lespauler Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I have a 1996 Standard Tobacco burst, bit heavey with near flat frets with no buzz, which sounds very sweet and bluesy. On the other hand there is my 2003 Standard flame top cherry burst and a bit lighter than my 1996; frets are big and round. The rosewood looks different on my 2003; the surface is totally lean and the color is dark brown. the 2003 lp sounds bright with lots of resonance and a bit harsh??? On my 1996 the rosewood on the fingerboard looks more natural (same as seen in Gary Moore's photos where he is holding his Lp, the surface is not lean like been proceessed). I have seen at least in LP's produced in the 80's and 90's the rosewood looks more quality than the 2002 flame top standards. Also my 2003 Classic is wearing this cheapo ???? type rosewood. Any idea whats going on with the rosewood issue?(take close look at Lp's sold on ebay) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleSixx Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I know Gibson some times stains the Ebony and Rosewood fingerboards. I'm sure some one else here has better details as to why and when they stain fingerboards. I don't remember which years had the Brazilian Rosewood, but I'm pretty sure they're no longer in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lespauler Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 thanks for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptor Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 The quality of wood has changed some, it is more difficult to get great wood for guitars. This does not mean that the wood is bad or worse, but it is mainly coming from different sources. Don't forget that your 96 has a lot more playing. The oils from your fingers have helped age and darken it. Gibson does not dye or stain their fretboards. This was asked directly on the Custom shop forums and the answer is no. There is no harm in doing it, nor is it illegal, so they have no reason to hide if they do it. You mention the tone then you start talking about the freboard. I suspect that the biggest difference is the pickups. You 03 probably has Burstbuckers and the 96 the 490/498 set. Also the tone on guitars, especially acoustics, but electrics too somewhat, changes some over time and with playing. I do agree that the newer guitars do seem to get a fair number of fretboards with a lot of grain and colour contrast, but some of them are very nice looking, others can be distracting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telecasters Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Dear lespauler, I think a lot of things have to come together to make a guitar sound like your '96 guitar. I also prefer a more mellow, sweeter sounding guitar. The thing of it is most guitars aren't going to sweeten up with time too much so you need to be really happy with what you bought initially. The pickups, wood and manufacturing techniques all play a role but the end result is not guaranteed. You used the word harsh on your 03 guitar. I hate to say it, but I would sell that guitar and reinvest the money in a guitar more suited to your taste. Some guys like brighter Les Paul's but I would take a darker sound (with some reservations) over a bright one any day...You can turn the treble up on the amp but it is hard to remove the "harshness" that is innate in your guitar. I am glad you have the musical ear to "see" the difference. Some guys wouldn't notice the difference in tone that much. Use your critical ear to your advantage as music is a listening art. God Bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I have a 2007 L.P. Classic, and when I first got this guitar home and plugged it in it sounded Strat-like it was so bright sounding, BUT, at the same time, really fat and chunky sounding. I attribute that to the chambering and those really hot pickups they put on the Classics. Compared to my Epiphone L.P. Classic, which is solid, it's a lot brighter sounding, and considerably lighter too. I personally dig how she sounds, really versatile guitar, and if I back off on volume/tone controls, it starts sounding like a "traditional" Les Paul, my only niggle with that approach is it kinda sounds a little muddy, but not too bad. But, to each his/her own, I'm most definately happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lespauler Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thanks for the information guys. I realized that my 2003 Standard, which is not sweet as my 1996, BUT the sound is deeper, louder and you can hear all notes(highs and lows) very clearly, this doesnt happen with my 1996 Standard which sounds a bit thinner. Yes i mentioned harsh, which now i realize is not true; she is bright but deep sounding and if you roll the tone and volume to 7 she gets sweeter but not muddy. My 2003 Classic is much heavier still on the bright side but not so deep sounding as the 2003 Standard. With full overdrive on my modified boss od-3 pedal my 2003 really gets into Gary Moore territory and seems to have more guts than the 1996 baby. The Classic has guts also but is a bit thinner sounding than the 2003. Both Classic and 1996 Std. wear the same pickups. I dont understand how the heavy 2003 Classic can sound bright the heavy 1996 Std doesnt sound bright and is a bit thinner than the 2003 bright-deep/mellow Std. The bottom line is ::::each guitar has its own pros and cons and we should learn to accept them(as long as the guitar is built well) and be happy with what we have.!!!!!! (but i always want more..........):D/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyO Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 It all really comes down to what you like, you might like both a bright and a dark les. I found my 2000 standard which has a dark sound and sold off my 2006 standard which was very bright. It was a nice guitar but just not my thing and not what my idea of what a les paul should sound like It does seem tough that the majority of the 2002 and up models have a bright sound to them.............uhm ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lespauler Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hey Daddyo, can you please take a close look at your 2000 Lp fretboard, and let me know whether its surface is totally lean with no tiny wood holes (which is normal for rosewwod), generally do you observe any wood grain ?? Thanks, John Maybe i can send you a picture of my 1996 Lp fretboard to show you what i mean, when i figure out how to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geetar_Axl Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Can I beg for pics? Tobacco and Vintage are my apsolute favourite colours. Photos please! EDIT: Of all your guitars would be nice, sounds like you have a few beauts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyO Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 LesPauler- Mine has some elongated holes, almost like tiny slits in it but so does my 2006 sg standard. as far as grain goes she does have it. I know some of these models have a very light colored fretboard mine thankfully is on the darker side. Hope that helps........................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lespauler Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Thanks Daddyo, i will try to post some pics.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyO Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I will do the same as soon as i figure it out...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I don't know if you guys figured it out yet or not but get an account on photobucket .com (it's free) upload some pics to it then paste the link to your pics here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Daddy-o: Hey smurf, you gotta host your pictures at a place like picturetrail or photobucket, once there, you copy the pictures url and paste it between the 2 thingys you'll see after you click on the little picture of the hills with the sun above them just above the message box you type replies in when your here. Oh, by the way, deepest heartfelt congtratulations on your new aquisition, and I also listened to your things over at your other site, youz guyz rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.