Tonal Differences Between '54 And '56 Les Pauls...

[jumpnblues]

...Wha'da'ya' think?

Tom

[harlycarly]

Stop it. Right now.

[sumed]

lmao... made my day

[jumpnblues]

[Pete Galati]

Originally Posted by jumpnblues

Is this a stop bridge vs. stop tailpiece question?

[TexGoneNW]

I can't speak to the '56, but the '54, in spite of being tough to play with that wrap-around trapeze bridge, sounds like heaven and has a fine ol' fat neck.

Seriously...

[stevieboy]

According to what I've read, the trapeze tailpiece was discontinued in 1953, and the wraparound tailpiece was installed.

Are you asking about the difference between an R4 and an R6? If so, about the only difference is the wraparound versus the stop tail/ABR. I've never actually compared the tone, I doubt too many people here have. I searched over on the Les Paul Forum and while a lot of people expressed a preference, I couldn't find a post where someone said "I've compared them and..."

I had an R4 and the feel is great, "slinky" is the word commonly used and I think it fits. I would expect that the wraparound would sustain a little more and be somewhat more lively, but like I say I haven't had the opportunity to actually see for myself. Interesting question, though, and it would be fun to to sit down with one of each.

[Telakaster]

Probably the same as tonal differences between '55 Les Pauls.

[TexGoneNW]

Ah...

Then it must have been the '52 I played. It was one of the first, anyway.

Senility is setting in.

[jumpnblues]

"Is this a stop bridge vs. stop tailpiece question?"


Yup. I read somewhere a couple years ago (maybe ToneQuest Report?) where they thought the '54 (wrap around tailpiece) sounded a little better and more resonant vs the '56 (stop tailpiece with tune-omatic [sp?] bridge)? Just curious what others think that have played or heard both? Also please comment on the Epi and/or Dillion version of the '56 Les Paul. Thanks.

P.S. Thanks, Stevie, for your comments. A Les Paul with P-90's is the only Les Paul that interests me. I only like humbuckers on archtops and KBR's guitars (he makes 'em sound guuuuuud!!).

Tom

[Paul in Colorado]

I played every P-90 LP in Wildwood Music when I was shopping. I ended up with a Historic 56 with a seperate bridge/tailpiece because I was replacing the '68 LP GT I foolishly traded off back in my youth. But if money were no object, I'd find one of the run of single pickup Historic 54's they made a few years ago and set it up for slide. The wrap bridge/tailpiece really has a little more oomph.

I think the intonation might be a little better with a tune-o-matic bridge, but guys I know with H-54's don't seem to have a problem. It's kind of like another guitar some guys around here like in spite of the fact that you have to intonate the strings in pairs.

[nonvintage]

2 years I know a guy with a 56 thats the #&%@ he's in a band in Chicago that plays with Sam Lay. Chris James. I've never had the pleasure of playing it, but it sounds unreal with my Lindy Fralin Amp. I've played a 1959 Les Paul Standard that WAS owned by a friend. The lightest, most sustaining Les Paul I ever played. Of course it's the only 59 I've ever played. Both all original.

[Glen W]

Originally Posted by jumpnblues

I read somewhere a couple years ago (maybe ToneQuest Report?) where they thought the '54 (wrap around tailpiece) sounded a little better and more resonant vs the '56 (stop tailpiece with tune-omatic [sp?] bridge)? Just curious what others think that have played or heard both? Also please comment on the Epi and/or Dillion version of the '56 Les Paul.

Tom, I've had a Dillion '56 Goldtop w/P90s for a couple years, now. It's a great-playing, great-sounding LP copy. I also used to have a P90 Les Paul from back in '71 or '72 when they were doing reissues of what the store called '58s. It had the wrap around tailpiece made from aluminum. I ended up getting one of those Leo Quan Badass bridges to be able to adjust the intonation. From what I can remember, I think the Dillion has all the sound & vibe of that old gibson.

[ac15]

"I searched over on the Les Paul Forum and while a lot of people expressed a preference, I couldn't find a post where someone said "I've compared them and..."

I just picked up and R4 (love it) and went to the Les Paul forum searching for such comparisons and there were many threads where people compared them directly. Most everyone with just a few exceptions, preferred the R4. I have not played the R6 extensively, but on the day I bought my R4 I played the R6 and liked the R4 better.

[Paul G.]

Never had the oppportunity to play 'em side by side, although I've played more than a few originals and reissues.

Lester I, my first Les Paul was a '54, and to this day is the best-sounding guitar I've ever heard. Alas Lester died in ca. 1970, a victim of bad latches and a cement staircase.

P.