What’s your LP killer?

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While I think they are not the greatest bang for the buck by any means, I do tend to love the modern "overpriced" high end Les Pauls (Historics, CC's, that sort of thing). I've never really had a bad one, and my best ones are simply the finest guitars in my collection.

Got to play a bunch of my buddy's PRS guitars, wonderful stuff overall, I can see why people fall in love with them. And I'm a big fan of Edwards in general, I've had a few and thought they were crazy good for the price. From where I have similar experience, I agree with a lot of what people are throwing out there as alternatives. But none have been actual LP killers for me purely from what I like and ignoring actual cost.

This is a good thread, I like hearing what works for other people...but sometimes too, a Les Paul killer for some can be just...another actual Les Paul.
 
Rock Bodom":2ndpgftb said:
This is a good thread, I like hearing what works for other people...but sometimes too, a Les Paul killer for some can be just...another actual Les Paul.
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This ^

My Les Paul killer was a Mahog body/neck maple top, rosewood board Suhr Modern with Rebel Yells. Very LP'ish. . .
Until I got a 2016 R8. For humbucker LP tones it doesn't get much better then this. Fat neck, lighter weight, buckers are very responsive to volume and pick dynamics. I also have a 2004 LP Standard that plays better then 95% of all the Gibson's I've played, better then some of the 2014 R8 and R9's I tried out at Dave's in La Crosse, WI too. I think it's a good year or one of those '"special" ones. Build quality feels similar to the R8, doesn't sound quite as rich but it plays like butter. Feels a lot like a R0.
I still really want to play a Knaggs.
 
I have two newer production LP's, a 2014 Traditional and a 2016 R9. Love them both but I had to play through a whole mess of them to find the ones I liked.

I also have two PRS SC-58's. As much as I love the Gibson's, the PRS's are better.
 
For me it was a PRS McCarty. Bought one, saw the light and sold two Les Pauls, an SG and an Explorer. I'd say it doesn't sound exactly like a Les Paul, but then no two Les Pauls sound alike either so the statement is almost a bit meaningless. It's in the right sonic territory, has some ergonomic advantages, but the biggest thing is the intonation.... can play chords with high gain and don't have to worry about tuning issues.

I kept my #1 Les Paul (R9, only Gibson I have left), but it mostly sits in it's case now. I pulled it out for an audition a few weeks ago because I didn't want to be judged for the PRS and figured the Les Paul would look more the part, and by the end of rehearsal I was wishing I had my McCarty. Got the gig, brought the McCarty to the next rehearsal and no one said anything. Sometimes I forget that regular musicians aren't necessarily gear heads.

I had an SC245 for awhile. Nice guitar that also gets into LP territory, but I preferred the McCarty and traded it in on a Custom 24.
 
Agile semi custom AL3xxx and LP Axcess
LqpMMo8h.jpg


I've been partial to 24 frets the last few years so the Agile
gets the nod.
j

Here are samples of each.

Recorded with Agile
https://soundcloud.com/belleswell/non-cover-cover-dt

Recorded With LP Axcess
https://soundcloud.com/belleswell/saying-goodbye-1
 
No two guitars are alike so comparing is futile in most regards. I admit that a Les Paul can have an appealing sound but I have gone through way too many to find the ones I have and like and to me the build quality is average compared to what other builders are putting out. I like them but I like the other builders a heck of a lot more and I have found their builds to be far more consistent and simply better for me.

Seth Baccus
Valery Vaschenko
Nik Huber
PRS
Knaggs SS2
Kauer Starliner
Anderson Bulldog
Gene Baker
Brian Monty
Bartlett
Collings
Mikael Springer
Gil Yaron
 
I don't really understand the "only a Les Paul can top a Les Paul" - these are not magical artifacts, every trained guitar builder ought to be able to build one. So I feel they [LP copies/other single cuts] are comparable - and isn't competition usually preferred, even?

My Navigator easily trumps my two Gibson '68 reissues in playability, fit and finish, weight and acoustic tone (mainly loudness and clarity). It's not even that close and my 60's neck 68RI is actually a really great guitar. The other 68 is so-so with lots of problems and poor QC, but I got it pretty cheap. Still cost me more than the Navigator, which should tell you all about value.

