- LP Special New Century
-- LP Special w/humbuckers
-- LP Studio Baritone
-- LP Supreme
-- LP Vixen
-- LP Standards
-- LP Studios

Then there's the Custom Shop Models:
- Historic:
-- 1957 Junior
-- 1958 Junior
-- 1960 Special Single-Cut
-- 1960 Special Double-Cut
-- 1956 Goldtop
-- 1957 Goldtop
-- 1957 Custom
-- 1958 Standard
-- 1959 Standard
-- 1960 Standard
- Custom:
-- Class 5 Quilt Top
-- Les Paul Custom
- Limited Historic:
-- 1965 Goldtop
-- 1954 Oxblood
-- 1954 Custom
-- 1957 Custom Faded Cherry
- Limited Custom:
-- 1968 Custom Figured Top
-- Les Paul Ultima (holy fucking shit, this one is $8,000)

So what's the decoding secret?

Beats the shit out of me. But I'll bet they are following the Harley-Davidson Model Of Confuse By Naming, Mixing, And Matching, Then Overpricing. Harley has, I think, three basic frames, four or five engines, and a buttload of different handlebars and other fittings. Out of a few basic major components they offer a bewildering array of motorcycles that all have names like "FLDXCS Night Shadow" and "FLCSSR Boulevardier", and that look just different enough that they will strike different emotional chords within different potential Harley buyers.

One of these days I'm going to find the Secret Gibson Decoder Ring. Until then, I'll keep looking for deals on blems and b-stock!

..

[metalhead28]

I figured out Les Pauls a long time ago when I determined that they suck. So now I don't care how many models they make.

(They suck in my own personal opinion okay. I'm entitled to my opinion right?)

[Colour]

Wow, that is an absolutely insane amount of models. I didn't know Gibson made that many models of the same basic guitar. I've always been confused by the amount of Epiphone Les Paul models, though. Epi probably has enough variations to match the list you made above.

At the local Guitar Center, there is an entire wall dedicated to Les Pauls. It's far larger than the wall dedicated to hollowbody guitars. Overblown, if you ask me.

[Zaphod B]

Hell, I didn't even list the "Signature" models like the "Joe Perry Boneyard."

[legionserial]

Originally Posted by metalhead28

I figured out Les Pauls a long time ago when I determined that they suck. So now I don't care how many models they make.

(They suck in my own personal opinion okay. I'm entitled to my opinion right?)

You know, I'm glad someone else shares my opinion. I have spoken to so many people about this even just recently. People who don't really know much about guitars, but play, and they ask my advice. I give them my opinion, which they ignore (fair enough I spose) and start going "Les Pauls are blatantly the best guitars", and then proceed put down every other make, granted they give explanations, but explanations like "well this guitar has too much twang" and this guitar I don't like cos I don't like the sound of x band that use them. Explanations based on very little experience which shows when you say "have you ever played one of those?" and they say "no, but I wouldn't want to".

Thats when we find out that they have never been near a Les Paul in their life either. Not even an Epi.

People are so keen to listen to hype these days. Yes, Slash has a Les Paul, but he also has infinite money to spend getting it the way he wants.

Sorry for the rant. I had rather heated debate with someone this week who doesn't know jack about guitars and asked my advice, which I was happy to give, and proceeded to pretty much insinuate that I know nothing. Fair play, I don't care what he thinks. But I find it amusing when someone says "I don't like this guitar cos it sounds like X on X record". Especially when they wouldn't know tone if it hit them in the face.

But anyway, basically my personal opinon is that I have never played an LP I liked. Thats my opinion tho.

Moral of the story - At least play a fucking guitar before you develop your definitive unchangeable opinion that its the best just cos Gibson told you so. (thats not aimed at anyone BTW)

Semi-irrelevant rant over....I feel much better now.

[flamin-gitaur]

Originally Posted by Zaphod B

Hell, I didn't even list the "Signature" models like the "Joe Perry Boneyard."

Or the discontinued models.

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by flamin-gitaur

Or the discontinued models.

...theres' not enough time left in my life for that.

Be sure, though, that every discontinued LP is guaranteed to resurface as a Custom Shop model!

[hixmix]

Gibson is on a giant marketing blitz right now. The name brand "Gibson" is popping up everywhere, it seems. The new direction is "lifestyles" rather than guitars. The Gibson marketers are creating an image thing. The CEO admitted this himself in an article a few months ago.

Don't get me wrong. I've always loved Gibson guitars. It's just that they're raising their profile and their prices along with it. Buy used.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by legionserial

But anyway, basically my personal opinon is that I have never played an LP I liked. Thats my opinion tho.

Moral of the story - At least play a fucking guitar before you develop your definitive unchangeable opinion that its the best just cos Gibson told you so. (thats not aimed at anyone BTW)

Semi-irrelevant rant over....I feel much better now.

FWIW, I have an early 70's Paul, and I love it. I also have an early 60's Strat which I also love. I love them for different reasons, and I use them for different tasks.

[gcapel]

Originally Posted by ggunn

FWIW, I have an early 70's Paul, and I love it. I also have an early 60's Strat which I also love. I love them for different reasons, and I use them for different tasks.

i second that. i love the tone of my Gary Moore Sig. LP (ala burst buckers). I can get natural balls to the wall bassy sustain on the neck pickup. But it's more than that. It's the feel as well. For more heavy rock stuff I use my SG-I. Which is a 90's model Gibson SG with only a 500T humbucker at the bridge with a coil tap feature. The SG is more cutting and biting. I would like to own a telecaster one day.


