NighthawkChris

If I had it my way on these, I'd have made them with 24 frets. They did the compound radius thing, made the heel contoured back so you could access the higher frets easier, but only 22 frets. I mean, it definitely doesn't make the guitar bad to me, just that they put 24 frets on that hideous Modern Double Cut that you pay Custom Shop prices for. The clear knobs have to go... Why not put the volute either??? These are my complaints about the Modern LP. I guess not so bad since this guitar costs about a grand less than the previous HP LPs give or take a few hundo. Either way, I'm not saving up my pennies and nickels for this guitar. On the side note, if I wanted a shredder like LP - which this Modern LP seems to me like it is targeting this group of guys and gals - I'd go with an ESP Eclipse or maybe even a Jackson like Marty Friedman plays from time to time before I get this Modern LP. That's just me though. What I really like is the 50s goldtop... Now that would be the guitar I'd like to check out. Something about a goldtop Gibson that never ceases to catch a wandering eye.

Hi Mike_L, My thoughts on this is that if that is a scratch, not a huge deal, but if you're buying a new guitar at full price that has an obvious cosmetic issue such as a scratch on the fretboard, I totally understand how this can be a buzz kill. When I bought my 2018 LP Classic goldtop, underneath the pick guard, there was a very noticeable gouge from the nut that holds the pick guard arm bracket. It had other issues like the nut slot on the G string was causing "plinks" when I bent the string - which was again fixed with a slight filing touch to make the groove correct - but this just compounded the fact that this guitar left the factory like this or someone mistreated it... Who knows, NEXT! Took me a couple to get the right guitar... Even then, had some minor issues, but I got a killer deal on it where I paid something to the tune of $1500 brand new for it (Christmas Eve sale and the combination of GC reward points). At the time, these were $2200... Then they bumped the price up to $2300 for some reason... Then they dropped the prices dramatically when they wanted to clear them out apparently. I digress... So my story of my 18 Classic was 2018 - the year of Gibson's bankruptcy - and this is the "new" 2019 Gibson right? Who knows how or when that fretboard scratch got there... Overall, I understand the sentiment that the scratch can cause one to be dissatisfied with their purchase when of course, a LP isn't the cheapest thing to buy guitar-wise, and when you buy a LP, you buy it for the nice finish and accoutrements that come with a Gibson. When you have a "new" guitar that doesn't deliver on that for a couple grand - at least - I wouldn't keep it unless I got a discounted price or a replacement - or money back 100% at the very least. Especially since a fretboard scratch is sort of a minor cosmetic issue that can hopefully be addressed relatively easy if it isn't too deeply grooved in, but this is supposed to be a "new" guitar... I mean, hey, it's bound to happen to ANYTHING new. Not every-single-thing that comes out of ANY company's production facilities are going to be 100% flawless, so hopefully this is not something many Gibson customers experience. Personally, their new stuff looks great. I am not in the market for another guitar as I have more then enough for my lifetime (yeah... I really hope so ) but I am happy to see that Gibson is mounting a potentially successful comeback. BTW, that guitar you picked out is really nice looking. Just hope it sounds and plays as good as it looks, because that would be an outright shame if it didn't.

Gary FTW. I mean guitar isn’t a competition, but I prefer listening to Gary “more” than Joe personally.

So first mistake is buying a guitar assuming you know what it sounds and plays like. It happens, don't make this mistake again if you don't have any sort of return/trial window to take advantage of when dealing with an unknown guitar. And don't assume in the future. You are determined to make this guitar sound like something it isn't this all sounds like. And you mention that you like it a lot... What is it about it you like a lot that has you hell-bent on ripping it up at any expense to make it sound like a 1996 LP Standard? Why not buy another LP from that era? I'm sure you can sell your 2018 LP for at least the cost of a 1990s LP Standard... I bought my 1994 LP Standard in excellent for less than $2k. I know you could sell a 2018 LP Standard for at or near this price. Perhaps even a trade might work... Overall, there is more to a guitar's sound than the electronics and such. A lot of it has to do with the way it is constructed, woods used, etc. This is why you play before you pay - or as I said, have a window to return if it doesn't fit the bill. If you are planning on keeping this 2018 LP Standard, then good luck trying to make it sound like something different than what it is. You are just going to have to compensate with tone on your guitar and/or amp until you have the tone you find that is acceptable. And just to clear something up, I have a LP Custom that has the 498T/490R set and my 90s LP Standard that has the same set. Both sound different to some extent because they are different guitars. All guitars are somewhat unique and there are things about each of them that you just cannot make it do like another. May not always be the case, but I typically trial a guitar, and if I like it, I take it. I don't mess around with changing it all up because the effort isn't worth the time and money most of the time. Nothing better than getting a guitar that you have to do jack squat to it to play it and be happy with it. I wish you best of luck and hope that you start to like your LP for what it is. I'm sure it doesn't sound like crap, but I can buy it that it sounds a bit different than your guitar that was constructed decades before your 2018 LP.

https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Solid_Peghead_Guitar_Tuning_Machines/Grover_Roto-Grip_Locking_Rotomatic_502_Series_3and3_Tuners.html Here is what I put on my 2018 LP Classic. I have the goldtop BTW - same thing as your ebony Classic. Anyhow, this was a super-simple replacement. Used existing screwholes... This replacement is as plug-and-play as it gets... and I really like locking tuners - best things since sliced bread!

