I think that a lot of people who are just sitting by themselves noodling really prefer the neck pickup because of the Fuller sound but I think if you were playing in a band setting, you're under selling the value of the bridge pickup. If you've got other instruments backing you up, and you're all competing for your own Sonic space, a bridge p90 can be just the thing to cut through a mix. They've been used extensively in rock and blues for decades, with epic and historically significant results. You have to take a p90 Les Paul for what it is. It's not a strat. But it is still versatile and a terrific instrument
I have an original 1950s gold top with P90s I bought it in 1969 for my 8th grade graduation present that came from my mom my dad. I always took great care of it I still have it it looks brand new because I don't let anybody play it because they may scratch it up with a pic or something I was really a pain in the butt I still don't let anybody play it but it sounds good it looks good it sounds good it's awesome it's warm and it has a bite its really dynamite and I've seen the reissues of the same guitar and they are so darn close to the originals that if I didn't know they weren't original I'd say they were because mine or my guitar is mint condition condition like super sonic Mint Condition I don't have a scratch on it I don't even have a pick on it so when I see somebody wishy-washy about one of the finest Gibson instruments ever made for man he doesn't know what he's talking about sorry but take it from me you don't know who I am I have an original and the reissues are as good as the originals if I was you I'd buy one because I believe everybody should have that Gibson Les Paul gold top with the P90s everyone should own a guitar with P90s it's phenomenal
Thanks for a great review. I am seriously considering grabbing one of these. Gibson is doing some great stuff. I play mostly blues in the Mayall tradition. I appreciate your tone test versus some of the shred beasts out there.
with the G string, a little known trick on LPs.that pretty much h fixes the tuning issue is to.wrap.the string UP the shaft instead of down it. It takes the pressure off and.allows the string to return back to its original position. It relates.to reducing the string angle because of the crazy head stock angle they designed these things with. I got it from Robert Baker who had it passed onto him, now I pass onto you! it worked on my LP.
You did a great job of describing the different guitars and their differing worlds of music. I only play American-made Gibson Les Paul, Fender Tele and Strats; so I know what you mean about their authenticity and distinction. Nice video.
So if the instrument goes out of tune there are 2 easy things you can do (if the nut already is ok). 1. Take a graphite pencil color every slot you have issues with, this will cause less friction and the guitar will not go out of tune that easily when you bend. 2. Strings, get a proper set; this will make all the difference in the world. E.g don't get the cheapest dadario/earnieball strings, check out the nyxl series from daddario.
As a goldtop w/p90’s being a dream guitar for me, it was refreshing to see a review that was very “consumer” oriented and playing that was showing the way you’d might like to play if your considering this les Paul configuration and not just gain and bends. Great video!
It's not the tuners or the headstock design. To get it at its best for tuning, limiting wound post wraps is key - 2-3 tops. The G through E need 6-8 wraps are required. Check your nuts slots as well - too narrow and they will catch in the slot. Thirdly nut lubricant is a must. Coated strings help too. Do this and the tuning will be just fine. Balance your output of pickups with hieght adjustments. This is key - lower to lessen, raise it to kick butt. Gibson doesn't set guitars up very well at final expression. The above notes and intonation of the bridge are common issues resolved by a proper set-up on Gibson guitars.
The imperfections/glue smudges where the neck is set indicate that it is a genuine Les Paul Standard (lol). Last Friday, I bought a 2023 Gibson Les Paul Standard 1950s Model Gold Top with cream-colored P-90 pickups, and there is a white patch a few millimeters wide where there is no gold paint close to the P-90, just where the neck is set into the body--standard Les Paul Standard stuff, to use a bad pun. :)
In another comment on this guitar, I accidentally included the wrong eBay part number for Kluson 21:1 locking tuners with keystone buttons. For that guitar, you will need the screw-in bushingss, not the push-in bushings, AND prepare for a little wait after they ship. Sorry for any confusion that my earlier post might have caused.
If the strings are going flat, you might look at a slight bridge adjustment. If it's going sharp the nut needs lubricating. Either way it's not the tuners.
