19 Reply by BluesMan (edited by BluesMan 2009-03-03 00:18:34)

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Poor Man's JB Les Paul

Hi Dave,

I own an Epiphone Les Paul Custom and it does have awesome tone. This is what it looks like and the specs:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod … sku=519391

Obvioulsy, a Gibson Les Paul is going to be a bit more money. Probably the best thing to do is to go to your local guitar shop and try them out. I bought this one from Musician's Friend, but all of the other guitars that I and my son own have been purchased from guitar shops. There you can compare brands, cost and sound. Someone also mentioned the PRS SE Singlecut. I bought one for my son and it too has really nice tone. Here's a picture of that one:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/196 … 4037b5.jpg

My son is going to be 12 years old in April and he has no problem playing that guitar.

Roy

Joe is the Best!
  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: Poor Man's JB Les Paul

Bluesbreaker wrote:

What do you guys think of the Les Paul Traditional? http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri … ional.aspx
Has anyone played that one?


I own a Goldtop Traditional and I love it.  Keep in mind that it has the '57 classic and classic plus pickups which are hotter than the Burstbucker 1 and 2.  However according to Gibson's site, they are in the range of the BB2 and BB3 combo that Joe's LP has.  Do they have the some tonal characteristics, I don't know, I haven't played any of the BB's. 

My Traditional gets some wonderful creamy tones...killer Clapton's gibson tones...  The Traditional has become my #1 guitar.  I am about to switch out the black hardware off of my Studio...well just the pickguard, pickup rings, and the toggle ring.

When I first got the Traditional and before I had a chance to plug in, I could tell that she was on a whole other playing field compared to my Studio.  If this one sounds as sweet as it is and is made this well, I could only imagine what JB's LP or a RI '57 sounds like.

I think for the money you can't go wrong.  I was close to buying one of the unaged JB's from Wildwood...still may do it....but couldn't get the last $grand so I went with the Traditional and I have been VERY happy!!!

Just my 2 cents...take it for what it is worth...


Barry

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1
  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: Poor Man's JB Les Paul

LesPaul4 wrote:
Bluesbreaker wrote:

What do you guys think of the Les Paul Traditional? http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri … ional.aspx
Has anyone played that one?

Keep in mind that it has the '57 classic and classic plus pickups

That's exactly what grabbed my attention. That and the fact that they're unchambered. Unfortunately no guitar store near me has one. So it's going to take a few months for me to try one.

  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: Poor Man's JB Les Paul

Well let us know when you do get your hands on one and what you think of it....  I am not a huge fan of buying online but I have had excellent luck with American Musical who I got the Traditional from.  But I tried a few over at the local Guitar Center but they didn't have a Goldtop and that was a must for me...

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1
  • From: Scottish Highlands
  • Registered: 2008-12-29
  • Posts: 14

Re: Poor Man's JB Les Paul

you could always get a gibson les paul classic - they did a gold top one, beat it swap the pickup rings and knobs, and or bury it in the garden for a couple of weeks to age it, big_smile

Joe Bonamassa new album - it's amazing, and he plays Ernie Ball Musciman Guitars too!
http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1029
  • rpic
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Sonoma, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-08-16
  • Posts: 852

Re: Poor Man's JB Les Paul

Spider wrote:

I'm thinking that after Joes show at the RAH, the value of the Bonamassa Les Pauls is going to increase along with Joe's popularity.
big_smile So if your going to buy one, you better hurry.

Not many left to find on the World Wide Web, at least that come up in a search.......1 on ebay and only a few more "glossies" at a few other sites.

  • From: Scottish Highlands
  • Registered: 2008-12-29
  • Posts: 14

Re: Poor Man's JB Les Paul

rpic wrote:
Spider wrote:

I'm thinking that after Joes show at the RAH, the value of the Bonamassa Les Pauls is going to increase along with Joe's popularity.
big_smile So if your going to buy one, you better hurry.

Not many left to find on the World Wide Web, at least that come up in a search.......1 on ebay and only a few more "glossies" at a few other sites.


If you're lucky enough to be in the US GuitarCenter seem to have a coupe of both types spread accross a coulpe of stores, the UK is pretty thin and I know of one of each in Germany, - I've still not seen one in the flesh, but I think I'd probably buy the first one I get to play!

Joe Bonamassa new album - it's amazing, and he plays Ernie Ball Musciman Guitars too!
http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1029
  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: Poor Man's JB Les Paul

Well here is the result of my minor mods to my Traditional to create the first step towards my Poor Man's JBLP...

http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37 … black2.jpg

http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37 … black1.jpg

http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37 … black4.jpg


The black parts came from my LP Studio...I tell you what a huge difference over the cream...even seems to bring out the richness of the Gold finish...I love it!!!

Next will be CTS pots and Bumblebee Caps....probably order the prewired set from RS Guitarworks

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1