What’s your LP killer?

[webrthomson]

Edwards.

^ excellent suggestion - top quality guitars!

 

[SavageRiffer]

Edwards.

Close... I think the Navigators are what you're after. Expensive, but well worth it. I played a few of them at the factory in Japan. I wanted a Navigator LP so badly but they were like $4500-6000.

 

[CrazyNutz]

PRS, my LP's are collecting dust these days

 

[PBGas]

I won’t comment on how disappointed I am with Gibson quality control as of late. Back in July, I ordered one of the new Les Paul Axcess Modern in Portland Orange colour. I loved the updated features on the guitar with the new fluted reinforcement behind the headstock. I’ve had a bunch of Les Paul Axcess guitars over the past 10 years. 1 had a twisted neck. It happens. I was really excited to get this newer model.

Fast forward to last month and mine came in. Looked beautiful. I noticed some issues right off the bat. They didn’t include the correct knob for the switch. No biggie. I picked up a creme unit to match. They included a black one. The switch was seriously loose. No problem. I took off the back cover to make sure the wiring was straight and tightened it on the front while holding the switch so it wouldn’t shift. The string placement at the Floyd nut was off. The I pulled the locks off, and strings, took the nut off and slightly notched it to fit correctly. My eyes now are starting to widen. I then made some adjustments to the bridge. I sight down the back fo the guitar and the bridge is literally leaning about 30 degrees down to the treble side. This isn’t good. I take some measurements and the neck has a nasty twist in it.

Great quality control. They let this guitar out of the factory this way. The tech at the store who is a Gibson affictionado said this didn’t happen over night. This guitar was twisted for a while.

So...it went back. They verified the issues with it and are sending it back to Gibson. I got my $$ back and bought something else that I can at least trust to have some solid quality.

I’m not looking at these guitars again. I think out of all of them I have owned, only 1 or 2 of them were really half decent.

In contrast, earlier in the year, I picked up a gently used PRS Floyd Custom 24 with the flamed maple neck and I have to say this is a beautifully crafted and even better sounding instrument. It plays like butter, looks amazing and is just built solid. So in essence, this one is my Les Paul Axcess killer.

 

[Zachman]

I consider myself lucky. I LOVE my Gibson LP, and have literally played hundreds of them, and I've not found it's equal. MOST of my player buddies who've played it, have the same response-- "This is the best playing LP I've ever played". I AGREE w/ them.

 

[sg guy]

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.

-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 ----------

 

[SavageRiffer]

I consider myself lucky. I LOVE my Gibson LP, and have literally played hundreds of them, and I've not found it's equal. MOST of my player buddies who've played it, have the same response-- "This is the best playing LP I've ever played". I AGREE w/ them.

That's one of the funnest things about buying a Les Paul. You play 10 or 12 of them and you'll come across one that has the magic. Within that 10-12, others will find their own magic. I have played MANY Les Paul on the racks of many shops. The largest Gibson dealer isn't too far from where I live. Though I've seen many complaints, I have only seen a few USA Gibsons that were inadequate quality. You have to wonder if some of these dudes bought some good fakes or something. I've never seen a new Gibson in as bad condition as some in this thread have describe that wasn't a fake. At best, I've seen small imperfections in the biding, finish, or something almost negligible.

 

[Zachman]

I consider myself lucky. I LOVE my Gibson LP, and have literally played hundreds of them, and I've not found it's equal. MOST of my player buddies who've played it, have the same response-- "This is the best playing LP I've ever played". I AGREE w/ them.

That's one of the funnest things about buying a Les Paul. You play 10 or 12 of them and you'll come across one that has the magic. Within that 10-12, others will find their own magic. I have played MANY Les Paul on the racks of many shops. The largest Gibson dealer isn't too far from where I live. Though I've seen many complaints, I have only seen a few USA Gibsons that were inadequate quality. You have to wonder if some of these dudes bought some good fakes or something. I've never seen a new Gibson in as bad condition as some in this thread have describe that wasn't a fake. At best, I've seen small imperfections in the biding, finish, or something almost negligible.

Finding the "Right" guitar is like discovering the key to understanding ones' self, and it allows a freedom of expression that just isn't there with the 'Others'.

My $.02

 

[thegame]

I bought my very first Les Paul last year, a brand new 2016 Standard. I cherry picked this cherry sunburst Paul out of 25 - 30 others, spread out amongst several stores. The one I chose killed the others, including a few $7K - $8K R9, VOS, Custom Shop or whatever the hell they were, models. Every single "LP killer" I've played, including original run Gene Baker and higher end PRS Singlecuts for example, were aesthetically perfect but none captured the raw, rude, and in your face Gibson crunch. I think, somehow, the Gibson "imperfections" in the design contributes to that exclusive tone, and "perfecting" it by changing things refines that rawness away.