Thank you so much. I take pride in making something that looks ok 😊 i’ll be very surprised and appreciative when i eventually (hopefully) get a bunch of subscribers. Stay safe, cheers
I just got mine and it compares quite differently to my burst and my 335. The pickups aren’t well balanced to one another but rather than being frustrated, I reconsidered approach. I play in the middle position for fuller rhythm with the neck rolled back to 8-8.5. There is a ton of midrange punch and fullness. Then if I switch to the bridge wide open there isn’t a drastic volume difference but the midrange character changes. I think this guitar is best with mid gain tones and I certainly struggle with tonal options for pure cleans. The other benefit of that approach is that if I jump to the neck, I can turn up to 10 for the solo I get a little more bite than at 8.5 but more compression. This is much different than how I approach my other Gibsons or tele. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - just thought I could share my own, too.
Regarding the taper of the volume doing the most between 7-10. If these guitars are wired accurately to 50s spec, that is how the volume *should* work. It’s a by-product of 50s Gibson wiring. The benefits are that when you roll down the volume you don’t lose treble like you do with modern wiring, and into a dirty amp, you should be able to go from a glassy acoustic-like clean to full distortion just by rolling the volume from about 6 to 10.
Bought a 2020 model last year and it came with a super dry neck and a botched nut. The dry neck was an easy fix. But I had to get my guitar shop to replace the nut. The stock nut string slots were cut wrong resulting in very poor sustain, especially the on the High E string. Swapped it out with a Graphtech nut and I was amazed at the difference. It’s currently my fave and go to guitar in my collection.
I bought a new 2023 Gibson LPJ 7 months ago, I had to replace the nut because the D and G string slots were cut too low. No more tuning stability issues. I swapped out the wrap around for the Music City Bridge and studs. Perfect now!
I see you are in love with pentatonics!! And yes.. that quitar delivers the raw-pure feeling of blues jazzy stuff When you are ready.. give us more of that quitar playing
The tuning is not your tuners ( hopefully ) get a luthier to cut you a new nut but make sure he angles the slots ( ie from witness point at the fretboard angled towards the tuner ) it makes a HUGE difference, the inconsistency in tuning, specialy when you have to turn more or less than the last time you tuned, is simply the string binding in the nut slot
p.s. lovely playing at the end that guitar was made for you ! In fact I found this video because Im about to bite the bullet on the same model and was hoping for some confirmation bias, and you just encouraged me to drop 2 grand, so thanks for that :D :D
I had to swap out the nut on my new LP Goldtop p90 because of poor tuning stability and really bad sustain on the B and E strings. Made a world of difference!
Nice video. To your point about tuning and the G string being hard to tune you’re in a crowd of people that struggle with the exact same issue. A Gibson nut has to be cut PERFECTLY to mitigate the sharp turn angle of the D and G strings at the headstock. You may also want to try nut lubricant. Cheers
A Goldtop '50's Standard was my first Gibson, followed by a flying V and a '50's Standard in Honey burst from Wildwood guitars. The Goldtop definitely has a big sound, and it's a gorgeous guitar. I recently pinstriped mine by hand sort of like Billy Gibbons' guitars. I'll keep it forever!
Billy Gibbon's guitar is more of a muted gold, which looks gooooood. But it has the humbuckers. I strongly dislike the sound of Gibson humbuckers, which take away clarity. The only good thing about Gibson's humbuckers is that they look sleek. But I don't think one should sacrifice sound quality for looks, which is why the P90 Gibson Gold Tops are superior. I have a 1999 Les Paul classic passed down to me. First thing I did was mod it with uncovered Seymour Duncan JB pickups. Guitar sounds like a dream now. But I do have my PRS guitars, which are the only guitars with humbuckers that I need, really.
I had trouble keeping my Fender guitars in tune until I watched a video on how to tune correctly. Always tune up and stretch your strings by pulling on them. Stretching your strings takes all the slack out of them. My guitars stay in tune now. I ordered the P90 gold top last night. I can't wait for it to come in. I will be curious to see if I have the same trouble you are having with tuning.
