Potential first time Les Paul buyer

[Marc Morfei]

I cycled through a few LPs before I found one that stuck. Studio was OK. Tribute has a really nice neck but somehow lacked oomph and needed some work. Might have been another one along the way. The one that stuck is a LP Classic, which I got used for about $1,600 I think. Sounds great, just the way I wanted, good guitar all the way around, and it is "slightly" weight-relieved, which is perfect for me. Not sure what it weighs, but it's not too bad, and still has the oomph.

 

[Beachbum]

Unless you just have to pay a ton of bucks for some plastic binding go with a Studio and spiff it up a little. Same stuff but no frills.

 

[brookdalebill]

Les Pauls are great, classic electric guitars.
They have three great tones, and are the best looking electric guitars ever, IMO.
They have idiosyncrasies, but they excel at rock and blues.
There’s really only one way that find out if they’re for you.
Get one, and see.
Good luck!

 

[thunderbyrd]

I know I don’t *need* a Les Paul, but since I’ve never owned one and I think I’d like a hum bucket guitar in my collection, trying to get some feedback from those with more experience.

I went to GC yesterday to play. LP Standard 50s. I liked the chunky neck, the guitar sounded great through a deluxe reverb. It felt relatively easy to play, just takes some getting used to as I’m a Fender lifer. Anyway, 2800 is a lot to pay for an electric guitar (for me, anyway), so I’m just wondering if anyone has other suggestions that won’t destroy my bank account? I play almost completely clean, fingerstyle most of the time, so I don’t need a rock machine. I had an Eastman 335 clone which was nice, but I guess I’m searching for something a little different. Any suggestions would be great!

i have an Eastman SB 59. i think it is a better les paul than any les paul i've owned. i gave $1400, used.

 

[Wooly Fox]

I'm also looking to get into the LP game, already have a Gibson Custom Johnny A but feel a little precious taking it out of the house.

I'm considering either a second hand tribute (walnut or honey burst) or a plain maple top standard Gibson. The Epiphone 59 is a decent steer if you can get one that isn't heavy and dead sounding (both I've tried were heavy and dead in the hand).

Odd alternatives are Musicman Cutlass (Sterling version too), Sire L3 or L7 if you have a dealer nearby and I think there is a PRS SE McCarty or the new DTG would suit.

 

[McGoldTopp]

I’m a long time telecaster, SG and V player.

I was never super interested in Lester Paulsons, but I was keeping my eye out for a blue studio model.

Then the BFG came along… at the time it was cheaper than a studio and had the p90’s I adore… but it needed a rewire, a bigsby and new paint…

it scratched the itch for a studio, and the uber expensive lps have never really interested me..

then earlier this year I discovered the JJN sig model Epiphone and had one 5 days after I discovered their existence.

the right one will come along.

 

[Strat Jacket]

When my desire to own a Gibson Les Paul hit me I tried the more affordable route first. I bought a brand new trans black Epiphone Les Paul. It didn't satisfy the urge. I traded it a few years later for a used 2002 black Gibson Les Paul Studio that was five times better than the bought new Epiphone.

The "new" Epis made since 2018 are a game-changer. Way, way better in every way, that from people who have owned both as well as independent reviewers. I did my homework before I dropped the dime on my LP and value for dollar is outstanding IMHO. Especially WRT the PAF pickups. I can't tell the difference between the Epi pups and PAFs on a Gibson. Yeah, they're that good.

 

[Danb541]

A few from your local Ventura craiglist.

Gibson Les Paul Studio 2005 Fireburst/Gold Hardware - musical...

Gibson Les Paul Studio 2005 Fireburst/Gold Hardware Amazing guitar, plays and sounds great. There is some honest play wear but overall I would say it’s in really good shape. This has real rosewood...

ventura.craigslist.org

Gibson L S 6 - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Gibson Ls6 in great condition with original case

ventura.craigslist.org

Gibson SG ‘61 Reissue - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Faded version. Upgraded tuners and pickups. Nice tone and setup/playability. $1000 No trades. No low ballers please

ventura.craigslist.org

2017 Gibson Les Paul Studio T Wine Red - musical instruments - by...

2017 wine red Gibson Les Paul Studio T. Plays and sounds great. Weighs 8.2 lbs +push/pull coil taps. Mahogany SlimTaper neck plays like a '60s favorite Rosewood fingerboard delivers classic Les Paul...

ventura.craigslist.org

Epiphone Les Paul Standard - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Beautiful Epiphone Les Paul Standard in Tobacco burst. I’m good condition.

ventura.craigslist.org

 

[omahaaudio]

I know I don’t *need* a Les Paul, but since I’ve never owned one and I think I’d like a hum bucket guitar in my collection, trying to get some feedback from those with more experience.

I went to GC yesterday to play. LP Standard 50s. I liked the chunky neck, the guitar sounded great through a deluxe reverb. It felt relatively easy to play, just takes some getting used to as I’m a Fender lifer. Anyway, 2800 is a lot to pay for an electric guitar (for me, anyway), so I’m just wondering if anyone has other suggestions that won’t destroy my bank account? I play almost completely clean, fingerstyle most of the time, so I don’t need a rock machine. I had an Eastman 335 clone which was nice, but I guess I’m searching for something a little different. Any suggestions would be great!

