OZRV Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 HI Gibson people.... I really need your help, I'm a avid blues player and have concentrated for years on getting my Fender strat gear where i want it. And i for the most part i do. Always loved the Gibson product, I purchased a 50's tribute gold top two years ago with P90's thinking blues-P90's fender Amps....Should be a good match. I try and i try and sometimes i have good days with this guitar but i just cant bond with it. It's just boomy, thin and lacks roundness of sounds. Nearly like wrong body for the pick ups?? I don't know it just doesn't work its just boomy and screechy, i sit there messing around trying to dial in the amp to it and sometimes get a sound but, I'm done!! Done spending time trying to get a pleasing balanced sound out of it. My time on its either fiddling with the amp or being unsatisfied with what i'm hearing. I played a ten year old studio with original Pup's two weeks ago and about a month ago a Vintage 70's standard with original pups and instantly i loved them. This is what i expect a Les paul to sound like. Sustain to feedback on notes which is just too much fun!! and really just the opposite of a strat and just rock n roll as heavy just beasts of guitars. So my questions are and i hope you all dont mind 1. If this was reverse i would be telling you to buy a 80's Strat even a MIJ to get the best genuine real strat for the right money without spending big bucks on a custom shop reissue, do i need to buy a 70's or 80's LP to get that same heavy rock n roll genuine LP sound and feel and weight i felt in the two i have tried?? 2. If not and a new one is worth looking at, without spending much more than say 1000-1500 what should i be looking at to get a similar feel to the two i have described?? I thank anyone in advance for investing any time to answer this, I live in the north of Australia and i just don't have the ability to go and cruise Gibson retailers and try guitars and speak to experienced people and i'm a Guitar addict. Cheers!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsbarns Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Just get one with humbuckers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZRV Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Just get one with humbuckers. That's it huh..... Fair call......Are the new ones as good as something 10-20 years old? Are the new ones as heavy and solid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 . Look for an LP with - 57 neck / 57+ bridge . - . these are Gibson replicas of their PAF pups - http://www.gibson.com/en-us/divisions/gibson%20gear/pickups/_57%20classic%20humbuckers/ The Traditional and Traditional Plus have this setup, and the Custom Classic has a pair of 57 pups. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZRV Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 . Look for an LP with - 57 neck / 57+ bridge . - . these are Gibson replicas of their PAF pups - http://www.gibson.com/en-us/divisions/gibson%20gear/pickups/_57%20classic%20humbuckers/ The Traditional and Traditional Plus have this setup, and the Custom Classic has a pair of 57 pups. . Thanks BK i now remember someone telling me this before and read your link....... I will do.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 HI Gibson people.... I really need your help, I'm a avid blues player and have concentrated for years on getting my Fender strat gear where i want it. And i for the most part i do. Always loved the Gibson product, I purchased a 50's tribute gold top two years ago with P90's thinking blues-P90's fender Amps....Should be a good match. I try and i try and sometimes i have good days with this guitar but i just cant bond with it. It's just boomy, thin and lacks roundness of sounds. Nearly like wrong body for the pick ups?? I don't know it just doesn't work its just boomy and screechy, i sit there messing around trying to dial in the amp to it and sometimes get a sound but, I'm done!! Done spending time trying to get a pleasing balanced sound out of it. My time on its either fiddling with the amp or being unsatisfied with what i'm hearing. I played a ten year old studio with original Pup's two weeks ago and about a month ago a Vintage 70's standard with original pups and instantly i loved them. This is what i expect a Les paul to sound like. Sustain to feedback on notes which is just too much fun!! and really just the opposite of a strat and just rock n roll as heavy just beasts of guitars. So my questions are and i hope you all dont mind 1. If this was reverse i would be telling you to buy a 80's Strat even a MIJ to get the best genuine real strat for the right money without spending big bucks on a custom shop reissue, do i need to buy a 70's or 80's LP to get that same heavy rock n roll genuine LP sound and feel and weight i felt in the two i have tried?? 