@@jrobshaw My guitars tended to go sharp believe it or not. Actually didn't make sense to me. I don't have near as many tuning issues with them now that I stretch the strings.
@@JamesOnGuitar Welcome to Gibson 3x3 headstocks and infamous G string. Add a bit of lubricant in the nut (use a grey led pencil) and re-string this way as shown in the video - makes it a lot more stable. th-cam.com/video/E7O6gQDroog/w-d-xo.html
James, I also have this guitar and wasn’t digging the bridge pickup. Adjust the pole pieces considerably. The EAD strings will need more adjustment than the GBE, but all of a sudden the pickup is hotter bc the magnets can have a stronger effect on the strings. Before you adjust them just take a perpendicular look straight on and see how far off the strings they are compared to the neck. Night and day.
I’ve got a cheap stewmac lp build kit that I upgraded. I like it better than a lot of Gibson lp standards I’ve played. I love Gibson, but I can’t justify spending Gibson money. Honestly I think Epiphone is a better price to quality ratio anyway
No need. Just deck and overwrap the tailpiece. When you wind the strings on the tuners low E, A and high E should be wrapped from the hole down the shaft. D, G and B should be wrapped from the hole up the shaft. This combined with a tiny amount of nut sauce every 3 or 4 string changes will reduce the break over angles and friction at the bridge and nut and cure your tuning stability issues. It will also reduce string tension making bends easier.
JamesOnGuitar Just letting You know that I’m so happy with mine! Played it this week and so in love with it! Plus..... out of the blue I’ve won a Gibson SG std 61reissue last week @ GibsonNL! 💥 still can’t believe that I now have P90’s and Humbuckers to Play on! Cheers
The ABR1/ tailpiece is correct for 1956. The rosewood finger board isn't. This guitar is IMHO far more versatile than the humbucker model tonally and affords you the ability to use mini humbuckers if you want since the routes are the same size. Many of the most useful tones on the p90 bridge pickup of this model are found with the tone set between 1 and 4.and the volume slightly rolled off. Bridge volume 10 and tone at 0 is a great overdriven slide tone. I find that it helps to raise the high E pole piece about 3/4 turn from stock. The unity volume for the p90 rhythm pickup is about .75 below the bridge pickup assuming the height is correctly adjusted. Tuning stability on mine is rock solid when strung correctly: Deck and overwrap the tailpiece. Low E, A and high E should be wrapped on the tuning peg from the hole down. D, G and B should be wrapped on the tuning peg from the hole up. This reduces the break angles and friction at the bridge as well as the nut and, for me, cures all stability issues. No headstock gizmos or locking tuners necessary.
@@joshg3832 Brazilian Rosewood; which is a big deal. Indian or Madagascar isn't period correct. Granted, that Brazilian is a $$$ upgrade, but the real thing is the real thing and other things aren't. I love my '22 1956 reissue with Indian rosewood fretboard, but I'll be the first to admit that it's not quite the real thing.
Unfortunately the tuning issue is TYPICAL Gibson. No matter how much you pay. It’s the nut. My Gibson classic had TERRIBLE tuning amp it issues. I had to get a professional to change the nut and give it a basic set up. It now NEVER goes out of tune😎
Hey thanks for the info!! It was driving mad and recently when changing the strings i worked on the setup and it has helped for sure. And it was worse in hot weather, it is somewhat cooler now. My custom shop r9 has had no issues with tuning though, luckily!!
