• From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Topic: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

I know a lot of guys here like myself own a Les Paul.  I know this has been talked about on the LP Forum, but what is everyone's take on the way Gibson has changed the Les Paul by chambering/weight relieving them?  I start things off by saying I found the "step up" to the custom shop (R8) a must because I couldn't find a new standard that had the same mojo.  That mojo turned out to be more sustain, more midrange, more warmth, and overall great vibration of the body at the same (or less) weight of some chambered ones.  Why won't Gibson make a production model that doesn't have holes in it...

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

People like light guitars. That's sort of something I've heard people brag about. Me? I like em heavy. I play an Explorer too. It's like having a coffee table over your shoulder. big_smile

- 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: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

I think light guitars are only special if they quality of wood makes them light.  Mahogany is not traditionally a light wood as you have eluded to.  I personally don't buy into the Gibson propaganda saying that there are no "negative" tone loss by chambering that's been proven by some sound measuring supercomputer.  I would like to think that more wood = more tone.  Gibson already had hollow guitars, the 335, 345, 355 series.  I just don't understand the departure from the way God, Les Paul, and Orville Gibson intended the guitar to be.  I wonder if they aren't cutting costs by using lower grade mahogany and cutting holes in it to make a cruddy grade wood lighter...I guess I'm still a little pissed I had to drop insane dollars to get a historically correct LP. Please Gibson, give us a solid body guitar!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

4 Reply by summers (edited by summers 2009-02-09 08:41:34)

  • Registered: 2006-05-12
  • Posts: 74

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

I bought an '08 LP Classic that plays absolutely great. Albeit I played 10 others before I found one so nice, it's the best playing LP I've ever owned. Put an RS kit in it along with '57 Classic pups..... now it sounds like a kick-ass Paul. As far as the weight relief.... it's still kind of up in the air with me. I do think some sustain is sacrificed but my back really appreciates it after a couple hours on stage.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

I guess I'm lucky...I'm a lumberjack (6'5'' 2uhh nevermind) That's cool about the Classic.  I found a classic a while back that had "the tone" and was only like 1200 bucks.  I just couldn't get over the yellow/green keys. Still a nice guitar.  I've picked up some newer Les Pauls and I say to myself "God this is heavier than my non chambered R8" then pick up another and it's so light you think it'll crumble in your fingers.  I can't believe there is that much variablity from guitar to guitar.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

I like the chambereds for what they are, but I am dissapointed in Gibson for going totally in that direction with thr new Standards.  Sound wise, they remind me of a 335, but with a LP feel.  I like them heavy too, but I don't feel the weight anymore b/c I guess from using LP's from when I started playing I'm just used to it.  I picked up a Fender and I feel like I'm ganna break it b/c its so small and light weight lol.  A LP is a big guy's guitar.

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

I like my 58 historic. That said...

More wood does not equal more tone.  Tone is not related to wood type or density. After all Rickenbacker hollowbodies have great tone, 335's have great tone. A chambered body is not going to change much.  It depends on the amp, effects... all thats going to have an effect on tone. 

I like the tops on the new Les Pauls. They are nice looking guitars.  I really like mine though so new stuff is hard to accept sometimes. 

I hear people like the new necks.  I havent tried one yet.

  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

Maybe look into some alternatives?

    Heritage, Hamer, and Kendrick all make superior playing and sounding "LP" Styled guitars. And I think they all 3 make better guitars. Usually less expensive, too! cool

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
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  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

I know a lot of guys here like myself own a Les Paul.  I know this has been talked about on the LP Forum, but what is everyone's take on the way Gibson has changed the Les Paul by chambering/weight relieving them?  I start things off by saying I found the "step up" to the custom shop (R8) a must because I couldn't find a new standard that had the same mojo.  That mojo turned out to be more sustain, more midrange, more warmth, and overall great vibration of the body at the same (or less) weight of some chambered ones.  Why won't Gibson make a production model that doesn't have holes in it...

I wonder if Gibson isn't doing this purposely to persuade it's customers into buying custom shop models as some customers believe a weight relieved or chambered guitar is substandard to a solid body? However the fact is wood harvested now is not as dense or of the same quality as wood harvested 50+ years ago. There is no more "old growth" wood available. If old growth is made available it commands a premium price. So it may be that Gibson has to chamber it's bodies to achieve the same tonal qualities as of years past.

Just a thought.......

10 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-02-09 19:25:57)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

Budda wrote:

Maybe look into some alternatives?

    Heritage, Hamer, and Kendrick all make superior playing and sounding "LP" Styled guitars. And I think they all 3 make better guitars. Usually less expensive, too! cool

I tried everything under the sun to convince me that the Les Paul is an overrated, overpriced, and not worth it. I i came home with a shiny Cherry '58 Les Paul!  To me, there are no finer guitars than the Gibson Custom Shop, just different.  I agree that all three of those guys make killer guitars but the IMO the higher end LP's are the best.  My gripe is that they can't seem to make a solid body production LP that isn't 14lbs.  The closest you can get to that vibe IMO is a PRS Singlecut, those guitars rock!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2006-05-12
  • Posts: 74

Re: Just feel like opening a can of worms...

The '08 Classic I spoke of was one of around 10 LP's (as I mentioned) that I played. Some of the others were Plek'd and I was not impressed at all with them. I had a Suhr that I let go (whine, cry, weep, etc...) and he Pleks all his and they are to die for. I'm not sure if Gibson has their machine (which is computer guided supposedly) set as it should be. I'm no plek expert but for all the hype around Gibson's "plek'd guitars", it's a bunch of hooey ! I wasn't even looking to buy my LP Classic when I did but the salesman (the only one I'll deal with at this particular GC) set me up a deal I couldn't refuse..... brand new Heritage CherryBurst for $1650+tax. Extremely hard to beat that deal for a Paul that plays and sounds like it does. The only one that played as good or better was a VOS Custom Shop but I wasn't in the mood to drop $4000 that day.