Les Paul advice

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VonBonfire

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Budget 1,000-2500. I know that's a wide range and of course I'd rather keep it on the low side but that's what it is so hear me out.

I've looked at every possible Les Paul, LP studio, and LP copy over the past few weeks. Gibson, Edwards, Tokai, Greco, Burny, etc. I want a set neck full weight LP with a 50's-ish neck and full size humbuckers. I'd prefer an ebony board, but can't afford a Custom and rosewood is not a deal breaker. I see some of the studios came equipped with ebony, but what am I losing on the thinner body without the maple cap? I had thought about a cheaper studio as a base to play with some pickup swaps and the studio leaves me with some bread to play around with but not sure if that's the way to go or not.

Is spending 2k on a nice newer 50's Standard worth it? I do like the early 2001-2002-2003 50's neck standard LP's, and that is an era of Gibsons that has done me right in the past but they are right at the top of my price range pending the sale of another instrument, lol. The wife don't approve of the studio, says I'll reject it. Then there are some of the Japanese guitars with the ebony (and rosewood) for lower prices. I have had decent luck with japanese stuff. Any year Gibsons to avoid? I don't want robot tuners or weight reduction. I would just like a good LP guitar that looks and sounds like an LP guitar and gives me the most bang for the buck.

Any input I should consider? Your experiences? I'd be a first time LP owner so help me out. I figured rig-talk would be a great place to ask about LP.s. Thanks!
 
Get a used early 2000s PRS Singlecut or a Reverend Roundhouse imo. I’ve tried to like LPs over and over since 1997 and always stick with the 2001 SC.
 
And I like boat anchor Kalamazoo Pauls…..preferably with a maple neck. I think that would fit the bill for you. They rip.
 
JackBootedThug said:
And I like boat anchor Kalamazoo Pauls…..preferably with a maple neck. I think that would fit the bill for you. They rip.
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Ain't that vintage? Probably outside my budget.

I was looking at a nice Greco today on Reverb. I know you say try them out, but I will probably order it blind unless I can find a CL deal. I live a long haul to the nearest GC.
 
Weight is a thing, finish is a thing, pickups are a thing, scale length is a thing...personally all things should be considered. I'd say if only one purchase is an option get a standard. 50s neck is fat 60s is thinner.
 
Brent is the Kalamazoo king on here. I find deals a lot. My problem is I’m broke. I ordered my Greco blind from Japan and I got a dandy. 80’s Sykes with a kahler….got a used 81 and 85 kit off spiderwars on here….ordered a 24v mod and boom…it fuckin kills.
 
The newer 50’s and 60’s LP’s are pretty damn good. That’s the route I would go.
 
If you go Greco I'd look for a 79-81 model; those seem to have more of a 50s neck than the Mint collection from the mid 80s; the two I had were more 60s slim vs the 79/80 EG 550s that were beefier. EG 550 or higher will not be chambered.
 
I think the lawsuit les Paul’s rule as a guy with a LPC and studio, not even factoring in a great one is half or a third the price of a comparable Gibson. I’d look at a lawsuit custom with a ebony board. I can’t remember but I’m pretty sure you can find them with maple necks as well which is a plus.
 
The Gibson Traditional/Traditional Pro from around 2012 to 2014 were always my favorites and used to be found for decent money. That year range seemed to have the best tops on them if you're into that sort of thing. I used to think that if it had vintage tuners, it was the 50's neck and the 60's had the Grovers but I had a 50's neck with Grovers too so I'm not so sure about that any more.

Just looked at GC and found this one.. If I were in the market for a LP, It'd be hard to pass this one up at $1599. The top on this one looks really nice and it's in Texas (San Antonio) so assuming it's fairly "local" to you and not to far to ship if not within driving distance.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Gibson/2012-Les-Paul-Traditional-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar.gc
 
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Don’t discount Heritage. Some very nice used Heritage LP’s for high teens, low 2’s. I think they have a very comfortable neck. Kind of 50’s but not huge. Just right to me.
If I was going LP custom, definitely Japanese. Gibson prices for Customs are stupid high. I’ve never tried one but lot’s of Edwards fans on here.
 
