• From: UK
  • Registered: 2006-09-27
  • Posts: 176

Topic: Question to you Les Paul players

How do you cope with the heal on the Les Pauls ? I love the tone and look, I really fancy one but eveytime I play one ... Grrrr that heal sad

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  • nikb
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Re: Question to you Les Paul players

I have owned a Gibson Les Paul (1995) for 7 or 8 years and never found the heal to be a problem. As with changing guitars and purchasing a new guitar there is always a 'getting use to it' period. I swap from the Les Paul to a Strat to an Martin EC acoustic all the time and don't think anything of it. Don't forgot the tone on a Les Paul is superb and they grow with playing. I personally prefer a used guitar as they seem to be more alive. There are definately some great bargins to be hand in the classified section of Guitarist etc. The Standards normally come in around £950 unless you want anything fancy. lets also not forget who plays Les Pauls! 

I'm sure other people have their opinions.

Nick

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2006-09-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

nikb wrote:

also not forget who plays Les Pauls! 


Nick

I know tongue both Joe and Alex Lifeson(2 of my heros) are now Les Paul players ... I'm really loving hearing Les Paul players/tones lately(Warren Heynes etc) .... I have a bad case of GAS(Guitar Aquisition Syndrome) .

The other alternative is a ES-339, Size of a Les Paul .. tone of a 335 .... but will I still have GAS for a les Paul ...... oooohhh I wish I was rich.. I'd get both.

Nightfly

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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

I've owned Les Paul since 1994, and the point sticking out of the heel (is that what you're talking about?) has never been a problem for me.
I know Paul Reed Smith guitar had an awkward heel and there is a new neck that can get glued in and frenched the area smooth....the company escapes me though.

I like the feel better than a bolt on neck.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2006-09-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

I own a PRS McCarty and love it, full neck access and sound wonderful. It just lacks that Les Paul 'chime'. I'll never part with it.... but it would love a LP to sit next too tongue

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  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

I actually find the heal to be pretty comfortable. I've got bigger hands though, so that may account for some of it.

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

It'd be nice if it were hand contoured a bit but I dont mind one bit the way it is...

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • gsj
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Re: Question to you Les Paul players

Never had a problem with the heel joint on a Les Paul. Mind you, my Nik Huber has a carved heel joint which is cool too. Why you playing up the dusty end anyway? All the money is in the first five frets big_smile

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young

9 Reply by Danny! (edited by Musicinmysoul 2008-03-12 17:34:00)

  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

If you're 5 years old that is. tongue

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan

10 Reply by gsj

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Re: Question to you Les Paul players

Write a song, using the first five frets, earn the money.....let someone else go widdly widdly woo all up the neck while you relax and check your bank balance big_smile

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

Haha do you think the guy who wrote "Happy Birthday" has more money than he knows what to do with it?

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan

12 Reply by gsj

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Re: Question to you Les Paul players

Maybe not...but you know his song wink

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

I prefer to put a capo on the 12th fret and play chords smile

just kidding

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Commerce Twp., MI
  • Registered: 2006-06-07
  • Posts: 14

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

I find the heel on most guitars to be kinda awkward.  My solution is to not spend much time playing up there.  Just keep playing the guitar and you'll get used it.

Jason

15 Reply by gsj

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Re: Question to you Les Paul players

big_smile

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I prefer to put a capo on the 12th fret and play chords smile

just kidding

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young

16 Reply by Ges (edited by Ges 2008-03-16 05:14:45)

  • Ges
  • Ges
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  • Registered: 2006-09-25
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Re: Question to you Les Paul players

I have a kinda different slant on this.

I started out many years ago on a Les Paul copy (see pic left.....unless I've changed it since) and now have the real thing (ditto). I guess as it's the only type of guitar I've owned until recently, it's all I know and I've not been bothered by the heel. Quite the opposite actually. I think even if it was twice as big and stuck into my body the sound would still be worth it.

However, I also have a Strat which I purchased recently and find that much more difficult to play.

The knob right next to the bridge - it's just in the way !! BTW, I don't really like the bowing effect some use it for.
The switch. I keep knocking it to a different setting by accident.

Maybe it's just what we get used to.

I'll soldier on though wink

  • Bender
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Re: Question to you Les Paul players

I don't have too much trouble getting upper fret access with my LP....though I sure notice a difference if I've just put down my Vigier for example.

But it's not a big problem....when I'm that far up the neck I'll probably resort to some easy hammer on/pull-off pattern for some 'flash', and leave the trickier stuff to more accessible positions.

Funny thing, I find access on a 335 worse.....I always try to play with my wrist forward, and up past the 19th fret, the lower horn gets in the way, esp on vibratoed notes.

  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: Question to you Les Paul players

Ges wrote:

I have a kinda different slant on this.

I started out many years ago on a Les Paul copy (see pic left.....unless I've changed it since) and now have the real thing (ditto). I guess as it's the only type of guitar I've owned until recently, it's all I know and I've not been bothered by the heel. Quite the opposite actually. I think even if it was twice as big and stuck into my body the sound would still be worth it.

However, I also have a Strat which I purchased recently and find that much more difficult to play.

The knob right next to the bridge - it's just in the way !! BTW, I don't really like the bowing effect some use it for.
The switch. I keep knocking it to a different setting by accident.

Maybe it's just what we get used to.

I'll soldier on though wink

Dude I have the same exact problem on strats. The knob gets in the way and I'm constatntly changing pickups b/c its right in my picking path.  I guess I'm a Gibson man through and through lol.

I like the heel on my Gibsons, and I have both 50's and 60's necks.  I guess its just the way you hold the guitar and everyone has different hands.  My hand seems to fit perfect in it and I get totaly access to all the frets.

Peace
Ben