 

[SFW]

I don't really think there is such a thing as a "Les Paul Killer." Only a Les Paul sounds like a Les Paul. There are other single cut guitars on the market. While similar, I think that offer their own thing. If you want a great Les Paul, then begin the quest to find one that speaks to you. I still say you need to try an Aldrich pup before you give up on your 05 Standard.

 

[thunda]

my '97 LP Classic is a killer. Bought new all those years ago at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. Even though I love my V, SG and Firebird, I always seem to come back to it. Lots of road rash. All kinds of dings, cigarette burns, worn frets, it still gets the job done. It will go to one of my kids when I kick the bucket.

 

[Hartattack1090]

PRS Singlecuts

"Kills" the LP in the looks, tone, and feel department for me in pretty much every way.

 

[Hardvalve]

Buy a Heritage. Problem solved. ESP if you need a Floyd Equipped one. Gibson is just not worth the trouble.

 

[D-Rock]

 

[squank]

There is no such thing as an LP killer. Gibson Les Pauls are THE classic guitar and remain a timeless masterpiece.

Sorry, but this is BS. If you love LPs, great. That's your thing. But for many people, other single cut guitars exceed the Les Paul. That doesn't diminish your appreciation for them at all.

I started playing Les Pauls years ago for the same reason almost everyone does - because a guitar hero of mine played them, and I thought they looked cool. I tried to love them for years, but never could. They felt good to me, but never great. Once I played my first PRS Singlecut, I knew I was home. It just felt right in all the ways the LPs never did. I couldn't sell my LPs fast enough.

When Paul built the Singlecut, he started with a Les Paul and figured out all the ways he might improve it. The Les Paul was an amazing design and guitar in the 50's, but it's no masterpiece. It's unfair to the LP to expect it to be one. Updating the design is why the PRS, as well as some other brands, can be better than a Les Paul, imo. PRS killed the LP for me. That's why it's fair to say it's an LP killer.

When I go into a guitar store, I never, ever want to play the LPs. They hold no interest to me. It's got nothing to do with their reported crappy QC for the past 15 years, or what complete assholes Gibson is to its dealers (ask any dealer). It's about how they play and feel to me.

Les Paul quality is top notch. They produce so many damned guitars, more than any other manufacturer except Fender that you can't compare ratios of build defects. I've seen plenty of imperfect PRS guitars in my day. I've played and owned some of the best, including Nik Huber (which I later posted several pics of their guitars). Gibson is the tried and true classic, there's no bullshit about that. If you're going to call out bullshit, then do it when you have an argument to make. Even Nik Huber is probably only marginally better than Gibson quality if you compare their respective bests.

Where do you get your statistics from? Come on man, I hope that's not all your logic there. Gibson builds millions of guitars worldwide. Gibson is the original man. Who else builds 100,000 to 200,000 per year or more? This thread was about "LP killers," but the fact that Gibson is the original and builds exceptional guitars means that there is no such thing. I get where you're coming from, but you're missing the point and not making a worthwhile argument -- not enough to call bullshit out on anyone.

Dude, you are taking this very personally. We get it - you are an LP fanboi. That's fine. Nothing wrong with that. You like what you like.

I didn't quote any statistics, so I don't know what you are getting at there. Gibson's QC problems are quite well known. Also, if you were a Gibson dealer, you'd know about what dicks they are to dealers with their ridiculous minimum purchases and resistance to accept returns/repairs. To argue against these problems is silly. They exist. You can't pretend they don't with a shill post.

It's bullshit to say there isn't a Les Paul killer. I owned Les Pauls and then I found a guitar that killed it in feel, tone, playability, and quality. That's my opinion, but for me, it killed the LP. Same for thousands of other people. There's enough variety in the gear world to make everyone happy. It's pointless for you to get so defensive about your favorite brand.

If you don't like to hear people talk about guitars they found that killed their LPs, don't enter a thread titled, "What's Your LP Killer?"

 

[Starman22]

Part of the appeal of a real Gibson Les Paul is its cantankerous nature, it’s quirks and shortcomings. It is like a old muscle car. The newer stuff rips and has better manners but that sometimes can mean a loss of character, just my opinion. You can still make music just fine with a Les Paul.

 

[Beyond Black]

There is no such thing as an LP killer. Gibson Les Pauls are THE classic guitar and remain a timeless masterpiece.

Sorry, but this is BS. If you love LPs, great. That's your thing. But for many people, other single cut guitars exceed the Les Paul. That doesn't diminish your appreciation for them at all.

I started playing Les Pauls years ago for the same reason almost everyone does - because a guitar hero of mine played them, and I thought they looked cool. I tried to love them for years, but never could. They felt good to me, but never great. Once I played my first PRS Singlecut, I knew I was home. It just felt right in all the ways the LPs never did. I couldn't sell my LPs fast enough.

