New Les Paul - Advice Please

  • Thread starter Thread starter IndyWS6
  • Start date Start date
IndyWS6

IndyWS6

Well-known member
If you were going to buy a new Les Paul (2016 / 2017), which one would you choose, and why? I know there are going to be a lot of opinions, but that's great - let's hear them. I understand that Gibson quality can be hit or miss, so I'll play whatever I might buy first. I'm not looking for a used guitar (I have $2,200 on a Sweetwater Gift Card, and more in my pocket :) and I'm going to Gear Fest on Friday), so let's focus on new fiddles. I don't know nearly as much about LP's as some of you on the forum, so I'm turning to the experts.

I'm not completely sure I'll even buy a Les Paul, but it's on the list of options, along with a Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 Reissue '58 Burst and a Gibson SJ-200 Standard Antique Natural. I'd love to have the Gibson Custom Standard Historic 1959 Les Paul Reissue Lemonburst VOS, but I'm not quite willing to part with that amount of cash...

And, go...
 
Honest answer...I wouldn't buy a new LP because your budget of $2200 wouldn't get what I'd want out of a Les Paul. If you can find a Traditional + or a Standard in that range on sale good luck. If you're new to LP's head out somewhere to get you hands on them to see what you like and take it from there. For most folks its the neck profile that decide. I prefer fatter necks so I like the 50's rounded profile so based on that it would be a Traditional + but its out of the new price range for you, I don't like the 60's slim or the asymmetrical profiles or major chambering on the body. If price is no concern I'd get a R5, R6, R7, R8 or R9 but for new they'd be insanely expensive but be much better guitars.

Whatever you buy if you end up buying new count on keeping it or losing your ass on resale later down the road. I'd seriously consider a R7 as what you buy it for today... you ever do sell you won't lose as dime and or you'll make a profit. Spend 2200 on a new LP today...tomorrow its 1900- next year 1500-1800.
 
Shawn Lutz":2jmy5vm8 said:
Honest answer...I wouldn't buy a new LP because your budget of $2200 wouldn't get what I'd want out of a Les Paul. If you can find a Traditional + or a Standard in that range on sale good luck. If you're new to LP's head out somewhere to get you hands on them to see what you like and take it from there. For most folks its the neck profile that decide. I prefer fatter necks so I like the 50's rounded profile so based on that it would be a Traditional + but its out of the new price range for you, I don't like the 60's slim or the asymmetrical profiles or major chambering on the body. If price is no concern I'd get a R5, R6, R7, R8 or R9 but for new they'd be insanely expensive but be much better guitars.

Whatever you buy if you end up buying new count on keeping it or losing your ass on resale later down the road. I'd seriously consider a R7 as what you buy it for today... you ever do sell you won't lose as dime and or you'll make a profit. Spend 2200 on a new LP today...tomorrow its 1900- next year 1500-1800.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input... To be clear, I've played Les Paul's and know what I like (I like slim-taper necks and baseball bats, it just depends on the guitar - and I'm not a fan of weight relieving). There are so many different models and they keep changing the names, hence the request for advice. If I knew the specifics of the different models, it would be easier to narrow the choices. $2,200 isn't my limit - Sweetwater had a Father's Day gift card sale where they would give you 10% on top of what you bought, up to $2,000. So, I went to the limit to get a "free" $200 on top. I have plenty of cash to add if the right instrument makes an appearance. I don't flip gear, so resale value isn't a deciding factor. The LP I want is insanely expensive (for a guy that sucks at guitar), which is why I was looking at alternative LP's. If I don't go home with an LP, then it will likely be one of these:

Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 Reissue - -58 Burst:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ES58168BNH

Gibson Acoustic SJ-200 Standard - Antique Natural
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SJ22ANGA
 
I never buy Gibsons new.

With the gift card you're in a Paradox.

SW prices are sky high and you will overpay by alot.

On the flip side i would do the 335 or a LPC.
 
Keep an open mind and just get the one that you like best. I've had a number of seemingly identical LPs (Standards and Classics) and they all play and sound fairly different. Some where too round and soft for my taste.
 
Buy whichever sounds/plays the best to you.

Play as many new ones as you can... if you intend on buying new. I like the 2016 Traditional Standard.

Otherwise... if you buy used... find a nice R7 or R8. You're getting much, much more guitar for your money... and on average... a much better built guitar, no weight relief, long neck tenon, and way better quality control.

I've owned a ton of Les Pauls. Both production and custom shop. Good and bad can found in both places.
 
I have had many standards with not a bit of luck getting a good one...I almost gave up on les Paul's... until early this year I took a chance on another lp.... I bought a gold top classic lp from sweet water and it is literally the best playing and sounding les paul I have ever played....I don't play any other of my guitars anymore because they can't come close to the way the classic plays and sounds... I would not hesitate to try one out...
 
Wizard of Ozz":2x0xqsuc said:
Buy whichever sounds/plays the best to you.

Play as many new ones as you can... if you intend on buying new. I like the 2016 Traditional Standard.

Otherwise... if you buy used... find a nice R7 or R8. You're getting much, much more guitar for your money... and on average... a much better built guitar, no weight relief, long neck tenon, and way better quality control.

I've owned a ton of Les Pauls. Both production and custom shop. Good and bad can found in both places.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Play some, walk in with the money and start playing. I went into a store with the intention of just trying out the 57 classic split coil pick ups, the only guitar in the store was a 2014 Classic Custom (more like a standard than a Custom). The guitar is weight relief (standard relief i believe) and my preconception of Gibson's build quality and sound was certainly in my mind. Once i played the guitar, it played so well, felt so good, sounded amazing and after scouring it with my hands and eyes i walked up to the counter and bought the guitar. I was very surprised that i bought it.

There is my story with my LP Classic Custom.
 
PRS.

If I was dead-set on a Gibson, I'd save a chunk and get another Explorer.

I'd even look at a higher-end Japanese, or Custom Shop ESP.
 
napalmdeath":1891b3cg said:
PRS.

If I was dead-set on a Gibson, I'd save a chunk and get another Explorer.

I'd even look at a higher-end Japanese, or Custom Shop ESP.
Click to expand...

Sorry. They don't sound like a LP much at all... despite similar specs. PRS makes a helluva guitar... and if Gibson stopped building them, I might go back to PRS... but after owning several PRS singlecut models (245, Tremonti, SC) they don't sound like a great LP. They have their own tone and vibe to them. YMMV.
 
Lots of good advice posted already. For something like a LP I personally wouldn't buy one from online since the feel of the neck is key and the difference between like and love ;) And as mentioned try as many as you can.

I never knew I was a 50's profile fat neck guy until I found "the one". I had a chance to buy some really pretty burst which is what I originally wanted but I could not get over how good a an R7 felt. I was never a gold top guy but I decided to be go with what felt the best to me... I already have quite a few guitars that look nice but not that crazy about how they feel.

And also I would also consider PRS as mentioned... The new SC 594'S are amazing but also expensive as fuck... but since they are the shit now, I see some new old stock SC 245's on sale every so often.

Good luck man, post what you get! :rock:
 
I've had a few different LP's over the years and all have left except for my goltop Classic. Still haven't played one that feels and sounds as good, including custom shops. I've heard that the early 2000's Classics are some of the best, but that could just be folklore.

 
I bought a used '73 Les Paul Deluxe for that price. I just love it to death. Don't overlook mini-buckers!

Gibson%20Les%20Paul%20Deluxe%20full%20front_zps9qngn3cu.jpg
 
See if you can find a LP Traditional Pro. Killer guitars and you can easily find one for under $2k.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top