Alternatives to Les Paul Standard?
Shand...@gmail.com
is the Gibson Les Paul Standard. I'd like to hear people's opinions
on what else I should try if I don't like the feel of the Les Paul
when I go to the guitar store. I'd like to hear suggestions for both
Les Paul clones and for different designs that might also do what I
want. Some of the non-clone options I'm considering are semi-hollow
bodies like a Gibson ES-339 and solid bodies like a PRS McCarty.
Here is some background. I'm a hobbyist who started playing a few
years ago. I'm never going to be better than just OK, because I
started too old and I don't have a lot of practice time. From that
viewpoint, I'm likely to never out-grow even a $500 guitar. Still,
I'm at a point where I can afford to splurge now and I don't know when
I might get another chance. I'm looking for a high quality guitar
that I can pass on to my children or grandchildren one day. I'm not
looking for what will be the most valuable collectible in 40 years,
I'm looking for what will by my grandchild's favorite studio guitar.
If I have to, I could go as high as $2500.
I'm not sure if my musical tastes are better described as "eclectic",
or just "random". I'll play blues, oldies, classic rock, alternative,
etc. I am more interested in clean and moderately distorted sounds
than heavy distortion, although it would be nice to have the option.
I'm looking for a guitar to give me a different set of sounds than I
currently have. Right now I have a Stratocaster that I am happy with,
so I don't want another strat or a guitar with a strat-like sound. I
play through a Fender Blues Jr. amp, which is usually turned low
because I live in a townhouse, and I have a few basic pedals.
Cornelius J Rat
<Shand...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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I felt I wanted an alternative to my Strat a few years ago and ended up with
a Flying V 2000SE - not to everyone's taste, but lighter and cheaper than a
Les Paul, and without the bound neck. For no good reason, I'm not a fan of
the SG but it might suit you. If you're primarily looking for a humbucker
sound and like the Fender neck you could try the Made In Mexico Custom
Telecasters that are getting good reviews from users (I saw a Squier
set-neck Tele Custom a couple of years back that I kick myself for not
buying). If I were looking to burn $2500 dollars now I think I'd take a look
at my local PRS dealer. Or try a bunch of Les Pauls until you find one you
like - I didn't but we don't have so much choice this side of the water.
Fletch
So you want a nice guitar because you can afford it. Well, worse reasons
have been given for spending a bunch of money.
Okay, you seem to want a Les Paul sound, but without the Les Paul weight
and "feel", physically? You're not really very clear on this.
The best suggestion I can give is not a specific model, but rather a
suggestion. Why? Because guitar tastes are subjective. I like both Les
Pauls and 335s; but I also like Teles, Strats, PRS, etc... Each has a
specific function in how I would use them, so I own pretty much one each
or more of all the really sought after guitars.
For you the suggestion is simple: go to the stores and start playing
guitars. Don't worry about brand names, worry about how much you enjoy
the guitar. Make a list of the guitars that you like.
Go back and play these guitars and narrow down the list to the few you
really, really like.
Then play these guitars and pick the one that speaks to you the most.
That's the guitar you buy.
It doesn't have to be a complicated process. This method is time
consuming, yes, but not complicated. And, if you're going to spend two
grand and more on a guitar, you should really be clear on the guitar you
ultimately choose.
Choose wisely and it will last beyond your lifetime.
--Fletch
Shand...@gmail.com
wrote:
> <Shandra...@gmail.com> wrote in message
I'm replying to both you and "Fletch" in this post.
I'm not "looking to burn $2500", but that is the amount of money that
I'm willing to spend on a guitar that I hope will last for
generations. If I don't buy it now, it could literally be 20 years
before I get the chance again. I agree that Fletch's method of
shopping is correct, but it is also takes a long time. Time can be
hard to come by, so I'm hoping for suggestions that will lead me to
that excellent but somewhat obscure guitar sooner rather than later in
my search.
I'm using the Les Paul Standard as my starting point for this
discussion because it is indicative of the level of quality I am
looking for, and because it has a great sound that takes me places the
strat can't go. Since my musical tastes are broad, I am also open to
other sounds that go places the strat doesn't, provided the guitar
isn't too specialized in any one style. My concern about the Les
Paul's "feel" is not specific to the Les Paul. With any guitar, you
just don't know if it is right until you get it in your hands. I've
handled some Epiphone Les Pauls and I had no problem with the weight,
but the neck just didn't feel "right" the way the neck of my strat
does. I'm not sure if a Gibson will be any better.