2. If not and a new one is worth looking at, without spending much more than say 1000-1500 what should i be looking at to get a similar feel to the two i have described?? I thank anyone in advance for investing any time to answer this, I live in the north of Australia and i just don't have the ability to go and cruise Gibson retailers and try guitars and speak to experienced people and i'm a Guitar addict. Cheers!! Yeah its hard for someone in your position as the advice I always give is to try as many as you can.. But not everyone can do that. Les Pauls (well guitars in general) are odd like that but specificaly Gibsons as they are all hand finished which means that no two are exactly alike. Say you were to try ten gibsons of the same model, year and spec, chances are that they will all feel and sound ever so slightly different.. That difference in sound and feel is also very personal and is different for everyone which is why its hard to say.. However in saying that I have heard so so so many good things about the Custom Classics that I would say thats a VERY good bet for what your looking for as all of the reports about that model have been nothing but positive on the sound and the finish. Let us know how you get on and of course we want to see pictures of what you end up with.. Happy hunting The only other thing I would really consider is the neck size.. Gibsons mostly come with either a 50s (baseball bat) or a 60s (slim tapered) neck. I love the 60s neck only and as much as I may like the rest of the guitar thats the real deal breaker for me. So is something to also think about. Some of the newer Gibsons have an assymetrical neck like the 2008 and 2012 Standards but the 2012 one also has a compound radius fretboard. Which again is very much down to personal taste if you will like it or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZRV Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Yeah its hard for someone in your position as the advice I always give is to try as many as you can.. But not everyone can do that. Les Pauls (well guitars in general) are odd like that but specificaly Gibsons as they are all hand finished which means that no two are exactly alike. Say you were to try ten gibsons of the same model, year and spec, chances are that they will all feel and sound ever so slightly different.. That difference in sound and feel is also very personal and is different for everyone which is why its hard to say.. However in saying that I have heard so so so many good things about the Custom Classics that I would say thats a VERY good bet for what your looking for as all of the reports about that model have been nothing but positive on the sound and the finish. Let us know how you get on and of course we want to see pictures of what you end up with.. Happy hunting The only other thing I would really consider is the neck size.. Gibsons mostly come with either a 50s (baseball bat) or a 60s (slim tapered) neck. I love the 60s neck only and as much as I may like the rest of the guitar thats the real deal breaker for me. So is something to also think about. Some of the newer Gibsons have an assymetrical neck like the 2008 and 2012 Standards but the 2012 one also has a compound radius fretboard. Which again is very much down to personal taste if you will like it or not. Rabs your a champ....Thanks for the info.... See there was me thinking the Custom Classics were just a cheap way to get into a Custom looking Les Paul and that seeing as they are priced less than standards and similar to traditionals they were somehow a cheap n nasty custom..... So thanks..... I am presuming my 50's has a a slim neck?? But that would not make sense?? If there is one thing i love on my 50's tribute its the neck, That shorter scale than a strat makes it a super fast and easy guitar to play for me being a strat player..... Every thing is just that much easier to get to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Rabs your a champ....Thanks for the info.... See there was me thinking the Custom Classics were just a cheap way to get into a Custom looking Les Paul and that seeing as they are priced less than standards and similar to traditionals they were somehow a cheap n nasty custom..... So thanks..... I am presuming my 50's has a a slim neck?? But that would not make sense?? If there is one thing i love on my 50's tribute its the neck, That shorter scale than a strat makes it a super fast and easy guitar to play for me being a strat player..... Every thing is just that much easier to get to... Yeah.. 50s tribute will have the bigger neck (thus why I got a 60s Tribute :)) And yeah the Custom Classics are considered somewhat of a bargin.. Heres some examples.. This shows just how big they can get.. My Classic is similar size to the bottom one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Oh yeah one more thing then.. They are also about to release the Traditional Pro 2.. Which means the Trad Pro 1s are now cheaper so may be worth looking at that http://stores.guitarcenter.com/Gibson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZRV Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Rabs thanks mate!!! I really appreciate the time you've taken to help...... Awesome info...