The Les Paul thread?

[Dan Desy]

I know you guys will put me to shame with your CS/GHD Lesters, but I just picked up a 1991 Studio last week.

I bought it as a kinda project guitar, but the moer I play it, the more I love it! It feels good, the weight is pretty low, and I really like the ebony fretboard. It's not about to dethrone my PRSi, but it's definitely holding its own.

Now I've always stayed away from Les Pauls. I basically hated them... Until I played Kro's R7 last spring. I thought, het this isn't bad at all.

So when I decided to look for a relatively inexpensive Stop tail guitar to "complete my humble collection", I got this Studio.

I rewired it for single vol/tone control and put in a Ghost Piezo bridge (stay tuned for that thread). I now call it my FrankenPaul, and I love it. Anyway,
I thought we could share Les Paul stories in this thread.

[CAFeathers]

I have a 2002 Gibson LP Studio, Black with Gold Hardware. I put Gold TonePros locking bridge/stopbar set and Grover Gold tuners, along with Schaller Straplocks. She is sweet.
My other LP is an Epiphone LP Standard also with TonePros locking bridge/stopbar, and Schaller Straplocks. This LP is currently on the workbench getting a set of Bill Lawrence P-90 style pups.

[Elgreco]

My next door neighbor has a 75 Studio that I tried to buy but he wouldn't sell it!It had a nice vibe to it.

[Phil Macino]

Here is a picture of my old LP Classic, that I sold to a PRSF Member...man, I really liked that guitar.


http://www.screamer.us/Media/Gear/60%20Les%20Paul%20Classic%20Re-Issue.JPG

[Hugh]

My '02 standard
Edit: I took the pic out because it was waaaaaay toooo biiiiiiig

[Michael Nolan]

My oft touted numero uno:

2003 R6
BRW Board

http://mikesgear.justblow.us/images/R6.jpg

[mesaman]

Here is a picture of my old LP Classic, that I sold to a PRSF Member...man, I really liked that guitar.


http://www.screamer.us/Media/Gear/60%20Les%20Paul%20Classic%20Re-Issue.JPG
I've got a '99 classic that looks just like that one. Its a great guitar! Long-neck tenon.....short-neck tenon........thin vs. thick cutaway binding..... oh, who cares! Classics can be great "Lesters"

[Dan Desy]

My oft touted numero uno:

2003 R6
BRW Board

http://mikesgear.justblow.us/images/R6.jpg
Pretty cool how you can reverse pictures in PhotoShop... Oh, I see, you're a lefty! Oops ;)

By the way, I love Soapy goldtops. Is that an R6?

[CAFeathers]

Sweet Looking Lefty!!!!

[Chiba]

My first Paul was an '81 Custom...tobacco burst, just a beast of a heavy guitar and it sounded *wonderful*. I had bought it from a buddy that needed rent money; when he got back on his feet I sold it back to him. That was in, oh, '89 I guess.

My next Paul was a '93 Studio - wine red w/gold hardware - that I bought off the rack and kept for 10 solid years; I dropped P-94s into it and the next one of my friends that played it made me sell it to him.

Now I have 2 Pauls. One is pretty beat, and hacked up to boot, an '81 LP "Pro". It's kind of a cross between a Standard and a Custom - it has an ebony fingerboard and block inlays, but no binding on the neck/head or back of the guitar and a burst finish. It's a Norlin, so it's got the 3-piece maple neck. However, oddly for the Norlins it's got a 1-piece back with no sandwiching at all. Ugly 3-piece top with a red/yellow "clownburst". Originally had P-90s, but the PO hacked it up to mount 'buckers. It's got a pair of Rio Grande Jazzbars in it right now.