Thanks all! It seems like you really can't go wrong with Mesa the word on the street says. It's good to hear that there are more happy people with their Mesa amps. I know I definitely enjoy playing my guitars through this new amp. I tried my single coil Fenders (Strat and Tele) and my Gibsons (LPs with humbuckers and P90s), and they all sound great with the amp. Here is a link to a Mesa demonstration video on the Fillmore 50 I viewed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tAOrZFCC5E

Thanks all for taking a peek at this thing and leaving a comment, much appreciated. Anyhow, I wanted to post about this amp because I was surprised by what this thing had to offer and I think that a lot of guys who like that "Fendery" clean sound might find this amp a little interesting. I remember trying this out at the store - a 50W head going into a 1x12 Mesa Fillmore cab - and I thought it sounded like a nice Fender amp honestly. Either way, that's what got me sold on this thing was the clean channel. I was browsing on Reverb and noticed someone who wasn't too far down the road was selling this... It was priced pretty attractively compared to what the listing price is for a brand new one. And these amps are relatively new, so not too much used out there right now as far as what I saw in ads and listings. So, I messaged the Reverb seller running this listing and he said we could work out the deal in-person. I later stopped over and tried it out at his place. Pretty much what I remembered this thing sounding like when I was in the store trying out the 50W head version of this amp was what I was hearing coming out of his amp. I agreed to do the purchase, shook hands, and left with the amp! TBH, I actually preferred the combo version as opposed to the head-cab split option. Not that there is any real major differences in the amp between the head or combo, but I was looking for a consolidated package - just plug in the power cord and you are ready to plug your guitar in to start playing without too much fuss. I don't go crazy with pedals or any of that mess, so I like it when I can use an amp's internal reverb and distortion/OD. And of course if I wanted to extend the amp output to a cab, I could choose to do so later with the speaker outs on the back of the amp for a little more fullness and volume. Yeah, I will have to lug around the combo speaker everywhere the amp goes given I want to drive a cab, but hey, there are trade-offs in life. But the stock speaker will do me more than fine for the gigs I play at - and definitely works well for rehearsals. I don't see myself worrying about getting a cab for a long time if ever. I know that the 50W version came out first and the 25W came out next which some people really wanted more. They are slightly different in that the power amp tubes are different I believe. Probably some other differences, but I haven't done an A-B comparison. I simply was looking for the 50W version in one fashion or another. But the 25W shouldn't make someone want the 50W that much more, because if they think it will be much louder, theoretically the 50W should only be 3dB louder... If the 25W amp drives a cab, it should be plenty loud if the speakers are good. Overall, good buy and worth the time to give a look over IMHO. Not necessarily an inexpensive amp, but Mesa amps are usually known to be a bit costly. IMHO, Mesa makes some pretty quality stuff, so if you're spending a bit on something with them, you're probably going to get something that will last a long time and work well throughout. A lot of Mesa owners that post online have only good things to say about this company. I can see why. Their amps are well-made, attentive to detail, and bottom-line, they do what they are designed to do very well. Not that they are the only amp company out there that makes killer stuff, but I have to put Mesa up near the top.

Here's my new amp. Picked it up from a local Reverb seller. It's a special edition of this amp being that it is in a different color scheme. I searched for "fillmore 50 emerald bronco" and this is the amp in the pic I shared. Either way, great pickup IMHO. It was presented with a deal I couldn't refuse. But overall, this amp is pretty versatile. I'm not here to sell anyone on it, but I'd say that they are worth a look. But regarding Mesa Boogie, I think that they are a great amp company overall. They make some high-quality stuff. I was impressed with what they had to offer. Anyhow, thanks for checking out my new amp

https://www.gibson.com/ Here's a countdown clock that should help those out that are waiting for the new 2019's to come out. Let's just wait and see what happens next I suppose...

There would be no way to ground the bridge if there wasn't a wire connecting the bridge to the ground plane... It is usually buried underneath the posts as you described. There is a small channel in the control cavity that should lead to a region that resides underneath one of the posts - probably the post closest to the control cavity. There is a bare wire that simply runs in there and makes contact with the bottom of the post. Either way, just check with the meter and figure out if the bridge is continuous with the ground plane of your guitar. If it is not, then you night have to mess with the post or get someone who you trust to make it continuous with ground... But without your test, we do not even know if we have to go there yet.

