I sold my blacktop P bass and got a Stingray Sterling short scale. Only used once in a while for home recording which I don’t do much anyway, hardly seems worth the effort for seven listens on Soundcloud.
https://sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-short-scale?variant=31431302152307
I feel your pain. I have a very bare bones studio in my basement: an older Fostex 8 track recorder (which I have resurrected/exorcised three times, now), some pretty decent microphones and several amps, stomp boxes etc. I have about 13 guitars, including a 20 year old Fender Mexican Precision bass. The Mexi-P sounds like a bass and it's about a good an instrument as my mediocrity merits. As stated very early in this thread, those Musicians Friend and Sweetwater catalogs tend to give me GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) boner.
In retirement, some people take up watercolors or trout fishing. My retirement hobby is home recording. I record collections of songs - then use computer art programs to create "album covers". Most of these have been pretty horrible covers of familiar songs. I have one CD of original stuff. I am working on a second one. I am not brave enough , nor do I know how to post to Sound Cloud (or other hosting sites). I send CDs out to friends, who out of kindness are gentle with their comments. 😉
I could probably afford any new guitar or bass that I wanted (within reason), but I try not to buy axes that I am unworthy of (I have done this at least twice). I am torn between more guitars or a new recording system. I am thinking about a Mac based system (not Garage Band).
@bill_graham Some outstanding and delightful guitar playing for a relaxing Sunday evening. Everyone will love this if you like guitars!!!
Here is a wild version I remember from 1966. Great drummer here.
I sold my blacktop P bass and got a Stingray Sterling short scale. Only used once in a while for home recording which I don’t do much anyway, hardly seems worth the effort for seven listens on Soundcloud.
https://sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-short-scale?variant=31431302152307
I feel your pain. I have a very bare bones studio in my basement: an older Fostex 8 track recorder (which I have resurrected/exorcised three times, now), some pretty decent microphones and several amps, stomp boxes etc. I have about 13 guitars, including a 20 year old Fender Mexican Precision bass. The Mexi-P sounds like a bass and it's about a good an instrument as my mediocrity merits. As stated very early in this thread, those Musicians Friend and Sweetwater catalogs tend to give me GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) boner.
In retirement, some people take up watercolors or trout fishing. My retirement hobby is home recording. I record collections of songs - then use computer art programs to create "album covers". Most of these have been pretty horrible covers of familiar songs. I have one CD of original stuff. I am working on a second one. I am not brave enough , nor do I know how to post to Sound Cloud (or other hosting sites). I send CDs out to friends, who out of kindness are gentle with their comments. 😉
I could probably afford any new guitar or bass that I wanted (within reason), but I try not to buy axes that I am unworthy of (I have done this at least twice). I am torn between more guitars or a new recording system. I am thinking about a Mac based system (not Garage Band).
The process is painful, lol.
I too have a good bit of gear, upgraded my deck to a Tascam 32 and built a rack with some nice outboard effects, tube eq, compressor, and reverb/delay. At that time most people were switching to computer based recording and those studio quality rack effects were being given away.
That was about seven years ago then I had to take over my parents affairs, POA the whole bit. Like having a job that costs you money and takes over your life. Sister helped, brothers did not and one was toxic. RIP, Mother and Dad.
I think I will get back to it. I am curious about reamping. I do have several original tunes written, I just need to get some fire going.
Musicians who play(ed) cheap guitars. No mention of Jack Pearson
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/pro-guitar-players-who-play-cheap-guitars
@bill_graham With no magazine articles for proof:
Paul McCartney - stated that the Hofner "Beatle bass" was a cheap instrument that he picked up when the band was playing in Germany . I'm guessing that his is modified or otherwise souped-up, as I have played one of these things. Cheap, flimsy ...
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter - reports that his main axe in studio work is an old Burns Bison that he found at a yard sale.
Mark Knopfler - discovered later that the "strat" that he played on the "Sultans of Swing" (first LP) might've actually been a Japanese import.
Glen Frey - nobody's sure about that black "Les Paul" looking guitar that he played - only that it "probably wasn't a Gibson".
