I want a Les Paul

[Bob Savage]

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

I'm colorblind... probably wouldn't notice.

Oh man, I love this one that's in the classifieds. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=132113&p=1535894&hilit=les+paul#p1535894

 

[Ventura]

If you want to learn a bunch of fairly helpful stuff, check out the cats at www.mylespaul.com it's a good website with some great info. Search function is your friend as they're a little hostile to repetitive questions from newbs. But they have a lot of knowledge over there, and of course, their classifieds are a bounty.

I've got a number of choice Lesters, Bob. Resonance and feedback from the wood when strummed acoustically has always been my first litmus test. As well, I've said this before and I'll say it again - there's a lot of talk out there about bum Lesters. Facts are these: If the wood's good, the wood's straight, the finish tight, and the frets good - everything else can be accounted for with a quality set up and good pups/electronics. A properly cut nut is THE No.1 factor in tuning stability and continued enjoyment.

Get into it!!

 

[yngzaklynch]

Bob the slim neck is also known as the 1960s slim taper neck I believe.

 

[guitup too]

90-93 Studios are great bang for the buck if you aren't hung up on having neck and body binding and can be had in the $500 to $800 range depending on condition and color. Less for wine red, white seems to fetch the most especially if it's faded to a Randy Rhoads type color. Every 90-92 studio I've seen has ebony fretboard and most of the 93's have ebony. These will be weight relieved but not chambered.
For $1500 you might, if you are patient, be able to get a 1977-1981 Standard which would be non weight relieved and non pancake construction. The pancake bodies seem to have ended in 1976. I recently had a 77 standard and loved it. Never been a Les Paul guy before that.
2000-2003 seems to be a good period for LP's too. Chambering didn't start until 2006 I believe.

 

[Bob Savage]

Great info guys!

Man, I'm really lusting over the gold top.

 

[Chubtone]

Bob,
Go out and play a bunch of Les Paul's before you sell anything to get a Les Paul. Know what I mean?

 

[Woodsie]

The MyLesPaul forum is great. I'm on it. Go to the first sub forum and check out a couple of the stickies. All you need to know. Myself, I have a 2010 Traditional Pro Gold Top. 60's neck, non chambered. I got it new for $1700. This it the day I bought it.

 

[Bob Savage]

Bob,
Go out and play a bunch of Les Paul's before you sell anything to get a Les Paul. Know what I mean?

Absolutely know what you mean. If the LP doesn't do it for me I'll be buying something else though so I'm still selling off some gear.

 

[Bob Savage]

The MyLesPaul forum is great. I'm on it. Go to the first sub forum and check out a couple of the stickies. All you need to know. Myself, I have a 2010 Traditional Pro Gold Top. 60's neck, non chambered. I got it new for $1700.

Nice... I am really loving the gold tops. Looks like I'll spend some time on mylespaul tonight after the fights.

 

[Woodsie]

I added a pic of it to my previous post

 

[Ventura]

Bob the slim neck is also known as the 1960s slim taper neck I believe.

But the 68 LPC has a big baseball bat neck compared to either the R7 or R9. This is where it gets tricky...

 

[Ventura]

I added a pic of it to my previous post

My reissue '57 GoldTop DarkBack is one of my best players, straight out of the box. It wasn't, however, $1500...

 

[gibson08]

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.

As soon as I read you want an LP, I thought about the Classic for your style and type of music that you made clips of, it will already have the right pickups for you. Actually the first thing I thought when I read the title was that this was a spoof thread Good Luck, Everybody should have one in the stable!!!

 

[nevusofota]

Here is my 2001 LP Classic. The main reason I originally went for this model was the slim 60's neck. Made the transition easier from my super strats. My favorite LP I have ever played. I also love the stock PU's, never found anything that would replace them. You can see the "aged" inlay, some people call it green. "Newer" LP's have chambered bodies. Not sure of the date this started but I think it was around 2005?? Mixed reviews out there about chambered vs unchambered.

In comparison, here is my 1997 LP Standard. You can see the difference in the color of the inlay. I bought this a few years ago from a doctor who wanted to buy a tennis racket stringing machine . It was basically unplayed for about 10 years. I offered him $1000 cash on the spot and walked away with it. It was a steal.

 

[Scumback Speakers]

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.

When you've got time to drive up to my place in Whittier, you can try the 9 I have here and figure out what works for you and what doesn't.

 

[Bob Savage]

Love both of those LPs nevusofota.

As soon as I read you want an LP, I thought about the Classic for your style and type of music that you made clips of, it will already have the right pickups for you. Actually the first thing I thought when I read the title was that this was a spoof thread Good Luck, Everybody should have one in the stable!!!

LOL... Well, I have definitely spoken harshly of LPs but now that I have the playing bug again I'm wanting to do something different with my playing and sound. The Viper I bought has been rocking my world' and I'm even using 10s on it. We'll see if I can make the transition, you know, old dog new tricks, but I am really wanting to do this.

When you've got time to drive up to my place in Whittier, you can try the 9 I have here and figure out what works for you and what doesn't.

I'm going to hit up GC to play a few just to make absolute certain I don't still just outright hate how the LP plays, I might just take you up on this offer because it sounds like the most effective way to try a number of well kept LPs in one sitting. Appreciate the offer!

 

[bigdaddyd]

Bob, when you go to GC remember to take into account the shit setups abuse that the guitars will have. If you see anything that you think you may even remotely like, ask them to set it up for you. Any quality store will setup guitars for you if you are interested in buying. I mean, what is a truss rod tweak, an intonation check and possibly a new pack of strings at most (some won't if need them.) To be honest, given a bad setup but assuming all else is good, all I care for is if it rings out well unplugged. If the guitar resonates will unplugged, especially a Les Paul, I don't care too much about a GC setup.

 

[Woodsie]

I played a LP Special at GC the other day. Selector switch was upside down, switch tip missing, action was terrible. When I told the sales guy, he just laughed and out it back on the wall. With a good setup, however, it would have been a great guitar.

 

[Bob Savage]

Bob, when you go to GC remember to take into account the shit setups abuse that the guitars will have. If you see anything that you think you may even remotely like, ask them to set it up for you. Any quality store will setup guitars for you if you are interested in buying. I mean, what is a truss rod tweak, an intonation check and possibly a new pack of strings at most (some won't if need them.) To be honest, given a bad setup but assuming all else is good, all I care for is if it rings out well unplugged. If the guitar resonates will unplugged, especially a Les Paul, I don't care too much about a GC setup.

Yep, I definitely take that into account at GC.

 

[Ventura]

Bob, when you go to GC remember to take into account the shit setups abuse that the guitars will have. If you see anything that you think you may even remotely like, ask them to set it up for you. Any quality store will setup guitars for you if you are interested in buying. I mean, what is a truss rod tweak, an intonation check and possibly a new pack of strings at most (some won't if need them.) To be honest, given a bad setup but assuming all else is good, all I care for is if it rings out well unplugged. If the guitar resonates will unplugged, especially a Les Paul, I don't care too much about a GC setup.

Yep, I definitely take that into account at GC.

Actually, the GC experience may taint and cloud your initial impressions... Just sayin'. It could. Which would be a shame.