Les Paul or Rickenbacker?

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PannyDeters

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I am about to spend a lot of money (to someone who only made 8k last year) on a guitar. My requirements are that it has good intonation, and STAYS IN TUNE!!!!
I can get a Gibson SL Les Paul for $600, or a Rick for $1k.
Suggestions? It will usually be a distorted sound.

Thanks
 
GIBSON RULES!

I have a Les Paul Studio, and I couldn't be happier with it. It scores high in every area: Action, Intonation, stays in tune, etc. The only additon I'm making to it is adding Sperzel locking tuners. It stays in tune very well already, but I don't like the stock tuners that come with it.

I'd go Gibson or Fender, maybe on the higher end Paul Reed Smith. Rickys are like Carvins, if you like one you'll like the other.

Joe
 
Maybe this question is too obvious, but have you played both of them? These are two very different sounding guitars. I like the sound of both, but for different types of music. Ric's can even sound great with distortion (ala, Peter Buck). But for a good all around versatile sound and playability, I have to agree with the previous posts. Can only have one...go LP!

Ranger

P.S. I have a Rickenbacker, but no Les Paul. I'm looking for the right LP...but still wouldn't part with the Ric. Just thought I'd throw that in.

[This message has been edited by Ranger (edited 01-22-2000).]
 
Thanks guys. I was leaning more towards the LP anyway.

The reasons I possibly wanted the Ric is 'cause it's semi-hollow and a certain band I like uses one and they have "the skronkiest sound ever put on record."

The funny thing about Les Pauls, I've played Gibson Les Paul Studios, SL's, and a Custom. I liked the SL (the cheapest) in sound and feel over the others. Anyone have any ideas on that one?
 
Don't bother spending that money on an SL. If you want a real gibson guitar, buy a used Les Paul standard or custom, early 80's were great for standards, early 90's custom. I remember a friend of mine who just bought a melody maker reissue around 92, intersting guitar, but pretty plain jane.

I bought a LP Standard in very good condition in 88 for $800 Canadian. I'm sure for $600 US + a bit, you could find a good deal on a used guitar.
 
I would go for the RIC. While I seem like the odd ball here, I will tell you why.

I love Les Pauls, but a Gibson Les Paul made recently just doesn't do a thing for me. I am hooked on Heritage Les Paul guitars. They are less than half the price of a Gibson, and made twice as good. I just got a 1994 Heritage SM-150M (LP Standard) and it blows away every single Les Paul I have played, better pickups, better tone, better playability. Just remember, just because it says Gibson, doesn't mean its the best. Heritage is the Gibson of Yesteryear anyway.
Anyway, I really like Rics too, and I think that unless you are playing a whole lot of rock, a RIC is a must more usable guitar. Although, I have not been too fond of those from recent years either... oh well. Call me picky.

check out heritage and its extremely outdated website.
www.heritageguitars.com

MIKE
 
Go with the Rick, DEFINETLY! You ever heard Guy Picciotto in Fugazi? I mean if you want a thin sound with the distortion and skroniness, rics are prefect. Gibson's overrated. Gibsons are for folks who can't afford rics. :P
 
well, if you got the gibson, you're getting a generic played out sound that everyone has and everyone's heard over and over. It's the typical sound. A loud ric is something special. It looks sexy too! Les Pauls are freakin ugly! SGs are sexy, but not les pauls blehg!
 
Paul Kantner played a Ric 360 on early Jefferson Airplane stuff--he and Jorma Kaukonen split lead duties--that's a heavily distorted Ric on "Somebody To Love."
Up until Cosmo's Factory, all the lead work John Fogerty did on CCR recordings was with a Ric. Then he switched to an LP and the sound was more generic.
 
I've been repairing guitars fer a LONG time.....Rics SUCKJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
so...8 1/2 years later...wonder what they guy bought. I imagine guitar prices have even changed a tad too on those Les Pauls.:)
 
Lester, without a doubt. The Ric has trebly pickups (listen to Tom Fogerty's rhythim guitar on Creedence Clearwater recordings) and can't be tweaked to do anything else. A niche instrument, not a main axe.
 
Both are Good, I have both

How to choose? Do you want sustain? Feedback? Scorching lead solo's? Go Les Paul. Do you want a thin twangy crunch? Are you playing a lot of rhythm? Do you want to look and be cool? Go Ric.
 
Seeing the guy who asked the question last posted on this board in November 2001, he's probably worked it out by now.

Or he's dead... :eek:
 
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