My other Paul is also a little whipped, but man is it awesome. 1977 Custom, black, with gold hardware. 3-piece maple neck and also a maple fingerboard, which is very cool, very snappy sounding, and in combination with the relatively thin neck, makes it sound unlike any LP I've ever had (of course, the P-94s help with that too). This one is a total keeper, one of the few guitars I will never get rid of, ever, unless it comes down to keeping the guitar or starving to death...and even then I might think about keeping it :D Here's a pic of the '77 Custom. (http://www.unlikelyprofessor.com/gallery/77custom/DSC01748)

In between the '81 Custom and the '81 Pro, I had an '01 R7 that was beautiful, well balanced, and sweet playing but I just didn't bond with it. Plus the '80 Custom "silverburst" that I had to sell when the prices just went too high to ignore. Ah, I wasn't that attached to it anyway - it had a mahogany neck. Here's a pic of the S-Burst (http://www.unlikelyprofessor.com/gallery/80custom/DSC00883) - the pic is a bit greener looking than the actual guitar, which has no fading at all.

Ah, the Les Paul...

--chiba

[tmoore]

I bought this '93 Standard new off the rack. The tone is huge. Growls like a muther. It could easily be my main ax if I weren't addicted to PRS necks and bird markers. I always feel like I'm adjusting to the Lester.

http://rollthestone.com/guitars/blondetan40.jpg

Side note, the SC on the right lives in England now.

[Big Al]

here's my only ever les paul. sold last summer. (sold for the same price as i bought new by a guy who couldn't even play!! :eek: )
http://www.alangunning.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/guitar/gibson.jpg

[Oldgtarz]

Here's my Historic '57 Les Paul Custom...

http://home.wanadoo.nl/lvkuijen/oldgtarz.com/pictures/prsforum/burned2.jpg

[Chiba]

Here's my Historic '57 Les Paul Custom...

Ray - STEP AWAY FROM THE FIRE!!!!

:D

--chiba

[itsjustgas]

Here's my Historic '57 Les Paul Custom...

http://home.wanadoo.nl/lvkuijen/oldgtarz.com/pictures/prsforum/burned2.jpgI'll bet ya that guitar SMOKES...........literally.

[Erik]

Dan, I'm in the same boat...

While BAM was down, I saw your post on the Gear Page and I happened to be shopping for Les Pauls. (I must have played over 40 of them in the last two months.) I just bought a 2003 Standard in Vintage Heritage Burst. When the guitar was being set up, I had a '59 put in the neck and a Seymour Duncan Custom in the bridge. This thing just ROARS!!!

If someone can show me how to post a pic I'd really appreciate it.



Erik H

[Dan Desy]

Dan, I'm in the same boat...

While BAM was down, I saw your post on the Gear Page and I happened to be shopping for Les Pauls. (I must have played over 40 of them in the last two months.) I just bought a 2003 Standard in Vintage Heritage Burst. When the guitar was being set up, I had a '59 put in the neck and a Seymour Duncan Custom in the bridge. This thing just ROARS!!!

If someone can show me how to post a pic I'd really appreciate it.



Erik H
Cool, Erik!

You need a hosting site for the pictures (like picture trail, ofoto, webshots...)
Or even, if your ISP gives you some web site space, you could upload them on there. Then you can post them as images or links on here. Let me know if you need more assistance when you reach that point.

[Oldgtarz]

It's a pretty HOT guitar.... but it doesn't smoke anymore!

http://home.wanadoo.nl/lvkuijen/oldgtarz.com/pictures/prsforum/burned.jpg

[Michael Nolan]

Pretty cool how you can reverse pictures in PhotoShop... Oh, I see, you're a lefty! Oops ;)

By the way, I love Soapy goldtops. Is that an R6?

Dan, it is indeed an R6, with a BRW board to boot!

[Dan Desy]

Dan, it is indeed an R6, with a BRW board to boot!
Sweet! R6s and R7s are really cool, if plain, beasts. That what my Studio wants to be when she grows up!

[Elgreco]

Here's my 2001 58 Reissue.

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/c6e19e830859f2cb9f7c8f8cacb8d2a6/1803_p25468.jpg

[Dan Desy]

Man, I knew you guys would put me to shame. Between all your reissues and tmoore's amazing standard... Notice I haven't even posted a pic of mine! :)

The actual reason is it's still getting Frankenstein-ized. I should have pics later this week.

