Please don't shoot me (I bought an LP Style guitar)

[dantonel]

OK so here's the story. I'm surfing craigslist in my town (which is sad compared to phoenix's) and I came across an add that said "must sell..." yada yada yada... so I take a look and low and behold it's a Grass Roots (ESP) Les Paul Standard. I know what you're thinking; what makes this so special? well come to find out the kid (and I mean younger than me) is moving back to Japan WHERE HE BOUGHT THE GUITAR!!! So I have myself a genuine MIJ Les Paul knock off With the Correct Headstock!

Well if that's not enough, let me tell you how I acquired it. Well, I did a ton of research on what these were and how much they're getting on ebay and new... so on and so forth. Come to find out these sold New for 52,000 Yen (about $575) and they're selling on ebay for about 400-450... ok, well that being said the kid told me he'd sell it to me for $100 I'm thinking !!!!$$$$$$$$!!!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!! but, I gotta look at it first. So, I go try it out and it's a little rough and has a nice sized hole in the body by tone pot (that will be another Post) and the neck pickup wouldn't work at all. so i get to talkin with him and he says "well, what would you take for it?" I say "in it's current condition probably $60" "Yeah, that seems fair" I handed him his money and said thank you and left.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Well to make a long story even longer, I had to completely rewire the whole thing and finally got it all working and it sounds.. well... like a true blue beautiful Les Paul.

I'm not a huge fan of the Gold so I'm looking to get all blacked out Hardware and I'm thinking of getting the GFS Fat PATs with the black nickel cover.

(Side Note: BTW, Does anyone have those Pickups in a guitar? How do they sound? Compared to the Vintage LP Tone?)

Well, I hope I don't get Flogged too hard for showing off my new gear... I <3 You TDPRI!!!!

[ne4tt]

What a deal. That's a nice LP Custom copy.

Looking forward to a tone report and pics when you get the LP fixed up.

Thanks

Jamie

[dantonel]

Originally Posted by ne4tt

What a deal. That's a nice LP Custom copy.

Looking forward to a tone report and pics when you get the LP fixed up.

Thanks

Jamie

Thanks! Yeah, I have the pickguard and such but I like the Semi-naked look myself

[Ben Harmless]

Gorgeous. You'd be criminal to pass that up.

[TG]

Very nice.

We'll try our best to forgive you (which won't be too hard, seeing how many of us here also own Les Pauls...)

[dantonel]

Originally Posted by TG

Very nice.

We'll try our best to forgive you (which won't be too hard, seeing how many of us here also own Les Pauls...)

Thanks TG, This is my first time owning a Les Paul so we'll see how it goes.

[dantonel]

Well, I actually like the way the Stock pickup sounds I just wish they were black covered... I know I can pickup some covers from allparts so we'll see how it goes. I think I'm gonna hold off on modding it too much more cause I'm saving for a Ceriatone OTS... (D*mble Clone)

[sneakyjapan]

Grassroots MIJ? Never seen one, the ones I see here in Japan are MIK. From the headstock inlay I believe it`s one of the newer ones and looking through the 2008 ESP catalog that model is listed as being either alder or basswood, no mention of a maple cap, pick-ups were more than likely MIJ as well, they list their own brand...GH-1G x 2. Retail price is 52,000 yen but shops will take 20% off that so we`re closer to $400.oo. I`ve seen them used in local shops for $100.oo ~ $120.oo and not never been tempted. Though made by the people at ESP they are their entry level line, I think the Japanese kid knew what he was doing....I mean he got less for his guitar than he wanted but for a little more money back home he`ll pick another one up on the used market...plus in that condition the price he got was ballpark for Japan too. Not trying to rain on your parade, just letting you know what the specs are in catalogs and what I see over here.

[Robson Ortlibas]

what a shame! :p

[sneakyjapan]

not meant to dis the guitar eh, just sayin`.

[dantonel]

you cut me deep sneak... lol I like it though and it plays well which I say is always the main thing.

[sneakyjapan]

well, you did say it was a Les Paul "style" guitar and you were correct, looks like a LP...and there are some guys at other sites who really love their Grassroots but ya know, if one chooses to believe everything they read on line then there would be only great guitars in the world `cause nobody seems to own any bad ones. I am not one to criticize guitars anybody plays, doesn`t really matter...a great player will sound great on a crap guitar...a crap player will sound the same on a great guitar...I fall into the latter catagory, no top end guitars are gonna make me sound any better...I know because I have some, but it doesn`t matter...I started playing at 41 years of age and me feet were firmly planted in reality when I did, I really enjoy playing but know the only way I`ll get to The Albert hall is if I buy a ticket.

[dantonel]

Originally Posted by sneakyjapan

a great player will sound great on a crap guitar...a crap player will sound the same on a great guitar...

I completely agree but don't you think that a good way to get better is to get a decent guitar? See, I'm a firm believer that if the action isn't setup right and the sound isnt just right then a not so good player won't be able to advance thier skill.

[marshman]

Just so we're all absolutely clear:

We don't shoot people around these parts for buying/owning LP-style guitars...

We make 'em buy the beer and pack up the PA.

[Fogboundturtle]

Originally Posted by marshman

Just so we're all absolutely clear:

We don't shoot people around these parts for buying/owning LP-style guitars...

We make 'em buy the beer and pack up the PA.

Make me

[sneakyjapan]

Originally Posted by dantonel

I completely agree but don't you think that a good way to get better is to get a decent guitar? See, I'm a firm believer that if the action isn't setup right and the sound isnt just right then a not so good player won't be able to advance thier skill.

as always, I can only speak for myself. I own some top of the line guitars and am getting better but I`ll never be a great palyer...and didn`t expect to when I began playng at 41 years of age. I have fun, I have a lot to learn and look forward to playing with my friends when I get back home for good. I`ve been painting and drawing for nearly 39 years and though I`ve gained a certain degree of understanding of the materials I use my abilities continue to evolve and grow and I hope to never reach a stage where I believe theres nothing more to learn. Same goes for my guitar playing.

[dantonel]

Wow Sneaky, That was like poetry... So what kind of Beer Marsh?

BTW I completely Rewired the guitar and I made it sound like a Tele... LOL!!!! Oh wait... I just set it down and picked up my tele... That's it...

LOL

[castpolymer]

Nothing wrong with an LP as long as you still have a Tele.

[dantonel]

Well right now My tele's Out rank my Paul 2 to 1. Of course I also have a PRS too but again Tele's take it 2 to 1...

[castpolymer]

Originally Posted by dantonel

Well right now My tele's Out rank my Paul 2 to 1. Of course I also have a PRS too but again Tele's take it 2 to 1...

Your ratios are correct and approved!

[Hiker]

You whaaaaaaat?

Nice find!

[dantonel]

Originally Posted by Hiker

You whaaaaaaat?

Nice find!

Thank you, I enjoy it...

UPDATE: I bought some Epoxy Putty for the hole in the top... I'm scared!

Also I played it Live at my Churches "Harvest Carnival" through my Marshall Valvestate MkII VS-100r... Man I love a Paul through a Marshall... (See Pic)

[Nighthawk]

Bang... Nice looking guit.