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I feel you. As a long time Strat player and having a few Gibsons, I think I have a feeling of exactly where you are at with the differences and trying to get them to conform. First off, let me say that Fenders and Gibsons are two completely different animals when it comes to how they react and how they are played for "tone". It is true that when a Strat is plugged in a dialed, you might have to change settings to dial in the Gibson, but that doesn't really address the difference. Now, I am completely used to and able to play the Strats and make them sound as I want. But, I LOVE what the P-90s do, and I LOVE what I can get from them. They have balls, color, articualtion, soul, everything I could want. It's in there, and I have a LOT of fun playing with them and getting what I want. The issue comes up when I go out and play with a band and I am concentrating on the tune and what everyone else is doing, and what I do, and that P-90 becomes an uncontrollable monster that doesn't seem to do what I want, OR it's me having a time of trying to control the beast. Said all that to try and give the idea, that it isn't really just differences in amp settings or tone, but the way you play and get the sounds you want WHEN you play. And it can be misleading and confusing when you play a guitar and are able to get what you want because you are articulating, and then switch back and forth on the Strat. About pups, I can tell you that even though P-90's are single coil and might have more bite on tap, they are to me further away from a Strat in tone and feel than a humbucker can be. They are mean and snarly, and have a lot of mid to them. That mid can sound real, real fat. And, they also have a lot of bottom as well. I think, to me, unlike a Strat that has the bottom all the time but changes in bite depending on how you play it, a P-90 has a bottom that changes depending on how you play it. A humbucker has more of a balence like a Strat, in that it can be more clear when you back off, but it also has MORE bottom than a P-90. And, this bottom is very different from guitar to guitar, and pup to pup. But a humbucker guitar, when the right one is found, I think the tone is pretty consistant and workable regardless of what you plug into. Just that, they ARE different guitar to guitar, not just models of guitar. It's really hard for me to know for sure what will work, or if you are hearing the same things I am expressing. I don't feel confident that what I might say to try is the right thing in your case. But, maybe something to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZRV Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 I feel you. As a long time Strat player and having a few Gibsons, I think I have a feeling of exactly where you are at with the differences and trying to get them to conform. First off, let me say that Fenders and Gibsons are two completely different animals when it comes to how they react and how they are played for "tone". It is true that when a Strat is plugged in a dialed, you might have to change settings to dial in the Gibson, but that doesn't really address the difference. Now, I am completely used to and able to play the Strats and make them sound as I want. But, I LOVE what the P-90s do, and I LOVE what I can get from them. They have balls, color, articualtion, soul, everything I could want. It's in there, and I have a LOT of fun playing with them and getting what I want. The issue comes up when I go out and play with a band and I am concentrating on the tune and what everyone else is doing, and what I do, and that P-90 becomes an uncontrollable monster that doesn't seem to do what I want, OR it's me having a time of trying to control the beast. Said all that to try and give the idea, that it isn't really just differences in amp settings or tone, but the way you play and get the sounds you want WHEN you play. And it can be misleading and confusing when you play a guitar and are able to get what you want because you are articulating, and then switch back and forth on the Strat. About pups, I can tell you that even though P-90's are single coil and might have more bite on tap, they are to me further away from a Strat in tone and feel than a humbucker can be. They are mean and snarly, and have a lot of mid to them. That mid can sound real, real fat. And, they also have a lot of bottom as well. I think, to me, unlike a Strat that has the bottom all the time but changes in bite depending on how you play it, a P-90 has a bottom that changes depending on how you play it. A humbucker has more of a balence like a Strat, in that it can be more clear when you back off, but it also has MORE bottom than a P-90. And, this bottom is very different from guitar to guitar, and pup to pup. But a humbucker guitar, when the right one is found, I think the tone is pretty consistant and workable regardless of what you plug into. Just that, they ARE different guitar to guitar, not just models of guitar. It's really hard for me to know for sure what will work, or if you are hearing the same things I am expressing. I don't feel confident that what I might say to try is the right thing in your case. But, maybe something to consider. Stein that's great info and i'm on board with everything you said except i find one variance to you, When i play the P90's out, for me it kinda hides the Boomy mids more and cuts though the mix nicely, I've had great results on stage by my ear and people in the crowd. I've had great results recording with it. The times i can't bear the sound of it is when i'm sitting playing alone, I sit there trying to dial the booming mids and screechy highs out of it, I try to go a lot more gentle with my playing as its a fixed bridge and a different animal to a strat but alone is where i spend most of my playing time and i cant get right with it