I want a Les Paul

[Bob Savage]

I've hated how the LP has played for longer than I can remember, but I want one bad and of course, I know nothing about them.

Aesthetics aren't a concern and quite frankly I don't want to spend the big bucks on one either so a great playing, well worn (not a full on beater) is fine as long as I don't have to do a hardware refresh or refret.

That said, I'm looking for input on what years, models, gotchas and other things to look for.

Tell me I'm nuts if that's what it is, but I'd like to drop $1500 or less (especially the less part) if possible.

I'm also thinking of offering a trade for my Vigier Excalibur Custom but I still need to know what I'm looking for.


Aaaaaaaand... Go!

 

[Steinmetzify]

Can find a decent 90s Standard all day for right around $1500 +-.

Here's an 08 LP Classic on MLP for $1200.....dude might go lower, it's been up for awhile.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/member- ... black.html

Play before you buy if you can.

You wanna drop less, go for a Studio if you have to have a Gibson...they're cheap enough that if you hate it you won't lose much.

If you're serious and don't care about the maker, check out an Edwards LP. They're sick, and cheaper......buddy of mine just picked up 2 for less than 1400, and won't stop talking about em, and he was a die hard ESP fan for years.

 

[bigdaddyd]

You are definitely not nuts. If you have cash in hand and the time to try some out, you can find some excellent used Les Pauls in that range.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Bob on a side note I can kinda relate to your' attitude towards the LP. I think they're clunky, heavy, uncomfortable and the upper fret access is far from great. That said a good one sounds better than most guitars, the sustain is usually really good and they look cool. Good luck finding the right LP.

Jim

 

[splawner]

I've hated how the LP has played for longer than I can remember, but I want one bad and of course, I know nothing about them.

Aesthetics aren't a concern and quite frankly I don't want to spend the big bucks on one either so a great playing, well worn (not a full on beater) is fine as long as I don't have to do a hardware refresh or refret.

That said, I'm looking for input on what years, models, gotchas and other things to look for.

Tell me I'm nuts if that's what it is, but I'd like to drop $1500 or less (especially the less part) if possible.

I'm also thinking of offering a trade for my Vigier Excalibur Custom but I still need to know what I'm looking for.


Aaaaaaaand... Go!

I just bought this new today a 2012 Les Paul Standard and paid 1600.00 it plays and sounds great...Pretty good deals out there!

 

[supersonic]

I paid $1300 for a 2000 model "Classic", best LP I've owned or played. It's got the slim neck, which I prefer. Still got gobs of fat tone even with a slim neck. Pickups are 500 in the bridge and 496 in the neck I think which are great.

 

[RockStarNick]

Yeah Bob, you can get tons of 90's and early 00's Standards and Classics in that price range, maybe even less. And they're great guitars.

I tried to convince myself for a while that my LP was just too big and clunky for gigging. And then at a recent gig, I brought my 01 Standard with me. After the first set, I switched to the LP, and I could literally feel my testicles descend. I felt like I became a real man in that moment. It was like "Ah HA... THIS feels like a GUITAR." The tone was righteous, and because of that, I was digging in harder and playing better.

And now, it's my LP, every gig, every time.

 

[bigdaddyd]

Here is a pretty typical example of what is floating around by me. There was a guy that had a black classic on CL for months at 1400. I think it was nm or something. I don't know this guy or the guitar. It is just a random posting. NY CL has tons of Les Pauls and other Gibsons. Usually at great prices, especially if you have cash. It is totally a buyer's market and sucks when selling, which is why I tend to stick to rare and unusual models for now :LOL

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/msg/3637367122.html:

 

[Ventura]

I love good Lesters

Enjoy the journey Bob. You ain't nuts. Lesters are to rock and roll and guitarists what water is to oceans. It's mandatory.

 

[Bob Savage]

Awesome! Thanks a bunch for the input guys... it sounds like I can get something sweet in my price range... heck, splawner's new black one looks sweet and that's close to my range.

So what's the difference between the Classic and the Standard?

 

[supersonic]

Awesome! Thanks a bunch for the input guys... it sounds like I can get something sweet in my price range... heck, splawner's new black one looks sweet and that's close to my range.

So what's the difference between the Classic and the Standard?

I think the "Classic" has the slim 1960 neck, where the "Standard" has a fat neck. Pickups may be different also.

 

[splawner]

Awesome! Thanks a bunch for the input guys... it sounds like I can get something sweet in my price range... heck, splawner's new black one looks sweet and that's close to my range.

So what's the difference between the Classic and the Standard?

I think the "Classic" has the slim 1960 neck, where the "Standard" has a fat neck. Pickups may be different also.

Ya Bob, It is the best Les Paul i have played yet...It sounds really killer...And for 1600.00 it is not bad all...

 

[joepete77]

Yeah, I always say that the best lp in that range is a used 90's classic or standard. The 1pc bodies were normal spec back then on every one made, today you would have to go custom shop for that type build. I think Steve k had a nice price on an early 80's standard a month ago or so which are pretty killer also so do a search for it. It would hold its value very good too if you ever had to sell.

 

[rokket2005]

You have pics of your Vig?

 

[Bob Savage]

When you guys say slim neck, is that the thickness or the width of the fingerboard?

Obviously, I need to get out and play a bunch, but am trying to do some due diligence first. It's sounding like the Classic and Standard are what I'm looking for.

 

[Bob Savage]

You have pics of your Vig?

Sure do... shoot me an email at bob dawt savage at gmail dawt com. I will say, however, if you're looking for a pristine axe, this isn't it in fact, I modified the body because I couldn't get over the knife edge on my forearm, and put a relief on it. Great guitar, but it's not stock or pristine.

Actually, I used it in a number of videos if you want to hear it. Check out www.youtube.com/elephanttank

 

[supersonic]

When you guys say slim neck, is that the thickness or the width of the fingerboard?

Obviously, I need to get out and play a bunch, but am trying to do some due diligence first. It's sounding like the Classic and Standard are what I'm looking for.

It's the thickness. If I swap from my Anderson DT to my LP the the neck is not much thicker.

 

[bigdaddyd]

You can also find good deals on old deluxes and such...It's worth looking.

 

[Bob Savage]

When you guys say slim neck, is that the thickness or the width of the fingerboard?

Obviously, I need to get out and play a bunch, but am trying to do some due diligence first. It's sounding like the Classic and Standard are what I'm looking for.

It's the thickness. If I swap from my Anderson DT to my LP the the neck is not much thicker.

Thanks dude... I'd probably favor the Classic but will need to play some.

 

[bigdaddyd]

When you guys say slim neck, is that the thickness or the width of the fingerboard?

Obviously, I need to get out and play a bunch, but am trying to do some due diligence first. It's sounding like the Classic and Standard are what I'm looking for.

It's the thickness. If I swap from my Anderson DT to my LP the the neck is not much thicker.

Thanks dude... I'd probably favor the Classic but will need to play some.

Classics are nice, the only thing some people don't like are the tendency for some to have greenish inlays and such. Honestly, I always liked them and if I didn't tell you that, you may not notice. I've seen some guys go so far as to take really nice classics, and have the inlays and some plastic (like the switch tips and such) replaced with more vintage correct types. They then have really insane "Standards." They typically do that on bursts or Classic Pluses.

http://www.forresterkustoms.com/photos-group-11.html