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Post by tele1962 on Jan 14, 2007 13:27:41 GMT -7
My personal favorite Les Paul style guitar has always been a good Gibson Les Paul. Customs, Deluxes, Standards and Classics...have played some great ones.
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Post by frank4001 on Jan 14, 2007 14:43:08 GMT -7
A friend of mine just bought a new Gibson '57 GT VOS...not sure what he paid but I was impressed with it just sitting around with it. The neck felt very much like a an actual '52 I have access to..Not heavy and very good tone. Played well too. Smallish frets...That neck shape is my favorite..like a cross btween a "U" and a "V"....do they have a name for that shape? Back on topic...If you really want a great LP type guitar cheap, see if you can find a Dean EVO "Premuim"...the one handmade in the Czech Republic with a pair of splittable Pearly Gates PU's...Very much like a LP Custom. I have one...its heavy but sounds and plays great..I have Norlin era LP and A '2000 LP Standard to compare...YMMV.
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Post by skydog958 on Jan 14, 2007 14:53:59 GMT -7
I have a Dean EVO Special that I sold recently. Great guitar for the money.
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Post by Hohn on Jan 24, 2007 15:09:47 GMT -7
A friend of mine just bought a new Gibson '57 GT VOS...not sure what he paid but I was impressed with it just sitting around with it. The neck felt very much like a an actual '52 I have access to..Not heavy and very good tone. Played well too. Smallish frets...That neck shape is my favorite..like a cross btween a "U" and a "V"....do they have a name for that shape? Back on topic...If you really want a great LP type guitar cheap, see if you can find a Dean EVO "Premuim"...the one handmade in the Czech Republic with a pair of splittable Pearly Gates PU's...Very much like a LP Custom. I have one...its heavy but sounds and plays great..I have Norlin era LP and A '2000 LP Standard to compare...YMMV. I've always like a good LP. But they are just too hard to find these days. With the price tags they carry, they should ALL be "magic" instead of just the 1%-3% it seems to be. I played a '57 GT VOS last Spring at a GC in Tampa. The thing was a ringer-- just perfect in feel and tone. On sale that day for $1700, too. I posted here on feeling my "should bought it" remorse. I personally like the Goldtop finish least of all LPs, but this thing sounded and played so good, I'd a bought it if it was a Hello Kitty model. jmo
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Post by Joey Beverages on Jan 24, 2007 17:54:44 GMT -7
I gotta stop reading these threads I just 'happened' to stop by one of my favorite local shops, and tried out a recent L.P. Standard, a 58 ( ? ) reissue and some others ;D Then I looked in my wallet I still stand by what I suggested earlier (look at Hamer and Heritage), but I will admit there are some good Gibsons.
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cosmo
Full Member
Posts: 156
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Post by cosmo on Jan 25, 2007 0:14:19 GMT -7
A little more on the Hamer thing. I've been pining for a "real" LP lately...and may still buy one if it's right, just for sentimental reasons I guess...but the LPs I've been trying out lately are shockingly inconsistent quality-wise, badly set up...and some are REAL heavy. So I come home and pick up my Monaco Superpro, and what a pleasure. I got it on eBay for under $1400, a 7.5 pound NAMM show guitar in 99% mint condition. Just saw another one on the bay for $1450...and no bidders. I've also played and loved both the Artist and the Newport (24.75 scale though). Great guitars and highly recommended. Resale value is great, but great guitars at reasonable prices are greater!
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Post by propellr on Jan 25, 2007 7:08:37 GMT -7
I hated the weight of my Les Paul Classic yadda yadda yadda I love my Les Paul Smartwood Exotic. Get one used for less than 800 bones.
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Post by homicidalzen on Feb 7, 2007 7:51:28 GMT -7
Well, I tried out a lot of guitars. I basically narrowed it down to the Grosh Set Neck and the Gibson VOS line. I've decided on the VOS just because it's a lot less money and I love the les paul look. I played a bunch of SG VOS as well which were a lot lighter and more comfortable for me to play, the body style seemed to nestle into my lap much nicer than the LP. It's weird for me to play a Gibson after playing nothing but strats for 7 years, however, I think it's something I can get used to. I love the soft finish on the VOS, the fretwork is gorgeous - the fretboard is very comfortable to play on despite the fatter neck that I'm not used to yet. I have pretty much decided on the Les Paul over the SG just because of its looks . I'm going in on the 15th to play about 16 VOS to decide which I want (bringing my amp/pedalboard in), so I have a question for all of you.. What exactly should I look for in deciding between several guitars that are virtually the same? Thanks. Josh
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Post by billyguitar on Feb 7, 2007 11:48:18 GMT -7
SGs can be neck heavy too, which irritates me no end.