noodling and playing at home, Even though i know its great playing out its not at home so i cant afford it just for a few tracks out...I need a LP i look at at home and go yep that where i want to be right now, it all probably comes down to technique no doubt different playing styles get different results.........Weird though huh........Maybe its because i have such Fender style of amps...... A 90's Blues Deluxe with tone tubby and a modded Champ 600 with a webber 8...... And when i sat down with a Hummbukker LP it was fantastic, Like all the booming sound instantly became fun as....Like bending notes into feedback and just the grunt out of chords.....Loved it..... Please note i'm a blues Jam night and the odd sit in in a mates gig type......Not a pro Muso!.....My technique is probably to blame here as much as anything......But that aside i have to find what works for me huh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboyBillyBob1 Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 I feel you. As a long time Strat player and having a few Gibsons, I think I have a feeling of exactly where you are at with the differences and trying to get them to conform. First off, let me say that Fenders and Gibsons are two completely different animals when it comes to how they react and how they are played for "tone". It is true that when a Strat is plugged in a dialed, you might have to change settings to dial in the Gibson, but that doesn't really address the difference. Now, I am completely used to and able to play the Strats and make them sound as I want. But, I LOVE what the P-90s do, and I LOVE what I can get from them. They have balls, color, articualtion, soul, everything I could want. It's in there, and I have a LOT of fun playing with them and getting what I want. The issue comes up when I go out and play with a band and I am concentrating on the tune and what everyone else is doing, and what I do, and that P-90 becomes an uncontrollable monster that doesn't seem to do what I want, OR it's me having a time of trying to control the beast. Said all that to try and give the idea, that it isn't really just differences in amp settings or tone, but the way you play and get the sounds you want WHEN you play. And it can be misleading and confusing when you play a guitar and are able to get what you want because you are articulating, and then switch back and forth on the Strat. About pups, I can tell you that even though P-90's are single coil and might have more bite on tap, they are to me further away from a Strat in tone and feel than a humbucker can be. They are mean and snarly, and have a lot of mid to them. That mid can sound real, real fat. And, they also have a lot of bottom as well. I think, to me, unlike a Strat that has the bottom all the time but changes in bite depending on how you play it, a P-90 has a bottom that changes depending on how you play it. A humbucker has more of a balence like a Strat, in that it can be more clear when you back off, but it also has MORE bottom than a P-90. And, this bottom is very different from guitar to guitar, and pup to pup. But a humbucker guitar, when the right one is found, I think the tone is pretty consistant and workable regardless of what you plug into. Just that, they ARE different guitar to guitar, not just models of guitar. It's really hard for me to know for sure what will work, or if you are hearing the same things I am expressing. I don't feel confident that what I might say to try is the right thing in your case. But, maybe something to consider. What he just said +100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markini Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 yep, you are a perfect fit for a 'Custom Classic'. And that is fortunate. I own 3 LPs and I shop around alot (so Cal). I play Lps all the time at Sam Ash, Guitar Center, mom and pop stores etc.. The most consistent Gibson LP in terms of workmanship, finish, tone, set ups etc in my experience is the 'Classic Custom'. It is the only Lp I would buy online. ( I prefer to play before buying). I don't think you can go wrong buying on online, if you can find one new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueslespaultone Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 wassup ozrv, chatted a couple of times at the fender forum. im more of a fender guy, but have gone through several gibsons. however, im at a point where i find the gibson les paul to be an extremely versatile guitar for blues. i too own a 50s tribute but with humbuckers, tried the 60s tribute p90s goldtop and sounded amazing. but i like the hbs better, imho. now, i tried the trad pro II, and couldnt bond with it. sounded muffled, found myself trying to turn the tone knob past 10 to clear the signal. i tried it on an egnater tweaker 15 and 40, marshall class 5(sounded the best) and a DRRI. i tried three trad pros CB, VB, and a gold top. instant connection with the gold top and the cherry burst. these 2 are at 1699, so i may just do the damage. i would like to buy it straight up, unfortunately funds are low, i have some for the buy but lacking a few here and there. so to compensate i may give up my 50s tribute humbuckers, awesome guitar btw but for an upgrade... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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