Les Paul Customs

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spirit7

spirit7

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After playing a Black Beauty a while ago at a gig, my GAS for one of these has been re-ignited. I'm normally a PRS man and haven't really got on with Gibbos, but Customs just feel so classy and easy to play.

Any recommendations as to which era / type / year to go for, and which to avoid?

When I buy, money will hopefully be (within reason) no object.

CHEERS LADS!

-C
 
A '57 Custom Historic Reissue would be my recommendation. Any year and/or current production should be fine.
 
The only rule is there really are no rules. The Norlin era ('69-'85) is widely considered to be the worst (deservedly so for the most part) but they actually turned out some real gems during this time if you can find one. My main "player" Les Paul is a '76 Custom that I bought to flip back in '91 but it was so damn good that I still have it. All you can do is try a bunch of them until you find one that you connect with no matter when it was made. Good luck!
 
rupe":1fc9pxxi said:
The only rule is there really are no rules. The Norlin era ('69-'85) is widely considered to be the worst (deservedly so for the most part) but they actually turned out some real gems during this time if you can find one. My main "player" Les Paul is a '76 Custom that I bought to flip back in '91 but it was so damn good that I still have it. All you can do is try a bunch of them until you find one that you connect with no matter when it was made. Good luck!
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I love my '73 Custom as well, played another '73 Custom and I like mine better. Necks were different between them. Like any guitars, its best to try before you buy if you can. Although I bought mine on the web from Thump.
 
I totally dig my triple pup '57 Black Beauty... She's beautiful. Ended up loading a set (3 altogether) of BKP Emeralds and I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo stoked with the feel, tone, and attitude of this guitar.

Just sayin',
Mo
 
Thanks all, really helpful. I'll be putting BKPs in mine too, for sure. Likely Black Dogs! :rock:

-C
 
I say just play as many as you can,one will definietly jump!!!!There's an 83 black beauty something 3 pickup down at the local GC and it kills the newer ones by a mile!!!!!Fucking thing has been calling my name but it's black :lol: :LOL:
 
danyeo":17ygogds said:
Play before you buy. Some are total dogs.
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Definitely the important thing to keep in mind when shopping for LPs. Although if you stay out of the Norlin era, typically you'll be alright. If you are looking for a newer one, for whatever reason people tend to enjoy 2001s.

Either way-follow your GAS on this one, LPCs FTW! :rock:
 
Strats and Les Pauls, two guitars you have try before you buy.
 
I am very happy with my newer Silverburst Custom

It's my current #1
 
The Hoff":264jnbo2 said:
Although if you stay out of the Norlin era, typically you'll be alright.
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As a former Gibson dealer (through '99), I can confidently say that this is not accurate. You'll certainly increase your chances of finding the "one", but there were a lot of dogs made after '85 right up through the present...far too many to say that you'll typically find a good one :thumbsup:
 
I've got a '75 Custom that's killer. Only drawbacks are the weight and getting up to the 22nd fret on the high E.

guitars004.jpg
 
I would ideally get a late 80's to late 90's custom as the build seems nicest. The 50's reissue customs have mahogany cap instead of maple which I didnt care for as much as the maple. In the early 70's customs had sandwhich bodies and 3 pc necks. I have an 84 custom with 1 pc body with maple cap and maple neck that is awesome, came stock with shaw paf's. Basically, customs are the best looking les paul but they can be hit or miss more then other models. I would suggest playing a few before buying. THe 68 ri is a nice guitar also and if I was buying new that is the one i would get.
 
rupe":2g2pmh3l said:
The Hoff":2g2pmh3l said:
Although if you stay out of the Norlin era, typically you'll be alright.
Click to expand...
As a former Gibson dealer (through '99), I can confidently say that this is not accurate. You'll certainly increase your chances of finding the "one", but there were a lot of dogs made after '85 right up through the present...far too many to say that you'll typically find a good one :thumbsup:
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A huge +1.

LPC's of any era are going to either individually "speak" to you, or not.

I have probably played (or tried out) hundreds of Les Pauls over the years. Many that "spoke to me", have become mine, because they have had the special "something" about them that I liked. However, my two favorite LPC's that I will not ever sell, are from 1974 and 1972......which fall into the dreaded NORLIN era. I would put these two guitars up against any other LP's that I come across, and guarantee satisfactory results. So don't be so quick to disqualify any certain years, because there are certainly some diamonds in the rough, out there.
 
The Norlin thing is a touchy subject.

Many of them are considered crap. But the reality is, a large percentage of them are pretty awesome. My '79, for example, is badass. Maple neck, solid one-piece body (no weight relief or anything), volute (no broken necks for me), and just solid construction. Sounds and plays great.

But go play a bunch and get what you like.
 
spirit7":3u8s9go5 said:
Thanks all, really helpful. I'll be putting BKPs in mine too, for sure. Likely Black Dogs! :rock:

-C
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Ya, my '68 Firemist is loaded with a set of BDs, and they're total growl and thump... Love 'em.
 
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