First thing to do to verify if you do have the bridge grounded is to use a multi-meter and measure resistance - hopefully see ~0 Ohms (very low resistance, i.e. couple Ohms give or take) read out. Probe the bridge and use the other probe on something you 100% know is continuous with the "ground" plane. Sometimes, you can use the input jack which has a ground connection. Figure out if this is the case, then the discussion past "I have the bridge grounded" advances here. Start with the simple things first then start to dig in if necessary.

Very beautiful Nighthawk! Take care of her and she’ll do you a lot of good 😁

Custom Shop Gibsons are great guitars. My advice is to learn about the finer details such as construction, perhaps a bit of history on the Custom Shop - how it came to be. There's a short video on YT that talks about the Custom Shop and what they offer up. If you're going for the historic stuff, there are a lot of guys who really dig this stuff... Some of the newer stuff is not so much sought after - and the guitars typically after the 2010 era started to use Richlite on the fretboards rather than ebony (for LP Customs) - but I guess that all depends. If you want to run a poll (please don't, haha!) on who prefers ebony to Richlite, you'll probably be thinking badly of Richlite after all is said and done. I personally like guitars that sound to my liking, so I don't really care what negative thoughts others have of my guitar(s) if there are any thoughts to be shared with me, haha! I would learn a bit about the construction differences between the newer and older LPs. Things like hide glue that is used to adhere parts together, neck tenons, electronics, hardware, etc. You will pay a premium for the more historic Custom Shop LPs. Whether or not these make a difference, that's up to you, but know what you are paying for in a purchase like this. I own 2 Custom Shop LPs - 2010 and 2015. My 2010 is a 1968 Reissue and my 2015 is just a "regular" LP Custom so to speak that is more modern (compared to the original LP Custom) in terms of how it is constructed. The 2010 has an ebony fretboard, ABR bridge, 57 Classics, long neck tenon... My 2015 has Richlite fretboard, Nashville bridge, 498T/490R, and a short neck tenon (i.e. set-in neck as GC lists them). A tad bit more historic-like things going on with the 2010, but they both are stellar guitars and had top craftsmanship involved in each guitar's construction. The people who go after Gibsons are aware of these things in each guitar they spec out, so learning how to compare guitar A to guitar B is what you want to do before pulling the trigger - i.e. how to make a more calculated move targeting THE guitar of your dreams. Good luck and ask more questions if you have any.

I want to say that I have no ill will against anyone that participated in this thread. I gave my opinion on something based on what I saw on the interwebs and I think it is great that someone - i.e. the OP - decided to provide some information on these wacky tuners contrary to the video. I really don't care what anyone does with their guitar. It was getting boring around here, so I decided to stir up the place a bit, haha! No, I honestly I am indifferent what anyone does or has going on with their stuff and I don't come here to flame anyone. Basically, if I had said something that was false, then so be it... I'm not here to try to deny the objectionable. And that scary Bono picture struck the sense into me - been haunting my dreams of that guy singing endless Bloody Sunday with the guitar FZ Fan gave a link to... Whatever with this, so here's my thing... If you want these tuners on your guitar and they last for a long time, I can only hope that someone enjoys this thing and gets their worth out of them. Most likely designed a bit better than what I was previously thinking, so I'll stop there on commenting about things I don't know for sure. I have claimed that people shouldn't start putting up crap here and should try to contribute positively, so I should eat my own words and just say thanks for posting info on this. No argument here from the peanut gallery. Best regards!

Just get the damn Bono pic up! This topic has taken a turn for the worse.

I partook in the topic just fine to start and even offered a video on how to replace them with standard tuners. You called me out for spreading negative bias, and I've had the video I watched called out as not factual - when in fact I physically saw the internals of the tuner in the video clearly and saw that gear's teeth littered throughout the housing of the tuning machine. I never claimed that the video was 100% engineer approved, but it isn't "rubbish". If someone is going to call me out on some crap and act like they are some intellectual elitist or have more moral fiber, they can GTFOH with that crap - I am not going to take anyone's s###. How's that for some witty response? Enjoy your tuners pal.

Yeah OP nothing personal here. Just because I think those tuners are POS and you can’t change my mind doesn’t mean I disrespect you personally or need to have my intelligence insulted. I don’t care if you like them or not really so thanks for the post those that find it useful will thank you and those that already made up their mind about them are free to say what they want about some stupid tuners Gibson decided to put on their guitars. I’ve gotten earfuls about things I posted too and I’m still here. We are all different and entitled to make our opinions on the facts be it what they may. All I can say to this is you won’t catch any one of my guitars with the robo-tuner crap that’s out there currently. Not a thoughtful essay on it will change my mind and when I give my opinion on it as I have, I don’t need an essay in return about it why I am some sort of a$$ because that’s what it seemed like being that this is one of your first things you contribute to this forum. You went in in the deep end right away with this topic...