When Paul built the Singlecut, he started with a Les Paul and figured out all the ways he might improve it. The Les Paul was an amazing design and guitar in the 50's, but it's no masterpiece. It's unfair to the LP to expect it to be one. Updating the design is why the PRS, as well as some other brands, can be better than a Les Paul, imo. PRS killed the LP for me. That's why it's fair to say it's an LP killer.

When I go into a guitar store, I never, ever want to play the LPs. They hold no interest to me. It's got nothing to do with their reported crappy QC for the past 15 years, or what complete assholes Gibson is to its dealers (ask any dealer). It's about how they play and feel to me.

Les Paul quality is top notch. They produce so many damned guitars, more than any other manufacturer except Fender that you can't compare ratios of build defects. I've seen plenty of imperfect PRS guitars in my day. I've played and owned some of the best, including Nik Huber (which I later posted several pics of their guitars). Gibson is the tried and true classic, there's no bullshit about that. If you're going to call out bullshit, then do it when you have an argument to make. Even Nik Huber is probably only marginally better than Gibson quality if you compare their respective bests.

Where do you get your statistics from? Come on man, I hope that's not all your logic there. Gibson builds millions of guitars worldwide. Gibson is the original man. Who else builds 100,000 to 200,000 per year or more? This thread was about "LP killers," but the fact that Gibson is the original and builds exceptional guitars means that there is no such thing. I get where you're coming from, but you're missing the point and not making a worthwhile argument -- not enough to call bullshit out on anyone.

Dude, you are taking this very personally. We get it - you are an LP fanboi. That's fine. Nothing wrong with that. You like what you like.

I didn't quote any statistics, so I don't know what you are getting at there. Gibson's QC problems are quite well known. Also, if you were a Gibson dealer, you'd know about what dicks they are to dealers with their ridiculous minimum purchases and resistance to accept returns/repairs. To argue against these problems is silly. They exist. You can't pretend they don't with a shill post.

It's bullshit to say there isn't a Les Paul killer. I owned Les Pauls and then I found a guitar that killed it in feel, tone, playability, and quality. That's my opinion, but for me, it killed the LP. Same for thousands of other people. There's enough variety in the gear world to make everyone happy. It's pointless for you to get so defensive about your favorite brand.

If you don't like to hear people talk about guitars they found that killed their LPs, don't enter a thread titled, "What's Your LP Killer?"

Here we go!

 

[gibson5413]

Granted I am not a Bill Kelliher fan (guitarist from Mastodon) but it seems he had a pretty bad experience with Gibson as an artist. He is addressing the reason he left Gibson for ESP.

Don't get me wrong...I like Gibson and owned several over the years and I believe any manufacturer has production issues here and there. I do seem to see, feel and hear more with Gibson than any other manufacturer. Part of that could be the fact that they make so many per year but I don't seem to see or hear as many with Fender. Not trying to stoke the flames but just thought this quote of his was interesting:

http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/10/06/ma ... n-guitars/

It was a lot of reasons.

I never really felt like I was accepted at Gibson. The communication over there is terrible. They kept fucking up my guitars that I was asking for. I didn’t ask for a lot – I just had a few certain things that I would like with my guitar – I told them I didn’t want it chambered and they made my second guitar chambered. All the guys I worked with over there – the A&R guys were getting fired left and right and the company just seemed to be falling apart to me. There were new guys who would come in and they didn’t know shit.

It was a breath of fresh air working with ESP. They were interested and would ask me what gauge strings I played and what tunings I play – Gibson never cared about any of that stuff. Kids would get my guitar in the mail and ask me how to tune it because it wasn’t tuned and then I would tell them how to tune it and they would say it still doesn’t sound right and it’s because they’re not putting my gauge strings on there. They weren’t even tuning the guitars to my settings or specifications – just little things like that. Things that make the guitar a Bill Kelliher model, like put it in my tuning so that when it shows up, it’s different.

ESP wanted to know all that stuff. They’re just friendly and nice and they’re interested in me and my band and what they can do for me rather than this company. Gibson just wasn’t… I don’t know, I think they’re on their way downhill honestly. Every guy I talk to – I mean, look at James Hetfield. He was at Gibson, played Gibson stuff and they didn’t want to work with him, so he went to ESP. And he’s one of the biggest fucking guitar players in our kind of music. It seems like there are a lot of bad decisions being made over there.

But ESP is really great. They treat me really well. I love my Sparrowhawk that I designed. It’s the best playing guitar that I own.

 

[HellraiserJohnny]

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.

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 ----------

 

[Zado]

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.

The Hellraiser doesnt really sound like a Les Paul