I can see how some styles of music would have no intrest in this guitar(LP). So yeah i understand how some of you have a dislike for it. Rock on with your hateraid.

[Zaphod B]

I knew this would turn out to be a "I love / I hate LP" thread, even though that wasn't the intent.

That said, I have an older LP that has been a true workhorse for me, and I respect the brand and the model.

But they have become damned near unaffordable - not that they were ever particularly cheap - and it's very difficult to differentiate between models. this makes it difficult to know where the value is from model to model.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Zaphod B

I knew this would turn out to be a "I love / I hate LP" thread, even though that wasn't the intent.

That said, I have an older LP that has been a true workhorse for me, and I respect the brand and the model.

But they have become damned near unaffordable - not that they were ever particularly cheap - and it's very difficult to differentiate between models. this makes it difficult to know where the value is from model to model.

I hear that. I paid $350 for my black LP Custom, but that was some time ago.

[djhead]

I have that $800 one they put out a few years back. Not bad. Not great either. Not worth $800, but better than my mexi-made fat strat I had.....

[espskully]

Originally Posted by metalhead28

I figured out Les Pauls a long time ago when I determined that they suck. So now I don't care how many models they make.

(They suck in my own personal opinion okay. I'm entitled to my opinion right?)

No, no you certainly are not.

[metalhead28]

Originally Posted by espskully

No, no you certainly are not.

Sorry you feel that way.

If you had included a smiley face with that post I wouldn't be so inclined to share the following opinion with you >

Get Fucked.



What are we in the cave or something?

[espskully]

Originally Posted by metalhead28

Sorry you feel that way.

If you had included a smiley face with that post I wouldn't be so inclined to share the following opinion with you >

Get Fucked.



What are we in the cave or something?

I forgot I wasn't in the cave!

That's a very interesting opinion you have there metalhead.

[EddieRay]

Originally Posted by hixmix

Gibson is on a giant marketing blitz right now. The name brand "Gibson" is popping up everywhere, it seems. The new direction is "lifestyles" rather than guitars. The Gibson marketers are creating an image thing. The CEO admitted this himself in an article a few months ago.

Don't get me wrong. I've always loved Gibson guitars. It's just that they're raising their profile and their prices along with it. Buy used.

Yeah, I've even noticed something totally new: Gibson TV commercials.

Anyway, being mostly a bass player and acoustic guitar player, I'm not really up on what Les Pauls are about. But I can say this: all the really, REALLY good guitarists I've played with own a Les Paul AND a Strat. They probably have a few more at home but these 2 particular guitars are with them at every gig. Based on that, I'm under the impression that those who bash one or the other probably have a few things yet to learn.

[Bondo]

I tihnk it's all a matter of the sound you are trying to get, or it should be. I mean a Les Paul sounds like a Les Paul. If that is the sound you need, that is what it will take. All too often though I think people will jut pick them up to be cool. I mean It is hard to understand bands with two guitarists both playing Les Pauls through the same kind Marshall or Mesa amp. But then again these bands rarely need two guitar players anyways, so I tinhk that is the coolness factor again. But anyways, The top end Les Pauls are overpriced, the customs and all that, but the studios, specials and even the slightly higher odels are well worth the money. I mean wasnt there a thread the other day about getting what you pay for. Does this make sense? I am now questioning my ability to write. sorry.

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by Bondo

I am now questioning my ability to write. sorry.

So are we!

[metalhead28]

Originally Posted by EddieRay

Yeah, I've even noticed something totally new: Gibson TV commercials.

Anyway, being mostly a bass player and acoustic guitar player, I'm not really up on what Les Pauls are about. But I can say this: all the really, REALLY good guitarists I've played with own a Les Paul AND a Strat. They probably have a few more at home but these 2 particular guitars are with them at every gig. Based on that, I'm under the impression that those who bash one or the other probably have a few things yet to learn.

I agree that a Strat has a pretty unique sound. However I don't think they are priced nearly as ridiculously as most Les Pauls so that's different. I just don't think that a Les Paul really offers anything beyond your standard humbucker equipped solid body as long as it's not an imported piece of shit. Plus they are heavy as hell and have terrible upper fret access. That's not necessarily important to everybody, I realize that, but it doesn't mean you're missing out on the holy grail of tone by playing something different.
The only reason I talk down Les Pauls is becasue of the number of people who insist that you are missing out if you're not playing one. I've heard that alot over the years. I've also played plenty of them. They're not bad guitars but they're nothing special in my opinion. (and did I mention that they have terrible upper fret access?)

[TelePaul]

Originally Posted by Zaphod B

Hell, I didn't even list the "Signature" models like the "Joe Perry Boneyard."

Is that not an Epi?

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by TelePaul

Is that not an Epi?

There is both a Gibson and an Epi version.

[Bondo]

I have to say I do own one, an LP, but I play my Aria hollowbody before it anyday, and half the time play a mexican strat over it as well. It is a Gibson not an Epi btw. It may be making a return soon if I can get some electronic issues sorted out.

[Zaphod B]

Originally Posted by metalhead28

I just don't think that a Les Paul really offers anything beyond your standard humbucker equipped solid body as long as it's not an imported piece of shit. Plus they are heavy as hell and have terrible upper fret access. That's not necessarily important to everybody, I realize that, but it doesn't mean you're missing out on the holy grail of tone by playing something different.

Well said, and I agree completely.

[blueroommusic]

new Gibbie's aren't worth the money....at all...don't buy one.

on the other hand I would give my left testicle, and a chance at having children for my buddy's 78 LP...my god, the tone COULD be the voice of God him/herself...