[Elgreco]

And my 79 Les Paul Custom. It's got those huge fat frets and tone to die for. Don't believe the bad mouthing of Norlin era Gibsons! This is a great guitar and is my workhorse that gets gigged weekly.

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/c6e19e830859f2cb9f7c8f8cacb8d2a6/1803_p25469.jpg

[Erik]

Okay, let's see if this works...Here is a pic of my new Les Paul Standard (Fat 50's neck). Weighing in at a cruising 8.8 lbs, complete with a SD '59 in the neck and a SD Custom in the bridge, and 50's wiring mod!!

http://images.ofoto.com/photos588/9/87/5/86/63/0/63860587905_0_ALB.jpg
http://images.ofoto.com/photos588/9/87/15/35/85/0/85351587905_0_ALB.jpg

Unfortunately, my photographic skills are a bit challenged. I really can't seem to get a clean picture of the guitar...these photos tend to show more of the cross grain which you don't see as much in person. Regardless, the tone coming out of this is amazing!!

Erik H

[Elgreco]

Pics not working for me. I had to cut and past. That's a nice looking Burst!
http://images.ofoto.com/photos588/9/87/5/86/63/0/63860587905_0_ALB.jpg
http://images.ofoto.com/photos588/9/87/15/35/85/0/85351587905_0_ALB.jpg

[redmax61]

I've had a few Les Pauls. The nicest one was an Black '80 Deluxe with Mini Humbuckers. I was an idiot and traded it off. I had a couple of Standards too, but I really don't remember much about them.

My most memorable Les Paul was a Studio. The previous owner snapped the headstock off of it, so he hacked it up with a chainsaw trying to put a neck pocket on it so he could bolt a Tele neck to it. The most polite way to put it is this: HE ROYALLY F*%#ED IT UP! I put it in the Mill in the back of Wayne Charvel's shop. I gave it a clean oversized slot (I had to in order to cut out all of the chainsaw damage), I set a piece of Mahogany into it, then I set an Explorer type neck into the pocket and refinished the guitar. It actually looked like it came from the factory like that. BTW, I gave the guitar the nickname "Leatherface".

I've looked high and low, but I haven't been able to find a Les Paul that I want. Either they are not what I would consider buying, or they were just too expensive. At the moment, I'm rather enjoying my PRSi.

[Donk70]

Here is my 2003 R8. The neck is HUGE:D
http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL274/1647191/3160070/38814754.jpg

And my Les Paul Deluxe Limited Edition fitted with Fralin P90's.

http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL274/1647191/3160070/39532905.jpg

I have one more, a Les Paul Classic with a AAA flame maple top, but no pics. I'll probably take some this weekend when I put her up for sale.

[Elgreco]

My R8's neck is huge too, but it's Ok I've got huge hands. I think that's one of the reasons she's got huge tone!

[Dan O]

i have a R7, see pics from the link in my profile!

[Erik]

WOW!!! You fellas are killin' me with those Lesters!!!

[Budman2k]

Not the best photos but here's a couple of mine:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid58/pab7cd4fd2b9bb9c06992a846e2dfdefb/fc67f063.jpg

That's my Elegant on the left, 57RI and 02 Standard

Here's my newest addition, a Supreme
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/p6ce5da18a3290c64866549c44ad81275/f9c2ed2e.jpg

[Dan O]

WOW!!! You fellas are killin' me with those Lesters!!!
Dude!

[itsjustgas]

man...............

some beautiful slabs of wood in here.
Was never a huge Lester fan until I bought
a Jimmy Page model a little while ago. :)

Now I've got a 58RI on layaway. :eek:
I am sick. Dude!

[Elgreco]

The 58's really are the best bang for the buck in the Historic line. What year are you getting?

[itsjustgas]

The 58's really are the best bang for the buck in the Historic line. What year are you getting?Elgreco-
It's a late '03. The shop got in the end of Jan. '04.
It's a plaintop, but it's got a ton of character.
Can't wait til I have it in my grubby hands.

