Randmo Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I am new to guitars, been playing almost 5 months. Have a Gibson J-15 and was thinking of branching out to an electric. I really like the looks of the Les Pauls, but I don't understand all of the features. What are some things to look for as far as construction, body, pickups etc. I know nothing about electrics. I'm willing to spend up to about $1500 or so but since I am not a professional nor do I desire to be one, maybe something in the $600.00 to $1000.00 range would be better suited for me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsinla Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 It's hard to say what you'd like until you play some. If you live near any big music stores you should go in and plug some in and play them. With any luck, you might meet some fairly knowledgeable people who can explain to you why there is such a large price difference between the different models of Les Pauls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwrmac7600 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Yeah what you are asking is very hard to answer as everyone looks for different things in the les pauls they buy. Some look for Traditional weight relief construction, some look for chambered, some don't care which it has. Some look for 50's neck profiles, some look for 60's, and again some don't care. and you don't even want to go down the electronics road, because there are endless debates as to what people like better there. you need to go to a big box which carries a wide array of les pauls, and just pick them all up and play them, when you find one that feels right, ask about the construction, when you find one that sounds right, ask about the electronics, and the construction, and then ask for one that has the best of both worlds and play that one. IMO, you can't go wrong with the les paul that alot of us started with which is the les paul studio. with the length of time you have been playing I don't know tht I would be looking to invest the 1500 yet, because you may invest under a 1000 and realize later down the road there is something that isn't to your liking about the guitar you chose, especially being your first electric. It took me a while in my early years of playing guitar, to finally realize that the les paul was for me. I bought and sold alot of guitars before finally realizing that the les paul was my style. I tried a few ibanez, a few different fender, an esp, and none of them had everything I wanted in a guitar, so one day I was in guitar center, and a wine red Les Paul studio caught my eye, and I picked it up and plugged it in, and immediately fell in love with everything about it. Then a few years after that I picked up my first standard, and that was when I realized what true love really is, lol Now when I buy a les paul i look for all the features, and construction that my les paul standard has, because i know that is the guitar that suits me best. I know none of this probably helped at all, but the point is, it really is a matter of you need to find what speaks to you best, who knows it may not even be a les paul, it may be a strat, but you don't know until you sit with them for a while. take your time with each one. and then when you start to narrow it down, come and ask questions about it. but in the end, no matter what anyone's opinion is on the guitar that speaks to you, it all comes down to what YOU like. not everyone will agree on any model, and you will hear people give you plenty of reasons not to buy the one you are looking at, and alot that will agree with you about the guitar, it will confuse the hell out of you as to wether or not you should buy the guitar, but you always have to remember, buy what YOU like, not what others tell you you should like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I'm willing to spend up to about $1500 or so but since I am not a professional nor do I desire to be one, maybe something in the $600.00 to $1000.00 range would be better suited for me? $1,500 gets you in reach of a used standard or (maybe) a traditional. (which is pretty much a Standard prior to Gibson adding new features to the current standards, like coil splitting wiring for the pickups etc..) 600 to 1000 - you're probably more like to be in reach of the Studios, Gems, etc... you will need to do some window shopping to find out what you prefer. If it was me, I'd just go in the direction of the standard or traditional and be done with it.. forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 ...maybe something in the $600.00 to $1000.00 range would be better suited for me? Being so new to guitars, I expect you'd be quite happy with one of these from Gibson's sister company. I would be. 400 bucks brand new? You gotta be kidding me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Hello! I think, as far as the Les Paul features are concerned, the following things You should be aware of. Body construction. Solid or traditional weight-relief doesn`t makes any real difference to the tone. It`s the concern of purists. What makes difference is the chambering, opposed to the two previously mentioned variants. Chambered LPs sound richer and louder. Unplugged they sound almost like a bronze-stringed acoustic. Test these two kinds of LPs (there is really just two variations). Neck-profile. 