David Lindley - has an affinity for cheap, weird and strange looking guitars (and other stringed instruments). He has been seen playing Teiscos and those "Airline" guitars.
I'll point out that all of the players that I mention - and (especially AND) Jack Pearson could play a broom or a tennis racket and sound better than 90% of the really good players playing really good (and expensive) guitars!
There was a time when gear snobbery ruled the world. Many players felt that they couldn't be taken seriously if they played anything that wasn't a Gibson, Fender or (later) a Paul Reed Smith. Either the economy got bad or the aforementioned builders got overly "proud" of their axes. Regardless, you can find Squiers, Epiphones and other "lower end" (imports) on many a stage these days.
There was a time when gear snobbery ruled the world. Many players felt that they couldn't be taken seriously if they played anything that wasn't a Gibson, Fender or (later) a Paul Reed Smith. Either the economy got bad or the aforementioned builders got overly "proud" of their axes. Regardless, you can find Squiers, Epiphones and other "lower end" (imports) on many a stage these days.
I think the metal bands of the 1980s changed a lot of players' tastes. If you have your amp turned all the way up, it no longer matters if you're playing a Les Paul or a Ibanez (and Ibanez are a lot lighter!)
In the 1970s, Gibson and Fender were cutting costs and trying to keep up with changing tastes and competing with more Japanese makes, which meant neither was putting out their best guitars. Conversely, after 80s hair bands faded in the early 1990s and more players began to turn back towards those vintage instruments again so to distance themselves from that.
The Japanese and Mexican Fenders were always pretty close to the real deal, but it's only recently that Epiphones have gotten close to their Gibson counterparts, which is pretty cool for young guitarists struggling to make their Ibanez sound good.
There was a time when gear snobbery ruled the world. Many players felt that they couldn't be taken seriously if they played anything that wasn't a Gibson, Fender or (later) a Paul Reed Smith. Either the economy got bad or the aforementioned builders got overly "proud" of their axes. Regardless, you can find Squiers, Epiphones and other "lower end" (imports) on many a stage these days.
I think the metal bands of the 1980s changed a lot of players' tastes. If you have your amp turned all the way up, it no longer matters if you're playing a Les Paul or a Ibanez (and Ibanez are a lot lighter!)
In the 1970s, Gibson and Fender were cutting costs and trying to keep up with changing tastes and competing with more Japanese makes, which meant neither was putting out their best guitars. Conversely, after 80s hair bands faded in the early 1990s and more players began to turn back towards those vintage instruments again so to distance themselves from that.
The Japanese and Mexican Fenders were always pretty close to the real deal, but it's only recently that Epiphones have gotten close to their Gibson counterparts, which is pretty cool for young guitarists struggling to make their Ibanez sound good.
Well Said PCB. In the 1980's the pointy headstock Jackson's, ESP and Kramer's ruled the rock world. My first electric guitar was a beautiful black piano finish 1987 ESP Mirage Custom neckthru lawsuit headstock super strat which I still own.
I have read that Slash has been credited with saving Gibson by playing his Les Paul and making it cool again. Ironically his famous AFD guitar is actually a 1959 Les Paul copy made for him by Kris Derrig
https://www.slashparadise.com/equipment/guitars-slash.php
Small desktop amps. Some interesting modeling amps
https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/best-desktop-guitar-amps
Not guitars but cool instrument porn article none the less IMHO
https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/cozio-carteggio/itzhak-perlmans-violins/
Making Gibson Les Paul's cool again
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/15-young-guns-making-the-gibson-les-paul-cool-again
@bill_graham Here is my favorite Les Paul. It's a 1957. It's actually my favorite guitar period.
