Ever played a Les Paul guitar?

Subject: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: 53
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:35 PM

Any of you Mudcatters ever played a Les Paul?

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:48 PM

yes

Spaw

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Tweed
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:54 PM

had one and traded it for a Fender tele. Heavy bastards those Lesters....

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Louie Roy
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 11:22 PM

Yes they are an excellent guitar but you had better have a strong back and a weak mind because after about 3 hours playing for a dance your ass is on the floor.I just sold mine after 30 years.Louie Roy

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: pict
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 11:34 PM

Yes they're generally good guitars but way overpriced in my opinion and they are heavy.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: X
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 01:02 AM

Yes and yes they are heavy, but not as heavy as an old Mastertone!

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Biskit
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 02:12 AM

gotta Les Paul studio,white with gold hardware looks beautiful sittin' in the corner of my office really impresses folks too.....oooooh is that a Les Paul! I'll play it sittin'down. If I'm doin' a gig I'll take my peavee predator.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: C-flat
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 02:29 AM

I've always liked the Les Paul for playability but as has been said they're heavy! I still have an Epiphone Les Paul but I prefer to use my Telecaster because it's more versatile tone-wise and at the end of a gig I won't need helping off the stage!

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 03:46 AM

Never played a Les Paul but speaking of heavy John Whitney (Family) once asked me to pass him his Double Neck Gibson and that was heavy. (the guitar not the fact that he asked me)

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: van lingle
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 07:02 AM

Played a borrowed Standard on and off for a couple of months when I was in a blues band many years ago and never could get a tone that I really liked from it for the kind of vintage stuff we were playing. Went back to the strat. vl

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 09:18 AM

I think that Neil Young uses his as both a guitar and a sex partner. If you watch Neil playing the damn thing it's hard to tell whether he's playing the guitar or screwing it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: GUEST,Roger
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 09:20 AM

...hence the NYCFTTS, eh, Spaw :-)

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: UB Ed
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 10:02 AM

Poor Neil, you sometimes wonder what he's thinking...

I still play my '76 Custom through a Fender Blues Junior (tube amp) mic'ed. I love the action as well as the tone of the "neck" pickup, but still need some effect pedals for the leads.

I sometimes wonder about changing from the original pickups...

Ed

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 11:15 AM

...wouldn't mind owning one of those LP double-cutaways...not for any other reason than they're the only Gibson made with a 24 fret neck - may be a collector's item someday, eh?

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Mooh
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 11:25 AM

Played 'em lots but never owned one if I don't count the copies. Had a Telecaster Deluxe from the mid '70s which had 2 humbuckers and Les Paulish wiring. I preferred its body shape and the pickups (Fender humbuckers) to that of Gibson's. As for Gibson's, I generally prefer the SG for weight and feel.

You're on a roll today Bob!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: rangeroger
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 11:36 AM

I used to have a Custom that I dearly loved. Sold when I ran out of money after moving to Idaho.

I used to have fun with by running it through my Roland JC-50 amp with the chorus on and reverb cranked up. I then leaned the Les Paul up against the amp and walked away.It would play itself as different harmonics rose up and then were damped by others. never would go into terminal feedback. Just set there and muttered to itself.

rr

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: widowmaker
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 03:57 PM

love the "les paul" such a warm tone for irish music from the neck pick up, not so bright for heavy solo's

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: 53
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 07:36 PM

Yes they are very heavy, and that's the reason that I play a Strat.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 12:48 PM

electric no accoustic ye

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 04:13 PM

Well, that just shows where the real class is...

William Shatner has never screwed with a Les Paul.

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Ian Darby
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 09:10 PM

Consult a chiropractor before you play a note. They allegedly) give you backache

Put the front pickup on full bass and you get the Clapton 'Woman Tone' straight away.

There isn't too much of a radius on the neck, so they're really good for bending notes.

If you wire the back pickup back to front, you'll probably end up with the guitar (if not you) sounding like Peter Green on 'Need Your Love So Bad'.

I've borrowed real Gibsons for gigs but could never afford one of my own.

I did have an Eko copy which was great (and the only one I've ever seen, let alone played')

I also bought secondhand Antoria copy, finished in gold for 80 quid in the seventies. I still can't remember who I sold it to, (or why.)

That one was a real sweetheart.

More recently, Tanglewood look to be doing some good copies.

Finally, look at the Spinal Tap Video for Nigel Tuffnels appreciation of the instrument.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 11:32 PM

Right on, man! Nigel Tufnel is the ultimate authority when it comes to electric guitars. What Nigel can't tell you about boss axes isn't worth knowing!