50s, 60s necks to some players is all-important. Many can't play guitars with the former neck construction, they are too thick. Find out more about that Yourself. ...and of course: Pickups. Ceramics; AlNiCo II, III, V; P90s - even listing all those variants would take pages. When out for shopping, ask about pickups of the particular guitar You are trying out. The rest is about cosmetics. Take Your time. No need to hurry, plenty of Les Paul out there. Play as many as You can, and take notes about the specs You like. Good luck... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwrmac7600 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Body construction. Solid or traditional weight-relief doesn`t makes any real difference to the tone. It`s the concern of purists. What makes difference is the chambering, opposed to the two previously mentioned variants. Chambered LPs sound richer and louder. Unplugged they sound almost like a bronze-stringed acoustic. Test these two kinds of LPs (there is really just two variations). I respectfully disagree, I am by no means a purist, but to my ears, and hands, I feel a difference between modern and traditional weight relief. And a massive difference with chambered. But this is what I was referring to in my original post, everyone has their opinions, so it's all a matter of playing as many as you can so you can develop your own opinions to debate on the internet about. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I respectfully disagree, I am by no means a purist, but to my ears, and hands, I feel a difference between modern and traditional weight relief. And a massive difference with chambered. But this is what I was referring to in my original post, everyone has their opinions, so it's all a matter of playing as many as you can so you can develop your own opinions to debate on the internet about. lol Hello! Please let`s not confuse terms. Modern weight-relief is really nothing else than a variation on chambering. (Unfortunate naming by Gibson itself). Whilst, the traditional weight-relief (aka. swiss-cheese) is nine holes drilled on the bass side of the lower bout of the guitar body. Thus, yes, modern weight-relieved (and chambered) are noticably different than solid (and traditional weight-relieved) guitars. I agree. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwrmac7600 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Hello! Please let`s not confuse terms. Modern weight-relief is really nothing else than a variation on chambering. (Unfortunate naming by Gibson itself). Whilst, the traditional weight-relief (aka. swiss-cheese) is nine holes drilled on the bass side of the lower bout of the guitar body. Thus, yes, modern weight-relieved (and chambered) are noticably different than solid (and traditional weight-relieved) guitars. I agree. Cheers... Bence Agreed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 One school of thought would be to 'ease up' to the dream guitar After gaining experience along the way Check out what favourite artists play Some guitarists love Telecasters and Stratocasters Personal philosophy is to own 2-3 very good guitars for the same outlay as 1 'fabulous' guitar... And learn about amps too...they make a large contribution to the final sound... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 ... And learn about amps too...they make a large contribution to the final sound... V Words of wisdom here! AMPLIFIER is #1! Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 In my opinion and to my experience, every part of the chain player - strings - fingers and picks - guitar design and construction - pickups and electronics - guitar cable - amplifier and speaker - acoustical environment contributes in an indispensable manner. Furthermore, a poor setup can make a gem play and sound like a dud. My approach is trying electric guitars through dedicated acoustic guitar amps. Then I check those which made it into the shortlist through high-gain amps at high volumes, in particular for checking possible microphonics. I think playing several dozens guitars of several models made by various manufacturers is best when starting to buy the first electric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Words of wisdom here! AMPLIFIER is #1! Cheers... Bence To me amplifiers and cabinets are just servants. This is what makes me use emulations exclusively. Music is king, the song rules, and everything else is subordinated. When performing, me and the related guitar are on command, amp and speaker will have to obey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randmo Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 I guess I'm kind of hung up on the Gibson brand because I like my J-15 so much. There's probably not any "bad" guitars, I just want to get the most for my money. I get the most confused about the electronics (coils, pickups) and their importance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I guess I'm kind of hung up on the Gibson brand because I like my J-15 so much. There's probably not any "bad" guitars, I just want to get the most for my money. I get the most confused about the electronics (coils, pickups) and their importance. Coil split options can be very useful. 