I haven't been looking at Flying V's and other extreme shapes because
sometimes I like to sit down when I play. The one Gibson SG I've
handled felt better in my hands than Epiphone Les Pauls and SGs, but I
think Les Pauls have a much better sound, especially when clean. I've
looked at the Telecaster Custom, but I have doubts about the quality
and durability of mid-range guitars over the long haul. If I went
that route I would either try to find a G&L ASAT Deluxe or buy an
American Standard Telecaster and have it retro-fitted with
humbuckers.
Fletch
On the basis of your further descriptions...
Tom Anderson guitars; strat style with whatever pickup config you want
A mahogany Telecaster body with humbuckers -- Like the one Seymour
Duncan gave to Jeff Beck. A very good choice. May have to be built,
though. But Edenhaus makes both necks and bodies to your specs. You can
go to reranch to do the finishing. Wiring the pickups is easy, really.
It involves a little of your sweat equity, but you'll definitely be
vested in the guitar. Option would be to buy all the parts and take them
to your local quality guitar tech and have them build it for you.
PRS with a hard tail. You have the varitone like switch for variation in
tones and have humbuckers to boot. Quality is consistent from guitar to
guitar, too... better than Gibson's current quality, which is up and
down. Some days good, some days...
The Epiphone Sheraton II is a good choice as well, and far less money.
You could easily buy three for less than a 336/339 Gibson.
Godin makes some decent guitars these days that are gaining in
popularity. The one's I've played over the years demonstrate to me that
quality is consistent, even between models. I've played the nylon string
acoustic/electric and a number of electrics in the past ten years. A lot
of choices here.
ESP guitars are good.
Schecter is putting out some decent quality stuff, too, for reasonable
money. One of my former students bought one and told me how much he
paid, less than 500. I thought it was around 750 when I played it. The
quality and ease of play was disarmingly good.
Jackson is still pumping them out, but I don't like them.
Ibanez has a few good models, like the Satriani, that play well.
Then there is the totally custom built route that allows you to get
exactly what you're looking for. It will cost in the neighbourhood of
two grand if you don't go overboard, but it will be well crafted and
totally YOUR guitar... built just for YOU.
--Fletch
Fletch
One more addendum: Carvin.
They have quite a selection of guitars and configurations you can choose
from to customize the guitar to YOUR likes, from colour to wood choices
to just about everything they offer.
--Fletch
Squier
I read some of your comments about being a Strat player.
Personally I do not have a lot of knowledge about Les Pauls or SG's
but i do know this -- the neck on these guitars feels nothing like
a Stratocaster neck. So in the hunt for something different sounding
you are also going to have to get used to a completely different neck feel.
I have found that USA Made Hamer guitars give you something that
(for me anyways) you'll feel more 'at home' with when it comes to
the neck feel and will also get you sounds and tones not available
on a Stratocaster. They are short scale guitars (like the Gibson SG and LP)
and are 2 humbucker guitars. However (again personally) I find the USA Hamer's
better built than current Gibsons and just have this nice balanced feel
to them with exceptional playing necks. But this is all subjective (obviously).
So do yourself a favor and before you make a decision - try out a few
USA Hamer guitars. You just might like them more than anything else
you might be considering.
(on a side note: I wired up a Big Apple Strat (HH) and haven't looked
back. 2 humbuckers on a long scale bolt on with coil tapping and
series/parallel options might change your mind about how a Strat can sound)
good luck in your quest!
Cosmik de Bris
> I'm looking for a new high-end guitar, and on paper the obvious choice
> is the Gibson Les Paul Standard. I'd like to hear people's opinions
> on what else I should try if I don't like the feel of the Les Paul
> when I go to the guitar store. I'd like to hear suggestions for both
> Les Paul clones and for different designs that might also do what I
> want. Some of the non-clone options I'm considering are semi-hollow
> bodies like a Gibson ES-339 and solid bodies like a PRS McCarty.
>
Edwards LP style guitars are made from the best materials and
beautifully crafted in Japan. You could buy two for the price of a
Gibson. They also make 335 copies.
The 339 is a nice guitar.
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
rct
> The 339 is a nice guitar.
