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Modern Les Pauls?
Posted on 8/17/23 at 12:46 pm
Posted on 8/17/23 at 12:46 pm
So I may be in the market for a Gibson Les Paul soon. What's the general opinion on modern Pauls? I've never owned a Gibson Les Paul for the record... only an Epi. I'd love to get a Les Paul Classic in either of these colors.


This post was edited on 8/17/23 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 8/17/23 at 1:05 pm to jdd48
I've been trying out some Epiphone Les Pauls lately that are fantastic. I don't think Epi is in the same company.
This post was edited on 8/17/23 at 2:09 pm
Posted on 8/17/23 at 2:55 pm to jdd48
Go check out an Epiphone Les Paul Standard 59.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 3:11 pm to hogcard1964
quote:
They're greatly improved.
Yeah, Gibson seems to be doing the opposite of Fender, in relation to the divisions of the company.
They're letting the ponies run.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 4:02 pm to jdd48
I'm a fan/sucker of the late 80s and early 90s models.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 7:50 pm to jdd48
PRS is a much better quality buy at this time. Gibson hasn't really modernized the way Paul has...and he left Gibson to start PRS.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 8:37 pm to jdd48
The Epi 59 Les Paul Standard is pretty close to getting a Gibson Les Paul Standard for $1,000. This guitar even comes with Gibson Burstbucker pickups.
Posted on 8/17/23 at 9:41 pm to rphtx
PRS is a better guitar for consistency, absolutely true.
Paul Reed Smith has never worked for Gibson. The closest relationship he ever had with them is his partnership with former 1950s-60s Gibson president Ted McCarty to create the PRS McCarty series in the 1990s. Do the math and you will quickly deduce Ted was long retired by the time he and Paul were collaborators.
Ted and Les Paul, 1950s
Ted and Paul, 1990s
Paul Reed Smith has never worked for Gibson. The closest relationship he ever had with them is his partnership with former 1950s-60s Gibson president Ted McCarty to create the PRS McCarty series in the 1990s. Do the math and you will quickly deduce Ted was long retired by the time he and Paul were collaborators.
Ted and Les Paul, 1950s
Ted and Paul, 1990s
Posted on 8/17/23 at 9:55 pm to TheFretShack
The golden rule with Les Pauls, whether vintage or modern, is to try before you buy if at all possible. EVERY ONE OF THEM is different due to variations in the wood mainly. Weight, kiln/drying periods, the specific cuts applied to the lumber at the mill and then the factory, are all factors and that's before you get into chambered vs chambered, maple top vs. all mahog, etc. etc. etc.
You can talk about old ones vs new ones ad nauseum but truth be told, there are jewels in the modern ranks and there are dogs from the golden era. My '76 Standard is from the constantly criticized Norlin era, but I assure you it runs with the best quite nicely. Case in point, I play it more than my restored '55 Junior :)
Eye candy break ...
For what it's worth, the best bang for the buck in the LP line is the LP Classic. The differences between a Classic and a Standard are few, but the former is usually several hundred bucks cheaper.
You can talk about old ones vs new ones ad nauseum but truth be told, there are jewels in the modern ranks and there are dogs from the golden era. My '76 Standard is from the constantly criticized Norlin era, but I assure you it runs with the best quite nicely. Case in point, I play it more than my restored '55 Junior :)
Eye candy break ...
For what it's worth, the best bang for the buck in the LP line is the LP Classic. The differences between a Classic and a Standard are few, but the former is usually several hundred bucks cheaper.
Posted on 8/18/23 at 7:07 pm to jdd48
That's tough to answer. There are so many models.
If you like baseball bat necks w smaller frets, go with a vintage reissue.
Some Les Pauls are pretty heavy.
But build quality has improved. If you buy online, just make sure it's from a reputable dealer w a good return policy.
If you like baseball bat necks w smaller frets, go with a vintage reissue.
Some Les Pauls are pretty heavy.
But build quality has improved. If you buy online, just make sure it's from a reputable dealer w a good return policy.
Posted on 8/19/23 at 12:46 am to jdd48
New or vintage doesn’t matter, the headstock is still gonna break.
Posted on 8/19/23 at 10:18 am to jdd48
Had an Epi Les Paul Studio for years that I loved - even more than my Strat. Bit the bullet recently and traded it for a Gibson 60’s Les Paul. As FS stated, try them all. Found one heavy AF, but the coloring is incredible and it plays like it was built just for me.
Posted on 8/19/23 at 4:44 pm to wareaglepete
Another thing I love about Norlin-era LPs ... multi-ply maple necks. Great for hard rock tones, even better for durability. I've never had one maple head Gibson uh-oh cross my bench.
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