I had the same tuning issues with my Gibson. Same Deluxe tuners :) I changed them with some Gotoh (SD 90 I think) locking tuners and this fixed it. It took me half an hour to switch them and they only cost around 50 euros. Kinda makes you wonder why Gibson is using crappy tuners on expensive guitars. Cool review :)
@@stroeionioachim1663 interesting! Haven’t had the issue on my r9, just the goldtop - and then when i changed the strings and gave a couple extra wounds, it really improved the tuning! Hmmm
I've owned quite a few Les Paul guitars in my time, but none compare to my 2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard Gold Top fitted with P90's, the guitar I own is a bit of an enigma, officially I believe it was a limited line made for the Japanese market, but my one never made it to Japan, instead it came here to the UK. I've owned it from new and I've never had a guitar play like it. I used to own (many moons ago) a 1968 VOS Black beauty Custom Shop, in terms of comparing the two, the gold top blew it out the water for me, even though its not a custom shop model. In terms of the gap it might be normal but I would have to look. P90's for me work better with the middle toggle selected, and blend the tone of both the bridge and neck pickup, also has the guitar had a setup done? Truss rod? I'll get a video of my Les Paul Gold Top and my fender broadcaster.
You make some really interesting points i too relate to how having a "real" gibson les paul was unobtainable and was the pinnacle the one to aspire to ...in fact i remember pre Smiths Johnny Marr saying that he came close to" going on the rob" and committing crime to get his as a young working class guy lol ... i remember saving up 2 years for mine (i was newly married with a mortgage and 2 kids bad time to start lusting after dream guitars lol)...i actually sold it 2 years later as i enjoyed my fender strat more .... That said i do own a les paul junior witch is really great and if i ever get round to it would like another les paul especially a gold top as im kinda all sunbursted out ...my fender strat,Ibanez GB10 (George Benson jazz guitar) Epiphone casino ,and acoustic and dobro and my original les paul i once owed owned all sunburst and accordding to my 28 years old son "boring" lol...i enjoyed you channel
I just picked one up used as my P90 guitar; only one dream guitar left a 335 (or equivalent). Do you think you’d like the bridge pickup at higher volume?
It is a hard decision! Do you have other guitars? Do you generally go towards strat and tele tones or les paul tones? If you have a strat or tele you love then maybe no need for a p90. On the other hand if you are into more heavy punk sounds then p90s are great. I am finding i pick up my strat for single coils and les paul with humbuckers for my les paul tones. If you are to only have one guitar then p90 is very versatile though
No sense I don't think this dude knows he's talking about first he hates it then he loves it then he hates it then he loves it then the paint job is phenomenal then it's not make up your mind dude I don't think you should be even showing this guitar
I think that a lot of people who are just sitting by themselves noodling really prefer the neck pickup because of the Fuller sound but I think if you were playing in a band setting, you're under selling the value of the bridge pickup. If you've got other instruments backing you up, and you're all competing for your own Sonic space, a bridge p90 can be just the thing to cut through a mix. They've been used extensively in rock and blues for decades, with epic and historically significant results. You have to take a p90 Les Paul for what it is. It's not a strat. But it is still versatile and a terrific instrument
You just can’t go wrong with P90 pickups. Excellent decision. God bless!
MUCH agreed! Makes this guitar usable for ALL kinds of music!
I got the same one but with humbuckers. You did a legitimately perfect review.
Nice one man, these goldtops are beautiful! Enjoy
Great review and demo. I have a R7 and agree….goldtops are the bomb!
I have an original 1950s gold top with P90s I bought it in 1969 for my 8th grade graduation present that came from my mom my dad. I always took great care of it I still have it it looks brand new because I don't let anybody play it because they may scratch it up with a pic or something I was really a pain in the butt I still don't let anybody play it but it sounds good it looks good it sounds good it's awesome it's warm and it has a bite its really dynamite and I've seen the reissues of the same guitar and they are so darn close to the originals that if I didn't know they weren't original I'd say they were because mine or my guitar is mint condition condition like super sonic Mint Condition I don't have a scratch on it I don't even have a pick on it so when I see somebody wishy-washy about one of the finest Gibson instruments ever made for man he doesn't know what he's talking about sorry but take it from me you don't know who I am I have an original and the reissues are as good as the originals if I was you I'd buy one because I believe everybody should have that Gibson Les Paul gold top with the P90s everyone should own a guitar with P90s it's phenomenal
Thanks for a great review. I am seriously considering grabbing one of these. Gibson is doing some great stuff. I play mostly blues in the Mayall tradition. I appreciate your tone test versus some of the shred beasts out there.
