Why should I buy a Les Paul?

[ryan]

I am just learning how to play the guitar and I am looking to purchase an electric. I have a nice Martin acoustic that was my dad's before he died and I am playing that for now. I've been told that it is easier to learn on an electric guitar though and I am unsure of what to buy. I really like the look of Les Paul's but I don't know anything about them. So, what's so good about them and should I even be thinking about getting a guitar like this if I'm just beginning. By the way I'm 32 years old so I am not looking for a toy.

[yoda]

You can't go wrong with a les paul, they sound awesome look awesome, but i would say go to a local guitar center sit down with every guitar you can get your hands on. gibsons, fenders, gretsch, hamer, ibanez, etc........ and play them see what you like the feel of then plug in the ones you like and see what sound you like.

[LPguitarman]

A Gibson Les Paul is def not a toy, so you can't go wrong. If money is tight, you could always start out with a Studio. But, like yoda said, try out several and get the one that speaks to you. You'll know it when it does.

[RichCI]

What yoda said. Les Pauls are great guitars but there are lots of other great guitars too and they're all a bit different (some more so than others). If I were you, I'd stick with playing what you have for a little while so you can better formulate what you like and don't like in a guitar; later, you can make a better decision when it comes to picking out an electric. If you're hell bent on getting an electric now, think about which electric guitar players whose sounds you like and what kind of electric guitars they play. Maybe you're a big fan of ZZ Top (mostly Les Paul) or maybe you love Dire Straits (Fender Stratocaster) - two drastically different sounds. Of course, there's nothing wrong with owning two more more electrics either...

[RichCI]

By the way, at the risk of sounding like a smartass, if you have to ask about what is so great about a Les Paul, you really should to do a little more research on electric guitars in general.

[DuaLeaD]

Honestly, Don't start with a Gibson Les Paul right away...You WILL NOT appreciate it until you have played a few other guitars.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Les Paul body-style itself. If you're hurting for cash, you can start with an Epiphone Les Paul like I did. It's still a solid guitar and it's a few steps up from the First Act Pieces of ___ I see a lot of people starting out with.

 

If anything man, no one can tell you what will work for you. I can rave all I want about the guitars I love, but you've gotta find your own sound and what works best for YOU. So do what most of us did...GET OUT THERE! Get into that music shop and try whatever suits your fancy and see how it feels/sounds. Like a wiseman on this thread has already said, "Try out several and get the one that speaks to you. You will know when it does".

 

Another piece of advice I second is from RichCI. Finding out what sort of gear your favorite guitarists used is a good indicator of what world you'll want to tap....Whether it be Gibson, Fender, Jackson, etc.

 

 

PS: Keep in mind guys...he said, "I am just learning to play guitar"

[noshuzbluz]

I don't think you should buy one now. You ought to wait 30 years like I did. That way you can drool on the Musicians Friend and Sweetwater catalogs when they come to your house. As a matter of fact, now that I have one I really have no reason to even crack one of those catalogs open! Hmmmmm I guess it's all downhill from here huh?.........

[vagabond]

Contrary to popular opinion, I think there's nothing wrong with starting out on a good guitar, so long as you're serious about picking up the instrument as an instrument, not as some gimmick to try and pick up chicks. While a guitar with bad action will help develop finger strength and fretting, the sacrifice you make for tone and playability will likely discourage you from playing very often or for too long at at time. I saw it happen all the time back in high school/jr high school where my friends would try to learn an instrument, buy a 150 dollar Squier or something, and quit a month later because everything they played sounded bad no matter what they did.

 

If you want to develop finger strength, start on an acoustic (which I see you've already done). From there on, get a guitar that sounds good to you. If you're lucky enough to not have a price limit, that makes those trips to the local shop even more enjoyable because at that point you only have one thing to worry about: the sound. And in the end, that's what matters. All the inlays, bindings, and fancy finishes in the world won't give you as much of a reason to buy a guitar as the output from your amp will.

[Foxboron]

screw the look, how it sounds is what matter most.

when i started guitar, my uncle bought a gibson le spaul. and when we visted him and i played it for the first time, i knew what guitar i wanted ^^. 1 years later and a hell of alot saving, i got one

BUT: i would tbh start out with a beginner pack. behringer got a cheap one, with a great beginner amp :D

bought a vox AD30VT before a new guitar ^^ and a just a new amp sets a new light on the guitar playing :D

[LPguitarman]

Contrary to popular opinion' date=' I think there's nothing wrong with starting out on a good guitar, so long as you're serious about picking up the instrument as an instrument, not as some gimmick to try and pick up chicks. While a guitar with bad action will help develop finger strength and fretting, the sacrifice you make for tone and playability will likely discourage you from playing very often or for too long at at time. I saw it happen all the time back in high school/jr high school where my friends would try to learn an instrument, buy a 150 dollar Squier or something, and quit a month later because everything they played sounded bad no matter what they did.

 

If you want to develop finger strength, start on an acoustic (which I see you've already done). From there on, get a guitar that sounds good to you. If you're lucky enough to not have a price limit, that makes those trips to the local shop even more enjoyable because at that point you only have one thing to worry about: the sound. And in the end, that's what matters. All the inlays, bindings, and fancy finishes in the world won't give you as much of a reason to buy a guitar as the output from your amp will.[/quote']

 

I agree 100%, starting out with something cheap may just discourage you. Get something good, but something you can afford.