[Elgreco]

The 03's are really nice, they finally got the inlay shape correct.

[Gryphon]

Gibson Les Paul model guitars are fine instruments.I own quite a few of them.

[devine10]

Around here (greater boston) The LP sudios are quite popular we played on a bill with 4 bands one night and i was the Only guitar player playing a PRS, most guys were playing standards and had a studio as a backup or had 2 studios..

I had an 89 studio in wine red, and dot's on teh fingerboard & it had a very odd shaped neck, it felt more like a strat than a LP. I picked it up from a friend for 350 in 1994. Later on i found out why he was letting it go.. the neck was bowing backwards and the truss rod was pretty much at its end..so i strung it up with 13's for about 6 months. a friend of mine played slide on it one night and offered me $400 for it. i told him about the neck, he was like no man its cool for what i wanna do with it..i lost track of him a few years ago, but last i heard he was using it as his main guitar..

[devine10]

on a side note i just put a deposit down on this guitar:

http://www.chrisguitars.com/gib02lpstudio-gr.jpg

[Dan Desy]

on a side note i just put a deposit down on this guitar:

http://www.chrisguitars.com/gib02lpstudio-gr.jpg
Cool! I wish I had a nice case like that for mine. Mine came with a piece of crap hardshell case...

[devine10]

my 89 had a HUGE plastic style case, that thing was a tank, it prob weighed as much as the LP..

[tmoore]

on a side note i just put a deposit down on this guitar:

http://www.chrisguitars.com/gib02lpstudio-gr.jpg
I knew they used dots on some of the Studio FBs, but that's the first I've noticed with a blank FB. Is that standard issue now? It's a cool look.

[kev]

I bought this '93 Standard new off the rack. The tone is huge. Growls like a muther. It could easily be my main ax if I weren't addicted to PRS necks and bird markers. I always feel like I'm adjusting to the Lester.

http://rollthestone.com/guitars/blondetan40.jpg

Side note, the SC on the right lives in England now.
Hey Tom,

Did you buy your LP from Robbin's Music? I remember lusting over a very similar, if not the same, Les Paul in '93. I wish I had had the cash then to buy it. Regardless, that is a sweet looker, I love birdseye maple!

[devine10]

I believe that year gibson started a variation on the Studio. taking off the fret markers (some people complained that when they changed them to the smaller trap inlays saying it looked cheesy) BASF had something to do with the paint scheme too IIFC..ive seen a few of them around on line and a few here and there at some music stores. I figure 90% of the bands around here that play LP's play studios with a Mesa Boogie(heck i know i couldnt afford a standard after shelling out $ for a Dual or Trip Rectoifier) so it's a little different..in a good way..

[tmoore]

Hey Tom,
Did you buy your LP from Robbin's Music? I remember lusting over a very similar, if not the same, Les Paul in '93. I wish I had had the cash then to buy it. Regardless, that is a sweet looker, I love birdseye maple!
Hey Kev,

That LP, Blondy, came from Alan's Discount Music in Birmingham, AL. Alan got two of them on a Wednesday and had them at the Birmingham guitar show that same weekend. The other was almost identical except for having a three peice top. They were cheap too. This was just before most guitarists and mfgs would really 'get' the fancy top bug. It was priced as a common LP Standard with a 'Plus' top, no 'AAA's or 'AAAAA's back then as far as I know. No cost for the gold h/w either. His deep discount 'show price' was $1225 or $1250. I didn't buy it on the spot because I have a 'thing' about paying asking price and he wouldn't budge. But, I knew it was a deal so drove back to B'ham Monday afternoon and paid his price. I've never regreted it. She's not just a pretty face, she's the best sounding LP I've ever had the pleasure to own or play.
For the '94 catalog they came out with a Birdseye Model Standard that was billed as having a three peice top and I never saw one with such a deeply figured slice of maple. Most birdseye looks like polka dots compared to Blondy. I think this one was a prototype/test market issue for the official Birdseye run.

