Time to buy a Les Paul - Which one?

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  • sambo
    Sniper
    • Jun 2004
    • 912

    Time to buy a Les Paul - Which one?

    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!
    Go home the Earth is full....
  • Matt White
    • Jun 2004
    • 20446

    #2
    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.

    Comment

    • sambo
      Sniper
      • Jun 2004
      • 912

      #3
      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...
      Go home the Earth is full....

      Comment

      • Coyote
        ROTH ARMY SUPREME
        • Jan 2004
        • 8185

        #4
        Try a Tokai Love Rock.

        Review: http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita...Korean-01.html
        Why settle for something you have, if it's not as good as something you're out to get?

        Originally posted by Seshmeister
        It's like putting up a YouTube of Bach and playing Chopstix on your Bontempi...

        Comment

        • sambo
          Sniper
          • Jun 2004
          • 912

          #5
          Originally posted by Coyote
          Try a Tokai Love Rock.

          Review: http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita...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.
          Go home the Earth is full....

          Comment

          • Coyote
            ROTH ARMY SUPREME
            • Jan 2004
            • 8185

            #6
            Right back at you.
            Why settle for something you have, if it's not as good as something you're out to get?

            Originally posted by Seshmeister
            It's like putting up a YouTube of Bach and playing Chopstix on your Bontempi...

            Comment

            • ODShowtime
              ROCKSTAR

              • Jun 2004
              • 5812

              #7
              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!
              gnaw on it

              Comment

              • sambo
                Sniper
                • Jun 2004
                • 912

                #8
                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...
                Go home the Earth is full....

                Comment

                • Nitro Express
                  DIAMOND STATUS
                  • Aug 2004
                  • 32798

                  #9
                  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.
                  No! You can't have the keys to the wine cellar!

                  Comment

                  • LickMyCream
                    Groupie
                    • Aug 2004
                    • 81

                    #10
                    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.
                    http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/attac...&postid=280283

                    Comment

                    • sambo
                      Sniper
                      • Jun 2004
                      • 912

                      #11
                      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!
                      Go home the Earth is full....

                      Comment

                      • jackassrock
                        Head Fluffer
                        • Sep 2004
                        • 299

                        #12
                        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.
                        It's a shame that families should be torn apart by something as simple as....wild dogs

                        Comment

                        • sambo
                          Sniper
                          • Jun 2004
                          • 912

                          #13
                          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.

                          Cheers!
                          Go home the Earth is full....

                          Comment

                          • sambo
                            Sniper
                            • Jun 2004
                            • 912

                            #14
                            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.

                            Cheers!
                            Go home the Earth is full....

                            Comment

                            • Sarge's Little Helper
                              Commando
                              • Mar 2003
                              • 1267

                              #15

                              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.

                              Cheers!


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