VonBonfire said:
Budget 1,000-2500. I know that's a wide range and of course I'd rather keep it on the low side but that's what it is so hear me out.

I've looked at every possible Les Paul, LP studio, and LP copy over the past few weeks. Gibson, Edwards, Tokai, Greco, Burny, etc. I want a set neck full weight LP with a 50's-ish neck and full size humbuckers. I'd prefer an ebony board, but can't afford a Custom and rosewood is not a deal breaker. I see some of the studios came equipped with ebony, but what am I losing on the thinner body without the maple cap? I had thought about a cheaper studio as a base to play with some pickup swaps and the studio leaves me with some bread to play around with but not sure if that's the way to go or not.

Is spending 2k on a nice newer 50's Standard worth it? I do like the early 2001-2002-2003 50's neck standard LP's, and that is an era of Gibsons that has done me right in the past but they are right at the top of my price range pending the sale of another instrument, lol. The wife don't approve of the studio, says I'll reject it. Then there are some of the Japanese guitars with the ebony (and rosewood) for lower prices. I have had decent luck with japanese stuff. Any year Gibsons to avoid? I don't want robot tuners or weight reduction. I would just like a good LP guitar that looks and sounds like an LP guitar and gives me the most bang for the buck.

Any input I should consider? Your experiences? I'd be a first time LP owner so help me out. I figured rig-talk would be a great place to ask about LP.s. Thanks!
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Most LP Studio models do have a maple cap. It's just not as thick as a maple cap on the LP Standard.

https://www.harmonycentral.com/foru...at-gibson-les-pauls-have-weight-relief-holes/

From MyLesPaul.com

https://www.harmonycentral.com/foru...at-gibson-les-pauls-have-weight-relief-holes/

Gibson USA
Weight-relief started around 1982/1983. Every Gibson USA Les Paul between 1982 - 2007 is weight-relieved. They do not have solid-body construction. Weight-relief is also known as "swiss cheese holes" and refers to the nine holes drilled out of the body in order to reduce the weight of the guitar.

Chambering officially began for 2007 but the late 2006s are also chambered. Any Les Paul made after October 2006 maybe or likely is chambered. Every 2007 and newer Gibson USA Les Paul is chambered, except for the Les Paul Traditional. The Les Paul Traditional has swiss cheese holes. Chambering is essentially hollowing out the body. Again, this is in order to reduce the weight of the guitar.
 
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eclecticsynergy said:
Tokai Love Rock LP in the classifieds here from member @grimmchaos. Chunky neck.

https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/fs-tokai-love-rock-mij.278777/

I do like the look of that cherryburst Trad at GC.
Might be worth a call to ask about the neck profile.
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From memory of playing them in stores the Traditional’s have a rolled feeling on the edges that was quite noticeable. I never quite gelled with the neck shape myself which is a shame because otherwise they’re usually a good deal used. It’s more rounded than 60’s necks but not quite a 50’s neck.
I can only imagine asking a GC employee about a neck shape…lol
 
napalmdeath said:
Edwards LP Custom.
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What do you think of this one?
https://reverb.com/item/68826754-edwards-e-lp-ctm-wh-new-100859

The price seems good. I hate ordering from overseas though I've done if before. Turned into a hassle. I notice Edwards no longer seem to do factory Duncans anymore so the pickups are a gamble. I have others laying around as long as it plays good I can work with it. I have an Edwards e-sa and it is a nice guitar. I wish I could find a heritage cherry quilt top custom model but they seem pretty rare. Maybe when I'm cash ready there will be one available or something for sale in the US and less shipping hassle. I like private deals locally so maybe something else cool will come up. The shopping is the fun part and i have to make a guitar sale before I can proceed with maximum funds.
 
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