You'll love it. I've got one and It's my precious.
"I was lookin' back to see if she was lookin' back to see if I was lookin' back at her." Enter: Peter Greene LEAD!!
Nice review. The guitar looks and sounds great!
with the G string, a little known trick on LPs.that pretty much h fixes the tuning issue is to.wrap.the string UP the shaft instead of down it. It takes the pressure off and.allows the string to return back to its original position. It relates.to reducing the string angle because of the crazy head stock angle they designed these things with. I got it from Robert Baker who had it passed onto him, now I pass onto you! it worked on my LP.
You did a great job of describing the different guitars and their differing worlds of music. I only play American-made Gibson Les Paul, Fender Tele and Strats; so I know what you mean about their authenticity and distinction. Nice video.
So if the instrument goes out of tune there are 2 easy things you can do (if the nut already is ok).
1. Take a graphite pencil color every slot you have issues with, this will cause less friction and the guitar will not go out of tune that easily when you bend.
2. Strings, get a proper set; this will make all the difference in the world. E.g don't get the cheapest dadario/earnieball strings, check out the nyxl series from daddario.
A pass with a file solves the blinding tuning stability issue and no need for graphite. Graphite is useless if the slots arent wide enough.
@12: That's why we ripped them off back in the day and put on grover and never had to worry again
As a goldtop w/p90’s being a dream guitar for me, it was refreshing to see a review that was very “consumer” oriented and playing that was showing the way you’d might like to play if your considering this les Paul configuration and not just gain and bends. Great video!
It's not the tuners or the headstock design. To get it at its best for tuning, limiting wound post wraps is key - 2-3 tops. The G through E need 6-8 wraps are required. Check your nuts slots as well - too narrow and they will catch in the slot. Thirdly nut lubricant is a must. Coated strings help too. Do this and the tuning will be just fine. Balance your output of pickups with hieght adjustments. This is key - lower to lessen, raise it to kick butt. Gibson doesn't set guitars up very well at final expression. The above notes and intonation of the bridge are common issues resolved by a proper set-up on Gibson guitars.
The imperfections/glue smudges where the neck is set indicate that it is a genuine Les Paul Standard (lol). Last Friday, I bought a 2023 Gibson Les Paul Standard 1950s Model Gold Top with cream-colored P-90 pickups, and there is a white patch a few millimeters wide where there is no gold paint close to the P-90, just where the neck is set into the body--standard Les Paul Standard stuff, to use a bad pun. :)
Sounds great to me!
In another comment on this guitar, I accidentally included the wrong eBay part number for Kluson 21:1 locking tuners with keystone buttons. For that guitar, you will need the screw-in bushingss, not the push-in bushings, AND prepare for a little wait after they ship. Sorry for any confusion that my earlier post might have caused.
If the strings are going flat, you might look at a slight bridge adjustment. If it's going sharp the nut needs lubricating. Either way it's not the tuners.
Agree. Should also consider correcting the nut cut (not the best on any model I've owned) or have it replaced by a reputable luthier.
your videos are so well made man, you really deserve more people watching you, stay safe and keep up the good work bro.
Thank you so much. I take pride in making something that looks ok 😊 i’ll be very surprised and appreciative when i eventually (hopefully) get a bunch of subscribers. Stay safe, cheers
Ya missed David Gilmour - 1955 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop with P90's. ;-)
I just got mine and it compares quite differently to my burst and my 335. The pickups aren’t well balanced to one another but rather than being frustrated, I reconsidered approach. I play in the middle position for fuller rhythm with the neck rolled back to 8-8.5. There is a ton of midrange punch and fullness. Then if I switch to the bridge wide open there isn’t a drastic volume difference but the midrange character changes. I think this guitar is best with mid gain tones and I certainly struggle with tonal options for pure cleans. The other benefit of that approach is that if I jump to the neck, I can turn up to 10 for the solo I get a little more bite than at 8.5 but more compression. This is much different than how I approach my other Gibsons or tele. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - just thought I could share my own, too.
You probably already did this, Adjust the pickup heights, it doesnt take much.
