Amp question for you Les Paul players...

garcia · April 1st, 2005, 09:12 PM

Hey guys-

I will hopefully be purchasing a Les Paul Standard from a buddy this week. The guitar feels amazing, but I noticed a 'problem' that I don't have with Telecasters. I usually play out of a Deluxe Reverb, however, this Les Paul was overdriving the hell out of it. I definitely prefer some clean headroom, especially considering that I am using the guitar primarily for jazz (or pseudo jazz in my case). From past experience I know that a Twin is a bit too large for me to lug around. So, what is my best option? I love that clean Fender tone, especially when the tubes start to warm up a bit. Any opinions would be helpful.

FWIW: I am considering a Vibrolux Reverb Reissue (40 watts, I think) or maybe a Roland JC 90

reverbbb · April 1st, 2005, 09:25 PM

Most recent LP Std have '57 pups installed. These are not as hot as some of the other Gibson humbuckers, but they are definately hotter than nearly all Fender single coils.

The simplest thing to do, is adjust the pups way down towards the guitar body. Then a little at a time, adjust them back up until you find a nice tone.

Modern Les Pauls with humbuckers are hotter by design on purpose. Most modern players are after that overdrive voice of a Les Paul. Les Paul himself does not go for that tone per say. Therefore, the other technique is to keep your volume at around 7~8, especially on the neck pup.

It is a different approach to playing. The LP can get a bunch of different sounds. You just need to learn how to find them and memorize what you learn along the way.

A Vibrolux is going to break up but will give you a lot of clean headroom. You will be super loud before you breakup. The Roland is not going to break up much at all. If you want dark and clean like Mr. Les Paul, then the JC might be your best best.

stantheman · April 1st, 2005, 10:33 PM

NO SIR. You can still pick up Silverface Twins at a decent price (around me they're going for the same price as a Super Champ - which KILLS me

)
Is it safe to assume You're SCREAMIN' on say "3" ???
I'd say a 15" Fender Pro - but that'll cost You some money - if CLEAN & CHEAP works for You you could go with a tandem of Your Deluxe and a Peavey Nashville
which ought to work well for The Jazz thing.

Paul G. · April 2nd, 2005, 08:13 AM

I've been playing Les Pauls for over 35 years and here's what I've found.

1. You have a padded input on your amp, the one labeled 2. Use it.

2. If your amp has a bass control, TURN IT DOWN. The low end a Paul has is; a) eating your power and b) overworking your speaker. As the volume goes up, the bass knob goes down. It's ok to play with it on zero.

3. You don't have to dime the guitar's volume controls. If the amp is set a bit bright, you can play with the volumes on 7 or 8 and get a rich, full and clear tone.

4. You can lower the pups, but I don't think it's necessary. Lowered pickups will get a clearer, brighter sound. Works well for jazz with the tone control rolled off a bit on the guitar.

5. This one is optional--develop a light touch. Save the digging in for when you need it.

Give yourself a period of adjustment. You should find things that give you exactly what you're looking for. Les Paul deserve their reputation as great instruments, but like any tool, you have to use it properly.

I don't know how loud you need to be, but you should find a Deluxe Reverb to be enough for most circumstances.

P.

Sarge · April 2nd, 2005, 08:22 AM

I use a 5150 half stack and a Soldano ROS 2X12 for my LP Custom and Explorer. These amps have tons of gain that really go well with mahogany bodied HB equipt guitars.

reverbbb · April 2nd, 2005, 08:36 AM

Good advise from Paul G.

Jazz - so that is what the input 2 is for

. Makes a lot of sense don't it!

Paul in Colorado · April 3rd, 2005, 03:03 AM

I had aa Gibson Heritage '80 Les Paul that I got to crank through my '66 Deluxe Reverb in a big warehouse with concrete walls one time. It was a thing of beauty. It stayed pretty clean, too. Just a little hair around the edges.
Les Pauls and Fender amps are one of my favorite combinations.

