Time to buy a Les Paul - Which one?

[sambo]

Hey guys...

I have been saving my pennies and have been looking / trying out various Les Pauls for the past 6 months and am now at the point where I would like to buy one.. trouble is there are almost as many Les Pauls as there are arseholes in the world. :)

I have decided I am getting a LP Standard with a 60's profile neck (thin)... at least that much I know.. no LP Custom or Classic.

Now I have heard good things about the reissues from 2002 onwards, if I want to go new, but that is about $3600 AUD and that seems a little overpriced - especially from a pimply faced kid in our local music store.

Second hand LP Standards are around... e.g. I have found a 1976 Tobacco Sunburst for $2100 AUD.. or a 2002 Heritage Sunburst for $2800 AUD.

I know very little about the older Les Pauls... and you only really know when you actually pick it up and play it anyway. I just want to do as much homework as I can to get the best value for my money.

Any thoughts on best value LPs or even LPs I should steer clear from?...

Cheers!

[Matt White]

Sambo, my personal favorite is the Gary Moore Model Les Paul. Decent price (See if can find a used one), and killer tone. Very cool guitar. I have no idea what their going for now. Good Luck.

[sambo]

Matt

Cheers mate... I have seen a couple on Ebay... love that tone. The Zebra pickup is similar in spec to the EVH pickup I believe..

NOS in Australia $4299 AUD...

[Coyote]

Try a Tokai Love Rock.

Review: http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Tokai/Love-Rock-Korean-01.html

[sambo]

Originally posted by Coyote
Try a Tokai Love Rock.

Review: http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Tokai/Love-Rock-Korean-01.html

Interesting reviews... hardly a bad word. I'll see where they distribute in Australia, could end up getting a better guitar for much less $$$.

Many thanks Coyote... 5 stars mate.

[Coyote]

Right back at you. :)

[ODShowtime]

I just got a schecter diamond series. It looks more like a strat than a paul, but is has flame maple top, mohagany body, binding, fucking awesome mother o' pearl inlays on the neck, neck through body+string through body design (AMAZING SUSTAINE!) and comes with two custom dimarzio (or Seymor Duncan, I forget which) pick-ups. It has more tonal variety than a Paul IMO.

It costs less than $1000. I was a broke-ass Les Paul snob for awhile, and if I had the cash I would be a Led Paul owner most likely. But this guitar is a serious value. I don't have any complaints. Since you appear to be an informed buyer, I'd suggest you check it out... if they even have them in Australia.

That said, I know many people will accept nothing less than a Paul and it that's you, happy hunting!

[sambo]

Yeah they have Schecters in Australia, and they have had some good write ups in some of the guitar mags I have read.

I saw a couple in our local music store and they look pretty solid and they seem to have taken some care in the overall presentation/finish of the instrument.

Might go play a few ... cheers! Vote for you...

[Nitro Express]

Spend the extra money and get a real Les Paul. Sure you can get good guitars for less money but it's nice to have the real thing. My first real guitar was a early 70's Les Paul Custom. I traded it for a Kramer in the mid 80's and regretted doing so ever since.

The Les Paul is still my favorite guitar, if I had only one guitar it would be a Les Paul standard.

I think Gibsons quality control right now is quite good. Gibson starts to drop the ball every now and then, but I think they are making good guitars at the moment. To be honest, I like the new Les Paul Standards right from the factory pickups and all. I'm not a big fan of the 60's style neck. I like the new necks. Treat the guitar well and your greatgrand kids will be playing the thing. You want a case because those Gibson headstocks pop off rather easy if the guitar falls. A Les Paul isn't a Strat where you can kick the thing around and not break anything.

Save up and get the real thing, sure you might get a great and even more ergonamic guitar for less but even if you get another guitar, you are still going to be lusting for a real Les Paul. Buy the real deal, it will become a cherished friend you will never want to part with.

[LickMyCream]

Those burstbuckers in the Gary Moore model were actually in the Tak Matsumoto Les Paul first. Gibson just didn't sell that model in the U.S. till like last year.

[sambo]

Originally posted by Nitro Express
Spend the extra money and get a real Les Paul. Sure you can get good guitars for less money but it's nice to have the real thing. My first real guitar was a early 70's Les Paul Custom. I traded it for a Kramer in the mid 80's and regretted doing so ever since.

The Les Paul is still my favorite guitar, if I had only one guitar it would be a Les Paul standard.

I think Gibsons quality control right now is quite good. Gibson starts to drop the ball every now and then, but I think they are making good guitars at the moment. To be honest, I like the new Les Paul Standards right from the factory pickups and all. I'm not a big fan of the 60's style neck. I like the new necks. Treat the guitar well and your greatgrand kids will be playing the thing. You want a case because those Gibson headstocks pop off rather easy if the guitar falls. A Les Paul isn't a Strat where you can kick the thing around and not break anything.

Save up and get the real thing, sure you might get a great and even more ergonamic guitar for less but even if you get another guitar, you are still going to be lusting for a real Les Paul. Buy the real deal, it will become a cherished friend you will never want to part with.

