Pulled a coupla guitars from storage for general cleaning and love recently

[Seeker of Rock]

I just don’t have room for them right now so they are in safe regulated storage in a house.

• 2002 American Strat (last year for Fender colour Sky Blue). Nice guitar, a stock Strat. Sounds like, looks like a Strat. Sold a ‘99 Tele to fund it. Always wanted a ‘Baby Blue’ Strat since I became good enough to play. I think 15 years ago it was Fender 074 Sky Blue. Now ‘Sky Blue factory is non-existent on Fender website. Pretty sure my sales receipt list the factory color. Either way, it’s a beautiful baby blue.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

Next, a 1985 LPC ebony with Tim Shaw PAF reissues. Heavy, but the absolute best sounding electric guitar I own. She has been played and isn’t mint, but my favorite.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

Final in storage is a 1986 1959 reissue ‘prehistoric’ from the transition phase from Norlin to Juszkiewicz buyout. Basically what’s left in the bins was used until Bill Lawrence circuit board pickups and new wood factory was used in the prehistorics up until the official launch of Hitstori, Custom, and Art opening in 1993.

All stock including the Lifton case, Shaw pickups, hardware, and sales paperwork. Dark Heritage Sunburst finish and Lightest of my LP’s at around 9 lbs.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

My player (shortlisted from an Orlando guitar show) is a ‘98 Standard. Never weighed this one but probably 11+ lbs. Gibson Std pickups 490/498 of the time and they are monsters with h the wood weight/resonance. It could almost pass for a semi-hollow body unplugged. She’s the one I put playing mileage on the most to catch up with the others

Stock ‘90s Gibson case with Victoria’s Secret inner satin lining and colours

Fat ‘50s neck which sucks, but playing on this makes playing on the others simple, so this is my goto. This is the one if I ever decide to mod (new pots, caps, pups) that I would. But honestly, nothing I can’t get with a roll of volume or flip of selector switch and playing that is a necessary mod for good performance out of any.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

The Strat and Strat style (I have two ‘80s ‘shredders’) ate the easiest guitar to play. The Gibsons just sound so much better IMO.

P.s.- the Orange Tiny Terror combo (discontinued now) is a good basic amp, but overly heavy to carry for what it is. I like it, but use EQ front end to get it where It works. It is heavy as fuck as a tote-around.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

Of course, there are more less-expensive and easier options…

 

[Slouching Raymond]

• 2002 American Strat (last year for Fender colour Sky Blue). Nice guitar, a stock Strat. Sounds like, looks like a Strat.

Those are the good bridge bits, which are solid and flat. The new ones are formed, and have screws sticking up to lacerate your hands.

 

[DrewPeterson7]

I've never been a Gibson guy, feel or sound, but that's a nice looking Strat, and it's from the same general era as my main Strat (a '97). Looks to be the same basic specs, though mine's maple/alder, and I've modded it pretty heavily. QC was still a little hit or miss back then but the American Standards were usually pretty safe, and that's an extremely classy color.

Those are the good bridge bits, which are solid and flat. The new ones are formed, and have screws sticking up to lacerate your hands.

With a 2 point bridge, that's a very easy replacement too - my current poison of choice is the Gotoh 510, which has similar saddles but also a tension-adjustable arm holder allowing you very precise control over how freely the arm can move, as well as locking trem studs for a little more stability and vibrational transfer but mostly just not having to worry about accidently adjusting your bridge height if you've popped the bridge out to adjust something and there's no tension on the guitar. It's like a $120 part, which compared to the price of a modern Strat is pretty small change.

 

[60's guy]

My player (shortlisted from an Orlando guitar show) is a ‘98.


View attachment 150553

Ooooh. I like the looks of that! Reminds me of my 1980 black LP I gifted to my daughter who traded it away.

 

[DM60]

LPs are hard on the back.

 

[60's guy]

LPs are hard on the back.

3" wide straps help.

 

[DM60]

3" wide straps help.

And a lifting belt.

 

[R D Smith]

And a lifting belt.

This is true.

 

[jimistone]

I love everything about les pauls...except rhe easily breakable headatock.
I have a traditional...about 9.5 lbs. Dosent wear out my back on 4 hour weekend gigs

 

[Slouching Raymond]

Dosent wear out my back on 4 hour weekend gigs

4 hours = sore fingers.

 

[RFR]

I love everything about les pauls...except rhe easily breakable headatock.
I have a traditional...about 9.5 lbs. Dosent wear out my back on 4 hour weekend gigs

Hmmm, myself and the boys got together after not playing for a few weeks. We did a 4 hr jam. I went home wiped out!
Usually we’ll just do 2 hours.

Man, I have new respect for aging legacy rock acts doing national and world tours!

Props to them.

But then again, they don’t have to lug their own gear.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

I love everything about les pauls...except rhe easily breakable headatock.

Non of my LPs have repaired broken headstocks. Trick is about breaking guitars, you just have to be careful not to drop them, same with Jacksons and Fenders.

Trick with playing a Les Paul, you have to keep your back and shoulders in strong physical shape as a general fitness goal. Otherwise, a Strat or Ibanez or Kay becomes soooo appealing.

Same playing you do on any, different sound.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

That said, I’m surprised Jimmy Page’s frail frame played Les Pauls live for so many years. I’m guessing like me, it was the sound he wanted most and dealt with the negatives as a sacrifice.

 

[TalismanRich]

I just finished jamming with my friends... 3 hours with about a 20 minute break for some chit chat, a glass of bourbon, and some chips and salsa. I stood for the entire time, using my new H-530 hollow body/P-90 guitar (just over 6.5lbs).

The Joyo battery pack for the pedal board and the Joyo JW-06 wireless setup did great. I also tried a pair of KZ ZSN Pro in-ears which turned out to be very nice. I have tried several of my headphones (K-240s, HD280 and 7506s). The $20 in-ears did a better job and were more comfortable. I might have to pick up a spare set.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

Standing with a LP, depending on whether a modern routed wood ‘solid body’ or a semi-hollow model, it’s a big difference for sure.

How meticulous of a player are you and how much does your guitar tone matter in your live rig? That’s what LP and weight burden comes down to. If you can play a fiberglass hybrid half-body guitar and are happy or a software emulation, then God bless you.

If that’s your preference, a real Gibson Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster may not be right for you.

Neither have onboard tuning or playing corrections or modeling so they aren’t for everyone.