Sad to hear that the Norlin era LPs get a bad rap. Most players who were coming up in the golden era of rock and roll (1970s) spent their hard earned allowances, savings and lawn-mowing money on Gibsons of this era. I wish I had a couple of thousand bucks in currency printed in 1969 and a Way-Back machine to travel back to those days and buy an old guitar! As Porkchopbob said, most of the guitar manufacturers (including Fender and Gibson) were cutting corners in those days. My best bud and bandmate at the time spent his hard-earned bucks on a brand-spankin' new Norlin era (70s) LP Custom ($500)- which I thought was a pretty sweet guitar. Weird to read that they're now considered among Gibsons worst.Best years for Les Paul guitars
I have never owned a Les Paul. I would like to buy one, but I don't really want to lay down $3K for a guitar that I'll likely never play that much. I have been considering a Les Paul Studio model. I don't know much about them but I really like the looks of the faded brown (mahogany?) models. There is also a Les Paul Tribute model in the affordable range. I don't know much about those, either. If anybody has any experience with either of these - and can make recommendations - by all means, chime in! 😉
Sad to hear that the Norlin era LPs get a bad rap. Most players who were coming up in the golden era of rock and roll (1970s) spent their hard earned allowances, savings and lawn-mowing money on Gibsons of this era. I wish I had a couple of thousand bucks in currency printed in 1969 and a Way-Back machine to travel back to those days and buy an old guitar! As Porkchopbob said, most of the guitar manufacturers (including Fender and Gibson) were cutting corners in those days. My best bud and bandmate at the time spent his hard-earned bucks on a brand-spankin' new Norlin era (70s) LP Custom ($500)- which I thought was a pretty sweet guitar. Weird to read that they're now considered among Gibsons worst.Best years for Les Paul guitars
I have never owned a Les Paul. I would like to buy one, but I don't really want to lay down $3K for a guitar that I'll likely never play that much. I have been considering a Les Paul Studio model. I don't know much about them but I really like the looks of the faded brown (mahogany?) models. There is also a Les Paul Tribute model in the affordable range. I don't know much about those, either. If anybody has any experience with either of these - and can make recommendations - by all means, chime in! 😉
I think it is all relative Rusty. The Norlin's are considered the worst era of Gibson Les Paul's but a lot of good music was made on them in the 1970's. I am on a Thin Lizzy Jag right now and when he joined the band Scott Gorham played a Norlin era LP Deluxe with minihumbuckers and he had great tone IMHO.
Those Norlin era guitars go for more money than a new regular LP standard now so they are starting to get some love from collectors.
There are a couple of hundred Norlin's on Reverb starting at $3.2k to over $10K so they are not cheap anymore
https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=Gibson%20Les%20Paul%20Norlin&product_type=electric-guitars
I have never played a LP studio or tribute but did look at some in Guitar center before I bought my used 2000 LP Raw Power and they look to be decent quality without the frills of a standard like body and fret board binding.
LP's hold their value so even used US made standards can go for $2K plus so have you ever thought about trying a Epiphone Les Paul? You can get used ones for around $500 and I have read really good things about them quality wise. At that price you could upgrade the pickups and electronics if you wanted to and have a really nice LP for under $1K
Pix of my 2000 LP Raw Power. It has a natural plain top with minimal to no clear finish and has great tone and sustain. Also came with Grover tuners which I like.
I have never owned a Les Paul. I would like to buy one, but I don't really want to lay down $3K for a guitar that I'll likely never play that much. I have been considering a Les Paul Studio model. I don't know much about them but I really like the looks of the faded brown (mahogany?) models. There is also a Les Paul Tribute model in the affordable range. I don't know much about those, either. If anybody has any experience with either of these - and can make recommendations - by all means, chime in! 😉
I have a Les Paul Studio and I love it. Sounds like a Les Paul, and it's chambered so it's much lighter. I did a ton of research, there are a lot of different LP Studio models. I decided on the 1960s Tribute satin tobacco burst model that Gibson released in 2013. Found what I was looking for on Reverb for $700 a couple years ago (used market has gone up considerable the past 3 years, now they go for $1000-1200). Yes, it's a satin finish and not a nitro flame top, but I prefer it (especially along the neck). Just can't beat that Les Paul sound.
Very cool EVH tribute guitar
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/eddie-van-halen-mean-street-guitars-the-beast-frankenstein
@porkchopbob & Bill_Graham - great looking guitars! You both mention finishes. I don't know if it was endemic of the Norlin era or not, but the friend's LP Custom - and other LPs of that era that I've seen were/are quick to develop "belt buckle rash". The paint/finish peeled away ... in sheets! This is one of the areas that Fender seems to have always done better at than Gibson.
