Gibson Les Paul (R7, R8, R9 or a Custom) vs PRS with Stoptail (Mccarty/Tremonti)

[mermer]

I've never tried the Polymaths but can't think of a reason they wouldn't be a good fit. The vid sounds great as do the clips on BKPs site.

Yea the clips sound very good as well. Instead of split, I can also wire them in parallel.

 

[Beyond Black]

For tuning that low I’d go 25.5” scale.

 

[mermer]

For tuning that low I’d go 25.5” scale.

Is it really that low? The lowest I would go will be Drop C.

 

[HowieJams]

I have been curious about BKP Polymath’s, they might be a good match with the McCarty. As far as I know the bridge sounds a bit dark while the neck is sweet. They would match good with the bright McCarty, also splitted bridge would be interesting.



It would be similar to the guitar in the video, except the rosewood / ebony board. Eddie also has some other videos with this guitar, sounds very very good actually and quite

That sounds great, definitely the sound you are looking for

 

[Beyond Black]

Is it really that low? The lowest I would go will be Drop C.

Oh “drop C,” gotcha. Nah you’d be fine with some 10’s or 11’s.

 

[mermer]

That sounds great, definitely the sound you are looking for

Yes I also really like it. It’s aggressive enough but in a different way than a Les Paul

 

[mermer]

Bumping this one as I'm still deliberating. I'm planning to sell my HSS Strat (here) and move to another HH, set-neck guitar, and I'm torn between a McCarty Stoptail, a Tremonti Stoptail, or another Les Paul. I already own a Les Paul Custom. I recently tried a Custom Shop '57 Goldtop in store and wasn't impressed — the frets were very thin and the guitar felt lifeless acoustically. Based on that experience I'd take a McCarty Stoptail over it without hesitation, though I'm aware every Les Paul is its own instrument.
The McCarty's coil splitting is a meaningful advantage for versatility, but the Tremonti Stoptail has been on my radar for a while and I'm genuinely curious about how it plays and feels compared to both. My Les Paul Custom has early T-Tops so a higher output Tremonti pickups would create diversity. It's also not a big issue with the McCarty since the pickups can be easily swapped.
Would love to hear so experiences, comments.

 

[Sixstringflannel]

I have a 594 that is more LPC specs woods wise. I would say it is different enough to compliment a LPC but not step over it. Les Pauls are just going to do the Les Paul thing. If you have the 2 piece bridge then you will likely be stuck with the brass saddles. I will say once I got mine dialed in and set up, it’s the main guitar I reach for. I put a Tremonti in the bridge, left the 58/15LT in the neck but will probably move it out later. Tremonti bridge is splittable. Very happy with the whole thing, but make sure you’re not going in thinking “it’s a better les Paul”. I feel like I got in that trap initially. Also 10” radius vs a Gibbo’s 12” radius - if thats a factor for you. I really love the neck carve and the frets on it too. I wish my gibsons had frets like this.

 

[mermer]

I have a 594 that is more LPC specs woods wise. I would say it is different enough to compliment a LPC but not step over it. Les Pauls are just going to do the Les Paul thing. If you have the 2 piece bridge then you will likely be stuck with the brass saddles. I will say once I got mine dialed in and set up, it’s the main guitar I reach for. I put a Tremonti in the bridge, left the 58/15LT in the neck but will probably move it out later. Tremonti bridge is splittable. Very happy with the whole thing, but make sure you’re not going in thinking “it’s a better les Paul”. I feel like I got in that trap initially. Also 10” radius vs a Gibbo’s 12” radius - if thats a factor for you. I really love the neck carve and the frets on it too. I wish my gibsons had frets like this.

Is it the one on your profile picture? Killer axe.

For me 25” is crucial since I am planning to use it mainly for D standard tunes. I am not sure how will the Tremonti bridge would sound splitted, it sounds a lot of bass and treble to my ears from the videos I watch online but definetely need to try in my setup to have a verdict. The McCarty pickups were lower output for my taste as well, but again the pickups are not super crucial. I really liked the DGT pickups though, however I much prefer guitars with stoptail nowadays.

 

[Holy-diver]

I have an S2 594, it rules for D standard/ Drop C. I play a lot of ERG with 26.5/27in scales and I still think it feels awesome.

 

[Sixstringflannel]

Is it the one on your profile picture? Killer axe.