- LH

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 11:27 PM

I did borrow a hand made guitar made from a les paul body and a telecaster neck, sounded pretty good.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: 53
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 11:29 PM

Try a Melody Maker

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: GUEST,Billy
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 02:00 AM

The weight of the LP (without trem arm) had a naturally long sustain (which is what Nigel Tufnel was talking about) that you couldn't get on Fenders (the trem arm was also very light on strats) at that time. I also had a brass nut on mine which increased the sustain. Now you have the choice of a million pedals to get that effect. It is still a classic for me and I curse the day I was faced with the choice of eating and sleeping in a warm building or sitting, starving and freezing on the curb with my LP and no electricity.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: van lingle
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 09:40 AM

I'm trying to remember here but couldn't Nigel see the sustain? Dave

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From:
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 03:57 AM

Yep, got a recent (6 years) Custom, and I must agree it`s real heavy. That aside it`s very playable and has a tone I love. Visited Gibson`s place in Nashville and the guys there were great. At the end of the day, forget price and just appreciate what you got!

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Ian Darby
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 07:12 AM

Van Lingle..

Nigel wasn't actually playing the guitar, he was showing it to the interviewer and kind of humming the sustain.

It was ages before I found out that the actors were American. The Bass player went on to provide some of the voices for the Sinpsons.

I think it was a tragedy that on of the earlier drummers choked on vomit, (someone else's.)

This video should be required viewing for all musicians, together with The Last Waltz and The Blues Brothers.

These have been responsible for catchphrases that have entered common Band language.

"This goes up to eleven." "D minor, the saddest of all keys." "I'm a professional, I'll rise above it." "Their audience is merely becoming more selective." "St Hubbins? he was the patron Saint of quality footwear."

"Not that I don't like music." "I just want to break even."

"Bob's Country Bunker?" "Chicken Wire?"

I think I should have started a new thread, also, somebody should do a folk version.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Ian Darby
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 07:12 AM

Van Lingle..

Nigel wasn't actually playing the guitar, he was showing it to the interviewer and kind of humming the sustain.

It was ages before I found out that the actors were American. The Bass player went on to provide some of the voices for the Sinpsons.

I think it was a tragedy that on of the earlier drummers choked on vomit, (someone else's.)

This video should be required viewing for all musicians, together with The Last Waltz and The Blues Brothers.

These have been responsible for catchphrases that have entered common Band language.

"This goes up to eleven." "D minor, the saddest of all keys." "I'm a professional, I'll rise above it." "Their audience is merely becoming more selective." "St Hubbins? he was the patron Saint of quality footwear."

"Not that I don't like music." "I just want to break even."

"Bob's Country Bunker?" "Chicken Wire?"

I think I should have started a new thread, also, somebody should do a folk version.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 03:06 PM

As father of the solid body electric guitar, thousands of musicians around the globe covet Gibson's famed Les Paul guitars.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: 53
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 10:42 PM

If someone was to offer me a Strat or a Les Paul I would choose both. If you are playing in a good rock band you would need both guitars to complete your lineup of guitars. Both guitars sound great and that is the reason for making different guitars. Bob

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 07:56 AM

Ian .... They ARE doing a folkie version! Christopher Guest and company whose latest hilarious achievement is "Best in Show" is working on a "documentary" of aging folkies. This oughta' be a riot. We might have gotten a little taste of it in "Best in Show" when Michael McKean (David St. Huggins in "Spinal Tap") sings Barbara Allen over the phone to his child (a hilarious scene since McKean plays a gay guy and he's in bed with his partner when he calls.....You HAVE to see "Best"..........It's completely hilarious, especially if you have ever seen the Westminister Kennel Club Show. The people are funny, but like Spinal Tap, not overplayed and very real.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 12:27 PM

GUEST 29-MAR-02 12:48PM .... accoustic LP? didn't know there was such an animal... please supply details.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Ian Darby
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 10:32 PM

catspaw49

Sorry for not replying, I've been working away.

I am really looking forward to this.

Thank you.

Ian.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Ian Darby
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 10:47 PM

catspaw49

Sorry for not replying, I've been working away.

I am really looking forward to this.

Thank you.

Ian.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: van lingle
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 07:19 AM

I saw the "Folksmen" on late night TV somewhere (Maybe SNL, I was surfing) do a couple of songs and some banter. They were sort of an amalgam of early 60's folk acts like The Kingston Trio, PPM, Limeliters etc. and it was quite hilarious. Can't wait for the movie. Dave

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: 53
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:31 PM

Surely none of them play a Les Paul?

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: 53
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 10:07 AM

I played a Les Paul a couple days ago at a music store and once again I'm reminded why I won't buy one.

Subject: RE: Ever played a Les Paul?
From: Mooh
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 12:42 PM

Several of my students have Epiphone Les Pauls which all sound nice, play great, and have the worst component parts I've seen in any guitar including the cheapo import Fenders.

The chrome plating doesn't hold up, the 3 position switches fail, the mock Kluson tuning machines rattle and slip, even the strap buttons will pull out. But with a decent set-up and replacement of the trouble parts the buyer would still have spent considerably less than a Gibson Les Paul. Some of these Epiphones even have flame maple body caps and nice sounding pickups.

However, many players will sell or trade an instrument like this rather than repair it properly, and thereafter be disallusioned about Les Pauls in general. Too bad, because the real deal is a great guitar.

I think the newer double cutaway LP is lighter and better balanced.

Peace, Mooh.