Yeah, I'm salivating over a 'Paul, now. Used Standards seem to start at $1,900.00 (+/-). I have seen used Studios priced from as low as $600 to almost what the lowest priced Standards. I'd rather have a really good Studio than a lemon Standard!
@porkchopbob I keep an eye on Reverb and Craigslist - looking for guitars within driving distance so that if the seller doesn't mind, I can test drive before buying. Craigslist can be iffy at times, but I have made a couple of good purchases. I've bought blind on E-bay and Reverb - usually with good results. I have discovered that some people have varying opinions on condition, though. I'll certainly check the Guitar Center site, too. Thanks for the info!
@porkchopbob I know what you mean by your guitar sounds like a Les Paul. I really like the finish and look of your guitar.
Pete at the big music store here was talking to some of us about pickup choices but the same pickups sound different from guitar to guitar. He claims the Humbuckers in late 1950's Les Pauls don't sound exactly the same if you put them in an ES-335, SG, PRS or Strat, Tele, Jackson, ESP etc. Some of the tone is in the Les Paul wood isn't it? And Dickey use to say some late 1950's Les Pauls are different from guitar to guitar. Some aren't as good as others so be sure to play it acoustically first. No amp.
I think all of my instruments were ordered, either online or custom from a shop. I've had pretty good luck, scored some good deals on Reverb (snagged a restored 1930s Regal parlour arch top for about $350), Ebay, and locally via Facebook marketplace (just got a Deluxe Reverb for $700 from a kid who works at Criteria Studios and clearly has no idea the studio's history and pedigree). I've only had to return a couple of instruments because they weren't quite right.
I did go through 2 Les Paul Studios. Accidentally bought the 1970s Tribute which had the fat baseball bat neck and dirty fingers pickups that were pretty metal, hadn't done all my research. I swapped out the pickups, but the neck was just too huge. Things you don't always think about.
Pickups only heighten the sonic qualities that are already within the guitar. You can get pickups to accentuate the highs or lows more, are "brighter" or are "hotter" than others, meaning they're louder and distort at lower volumes.
But an ES 335 sounds like it does because the sound reverberates throughout the large hollow body, a Les Paul has that massive sustain because thick piece of solid wood vibrates. An SG sounds a little lighter because of the light-weight body. With different makes, where the pickups sit on the body or neck affects sustain or tone.
But Fenders sound different because they use single-coil pickups, compared to Gibson humbuckers.
I also have a PRS and have fought with getting a tone I like even with different pickups. But I've had it forever, I can't bring myself to sell it.
@porkchopbob Thanks Porkchopbob. I've seen some Strats and Teles with Humbuckers. The Strats usually have TWO pickups rather than three. But apparently they come from the Fender Custom shop.
I've read interviews with Warren Haynes, Jeff Beck and the late Gary Moore and they all said they have so many guitars now and realize they seldom use many but they find it next to impossible to part with them. They are like your children in a way so I understand why you can't let the PRS go.
Here is Jimmy Herring with a Strat with Humbuckers made at the factory. Still doesn't sound like a Les Paul to me. And probably not like a Strat either.
@porkchopbob My only Gibson - a Midtown Custom that I bought new in 2012(?). It was heralded as a cross between a 335 and a Les Paul. It is much closer in size, sound and tone to a Les Paul than a 335. The body is about 3/4 the size of a 335 and it has a flat top rather than an arched one. I bought it because it was built right after the Fed's raided the Gibson factories over their use of "rare Indian rosewood" (fretboards). The material used for the fretboard is something called Richlite - which is sometimes used for countertops. The dealer tried to tell me that it was ebony but I already knew better. Martin has used Richlite on some of its lower end (Mexican made) models for a while. I think other manufacturers have also used it. The pickups are Burstbucker Pros - so it sounds like a Les Paul. It looks like a step-sibling to Gibson's ES 339, which has an arched top. It is light and easy to play. I am hoping that one day, collectors might assign some value to it over its connections with the raids. Who knows?