How about a Gibson (or Epiphone) ES-339? It's got the 335/humbucker vibe but is just about Les Paul size across the body (14 inches IIRC).
I have a fine Epiphone example and I love its sound and its size (more than either a Les Paul or a 335). I bought it s/h for €350 ($380) a few months ago via the French equivalent of Craigslist.

 

[The Angle]

If it were me today, I’d be looking at two Epiphone models, the 50s Standard and the 1959 Standard. I believe they’re essentially the same guitar, except the 1959 has Gibson pickups. And they come in different colour choices. Also, even though the necks have different profile names associated with each model, they are apparently the same.

I played both of these guitars (and the '60s model) side by side at GC before selecting one. The necks aren't quite the same. The '59 neck definitely fills your hand more than the '50s does. I chose the '59 for the Gibson Burstbucker pickups, the heftier neck, and the included hard case, all of which made it worth the extra money to me. I can say without reservation that it's a better guitar than the 1974 Gibson Les Paul I played back in the day. I can't picture myself ever needing or wanting a better Les Paul than this. The '50s, '59, and '60s "Inspired by Gibson" models are all terrific instruments. I would have been happy with any of them, but I'm happiest with the '59.

 

[AAT65]

I bought this PRS SE245 to satisfy my 2-humbucker itch…

However in the end I couldn’t tolerate the controls setup, so I did this…

Excellent value for money and very comfortable guitars though. Well worth checking out PRS SE or S2 models.

 

[Wildeman]

Yes, you do need one! Find a '90s Studio if you can

 

[Lawdawg]

Lifelong Fender player but I finally bit the bullet and bought a Standard 60s LP a couple of years ago and have loved having it. Gibson really knocked it out of the park with the Standard 50s and 60s LPs.

If I was looking to save some bucks I'd look at a used Tribute or Studio like other folks have mentioned. You should be able to find one for well less than half of a new Standard 50s LP. Tonewise, the biggest difference to me comes from the Burstbuckers in the Standards vs the 490 and 498 pickups in the Tribute/Studio LPs. I really do prefer the Burstbuckers, to my ears they've got more clarity than the 490/498s, but even swapping out the pickups in a Tribute/Studio you'll still be way under the price of a new Standard 50s.

 

[1 21 gigawatts]

The Tributes are my favorites from the bang-for-the-buck standpoint. They are kind of "no-fluff" versions of the standards at less than half the price. Made at the same Gibson USA factory with the same quality, but minus some cosmetic touches like binding and flamed tops. I'm not fancy, so they fit my style anyways.

 

[mjcyates]

As others have mentioned the Eastman SB59's are very nice. I just got a 60's Standard and love it but if you don't care about Gibson being on the headstock the Eastmans are hard to beat.

 

[lowatter]

+1 on the 90's Studios. The Studio Lites are weight relieved, have one piece backs and maple tops and ebony fretboards for 1/3 of what you were looking at. 5 years ago you could get used Standards and Classics all day long for around $1500. CRAZY TIMES!

 

[KC]

There's a Tribute on my local CL right now for $750 and I would buy it in a heartbeat except I have the exact same guitar, even the same color. These are fine guitars -- plekked from the factory, good fretwork, good playability, decent pickups. No binding and a decal on the peghead instead of an inlay but, if you just want to see if and LP is the right guitar for you, this will tell you. I really like mine. It's a livelier & more fun guitar than the 335 it replaced, at about a third of the price. Mine has a mahogany neck, newer ones have maple, not sure how much of a difference it makes.

 

[ChicknPickn]

I've had quite a few Gibson LPs over the years. Standards, studios, DCs, and a few Epis too. They're all great guitars. I don't own any today, not my preference but if you want one, as said above, find a good used one. The only thing I would caution you with is be careful, there are a lot of foreign knockoffs/fakes floating around the used market. Check online for ways to spot a fake.
good luck in your search.

The safe way to go is to buy one that you KNOW is a fake.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_sc_550plus_emg_ftf.htm

 

[bobio]

I know I don’t *need* a Les Paul, but since I’ve never owned one and I think I’d like a hum bucket guitar in my collection, trying to get some feedback from those with more experience.

I went to GC yesterday to play. LP Standard 50s. I liked the chunky neck, the guitar sounded great through a deluxe reverb. It felt relatively easy to play, just takes some getting used to as I’m a Fender lifer. Anyway, 2800 is a lot to pay for an electric guitar (for me, anyway), so I’m just wondering if anyone has other suggestions that won’t destroy my bank account? I play almost completely clean, fingerstyle most of the time, so I don’t need a rock machine. I had an Eastman 335 clone which was nice, but I guess I’m searching for something a little different. Any suggestions would be great!

I have always wanted a Standard myself, but I can never bring myself to spend that much.

I recently picked up a new Gibson Les Paul Studio from Sweetwater. Half the price of that Standard. With the push/pull pots, I can go from full humbucker to single coils. Loving the tone, wish I had bought one years ago!

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Electric-Guitar/USAYNB363/Smokehouse-Burst

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

The necks aren't quite the same. The '59 neck definitely fills your hand more than the '50s does

Oh. Cool, thanks.

Pax/
Dean