For me 25” is crucial since I am planning to use it mainly for D standard tunes. I am not sure how will the Tremonti bridge would sound splitted, it sounds a lot of bass and treble to my ears from the videos I watch online but definetely need to try in my setup to have a verdict. The McCarty pickups were lower output for my taste as well, but again the pickups are not super crucial. I really liked the DGT pickups though, however I much prefer guitars with stoptail nowadays.

Yessir, thats the one in my profile pic, though the bridge is now a Tremonti. I’d say get the 25” scale, especially since you have a LPC already. I play mostly in drop C#. Would be nice to have a bit longer of a scale though. Split, the pickup kinda sounds like a beefy tele, i mean kind of? I can’t point to anything directly it reminds me of but it’s still a good sound, i don’t gravitate towards it though - mostly for simplicity sake. I’d say the bass is pretty tight on it. Depending on how you balance the pickup you can pull some more highs or sort of fold them into the rest of the pickup sound. I’ve found with my triple rec, I like a smidge more highs in there, which follows somewhat of a modified PRS standard pickup height but accounting for the tuning change and string gauge (hybrid 10/11 set). Overall I really love the pickup for punchy/aggressive stuff, it can get mellow enough for me with the volume knob to clean up to do some Tool-esque dynamics (Think Lateralus intro), but I can still roll Cantrell and Tremonti style playing - which all three are my main influences. I have a 58RI Memphis 335 as well, and that sort of nails my Les Paul rock and roll vibe if I need it.

DGT’s are great, but I’m with you on stop tails. I change tunings far too much and a low tolerance for how much friction I want in the way of setting up the guitar. Initially I was going for an LPC but ultimately decided I wanted something different enough but not too wacky in my stable and it worked out well in that regard.

 

[Alpha Stryke]

The Tremonti SE's are great guitars. ive had 3. I traded 2 and missed them so much i bought a 3rd and hanging on to that one.
The 25 inch scale is a tad different but not really a big deal. All mine had trems which i prefer.
Those guitars are well made and have great thick chunky tone. Would never rule out a 10 top.
Had a Santana PRS and a gold top single cut, don't miss those.
Ive had 3 Gibson Les Paul Classics. Outstanding guitars. Prefered the 60's neck at that time, but i bought a 1997 CS 68 RI. Its got a big-ass
neck. Love it.
You can bury me w/ my LPC & Friedman JMP only gear i would ever want. / thread.

 

[mermer]

Yessir, thats the one in my profile pic, though the bridge is now a Tremonti. I’d say get the 25” scale, especially since you have a LPC already. I play mostly in drop C#. Would be nice to have a bit longer of a scale though. Split, the pickup kinda sounds like a beefy tele, i mean kind of? I can’t point to anything directly it reminds me of but it’s still a good sound, i don’t gravitate towards it though - mostly for simplicity sake. I’d say the bass is pretty tight on it. Depending on how you balance the pickup you can pull some more highs or sort of fold them into the rest of the pickup sound. I’ve found with my triple rec, I like a smidge more highs in there, which follows somewhat of a modified PRS standard pickup height but accounting for the tuning change and string gauge (hybrid 10/11 set). Overall I really love the pickup for punchy/aggressive stuff, it can get mellow enough for me with the volume knob to clean up to do some Tool-esque dynamics (Think Lateralus intro), but I can still roll Cantrell and Tremonti style playing - which all three are my main influences. I have a 58RI Memphis 335 as well, and that sort of nails my Les Paul rock and roll vibe if I need it.

DGT’s are great, but I’m with you on stop tails. I change tunings far too much and a low tolerance for how much friction I want in the way of setting up the guitar. Initially I was going for an LPC but ultimately decided I wanted something different enough but not too wacky in my stable and it worked out well in that regard.

Oh can it produce Cantrell-esque tones? I thought it would be a bit more modern sounding than these kind of tunes.

 

[Sixstringflannel]

Oh can it produce Cantrell-esque tones? I thought it would be a bit more modern sounding than these kind of tunes.

I feel like I can get that tone out of most things. Especially with my Bogner Helios. Out of the gate you won’t think that but like anything it can be dialed in for it more. LP gets there quicker. Don’t want to mislead you here.

 

[mermer]

I feel like I can get that tone out of most things. Especially with my Bogner Helios. Out of the gate you won’t think that but like anything it can be dialed in for it more. LP gets there quicker. Don’t want to mislead you here.

Yes my LPC can nail both early and later Alice sounds but TTops are very different than the Tremonti pickups by spec.