The Les Paul Dilemma

[dartanion]

Hi All,

In all my years of playing (30+), I have yet to own a Les Paul of any sort. I have owned lots of guitars and amps; and I have always wanted a Les Paul, but just never found one that spoke to me. When I set out to get one in the early 90s, I ended up getting my PRS Custom 24. This guitar spoke to me while every LP (mostly new stuff of that period) left me wanting. It was January of 1993 when got the PRS. Now almost 15 years later, I still am without a Les Paul



So, what really trips my trigger is vintage guitars and for a LP a Gold Top with P90s would be #1 choice. I know there are various reissues and other P90 LPs that exist, I just want to know which years or models are best and which to avoid. I am not opposed to newer models and non gold tops, I just want a quality axe that will speak to me.

Anyway, here are my thoughts:

Vintage: Open to spending a bit more here for the right guitar. I don't want a showcase guitar. I want a player that may have battle scars.

Used: What models and years (80's through present) are the good ones.

New: Tell me what's good.

Again, any P90 models would be favored over others.

[BBQLS1]

P90 over a bucker?!?!?!?!?! Blech!!!!!

[Lonely Raven]

I'm no LP expert, but in the same boat as you as a matter of fact. Funny thing I went with a PRS instead back in the early 90s. And when I got bored of that and sold it, I've since been playing a somewhat rare Joe Satraini model Ibanez that's naked mohogany with dual humbuckers in the sexy curvy body style.

Anywho, since I was asking recently for the same reason as you, I was told not to discount the Japanese market LP copies, specifically the Tokai and Greco from the 70's and early 80's.

In fact, I was shopping last week as a birthday present to myself, but got distracted and bought the parts to build my first TW instead.

[oldhousescott]

Be sure and check out the '80's Yamaha SBG/SG-2000/3000 series as well. Amazing guitars.

[HeeBGB]

Try for a late 60's early 70's (Before the pancake body) Goldtop. the prices have gone up but still aren't too bad. I believe soapbar P90's will drop right into a mini bucker route with no mods so don't be afraid of the mini buckers! Other than that anything from the 80's newer I would want to play before I bought.


Here's mine. An R7, a 50's Junior and a 53 Standard that is out for Resto/Conversion.
[IMG:600:800]http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/ ... ing007.jpg[/img]

[IMG:600:800]http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/ ... 3LP002.jpg[/img]

[skyboltone]

Hey Dart:
My advice would be to build one with Lollar pups. But to each his own. I take Vintage Guitar Magazine and it's my number one music read every month. Cover to cover. They have a price guide they publish each year. The more they cost, the more desireable they are.

In the mean time. Lurk over here and then chime in. It's a good forum unless you talk a lot about smooth jazz or fushion.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/index.php?s=

[Tubetwang]

for you Dart, a 68 for 9.
non original frets but.

[HeeBGB]

for you Dart, a 68 for 9.
non original frets but.

Yea Baby! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

[kec]

Dart,

Don't dismiss the Japanese Epiphone LP's.

I wouldn't even think of buying a new Gibson LP for the following reasons:

#1 insane prices.
#2 swiss cheese bodies to lighten.
#3 no more long tenons.
#4 quality seems questionable/inconsistent.

[Johnhenry]

70's L.P. with Mini N.Y. Bucker's !
Johnhenry

[dartanion]

I've been eyeballing a couple of 68-72 LPs, mostly the RI GTs with P90s. I think I'll have to open the bank account a little more for one of those.

[paulster]

Darin

If you really like PRSes then have you played one of the new short-scale singlecut SC245 models (available as a gold top) before you go out looking for a Gibson?

Personally I love Les Pauls but if PRSes are your thing then you might find the answer that bit closer to home.

Paul

[dave g]

If I were you, I'd check out Heritage.

http://www.heritageguitar.com/

[benoit]

I traded my marshall stack (tsl 100, 1960a) straight up for a 76 deluxe (natural finish, mini humbuckers) and I am not one bit sorry. It plays great and the minis have their own unique sound. Whoever said that soapbars would just about drop right in there is right from the looks of it. Good luck with your search.

[Beerman]

Oh it's heaps of fun man..... you go everywhere you can and play them and play them until you find a good one.....

I hope it doesn't become a chore before you find the right one.

My poison is SG's, and I finally got the No. 1 guitar, and it's a Greco with P90's.... it s**ts all over the two Gibsons. The Japanese made some amazing repro guitars in the seventies and into the eighties, maybe worthy of consideration?

Good luck with it.