ikravchik Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Hi I am looking into buying a Gibson Les Paul Custom (in black) but I am not quite shure if it sounds better than the Standard. Unfortunately where I live (in Iceland) I can't go into a store and physically try them out side by side. From what I gathered online it seems that the Custom would sound brighter because it has a non chambered solid body. I love the way the Custom looks but I fear it doesn't really sound all that great. I appreciate your input thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobv Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 You're going to appreciate a bigger difference with the change in tonewoods on the fretboard, but its hard to put in words. Ebony is "snappier" than rosewood. Chambering sometimes does and sometimes does not change the sound - besides the Custom model is weight relieved like the Traditional and old Standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 a les paul standard sounds more standeriered and a custom sounds more customized but seriously, a custom has been a killer guitar for 60 years, you could always eq your amp to fit the tone of the guitar if it bothers you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikravchik Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 Thanks for your reply bobv I was wondering do you also know why the Custom is so expensive?Is it because there's more manual work that goes into it's production? I am curious whether the price in this case really reflects an increase in quality and sound, or am I just paying for the ''custom'' name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 better wood, depoending on the model, better pots and caps, neck tenon, tuners, case and candy lots of variables though, which custom and what year standard do you want to buy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 a les paul standard sounds more standeriered I just sh!tted myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikravchik Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 I was looking into the 2008 Standard that just came out (in desert burst) and the Custom (in black) which is found at guitarcenter. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Custom-Les-Paul-Custom-Electric-Guitar-100080982-i1149168.gc See I don't really know the difference between the different makes of the custom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Martin Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Honestly, while there is some tonal differences between the two...you're not gonna be disappointed despite which one you buy. They both sound killer, and I think you could blindly buy either one and be completely satisfied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LPC Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I don't think that one sounds better than the other, but they certainly sound different...and they each have their strong points. The maple neck combined with the ebony fretboard makes the Custom brighter, and clearer. To my ears it retains more clarity when using high gain and also low tunings. But the Standard has a warmer sound that to me has more of a 'vintage' vibe about it. That's how they sound to my ears, and I love them both ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LPC Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I just checked that link and saw that it had a one-piece mahogany neck. I think that would bring them together fairly close tonewise. It seems that the maple necks were used during the Norlin era 1969 - 1987. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I just sh!tted myself... my goal in life is to make axe laugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I just sh!tted myself... LMFAO Flight959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 a les paul standard sounds more standerieredand a custom sounds more customized Oh... my... god...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 There are Customs and there are Custom Shop guitars. Customs come with 57 PuPs and gold hardware and come in White, Black and Tri-burst. Custom Shop guitars come in lots of colors. The 08 Standard has a asymmetric neck, which is different than all of the other Les Paul's. Also the Standard's are chambered and come with Burstbucker Pro Pups. Personally not a fan of the new Standards. If you like the weight and tone of a Custom but want the Desert burst finish check out the Traditional; weight relieved, 57's and quite a bit less expensive than the Custom. Here's mine (I love showing Angelina off) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 better wood' date=' depoending on the model, better pots and caps, neck tenon, tuners, case and candy[/quote']Not entirely true. Customs and Standards have the same pots/caps. Historic LPs have different pots/caps. ikravchik, what are you looking for in a Les Paul? If you want one built like the old '50s Les Pauls, get a reissue. http://www.gibsoncustom.com/VOS/index.html 57, 58, 59 & 60 are essentially the same guitar, but can have a huge price difference. 54 & 57 Customs are all black, if that's a must for you. I've got a Standard, Custom and a few reissues. Personally, I think the reissues are the best. They have a few features that make them different from Gibson USA Les Pauls. If you're a skid and play metal, a reissue isn't the guitar for you. The good news is that LP Customs fetch a premium when they're new, but lose a ton of money quickly. You might be able to find on on eBay for less than $2,500. Just be patient and you'll find one. There's a mint condition used LP Custom here locally and the sticker price is $2,600. Right beside it is a brand new one for almost $4,000. There are Customs and there are Custom Shop guitars. Customs come with 57 PuPs and gold hardware and come in White' date=' Black and Tri-burst. Custom Shop guitars come in lots of colors. The 08 Standard has a asymmetric neck, which is different than all of the other Les Paul's.[/quote']Customs are Custom Shop guitars and they have 490/498 pickups. All reissues (including Customs) are supposed to come with BurstBuckers, although I have read that a few reissue Customs made it out with '57 Classics. Awesome desertburst, by the way! Customs come with 57 PuPs and gold hardware and come in White' date=' Black and Tri-burst.