I have not yet seent this in person. Have you? Bueller? Anyone?
rct
Cosmik de Bris
Yeah, I had a play on one. I liked it. About the same size as a Les
Paul, a bit lighter but a very grunty sound. I played the one with the
slim neck, like the 60s neck I think, which I found to be about right
for my small hands. I like the small hollows because the full size 335s
sort of dwarf my small frame.
rct
them. 339 might work though. Maybe.
rct
JR
have a 1977 model and prefer it to any LP. It weighs a ton so needs a wide
strap but the sustain is epic.
best
J
<Shand...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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Cosmik de Bris
There was only one at the shop (I live in New Zealand) but it's fit and
finish were pretty good. You know you hear Gibson QC stories about the
place. Still only a sample of one I guess.
Cosmik de Bris
> rct wrote:
>> I don't own an SG or a 335 because I look like a complete doosh with
>> them. 339 might work though. Maybe.
>>
>> rct
>
> There was only one at the shop (I live in New Zealand) but it's fit and
> finish were pretty good. You know you hear Gibson QC stories about the
> place. Still only a sample of one I guess.
>
Following up my own post for those interested in hollow body type
guitars. I've been looking for one for a while. It needs to be small
like the 339. The 336 and 356 are nice but pretty expensive. The one I'm
waiting to get a look at is the Vox Virage. Small like the Gibsons but
has these pickups that are switchable between single coils, P90s and
humbuckers. Take a look.
Ric
focus on how much you are enjoying playing and growing.
While I adore my PRS McCarty Artist Custom, I think it comes down to
playing a lot of guitars and seeing which ones feel good, sound good,
and speak to you. It seems to me that musical instruments are like
lovers - there's a chemistry that's apparent right away. And it's
kinky - you may find two that turn you on in different ways.
Follow your heart.
G. Verhoef
Paul studio as well. Plays and sounds great.
There are three more I'd like to have.
A line6, simply for the fun of getting all these different sounds out of
one guitar. I played one is the local guitar shop and really liked the
look and feel. Its definitely no toy guitar.
Taylor has the T5. Sounds like a acoustic, plays like an electric. Cab
sound like an electric as well btw. A wonder of beauty as well. It would
be my no. 1 choice is I has te money.
The last suggestion is a Taylor solid body. Never seen one in reality,
but given the crafftsmenship of Taylor, I would expect the best.
Mark Outrage
Cosmik de Bris <cosmik...@elec.canterbury.ac.nz> said:
> rct wrote:
> > I don't own an SG or a 335 because I look like a complete doosh with
> > them. 339 might work though. Maybe.
> >
> > rct
>
> There was only one at the shop (I live in New Zealand) but it's fit and
> finish were pretty good. You know you hear Gibson QC stories about the
> place. Still only a sample of one I guess.
was it neck-heavy, or did it balance well?
Cosmik de Bris
To tell the truth I was sitting down and didn't really notice.
Shand...@gmail.com
thinking to do and a lot of guitars to try, but I've got a clearer
idea of my options.
Fletch in particular has given me a lot to think about with his
suggestion of cutom built in general, and a mahogany Telecaster in
particular. I know I would like the feel, since I already like
teles. The problem is that I can't find anyone who makes a solid
mahogany tele or tele-style. Apparently Fender used to make an
American series chambered mahogany tele they called the "FRS".
Perhaps I can track one down, but otherwise I'd have to have it custom
made.
I've tried to put together my options in modified or custom built
Fender-style guitars with humbuckers, and I'd like to get some
feedback on which seems most promising. Here is what I see: A)
Custom built tele with a mahogany body and a maple top. I'd put a
Seymour Duncan '59 in both positions, or possibly a JB in the bridge.
I'd use a 5-way "super switch" and wire it up for PRS-style
switching. If I could find or figure out the schematics, I'd consider
adding a varitone. I could put a stacked volume and tone pot where
the volume pot normally is, and put the varitone where the tone pot
normally goes. B) The same mods on a custom built tele made with
some other wood (walnut? korina? rosewood?). C) The same mods on a
Fender "FRS" Telecaster. D) The same mods on an ash Telecaster (I
know where I can get a bargain on one). E) Options A, B, or D, but
on a Stratocaster instead of a Telecaster. If I modify my current
strat, I would use the money I saved (relative to buying a Les Paul
Standard, for example) to buy an American Deluxe strat in the normal
SSS configuration. F) Modify my current strat with 3 single coil
sized humbuckers. Pickup options might be what Seymour Duncan calls
their "everything axe" - a Little '59 in the neck, a JB Jr. in the
bridge, and a Duckbucker in the middle. Again, I'd probably get a
new, upgraded strat with single coils if I took this option.