Connic01 Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 I am a novice guitarist interested in playing blues. I currently have a Les Paul Traditional Plus with '57 pups (incredible guitar; I highly recommend it) but wanted to get a custom with the P90 pups, in order to work with a different sound. I recently placed an order to secure one of the '56 goldtop reissues. However, I noticed that there is also a '54 available. The only difference that I can see is that the tune-o-matic bridge was introduced on the '56 models and the '54 has a wrap around bridge. I would like to get opinions on which you prefer, the '54 or '56. The prices are the same, (I will have to sell a kidney to pay for it) so that is not a factor. I guess it comes down to the wrap-around vs. tune-o-matic bridge, and which is better for playing blues. Any input would be appreciated; at this point I can always cancel the '56 order and go with the '54 instead.
LPguitarman Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 Personnally I like the tune-o-matic better. I don't like the wrap-around look.
The Mick Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 It's an intonation issue and if you Palm muffle your strings it can be a downfall.
Tim Plains Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 It is the same guitar...so, it really comes down to what you want. Do you...Connic01...want a tune-o-matic or not?
Connic01 Posted April 17, 2009 Author Posted April 17, 2009 I am assuming that the tune-o-matic bridge would give me more versatility. Is that true? I have only had the Traditonal for a few days now so I haven't had a chance to mess with all of the fine tuning yet. R9: I guess that I am partial to the tune-o-matic, especially since that was a huge innovation in '56. Mick: which bridge causes the palm muffling issue?
pippy Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 I wanted to get a custom with the P90 pups. The only difference that I can see is that the tune-o-matic bridge was introduced on the '56 models and the '54 has a wrap around bridge. I may be picking you up wrong but if you want a Les Paul Custom with P90's then the '54 re-issue has an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic. All Customs had the ABR-1 since the outset. They had a particular set of P90 type pups (oblong pole-pieces on the bridge pup) until the 1957 H'B-equipped version came along. If you mean Custom-Shop then that's different, obviously. The Tune-O-Matic is a better bet than the Stop-Bar; It allows for individual string intonation which is a good idea if you want to play in tune with different string gauges.
Connic01 Posted April 17, 2009 Author Posted April 17, 2009 Thanks for the info Pippy. And, yes, I was referring to the custom shop guitars.
Cam in alberta Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 I would like to get opinions on which you prefer' date=' the '54 or '56. The prices are the same, (I will have to sell a kidney to pay for it) so that is not a factor. I guess it comes down to the wrap-around vs. tune-o-matic bridge, and which is better for playing blues. Any input would be appreciated; at this point I can always cancel the '56 order and go with the '54 instead. [/quote'] What organs will you sell next time you want a guitar? Sooner or later you might run out.
Connic01 Posted April 18, 2009 Author Posted April 18, 2009 Well, Cam, I'm not sure. What's the going rate on a pancreas?
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