2013 and 2014 Les Paul Studio models offer these, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randmo Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 Went to guitar store this morning... Looked at Les Paul Studio and Studio Pro. The only real difference I can see is the Pro comes with better tuners and a hard case. $500 difference in price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I would say, if you are totally new to electric you have to do yourself justice and try a few different brands out.. Its just one of those things.. Sometimes people think they are Gibson people and find out later they like Fenders or PRS and visa versa.. But in saying that theres nothing quite like a good Les Paul which is obviously why im here and not on the Fender forum :D As for different priced and spec'd Gibsons.. its such a personal thing that its hard to give advice... P90s are single coils which have a down side of having some hum (which a lot of people hate and all single coils have) but they are quite fat sounding pickups... Humbuckers have two coils in them rather than one, which cancels that hum out (which is why they exist) and generally have a really wide ranging sound... which is why they are so popular However when you are talking about say Fender single coil pickups they have a much thinner and more jangly sound that either of the above Gibson type.. Coil splitting is when you are using just one part of a humbucker that is meant to get you closer to that jangly sound (but doesn't quite get there in my view) so the idea is that you have your big fat Gibson sounds and at the press of a button you have your single coil sounds... Also in the 2014 models you have a booster switch which literally will increase the volume.. so I think the idea is when you coil split the pickup can be a bit weak, so you have a small boost for solos or just to get it sounding thick enough... And generally you get hotter pickups (louder) and more mellow ones.. Some are more bassy, some more rounded etc.. Maybe just go to youtube and check a bunch of vids... it may help things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Actually this explains it a bit better than me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voYSZ8vlY3s But for me... when you can get this sort of sound from a phat sounding Gibson I don't know why youd want anything else (and yes that includes P90s which rock!!) ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9oouMDQAIk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwrmac7600 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Actually this explains it a bit better than me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voYSZ8vlY3s But for me... when you can get this sort of sound from a phat sounding Gibson I don't know why youd want anything else (and yes that includes P90s which rock!!) ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9oouMDQAIk HOLY SUSTAIN!!!!!! I mean he could have put that thing down and went and had a snack. Listen do you hear that? you can hear it sustaining... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 HOLY SUSTAIN!!!!!! I mean he could have put that thing down and went and had a snack. Listen do you hear that? you can hear it sustaining... Yeah its very cool.. but is not natural sustain.. Its a harmonic feedback trick.. but still sounds awesome :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwrmac7600 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Yeah its very cool.. but is not natural sustain.. Its a harmonic feedback trick.. but still sounds awesome :) Yeah I know, but damn that thing is a tone monster!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Yeah I know, but damn that thing is a tone monster!!! Did you ever see this.. the results are funny in the sustain test (about 11:50 in).. but again he just happened to hit that harmonic sweet spot :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Sutherland Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Words of wisdom here! AMPLIFIER is #1! Cheers... Bence +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimi Mac Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Surf Youtube and view numerous guitar demos and see what speaks to you! Look for the sound, the look, and the style that you like, that gives you passion to play it... There's no wrong answer, go for what speaks to you... Look at Gibsons, Grestch, Fender, Rickenbacker, PRS, Reverend, etc. etc. everything and anything and make a list of the ones you really like the styles shapes and colors, make another list of the ones you really love the sound, tones, etc. Then see if you can find one that combines all the things you like most... And then don't forget you'll need an amp... Then do the amp demo vids to hone-in on the tones/sounds you like best and again find what speaks to you... With the money you're talking about spending you have a ton of options! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Surf Youtube and view numerous guitar demos and see what speaks to you! Look for the sound, the look, and the style that you like, that gives you passion to play it... There's no wrong answer, go for what speaks to you... Look at Gibsons, Grestch, Fender, Rickenbacker, PRS, Reverend, etc. etc. everything and anything and make a list of the ones you really like the styles shapes and colors, make another list of the ones you really love the sound, tones, etc. Then see if you can find one that combines all the things you like most... And then don't forget you'll need an amp... Then do the amp demo vids to hone-in on the tones/sounds you like best and again find what speaks to you... With the money you're talking about spending you have a ton of options! Excellent post...and overview of what many guitarists have experienced... Personal journey, knowing today's superb general quality, would be something like this <_< Epiphone Les Paul...the high enders are approaching Gibson quality/tones Something or other with P90's onboard...SG or Casino A single coiler to cover Buddy Holly to Jimi Hendrix mayhem... All for the price of one Gibson Les Paul... Enjoy V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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