Haha, careful what you say, you might get an essay coming back addressed to your discontent with the robo-tuners and to be convinced that they are quality pieces of equipment... And don't use the phrase "ticking time bomb" whatever you do because this has been clearly explained to me why this is not applicable To believe anything other than these are quality pieces of equipment and it's perfectly fine to not get mad when something that costs over $100 fails outright on you - when in reality, only ONE tuner has to fail for the thing to go into the heap, because the whole thing is useless if you can't tune ALL the strings - is just lunacy! I'll just blow another hundred bucks or whatever it costs to get another robo-tuner set. Always going to be able to get the same electronic module later in life for my fine Gibson guitar... No worries! That's why I don't buy cars anymore too BTW. Ticking time bombs man... I must be some sort of Luddite because I can't accept this innovation.

In the video I shared, if you look through Nelson's channel you can find a video where he replaces these robo-tuner Gibsons with Grovers. I have learned quite a bit watching this fella do some of the things he has to various guitars. I'd trust him with my guitar(s), so take that FWIW... But to cut to the chase here if you don't want to go this route, I believe Grovers MIGHT be a direct replacement. Probably have to pilot some holes in the headstock for the screws, but it would be worth the trouble to get rid of that wicked contraption. I think the difficulty of this lies in making sure you don't askew the tuners. But if one is careful, probably can do a magnificent job. EDIT: Here is the video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3LUzKIoMx0

I saw a video of of a fine guy who goes by the name of Nelson that took one of these things apart and I did not like what I saw in that video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IYgQ1Lo8GA plastic gears and the sort... Those things won't last forever no matter what someone claims that "mine's had no problems, had mine for years..." Only a matter of time... like a time bomb. They are garbage IMO. What about charging the thing... What happens when the battery dies on it - have to replace it somehow. Hope it's easy... And just watching someone press the buttons to take a damn string off is just painful. I'd prefer locking tuners - best thing since sliced bread if you ask me. So that's my take on these things. Slap some Grovers in them there holes and twist away like we all love and know. But hey, not my money. If someone loves these things, have at it - you know what you're getting here. Something like this would drive me nuts and annoy the piss out of me once it starts to take a crap on me. Never had good 'ol tuning machines that haven't been abused take a crap on me in 25 years of playing. I'd hate to be at a practice - or a show - and these things start to do stupid things to me. I mean, just buy another guitar for an alternate tuning if that's the big sell here. How many tunings does someone have to go through in a set? Geez 'O Peets!

There's no bad blood here. I respect what others choose to do with their own possessions - and what others' opinions are on the subject. I am relating this conversation to what I would be comfortable doing to an expensive guitar of mine, and I tried to give the best advice I could based on how I would feel if that guitar in question was mine. I expected that there would be differing opinions here as there is no real right or wrong answer here what to do. Really the only trade-off I see with modding a Gibson Historic guitar is if the guitar was to be sold at some later date and it is some collector piece. But again, not my money, not my stuff. I will sleep fine tonight Best regards!

LMAO! Yeah, I want to buy myself a law degree there too - and don't forget to drink your electrolytes!

I agree man, why spend thousands of dollars to degrade its value immediately to make it a guitar you like... Why did you buy the guitar in the first place if you don't like the way it sounded? To me, I just cannot accept any argument why to modify a guitar that costs several thousands of dollars that will devalue it somewhat significantly when you start to undo the factory workmanship. I know you can go back and put the old pickups back in, but just why? Buy another guitar that comes with the stuff you like or as you suggested, buy a lower base model and mod it up. I suppose if you're filthy rich and want to start hacking stuff up because you just want to, sort of ridiculous still, go for it - not my money. But inevitably for me, a sad story to hear. Unless someone bought a modded Historic at a discount where some other goof messed with it, then maybe... Like I said, I think that it is ridiculous to go this route. I'd just find another guitar that I actually liked the sound and not guess what it "can" sound like based on some mysterious intuition... Not many people decide to do this stuff to their Gibson Historic LP... I have to think that there's a reason for this.

1994 Les Paul Standard in Heritage Cherry Sunburst:

You may not be good at taking pictures, but that beautiful guitar said “I got your back!” Just kidding man, you did a fine job taking pictures... and picking up that wonderful guitar of yours. Congratulations and many years of enjoyment! Just to set the record straight, I like your NGD the best. Just love that finish in the Wes Custom 😁