dynasty32 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I own a strat, and never owned a Les Paul. But when I tried it out in the stores, playing the upper frets is kinda awkward, especially when trying to bend those notes. It gets worse if I stand up and play the upper frets. If I get a Les Paul, would I get used to this? I have no problems on the Strat. When I tried the SG, Ididn't have this problem either. But I want to get a Les Paul, since it's so iconic and many of my favorite players played it. The SG doesn't look as cool and the double cut les paul looks weird IMO. I have smallish hands, maybe that's the reason? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Those "upper" frets are just for looks buy the LP tune in drop D and ignore that high squeaky stuff. If you really need those notes get a Ukulele. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 It'll take some time but you'll get used to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 The Les Paul Axcess will help, but it's up there in price. I never played one but they look interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springer Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 i noticed the same thing with my first LP. It 's something that you will get used to and eventually never even notice. It is possible to get to the higher frets and many guitar players do it just takes some getting used to especially after playing a double cut away guitar like your Fender for some time. Plus depending on if your strat is Amercian or Mexican the Lp should have more frets lol. If it is mexican it should have 21 frets i think and ur Lp should have 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FennRx Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 The SG is the solution to the Les Paul problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 You'll learn to tuck your thumb up beside your forefinger. It will become such second nature and you won't even know when your doing it, I had to go pick up a guitar to see what I did. This is the way guitar players have reached to upper frets on thick bodied instruments (acoustics, archtops, classicals, etc) since the invention of the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGBENDS Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Go try a LP Axcess. I think you'll love it. I'm currently saving for one now. You will get used to the Les Paul upper frets in time. Practice makes perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepblue Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Theres no money above the 5th fret, so dont sweat it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Awkward, over rated, over priced, pieces of crap. I love mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV-Zeppelin Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I use the upper frets quite often, and I don't even notice anymore. It just takes time / practice. If you've got your heart set on an LP, don't get anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 You learn to kinda turn your hand a bit to get up there. You won't be going past the 17th position though (A minor pentatonic for example) whereas with the SG those upper frets are fair game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I have a LP Double Cut.. mostly for my own personal opinion/liking, but the higher fret access is just great. All that bullsh1t whatshisface was saying about how you don't "need" the higher frets is high. Maybe he just doesn't know how to solo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 That's 1 reason I don't gig a Lester, although I did for many years. My #1 is now an ES-339, and its backup is an SG. I'm a bar gigger, lead player, and I need to go up "there" quite often. Best of luck. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiLifeRocker Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I own a strat' date=' and never owned a Les Paul. But when I tried it out in the stores, playing the upper frets is kinda awkward, especially when trying to bend those notes. It gets worse if I stand up and play the upper frets. If I get a Les Paul, would I get used to this? I have no problems on the Strat. When I tried the SG, Ididn't have this problem either. But I want to get a Les Paul, since it's so iconic and many of my favorite players played it. The SG doesn't look as cool and the double cut les paul looks weird IMO. I have smallish hands, maybe that's the reason?[/quote'] Years ago I started to make the transition to playing LPs & (at the time) new Joe Perry Boneyard Epiphone. I had played Jacksons, Strats, & Ibanez RGs for >15 years, the IBZ/Jacksons w/24 frets too. It took some getting used to, but its "all access" now. When you get the LP - adjust your strap height to be higher than normal & where you can reach as far as you know you'll play. Play standing up WAY more often & every week, move it down just a little bit. Then, you'll eventually have it in the power position as I call it AND you can reach what you need. As for the OP about not going to the upper register frets - tell that to Uli John Roth & M.Schenker - they'll kick your a**!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stymye Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 it helps to raise the guitar above the crotch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsx Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 it helps to raise the guitar above the crotch neverrrrr! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 it helps to raise the guitar above the crotch Haha...Good one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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