28693093733_c1a84e41e2_z.jpg
 
I have completely changed my mind on my "Les Paul" killer. . . Meet the Ethan Hart EH-3 QT. This bitch has SB Blackouts, Tone Pro bridge and Grover tuners, is made of REAL wood, ebony fingerboards, body is bound on both sides, fully bound neck and plays like a dream. . . . Cost New: $450.00. Starting to worry because I haven't picked up my Paul for a month.

HellraiserJohnny":2ji5gfol said:
sg guy":2ji5gfol said:
HellraiserJohnny":2ji5gfol said:
Sure. . . . everyone has $2000-$4000 to blow on a nice new Gibson Heritage\Traditional or whatever LP that may or MAY NOT be the guitar of your dreams. . . Don't we all? I mean don't we all want to sit in Wally World (Guitar Center) and try to listen to ourselves play 20 LP's with all the other 8 & 9 year olds learning an E chord through a Marshall while you are trying to find one that "feels" right? At the prices Gibson charges and the reputation they are "supposed" to have, I would figure that finding a LP that is of AAA quality and feels right would be a no brainer. Been there, done that . . . . . . it's not.

LP killer?!?!?!? Not hard at all - The Schecter Hellraiser - Take your pick 6,7,8 or 9 string

http://www.schecterguitars.com/internat ... hellraiser

How can I not LOVE this guitar over an LP any day of the week? And guess what . . . EVERY ONE YOU PICK UP LOOKS, FEELS AND SOUNDS EXACTLY THE SAME . . . Phenomenal! Let me know when Gibson can do that.

LP slain . . . . Easy.
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I have 2 guitarist that have Hellraisers working on my current recording project (1 - 6 and 1- 7 String Hellraiser ). I play and record with them constantly. Kinda nice to have access without having to buy one.
That being said, I have been to Wally World (Guitar Center) played several with the intention of buying myself one (I happen to like the C-1 FR - Solidbody Electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, 3-pc Mahogany Neck, 1 Active EMG Humbucking Pickup, 1 Sustainiac Humbucking Pickup, and Floyd Rose Tremolo - Black Cherry). No Schechter that I have picked up at the store has ever left me with that . . . "you have to be kidding me"!?!?!?!?!? feeling. In fact it is the exact opposite . . . Like REALLY!?!?!?!? Only $550 for a base model with Mahogany body, Set neck w\ebony fingerboards loaded with EMG's?
At a whopping $1089.00 Retail price tag for the Hellraiser of my dreams, It'll make a nice XMas gift to myself. I dare anyone to find a New LP with these features for that price.

When mine does come in, I will be sure to update my signature and send some pics.

HRJ

Thank you for pointing out my oversight.


-psssssssssttt!!!-

-dude,... your listed equipment on your post shows no --------SCHECTER HELLRAISER-- -(no matter how many or how few strings)- but it does say you have -------(GASP!!!)----------(EASILY*SLAIN)-- GIBSONS an EXPLORER & "LESS" PAUL

---- Sir,... Please explain this irrational contradiction ----------
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Les Pauls usually don't stay with me too long. Every so often I gas for another one. I recently sold my McNaught VSC which scratched the Paul itch but was not really close to a good historic in terms of that tone. It had it's own thing going on and was a flawless build. Got the itch again and the below guitar is great for that type of tone. Loud acoustically and has that Les Paul type of tone. Great guitar. Now I want another one :yes:
 

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I have a LP, a 2011 Traditional.

LP by John Bazzano, on Flickr

It's nice. I have 3 other guitars that I prefer. A 1988 Jackson RR, 1991 Steinberger GR4, & 1987 Jackson Explorer
 
PRS 594 with Duncan Saturday Night Special in the bridge.

Sounds like my other LPs (past and present) allowing for differences in individual variation of wood and pickups.

477CAC79-C8AA-4361-9AE0-BD05453696D6_zpsltffnsz3.jpeg


00FF26A4-DB16-4F66-8AD4-FE9FB7531A9D_zpss9foqnad.jpeg
 
exo-metal":1rcyveqy said:
That kamikaze is badass.
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Thank you. Its one heavy S.O.B... A beast of a guitar. :rock: I got to hang out with George back on 03' and had him sign it for me too.

ud94PNk.jpg
 
I kind of think you need to get a 24.75 scale and likely a set neck guitar if you want to go to war with an LP...otherwise it's just a general guitar vs guitar
 
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