Those chambered and routed models are fodder for the die-hard Les Paul snobs! For them, it's the thickness and density of the wood that creates that classic Gibson Les Paul sound! To borrow a phrase from a now departed CEO that I once worked for, "they're pickin' pepper outta $hit!"Another reason that a lot of players moved from Les Pauls to Strat's is the sheer weight of a Les Paul. A typical, "real' Les Paul Standard weighs in at between 9 - 9.5 lbs. Maybe not body-builder heft, but enough to wear you out while standing for 2 - 3 hours. Especially if you're an old man! Strat's typically weigh 2 - 3 lbs less and are more forgiving over a night of jamming. 😉
I heard that as well Rusty. That is one of the reasons Gibson was making chambered and/ or weight relief Les Paul's.
https://gearaficionado.com/blog/les-paul-solid-vs-chambered-vs-weight-relieved/
http://www.gibsontraditional.com/body-construction/
My 2000 Les Paul Standard weighs 9.4lbs on our digital scale at home. Doesn't seem heavy to me but then again I am not playing it for 2hrs on stage. I thought it had no weight relief but based on the articles I linked maybe it does have traditional relief?
From what I have read Gibson uses the lightest Mahogany bodies and maple tops for the custom shop Les Paul's these days.
As I mentioned earlier, these LP snobs pretty much opine that if it ain't a 58, 59 or a 60 - it's crap. I guess the only LPs I've ever played are from the ill-reputed Norlin era. They all played and sounded fine to my fingers and ears. In the modern era of stomp boxes and modeling amps - you can get a decent sound out of anything. Not every player has $40K to spend on a guitar!
I am not a good enough guitar player to be able to tell the difference between a solid, weight relieved or chambered guitar but I bet some of our guitar heroes can tell.
I have read different opinions on how the weight of a Les Paul effects the tone.
Some "experts" feel the light LP's are more resonant and have better sustain while others say the opposite so who knows?
Interesting article on guitar weight
https://rockguitaruniverse.com/electric-guitar-weight/
I guess my LP is around average for weight, 9.4.lbs, for a modern Les Paul Standard with the custom shops being lighter due to Gibson saving the lightest Mahogany for them. I do have all metal Grover tuners which are heavier than the regular Gibson tuners so maybe my LP is closer to 9lbs if it had standard LP tuners which is not bad.
I have also read that the reason more recent LP's are heavier than the vintage has to do with where the mahogany is harvested from. The vintage LP's were made with mahogany higher up on the hillside so was not as dense so was lighter. There is not as much hillside mahogany available now so much of it is from lower or flat lands so it absorbs more minerals during growth so is denser and heavier.
More about Mahogany then you ever wanted to know
https://commercialforestproducts.com/what-happened-to-the-good-mahogany/
Adam Jones of Tool bought a Greeny Les Paul reissue
https://www.guitarworld.com/news/tool-adam-jones-gibson-greeny-les-paul
Vintage 1960 Gibson Les Paul
https://truevintageguitar.com/blogs/tvg-blog/gibson-les-paul-standard-burst-1960
@bill_graham Certainly the inspiration for "Nigel Tufnell"! I wonder if that Ampeg volume control goes up to 11? 😉
Fender American Strat vintage II 1957
Vintage 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG
https://truevintageguitar.com/blogs/tvg-blog/gibson-les-paul-standard-1961-sg-body
Both Gregg and Butch criticized David Goldflies for playing way too many notes.
Here he is and Dickey also plays more notes than typical of Blue Sky.
Same show. Lots of notes on Ramblin' Man too. Butch said back then he could tell what kind of drug Gregg or Dickey were on just by listening to the first song. This must be a Coke night.
@rusty Yes Rusty, Dickey firing that Les Paul off like Steve.
Van Halen I saw twice then Steve Vai with David Lee Roth and I thought they were the fast notes kings.
Then I saw Dixie Dregs at a theatre. I went because I was told they are so good they will eventually be as big as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd and on a more personal level Capricorn Records and Twiggs was their road manager.
Here was another player that could stand toe to toe with Eddie and Vai.
Early 80's I saw Gary Moore and there was yet another one.
I finally saw Deep Purple with better seats and Richie Blackmore could hang with Eddie Van Halen.
Found out there are a lot them such as Randy Rhodes and those guys with Night Ranger who are playing in my area soon.
This Jack Pearson is more like Jeff Beck but man what a huge pallet of notes being used.