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Post by skydog958 on Feb 7, 2007 21:06:56 GMT -7
Well and SG and a Les Paul don't quite sound the same. The extra mass and the maple on the Les Paul changes things.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Feb 8, 2007 15:19:05 GMT -7
SGs seem to find a real sweet zone - check out Derek Trucks latest Songlines. Les Pauls? What can't they do ... except maybe some of the crazier things that Teles and Rics do.
O/T ... I knew I shouldn't of read this thread .... getting ready to trade some stuff for Heritage H150-CM ;D
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Post by beej on Feb 13, 2007 20:57:38 GMT -7
my 2 cents ... Grosh set neck ... and be done with it - you'll save money in the long run
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Post by jwr on Feb 13, 2007 21:24:09 GMT -7
Josh, it may sound cheesy, but you'll know when you play "the one". You'll get that sinking feeling in your stomach, like your about to spend a LOT of $$$. Look at the fret work as that seems to be where Gibsons are all over the map right now. Play them unplugged and thru an amp, if it rings and sustains without the amp it should sound pretty good plugged in. Just my 2 cents. Nothing against Grosh by the way, I'm about to order a Retro Classic, simply amazing guitars.
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Post by Hohn on Feb 14, 2007 12:51:36 GMT -7
Funny, I just had that sinking feeling looking at an SRZ-65 ltd:) Like, I'm gonna have an argument with my wife, and feel bad for what I haven't even done:
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Post by propellr on Feb 14, 2007 13:02:26 GMT -7
Go with your gut and you'll always be right. Your decision could be based on something tangible, or intangible. With me, it's often some of both. Let us know what happens when you've made your choice.
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Post by Curt on Feb 14, 2007 13:03:11 GMT -7
FWIW I just scored a 1990 Les Paul Studio for $625, ebony 'board, nice full neck like an R9, a GREAT lil guitar IMO better than the 2001 R8 it replaced, and I'm $1700 richer.....priceless.
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Post by Don on Feb 15, 2007 20:01:19 GMT -7
Three of my favorite Les Pauls. The one on the left, I ordered from Gibson in 1976 and it arrived in 1977. They wired it differently for me. I played this guitar in every city that I've been. And unfortunately, it shows the wear, but it's still the best player I own. The Florentine in the center, came from the Custom Shop. They tell me it's the only red one they ever made. This one just sings. The right one is a '61 Les Paul/SG with a Maestro instead of a side pull.
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Post by Curt on Feb 16, 2007 8:52:47 GMT -7
Three of my favorite Les Pauls. The one on the left, I ordered from Gibson in 1976 and it arrived in 1977. They wired it differently for me. I played this guitar in every city that I've been. And unfortunately, it shows the wear, but it's still the best player I own. The Florentine in the center, came from the Custom Shop. They tell me it's the only red one they ever made. This one just sings. The right one is a '61 Les Paul/SG with a Maestro instead of a side pull.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Feb 18, 2007 9:16:34 GMT -7
Three of my favorite Les Pauls. The one on the left, I ordered from Gibson in 1976 and it arrived in 1977. They wired it differently for me. I played this guitar in every city that I've been. And unfortunately, it shows the wear, but it's still the best player I own. The Florentine in the center, came from the Custom Shop. They tell me it's the only red one they ever made. This one just sings. The right one is a '61 Les Paul/SG with a Maestro instead of a side pull. sweeeeeeee-t! you definitely have a fine collection goin' on once I sort thru some technical difficulties, I'll post my recent acquisition from Kalamazoo ;D
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Post by rhythmeister on Feb 20, 2007 12:44:58 GMT -7
For example, the Artist model may be the best playing and sounding 335 on the planet, and at a bargain price to boot. I just picked up a used, dead-mint Hamer Korina Artist w/ P-90s and OHSC for US$850...less than 1/3 the list price. Sweet guitar and sweet deal ;D. Cheers, Blair
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Post by billyguitar on Feb 20, 2007 12:48:50 GMT -7
I know where there's a two pickup Artisan just like BW's, except no middle pickup. $3,300!