[/quote']Don't forget Silverburst! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tepidy Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I like the customs better-(non chambered). little more attention to detail, better electronics and appearance is more appealing to me. I have played both and the sustain through the same amp seems to be better on the customs. keeping that in mind just remember Jimmy Page and a slew of other axemen have made history on standards. Really comes down to what guitar fits you. Only way to know is to play them. No two guitars are exactely the same even if they are the same model and year of production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesismore Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I have had both, Customs come with 490T and 498R. Ebony board, Standards are not so standard with pu's. Both are killer in TONE. the wood does make adifference, but also proper set-up. You can have a nice Les Paul but a bad set-up and it sounds like S@#$#$%T. ITS ALL IN THE SETING UP ANY LES PAUL. Les Pauls are the BEST in TONE. I had alot of good USA built guitars, but the Les Paul has spoiled me in tone and construction. I have owned a 2001 LP Custom, 1982 Heritage Series Standard 80, Gary Moore, 1976 LP Custom, 1978 LP Custom Black Beauty 3 pu, 1970 Deluxe Goldtop with alot of modifications (but plays smooth and hits like a freight train with the pancake body, a 2004 Standard, very briefly, and a Zakk Wylde #250. So I can speak a little on this, but only owned 2 at a time. I still have the ZW-250 and the 1970 Goldtop. Pleny come into play here, wood, pickups, fretboard, set-up and how old. The Standard and the Custom are the Staple of TONE, one a little different than the other. Now you get your choice and then set it up RIGHT. You with dicover a thing called SUSTAIN, Then your DONE. You will never go back, like the first high, you will search for more but come full circle back to a Gibson Les Paul. Now Im into GOLDTOPS. I am trading my ZW-250 for a 1987 LP Goldtop 1957 Reissue, numbered less than a 1000 R7. Love my metal machine ZW, but I am hooked on those damn Goldtops now. What Do You think guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Don't forget Silverburst! :) How could I have forgotten that beauty; my apologies sir. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homz Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 I am not a big fan of the 490r / 498t pick ups found on the Custom. These pick ups are also on my 1st edition Robot. The Burstbucker Pros found on the Standard are awesome for the classic rock I play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col F Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Don't buy a guitar (a very "personal taste" item) based on the opinions of others. Guitar selection really is a very personal, selective matter of taste. You might decide based on tone, feel (playability, which can vary significantly between multiple copies of the same guitar), appearance, price or any combination of those and other variables. Don't select your wife based on the taste of other people either (just to illustrate the point). Gibson price variance between models can be signficant because of the differences in the amount of labor used, the number of coats of lacquer used, or just because the market accepts the price point. Some professionals could offer you their very qualified opinions and recommendations, but still even the stars have their own opinions based on their own individual tastes and preferences. See if you can find any stores to try some of the models you are considering. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepblue Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 The good news is that LP Customs fetch a premium when they're new, but lost a ton of money quickly. Amen to that Tim! To me in a nutshell the Custom is heavier both in weight and sound. Hot pickups that really cream up nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild_Rose Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Here's mine (I love showing Angelina off) and why shouldn't you? she's GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikravchik Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 I really appreciate your input everybody This is better than actually talking to someone in a guitar store! To R9: What I am looking for in a Les Paul is of course the great sound and sustain. I own an American Strat Deluxe and although it’s a great guitar I feel like for the type of music that I play, primarily blues , I would want something more ‘’substantial’’ for a lack of a better word. It’s not only in the quality of the sound but also in the feel of the instrument. To me a Les Paul should be heavy. I use heavy strings and love that resistance. Personally the most appealing guitar sound I heard was on Led Zeppelins ‘’since I’ve been loving you’’ and ‘’have you ever loved a woman’’ from Eric Clapton and the bluesbreakers, they were both played on a Les Paul (standard). There are only 2 electric guitars that I like, one I already own the other is a Les Paul. When I see a Les Paul in black something inside of me goes yes yes yes! To Col F: I appreciate your advice. I know that when it comes down to it, the actual feel of the guitar is going to be crucial. Besides I think that there’s a right guitar for everybody and once you’ll see it you will know. I may not like the Custom when I get to play it. But I sure love the way it looks I was wondering are 490r / 498t pickups hotter than the burst buckers pro that are made to resemble the original PAFs? It seems that people like the burst buckers better. To Silverbursted: My regards to Ms. Angelina:) Is her last name Jolie by any chance?:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I was wondering are 490r / 498t pickups hotter than the burst buckers pro that are made to resemble the original PAFs? It seems that people like the burst buckers better. You mean Burstbuckers are made to resemble the original PAFs' date=' right...not the BB Pros? Here's the classic internet way of explaining how a pickup will sound to somebody... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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