happydog Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I have a problem with some vertebra in my neck that makes it difficult for me to play a hefty guitar, but I have always wanted a real Gibson Les Paul. I read in a lot of reviews that the Les Paul Standard Faded is much lighter than the 9 and 10 lb. Norlin models of the 1970s. The LP Standard Faded is closes to my budget, so I'd be really interested to know if, generally, the LP Std Faded is genuinely lighter, as a whole, than the vintage models I have played in the past. Thanks for your time, sorry if the question has been asked but my forum searches don't yield a lot of info on this topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FennRx Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 I have a problem with some vertebra in my neck that makes it difficult for me to play a hefty guitar' date=' but I have always wanted a real Gibson Les Paul. I read in a lot of reviews that the Les Paul Standard Faded is much lighter than the 9 and 10 lb. Norlin models of the 1970s. The LP Standard Faded is closes to my budget, so I'd be really interested to know if, generally, the LP Std Faded is genuinely lighter, as a whole, than the vintage models I have played in the past. Thanks for your time, sorry if the question has been asked but my forum searches don't yield a lot of info on this topic. [/quote'] yes it is. i have a 95 studio that is pretty heavy (not like the 70s ones though). my 07 std faded is much lighter. once again, you can't go wrong with the std faded! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deftone Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Gibson has recently started "weight relieving" Les Pauls by drilling large holes in the mohogany body, underneath the maple cap. Some of the older ('90's) "Studio Lite" LP's have a balsa wood center, and the '87-'89 "Custom Lite" and "Studio Lite" LP's have a thinner body for weight relief. They are about 2/3rds as thick as a normal LP and have a contoured back as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scozz Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Gibson has recently started "weight relieving" Les Pauls by drilling large holes in the mohogany body, underneath the maple cap. Actually "weight relieving holes" started in 1982. This process was also known as the "swiss cheese effect" Gibson drilled nine holes in the mohogany before the maple top was applied to help with the weight. Today this process is no longer used, instead Gibson is now "chambering" Les Pauls. They started in late 06. Large cavitys are routed out to provide a chambered body that is much lighter. All Gibson USA LPs are chambered except CS models and some Historics. So any new regular production LP you buy will be much lighter than pre 2006 models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamed Froggy Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 LP is a heavy guitar. If you change it I wonder if the LP spirit is still present. Is there anyone here who has already played one of these new LP ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FennRx Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 i have an 07 STD as stated above. it kicks ***. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happydog Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 LP is a heavy guitar. If you change it I wonder if the LP spirit is still present. Is there anyone here who has already played one of these new LP ? I hope they do retain the LP spirit. I would hate to be denied that sound simply because I can't play standing up with that weight on my ole neck-bones, and I am not yet ready to be a seated player! This weekend I'm going to set aside time to go to some local music stores and do a semi-serious investigation of the new "chambered" Les Pauls. I'm even going to check out the Epiphone LP Ultra, even though there's a part of me that wants to insist on having that big "GIBSON" on the headstock. I do already have an SG Special Faded, which is a very underrated guitar with a classic Gibson sound. I am hopeful that the LP Standard Faded has the same authentic LP sound, since the SG Special Faded certainly lacks nothing sound-wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 I bet my Epiphone is probably 3 or 4 pounds heavier than my Gibson. Both are Les Pauls, the Epi reminds me of a Gibson studio I had back in the early '80's that weighed a frikkin' ton, and like the guy above, have back trouble, so a lighter L.P. is just the ticket, and I don't think because it's lighter takes away from the "spirit" of it, it's still a Lester, it still rips, albeit a little brighter sounding than the older ones, but it's nothing a little adjusting of the volume/tone knobs won't fix, it sounds very Les Paul-ish through my Marshall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theroan Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I have a Standard Faded and it's only 6.4 pounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy90 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 You have to make sure that it was made in 2006 or later, so they are chambered. There are some 2005 Standard Fadeds that aren't chambered (so is mine, although it's really lightweight at only 8lbs). It's definitely an incredible sounding guitar and I can strongly recommend it. The only thing one can argue about is the faded look, though I like it. Adds some vintage flair to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theroan Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 You have to make sure that it was made in 2006 or later, so they are chambered. There are some 2005 Standard Fadeds that aren't chambered (so is mine, although it's really lightweight at only 8lbs). It's definitely an incredible sounding guitar and I can strongly recommend it. The only thing one can argue about is the faded look, though I like it. Adds some vintage flair to it. I think the lack of nitro makes it more resonant to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy90 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I think the lack of nitro makes it more resonant to be honest. Yeah, that was my guess, too. actually it sounds better than any other les paul I have, or have tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 ...Today this process is no longer used, instead Gibson is now "chambering" Les Pauls. They started in late 06. Large cavitys are routed out to provide a chambered body that is much lighter. All Gibson USA LPs are chambered except CS models and some Historics. So any new regular production LP you buy will be much lighter than pre 2006 models. The above quote is slightly misleading. Les Paul Traditionals are weight-relieved. Also; even though they are 'weight-relied' there is likely to be little difference in the mass of such a guitar compared to, say, one of the Re-issues. Of my four LP's two are solid (R9 and R0) and two are weight-relieved. There is less than 4 oz difference between the lot of them - from the heaviest to the lightest. Additionally, both of these - the lightest and the heaviest - are the weight-relieved instruments. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwhi2001 Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 I've owned several Gibson and Epi LPs. My current collection includes a chambered Gibson Studio; yes it's lighter, still well balanced. Unplugged it has great sustain, I would say it's a fraction brighter but only a bat would notice. The sound is 100% Gibson LP. Even lighter though is my doublecut Special, it's a faded mahogany slab, not arched. With the 2 P90s it has that early Santana/ Jethro Tull / Sabbath tone no problem. I have also owned the singlecut version with 490/498 humbuckers; again, it's a thin, light guitar, all mahogany, with plenty of sustain. Despite the different construction these give you Gibson classic rock/blues sounds if you use them with a good tube amp. And access to the high frets is easier than the archtop lPs. Yet another light and well-balanced variant is the doublecut archtop, which was made chambered with 490/498s and a full 24 frets; they still come up on e-bay secondhand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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