My hunt for a good and affordable Les Paul has led me to the conclusion that I can probably better afford a decent Stratocaster than a good LP. I haven't given up my search for a LP, but my planned budget ($2k) can buy a good, American made Strat from a good year (2000 - present) than a Les Paul Standard - which is really what I'd like to have. My Gibson Midtown sounds pretty much like a Les Paul. My playing these days is all about recording original songs on my home system. My current Strat is a souped-up Mexican made "black face" - which sounds and plays okay. I have found a couple of LPs on Reverb in my price range. I've considered the LP Studio but I really want a Standard. I'll probably keep a huntin' - let the guitar find me! 😉Fender American Strat vintage II 1957
Article on Capricorn Records and Phil and Alan Walden.
Apparently this is before Phil bought Duane, Gregg, Dickey, Berry, Butch and Jaimoe any clothes. I think they did have burlap sacks to wear on stage.
Dickey and Gregg said through 1969 and 1970 they had NO money. None of the original six was worth $300.00.
Gregg said Phil and Capricorn were always warning them to make their road and meal money stretch and don't waist a dime of Capricorn money.
Then Gregg said shortly after his brother died with finally one decent royality check in his pocket for about $3 thousand dollars, suddenly Capricorn was saying "Order anything you want boys" when on the road as money from Fillmore East, Eat A Peach and live shows was now pouring in.
https://www.spin.com/2023/01/capricorn-records-rise-fall-southern-rock/
@robertdee I wish they'd been wearin' them burlap sacks in that creek photo. Can't un-see that! 😉 The jokes I could make about who was the biggest dick in the Allman Brother! 😉
As far as Capricorn goes - I often wonder just how far that (original) label could've gone if there was a little more sobriety and reason in the office. It was like a bus full of drunks being driven by someone who was even drunker!
Fender Blackface Vibrolux
Always wanted one of these but vintage blackface amps are crazy prices now.
@rusty Well you have to allow for cold water shrinkage! I just quickly glanced. That isn't my bag with all due respect to those who differ.
Yes Gregg Allman said it went from making every dime stretch on the road before Fillmore East and Eat A Peach to " Order anything you want boys"!!
Yes from the second string enginenere recording demos all the way to Phil's office it was booze, blow and weed 24/7 until the party bus left the highway and struck a mushroom field and turned over.
Don't give up the hunt Rusty. It took me several years of patient searching before I found my used 2000 LP Raw Power at a reasonable price as they are somewhat rare.
The hard part for me was pulling the trigger for something I could only see in photos and not be able to play in person before buying on line but I got lucky as my LP is a great guitar with no issues.
This review is for you
https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/gibson-les-paul-standard-electric-guitar-review
1959 Epiphone Sheraton
https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/this-rare-1959-sheraton-hails-from-epiphones-earliest-gibson-days
This very interesting. Epiphone and Gibson have their differences even though Gibson owns Epiphone.
Generally speaking it looks to me the Gibson version is usually the better instrument about everytime for several reasons.
Take a look.
I solved my blackface with a 67 Bandmaster into a JBL 15”. Guitar is a Tiger modded Firebird.
I also have a sweet 65 Deluxe Amp also JBL equipped.
Will never get rid of those two.
Vintage 1960 Gibson Les Paul Custom cherry factory finish
https://www.premierguitar.com/pro-advice/vintage-vault/when-gibson-met-hagstrom
@bill_graham Very pretty guitar. Love the unusual BLACK pickguard. The 3 pickups is cool too. Hope it sounds like a Paul especially in the neck position.
Hey you guys I want this bourbon burst three pickup beauty for Christmas next year!! DONT FORGET!
Mary Ford actually was a great Les Paul player. Les admitted it. Said she played him for most of his money for years!!
Here she is with both of her Les Oaul'# plus a vocal assist from Patti Page!!!
Jeff's absolute TWO biggest influences were Les Paul and Cliff Gallup . Jeff nails Les Paul here I think
Interesting article, but it omits the SG 200 model:Gibson Les Paul SG history
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-story-of-the-gibson-sg
Also omitted - there was a Melody Maker model that was SG shaped - almost the same as the 200:
The Melody Maker was actually closer to an SG than the 200. I owned an SG 200 and an original (1963 - I think) single cutaway Melody Maker. Both were built to be "student guitars". With those itty bitty single coils - neither was really good in a band. When my high school friend and band co-member (or "wannabe band") bought his Norlin era LP Custom ... nobody could even hear me anymore. Most saw this as an improvement ... 😉
Also - whatever model of SG this is that Col. Bruce was playing at the Willie McTell Fest' shortly before his passing"
EDIT - UPDATE:
Apparently Col Bruce is playing what is called an SG Deluxe.
or is it an SG Special II?
Gibson Epiphone Les Paul comparison.
https://producerhive.com/buyer-guides/electric-guitars/epiphone-les-paul-vs-gibson-les-paul/