[RichCI]

Contrary to popular opinion' date=' I think there's nothing wrong with starting out on a good guitar, so long as you're serious about picking up the instrument as an instrument, not as some gimmick to try and pick up chicks. While a guitar with bad action will help develop finger strength and fretting, the sacrifice you make for tone and playability will likely discourage you from playing very often or for too long at at time. I saw it happen all the time back in high school/jr high school where my friends would try to learn an instrument, buy a 150 dollar Squier or something, and quit a month later because everything they played sounded bad no matter what they did.

 

If you want to develop finger strength, start on an acoustic (which I see you've already done). From there on, get a guitar that sounds good to you. If you're lucky enough to not have a price limit, that makes those trips to the local shop even more enjoyable because at that point you only have one thing to worry about: the sound. And in the end, that's what matters. All the inlays, bindings, and fancy finishes in the world won't give you as much of a reason to buy a guitar as the output from your amp will.[/quote']

 

+1

 

Except for the part about chicks.

[Foxboron]

ye, who dont learn guitar to get chicks <.<?

[LPguitarman]

I don't think you should buy one now. You ought to wait 30 years like I did. That way you can drool on the Musicians Friend and Sweetwater catalogs when they come to your house. As a matter of fact' date=' now that I have one I really have no reason to even crack one of those catalogs open! Hmmmmm I guess it's all downhill from here huh?.........[/quote']

 

Right on there. I open a few catalogues every once in a while, but nothing I drool over. Heck, I don't even go to GC to play LP's much anymore since I got mine.

 

BTW, I think the OP said he is 32 years old, so waiting another 30 years would be too long for me.

[Maple]

well a Les Pauls is a great quitar. but as others have mentioned, you need to fins out what it is *you* want. really is good to go try a bunch out. you don't even need to plug them in, just see how the feel. but you should of course plug it in to see how they sound. and that's the next point... you'll need an amp. to don't underestimate the importance of an amp. it is 1/2 the equation of electric guitar.. and just as important as the guitar... maybe more so. so as you're looking for a guitar look for an amp too. to get off in the right direction, chose an artist who's guitar sound you like and find out what they're using... strart form there.

[cajunman831]

I played Fenders for years and always put down Gibson.I was always attracted to the beauty of them.I finally bought me a 2008 Custom,

2008 R9, 2008 Standard.I still play my Fenders,but prefer the Gibson.Have one near me all the time.

[Boston004681]

just buy it.

[Foxboron]

just buy it.

 

-9999

[vagabond]

 

+1

 

Except for the part about chicks.

 

I meant that more in the sense that... spending up to 3-5k on a guitar is probably not a good idea if all you want to do is pick up chicks. There are better things to do with that money instead (I hear women love diamonds, I dunno though :x) I completely agree, however, that a guitar is a great way to do that though. Hell, even my 400 dollar used Seagull acoustic was enough to nab my wife. :o =D>

[noshuzbluz]

 

Right on there. I open a few catalogues every once in a while' date=' but nothing I drool over. Heck, I don't even go to GC to play LP's much anymore since I got mine.

 

BTW, I think the OP said he is 32 years old, so waiting another 30 years would be too long for me.[/quote']

 

That would definitely be too long to wait. I'm 47 and kinda thinkin I shoulda got this done 10 years ago........

[Foxboron]

a fancy guitar isnt all play something they like :)

i ahd to play <insert random song> to my mom to get my gibson <.<

[The Holy Hand Grenade]

 

I meant that more in the sense that... spending up to 3-5k on a guitar is probably not a good idea if all you want to do is pick up chicks. There are better things to do with that money instead (I hear women love diamonds' date=' I dunno though :x) I completely agree, however, that a guitar is a great way to do that though. Hell, even my 400 dollar used Seagull acoustic was enough to nab my wife. ;) :D :D[/quote']

 

I got a Les Paul for the Manly tone i could care less about a **** sunburst i will take a Ebony Les Paul over a Sunburst any day.

 

Hell the Ebony and Gold tops are cheaper anyways. (I prefer Gold top over Ebony, Ebony fades and shows finger prints later on)

[GuitarGuy503]

Personally, I don't understand the "convince me" threads. I'd suggest that you go to a local dealer and experience them for yourself. If playing a LP isn't enough to make you wanna buy one, you either haven't found "the one" or you simply aren't a LP person. Everyones guitar preferences differ and what works for me may not work for you. For example: Some people find LPs to be very uncomfortable due to a thicker body (in comparison to a strat with body contour). My point being LPs definately aren't for everyone. Buy and play what plays and feels most comfortable to you and not based upon what others prefer (after all it would be your guitar).

[Bram]

You buy a Les Paul because of the warm, bassy, smooth tone. It can sing like an angel, it can roar like a pittbul, it can scream like a baby, it can cry like crazy. I think you can do almost everything with a Les Paul, except country; it simply sounds too warm for these styles.

 

A great Les Paul plays as smooth as butter, stays in tune like a champ and sounds big with standard 10-46 gauge strings and low action.

 

Here's an awesome clip from 'The Edge' (U2) playing his white Les Paul Custom. It starts with a sweet, warm and articulate Les Paul Custom tone (clean), while you can hear it scream and cry at 04:02. Just a great example of a GREAT sounding Les Paul (and a great player).

 

[esch]

+1

You buy one because they were the first to create such a beautiful sounding electric guitar that has stood the test of time. Pay homage to the pioneers.

[nauc]

id buy the nicest LP you can, it will make practicing more enjoyable