Anyone had a chance to A/B a '54 L.P. and '56 L.P.?

jumpnblues · December 23rd, 2007, 07:20 PM

Historics or otherwise? I somewhat know how they sound individually but not enough to accurately know how they compare tonally? If a '56 Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop with all new electronics and Lollar P-90s is any indication at all I'm pretty impressed. I used to think I'd prefer the '54 but I'm not so sure now. Can someone help me with this? Thanks.

Tom

Paul in Colorado · December 23rd, 2007, 09:43 PM

When I was shopping for my Les Paul, I went to Wildwood Guitars in Louisville, CO and played about ten or so guitars, both H-54's and H-56's. I ended up with a real nice H-56. The major reason that I got the 56 over the 54 was because I was replacing a long gone '68 P-90 Gold Top that I had in my youth and it had a tune-o-matic/stop tailpiece. I think the wrap bridge of a '54 gives the guitar a little more oomph. If I can ever afford another Historic, I'd love to get a single pickup '54 with a wrap bridge to use for playing slide.

My H56 came out of Music Machine in Seattle, WA and was part of the "stinger series" they had Gibson build for them. It's an '03 with a Brazillian 'board and a sunburst finish over a top that's right on the cusp of flame and quilt. After changing out the pots (I hated the taper of the stock ones) putting on straplocks and having a bone nut made, it's one of the best guitars I've ever owned.

I have played a real '56 but never a '54. It's been too long to remember details.

ac15 · December 24th, 2007, 12:21 AM

I tried the 54 and 56 (both Historics), before I bought my 54. It was literally one 56 and one 54 I tried, so it wasn't like I checked out many of each. The 54 felt better and sounded more lively to me and I bought it, mostly because I thought it sounded and felt great, and also because it was used, so it was a bit cheaper than the 56 would have been. I knew nothing at the time about wraptail bridges, and was a bit concerned that intonation would be an issue (it isn't). It was only after I bought it that I found out that wraptail bridges have appeal for a lot of guitar players, partly because of the sound and the slinkier feel, but also because of the minimalist coolness of it.

December 23rd, 2007, 07:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
jumpnblues Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midwest Age: 58 Posts: 1,603	Anyone had a chance to A/B a '54 L.P. and '56 L.P.? Historics or otherwise? I somewhat know how they sound individually but not enough to accurately know how they compare tonally? If a '56 Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop with all new electronics and Lollar P-90s is any indication at all I'm pretty impressed. I used to think I'd prefer the '54 but I'm not so sure now. Can someone help me with this? Thanks. Tom __________________ jumpnblues "Heaven St." (Original Blues Instrumental): http://www.box.net/shared/static/z96atf0zn2.mp3 http://www.myspace.com/drbluezz

December 23rd, 2007, 09:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,123 3 Photos	When I was shopping for my Les Paul, I went to Wildwood Guitars in Louisville, CO and played about ten or so guitars, both H-54's and H-56's. I ended up with a real nice H-56. The major reason that I got the 56 over the 54 was because I was replacing a long gone '68 P-90 Gold Top that I had in my youth and it had a tune-o-matic/stop tailpiece. I think the wrap bridge of a '54 gives the guitar a little more oomph. If I can ever afford another Historic, I'd love to get a single pickup '54 with a wrap bridge to use for playing slide. My H56 came out of Music Machine in Seattle, WA and was part of the "stinger series" they had Gibson build for them. It's an '03 with a Brazillian 'board and a sunburst finish over a top that's right on the cusp of flame and quilt. After changing out the pots (I hated the taper of the stock ones) putting on straplocks and having a bone nut made, it's one of the best guitars I've ever owned. I have played a real '56 but never a '54. It's been too long to remember details. Last edited by Paul in Colorado : December 23rd, 2007 at 09:44 PM. Reason: grammer

December 24th, 2007, 12:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
ac15 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: CHICAGO, IL. Posts: 533	I tried the 54 and 56 (both Historics), before I bought my 54. It was literally one 56 and one 54 I tried, so it wasn't like I checked out many of each. The 54 felt better and sounded more lively to me and I bought it, mostly because I thought it sounded and felt great, and also because it was used, so it was a bit cheaper than the 56 would have been. I knew nothing at the time about wraptail bridges, and was a bit concerned that intonation would be an issue (it isn't). It was only after I bought it that I found out that wraptail bridges have appeal for a lot of guitar players, partly because of the sound and the slinkier feel, but also because of the minimalist coolness of it.