April 1st, 2005, 09:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
garcia Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern California Age: 36 Posts: 484	Amp question for you Les Paul players... Hey guys- I will hopefully be purchasing a Les Paul Standard from a buddy this week. The guitar feels amazing, but I noticed a 'problem' that I don't have with Telecasters. I usually play out of a Deluxe Reverb, however, this Les Paul was overdriving the hell out of it. I definitely prefer some clean headroom, especially considering that I am using the guitar primarily for jazz (or pseudo jazz in my case). From past experience I know that a Twin is a bit too large for me to lug around. So, what is my best option? I love that clean Fender tone, especially when the tubes start to warm up a bit. Any opinions would be helpful. FWIW: I am considering a Vibrolux Reverb Reissue (40 watts, I think) or maybe a Roland JC 90 __________________ “Desolation, desolation, I owe so much to desolation.” ...“The Dharma Bums”

April 1st, 2005, 09:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
reverbbb Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Just Plano, Texas Age: 49 Posts: 3,491 29 Photos	Most recent LP Std have '57 pups installed. These are not as hot as some of the other Gibson humbuckers, but they are definately hotter than nearly all Fender single coils. The simplest thing to do, is adjust the pups way down towards the guitar body. Then a little at a time, adjust them back up until you find a nice tone. Modern Les Pauls with humbuckers are hotter by design on purpose. Most modern players are after that overdrive voice of a Les Paul. Les Paul himself does not go for that tone per say. Therefore, the other technique is to keep your volume at around 7~8, especially on the neck pup. It is a different approach to playing. The LP can get a bunch of different sounds. You just need to learn how to find them and memorize what you learn along the way. A Vibrolux is going to break up but will give you a lot of clean headroom. You will be super loud before you breakup. The Roland is not going to break up much at all. If you want dark and clean like Mr. Les Paul, then the JC might be your best best. __________________ "I come here to reflect a little."™ http://www.myspace.com/reverbbb2 Guitarist Praise & Worship Forum

April 1st, 2005, 10:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
stantheman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 4,660	I wouldn't sell that Deluxe... NO SIR. You can still pick up Silverface Twins at a decent price (around me they're going for the same price as a Super Champ - which KILLS me ) Is it safe to assume You're SCREAMIN' on say "3" ??? I'd say a 15" Fender Pro - but that'll cost You some money - if CLEAN & CHEAP works for You you could go with a tandem of Your Deluxe and a Peavey Nashville which ought to work well for The Jazz thing. __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

April 2nd, 2005, 08:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Paul G. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 885	Two things you can do. I've been playing Les Pauls for over 35 years and here's what I've found. 1. You have a padded input on your amp, the one labeled 2. Use it. 2. If your amp has a bass control, TURN IT DOWN. The low end a Paul has is; a) eating your power and b) overworking your speaker. As the volume goes up, the bass knob goes down. It's ok to play with it on zero. 3. You don't have to dime the guitar's volume controls. If the amp is set a bit bright, you can play with the volumes on 7 or 8 and get a rich, full and clear tone. 4. You can lower the pups, but I don't think it's necessary. Lowered pickups will get a clearer, brighter sound. Works well for jazz with the tone control rolled off a bit on the guitar. 5. This one is optional--develop a light touch. Save the digging in for when you need it. Give yourself a period of adjustment. You should find things that give you exactly what you're looking for. Les Paul deserve their reputation as great instruments, but like any tool, you have to use it properly. I don't know how loud you need to be, but you should find a Deluxe Reverb to be enough for most circumstances. P. __________________ Listen to your mother

April 2nd, 2005, 08:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
reverbbb Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Just Plano, Texas Age: 49 Posts: 3,491 29 Photos	Good advise from Paul G. Jazz - so that is what the input 2 is for . Makes a lot of sense don't it! __________________ "I come here to reflect a little."™ http://www.myspace.com/reverbbb2 Guitarist Praise & Worship Forum

April 2nd, 2005, 08:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 52 Posts: 3,548	I use a 5150 half stack and a Soldano ROS 2X12 for my LP Custom and Explorer. These amps have tons of gain that really go well with mahogany bodied HB equipt guitars.

April 3rd, 2005, 03:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,012 3 Photos	I had aa Gibson Heritage '80 Les Paul that I got to crank through my '66 Deluxe Reverb in a big warehouse with concrete walls one time. It was a thing of beauty. It stayed pretty clean, too. Just a little hair around the edges. Les Pauls and Fender amps are one of my favorite combinations.