[kev]

Tom, I just saw your post. Thanks! Alan is a good guy and does offer killer deals at times.

Here's one that I should've bought. The image was from Rumble Seat Music's site when, imho, they took great photos.

http://img21.photobucket.com/albums/v62/kvoorhee/les_Paul_Green_Flame.jpg

[Big Mike]

http://homepage.mac.com/big_mike/.Pictures/lester.jpg


Ignore the Wolfie. The 91 studio, my first good guitar is wine red, with duncan JB and Alnico II pro neck

The Custom is a 92 Custom plus flame with duncan 59 bridge and alnico II neck. My High School grad present from Mom.

[Dan Desy]

Ignore the Wolfie. The 91 studio, my first good guitar is wine red, with duncan JB and Alnico II pro neck

The Custom is a 92 Custom plus flame with duncan 59 bridge and alnico II neck. My High School grad present from Mom.
Man, that stuido is mine's twin - with different pickups!

[Craig Walker]

I dumped my 1989 PRS Custom for my 2001 R8. No regrets whatsoever, and the PRS, of course, was an awesome guitar......

The original PUs changed to these BB Zebras {I've put the pickguard back on since this pic}:

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/c16a5320fa475530d9583c34fd356ef5/105_p6391.jpg

I LOVE this guitar; it is by far the best I've ever played. http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/c16a5320fa475530d9583c34fd356ef5/105_p6441.gif

[kev]

I dumped my 1989 PRS Custom for my 2001 R8. No regrets whatsoever, and the PRS, of course, was an awesome guitar......

The original PUs changed to these BB Zebras {I've put the pickguard back on since this pic}:

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/c16a5320fa475530d9583c34fd356ef5/105_p6391.jpg

I LOVE this guitar; it is by far the best I've ever played. http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/c16a5320fa475530d9583c34fd356ef5/105_p6441.gif
Ooh!!! That's a beauty! I like 'em without pickguards, but that's just me being naughty I guess!

[Craig Walker]

Ooh!!! That's a beauty! I like 'em without pickguards, but that's just me being naughty I guess!
I bounce back and forth on 'pickguard or not'.....

Thanks for the compliment ! :)

[Jhigley]

2002 Standard

http://webpages.charter.net/jhigley/sc/lp.jpg


Jeff

[Drpcr]

Ok I own a few LPs too!


http://home.earthlink.net/~cwwu/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/lpquilt.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~cwwu/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/casdq5pq.jpg

[Lerxt]

I have a nice '88 LP Custom (cherry sunburst, mahogany top, ebony fretboard) that I'm still hanging onto, although it doesn't get much playing time. This was my main guitar a few years ago when I was playing in an alternative/progressive project (early Pearl Jam vibe, but with lots of pretentious odd time signatures!).

I plan to swap out the pickups for a more vintage tone, because I just discovered that the previous owner had put in DiMarzio Super Distortions. Ergonomically, the LP just doesn't "fit" me very well any more. It's too heavy and I don't like the shorter scale length. I guess I'm basically a Strat player at heart, and PRS is a much better fit for me than Gibson these days.

Jim

[Shovelhead]

I love Les Pauls! Here's mine:

'54 (had it forever):

http://members.aol.com/kimdimasi/G17.jpg

Historic '57 (2001) with the '54:

http://www.members.aol.com/dondim/gnmn6.jpg

Historic '58 (2001):

http://www.members.aol.com/dldimasi/lp583.jpg

and another 2001 Historic '57 that I refinished out in the garage to a 'burst:

http://members.aol.com/dimasicabs/grf3.jpg

[Dan O]

ahhhhh, i was waitin for ya shovelhead!
man, those are beauties!!!!!

[Elgreco]

Nice collection Shovelhead!

[Shovelhead]

ahhhhh, i was waitin for ya shovelhead!
man, those are beauties!!!!!I just can't walk away from a Les Paul post...

Thanks. :D