Well, I've done it... I took the leap.

2002 LP Standard Heritage Cherry Sunburst. Bought used from a guy who has had it since new. Played a total of 6 times, not a mark on it. Still has all tags, documentation and even the sticker on the pickguard. He sold it for less than 50% rrp (just wanted a quick sale - go figure!)

Played it last week through his JCM800 half stack and, well, what a fckn guitar - holy shit.

Played it through my 100W Plexi last night and pissed the neighbours off to no end. Sustain for days, hit a note, went to the pub, had two beers came back and it was still ringing!! LOL!

Here is a photo, although only taken with a camera phone... Thanks to all who convinced me that a LP Standard was the way to go. I'm fckn wrapped !! Cheers!

[jackassrock]

good choice.

If you're looking for a backup try a Tele with a Duncan Hotrail in the bridge position.

I know you're thinking no way but it's true
It has a similar feel as far as the neck is concerned. It costs a fraction of what a LP does and all the parts are replaceable. Broken necks are no problem. Just bolt on a new one. Oh yes, and the Hotrail kills in a tele. Way different sound than a strat. It's very Les Paul like.

I was suprised too when I first tried one. You know I had a tele and never used it cause of it's thin tone, but all that's changed. This combo just freakin rocks.

[sambo]

Originally posted by jackassrock
good choice.

If you're looking for a backup try a Tele with a Duncan Hotrail in the bridge position.

I know you're thinking no way but it's true
It has a similar feel as far as the neck is concerned. It costs a fraction of what a LP does and all the parts are replaceable. Broken necks are no problem. Just bolt on a new one. Oh yes, and the Hotrail kills in a tele. Way different sound than a strat. It's very Les Paul like.

I was suprised too when I first tried one. You know I had a tele and never used it cause of it's thin tone, but all that's changed. This combo just freakin rocks.

I actually have a Mexican Tele that may just do the trick, although I kinda like the tone it has with stock pickups funnily enough and have gigged with it many times. I have a 1988 Floyd Rose Strat that has a Dimarzio in the bridge which is close to a Paul (with a bit of tweaking) although a little too hot.

I am in the process of rebuilding a Kramer Baretta (yep stripes and all)and have bought a Custom Shop Duncan EVH trembucker to put in the bridge. That has similar specs to a Les Paul pickup (around 9.0k) so I'll see how I go, although I like the idea of beefing up my Tele. :D

Cheers!

[sambo]

Originally posted by jackassrock
good choice.

If you're looking for a backup try a Tele with a Duncan Hotrail in the bridge position.

I know you're thinking no way but it's true
It has a similar feel as far as the neck is concerned. It costs a fraction of what a LP does and all the parts are replaceable. Broken necks are no problem. Just bolt on a new one. Oh yes, and the Hotrail kills in a tele. Way different sound than a strat. It's very Les Paul like.

I was suprised too when I first tried one. You know I had a tele and never used it cause of it's thin tone, but all that's changed. This combo just freakin rocks.

I actually have a Mexican Tele that may just do the trick, although I kinda like the tone it has with stock pickups funnily enough and have gigged with it many times. I have a 1988 Floyd Rose Strat that has a Dimarzio in the bridge which is gets me a warmer sound, although not too close to a Paul - a little too hot.

I am in the process of rebuilding a Kramer Baretta (yep stripes and all)and have bought a Custom Shop Duncan EVH trembucker to put in the bridge. That has similar specs to a Les Paul pickup (around 9.0k) so I'll see how I go, although I like the idea of beefing up my Tele. :D

Cheers!

[Sarge's Little Helper]

I actually have a Mexican Tele that may just do the trick, although I kinda like the tone it has with stock pickups funnily enough and have gigged with it many times. I have a 1988 Floyd Rose Strat that has a Dimarzio in the bridge which is gets me a warmer sound, although not too close to a Paul - a little too hot.

I am in the process of rebuilding a Kramer Baretta (yep stripes and all)and have bought a Custom Shop Duncan EVH trembucker to put in the bridge. That has similar specs to a Les Paul pickup (around 9.0k) so I'll see how I go, although I like the idea of beefing up my Tele. :D

Cheers!

<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_connect(): Too many connections in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/admin/dbprefs.php</b> on line <b>52</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): Too many connections in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/util.php</b> on line <b>302</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): A link to the server could not be established in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/util.php</b> on line <b>302</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): Too many connections in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/util.php</b> on line <b>318</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): A link to the server could not be established in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/util.php</b> on line <b>318</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): Too many connections in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/util.php</b> on line <b>187</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): A link to the server could not be established in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/util.php</b> on line <b>187</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): Too many connections in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/util.php</b> on line <b>235</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): A link to the server could not be established in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/util.php</b> on line <b>235</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): Too many connections in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/graphnew.php</b> on line <b>298</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warning</b>: mysql_query(): A link to the server could not be established in <b>/home/rotharmy/public_html/forums/alice/faqbot/src/graphnew.php</b> on line <b>298</b><br />