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Post by mudskipper on Feb 20, 2007 14:49:51 GMT -7
What exactly should I look for in deciding between several guitars that are virtually the same? Thanks. Josh i always look for a nice even vibration from all strings when the guitar is unplugged. i touch the tip of headstock, tip of cutaway(s), end of the body, back of the neck, etc.... i can weed out a few this way right off the bat. then plug them in and spend some time with each one. i pretty much know if i like a guitar or not within the first 30sec, though. if i'm spending anything in the 4 digits and guitars happen to have dead strings, i usually ask them if i can change them. the difference here is that i don't ask them to change them. i bring or buy some extra sets and change them myself. i figure this would keep everyone happy.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Feb 24, 2007 14:48:54 GMT -7
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Post by billyguitar on Feb 24, 2007 15:18:19 GMT -7
I've got an old Heritage from the early 80s, I think it's a 140. Pretty plain little guitar except for the flame top. REAL nice lightweight Les Paul type guitar. Mine had Shaller pickups and changed them out for some nice Duncans. I don't use it but I don't want to let it go either. It's too good! You did good!
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Post by Joey Beverages on Feb 24, 2007 16:10:42 GMT -7
I've got an old Heritage from the early 80s, I think it's a 140. Pretty plain little guitar except for the flame top. REAL nice lightweight Les Paul type guitar. Mine had Shaller pickups and changed them out for some nice Duncans. I don't use it but I don't want to let it go either. It's too good! You did good! cheers and +1 ;D
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Post by nitehawk55 on Feb 24, 2007 18:43:13 GMT -7
Nicest LP I did own and should have kept was a custom shop "elegant" model that had a chambered body and an awsome top in cherryburst with abalone markers and a black ebony fretboard . It also had the custom shop circle inlay in the headstock because it was an early one . It played and sounded awsome but I had a collector who kept at me wanting and I finally relented and sold it to him . One of my regrets....and I've had a few .
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Post by johngourlay on Feb 25, 2007 12:05:28 GMT -7
Nitehawk, I'm looking at a S/h LP elegant this week at a dealer near me. I'm glad that you recommend them, this one is in pristine condition, early 90's I think. What PU's were on yours? The ad states that is 'lightened', I suppose that is the chambering? The best LP sound I got was from my PRS CU22...............
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Post by nitehawk55 on Feb 25, 2007 12:37:18 GMT -7
Nitehawk, I'm looking at a S/h LP elegant this week at a dealer near me. I'm glad that you recommend them, this one is in pristine condition, early 90's I think. What PU's were on yours? The ad states that is 'lightened', I suppose that is the chambering? The best LP sound I got was from my PRS CU22............... If it's early 90's I don't think that will be the elegant model I speak of John . I do think Gibson made another version in the early 90's but I would suggest doing some reseach just to be sure . If it is a recent "elegant " model as I had they were built around 2000 and it will have either the " custom shop" inlay on the front of the headstock or a decal on the back . Fretboard will be black ebony and is a compound radius type and it has abalone inlays . As to the type of pups used , I don't recall but I think they were 57's or 59's . I do like my PRS CU22 as well as my CE22 and McCarty Std W/ P90's to fill the LP void
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Post by mrbill on Feb 25, 2007 15:57:06 GMT -7
After playing nothing but Strats for years, I recently bought a '58 VOS LP in Washed Cherry. Very pricey at $3K, but also worth it, imo - the best playing and sounding guitar I've ever owned. The store I bought from had five LPs - two VOS, two NOS, and a Jimmy Page model. At 10K, I didn't even bother with the Page. Both of the NOS LPs looked great, but the sound was just okay, and both felt "stiff". Both of the VOS LPs played and sounded great but, to my ears, the one I took home sounded richer and a bit warmer. All of the VOS models have the fret plecking, and the difference in playability is noticeable. 3K might be too much, but years from now, when LPs are going for three times that, I'll have a great guitar that'll make me smile every time I play it. I would definitely recommend the VOS LPs, but I suppose it comes down to what do you have / want to spend and what makes it all "worth it".
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Post by johngourlay on Feb 27, 2007 0:08:36 GMT -7
The elegant is dated 1999. Ebony board. Don't know the SN yet, seeing it on Sat. They cost about $4000 new? ? There's a nice looking PRS singlecut there too.
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