I Love this guitar .....i have started gigging mine and just love that tone
Regarding the taper of the volume doing the most between 7-10. If these guitars are wired accurately to 50s spec, that is how the volume *should* work. It’s a by-product of 50s Gibson wiring. The benefits are that when you roll down the volume you don’t lose treble like you do with modern wiring, and into a dirty amp, you should be able to go from a glassy acoustic-like clean to full distortion just by rolling the volume from about 6 to 10.
These have ‘modern’ wiring
Bought a 2020 model last year and it came with a super dry neck and a botched nut. The dry neck was an easy fix. But I had to get my guitar shop to replace the nut. The stock nut string slots were cut wrong resulting in very poor sustain, especially the on the High E string. Swapped it out with a Graphtech nut and I was amazed at the difference. It’s currently my fave and go to guitar in my collection.
I bought a new 2023 Gibson LPJ 7 months ago, I had to replace the nut because the D and G string slots were cut too low. No more tuning stability issues. I swapped out the wrap around for the Music City Bridge and studs. Perfect now!
I see you are in love with pentatonics!!
And yes.. that quitar delivers the raw-pure feeling of blues jazzy stuff
When you are ready.. give us more of that quitar playing
I mean, who isn't in love with pentatonics! (says me still trying to learn other things!)
Will do! cheers
The tuning is not your tuners ( hopefully ) get a luthier to cut you a new nut but make sure he angles the slots ( ie from witness point at the fretboard angled towards the tuner ) it makes a HUGE difference, the inconsistency in tuning, specialy when you have to turn more or less than the last time you tuned, is simply the string binding in the nut slot
p.s. lovely playing at the end that guitar was made for you ! In fact I found this video because Im about to bite the bullet on the same model and was hoping for some confirmation bias, and you just encouraged me to drop 2 grand, so thanks for that :D :D
I had to swap out the nut on my new LP Goldtop p90 because of poor tuning stability and really bad sustain on the B and E strings. Made a world of difference!
Jimmy page didn't have them tuners on his les paul
Nice video. To your point about tuning and the G string being hard to tune you’re in a crowd of people that struggle with the exact same issue. A Gibson nut has to be cut PERFECTLY to mitigate the sharp turn angle of the D and G strings at the headstock. You may also want to try nut lubricant. Cheers
Yes,a "weedy" sounding pickup. That's my new favorite term.
A Goldtop '50's Standard was my first Gibson, followed by a flying V and a '50's Standard in Honey burst from Wildwood guitars. The Goldtop definitely has a big sound, and it's a gorgeous guitar. I recently pinstriped mine by hand sort of like Billy Gibbons' guitars. I'll keep it forever!
Billy Gibbon's guitar is more of a muted gold, which looks gooooood. But it has the humbuckers. I strongly dislike the sound of Gibson humbuckers, which take away clarity. The only good thing about Gibson's humbuckers is that they look sleek. But I don't think one should sacrifice sound quality for looks, which is why the P90 Gibson Gold Tops are superior.
I have a 1999 Les Paul classic passed down to me. First thing I did was mod it with uncovered Seymour Duncan JB pickups. Guitar sounds like a dream now.
But I do have my PRS guitars, which are the only guitars with humbuckers that I need, really.
I had trouble keeping my Fender guitars in tune until I watched a video on how to tune correctly. Always tune up and stretch your strings by pulling on them. Stretching your strings takes all the slack out of them. My guitars stay in tune now. I ordered the P90 gold top last night. I can't wait for it to come in. I will be curious to see if I have the same trouble you are having with tuning.
What’s your experience with the tuning Robert? That’s a concern for me before I pull the trigger
@@jrobshaw My guitars tended to go sharp believe it or not. Actually didn't make sense to me. I don't have near as many tuning issues with them now that I stretch the strings.
Trying to keep a G string in tune on a Gibson is definitely a challenge. Nice review.
Yup... some days i just give up and avoid that string 🤣
@@JamesOnGuitar Welcome to Gibson 3x3 headstocks and infamous G string. Add a bit of lubricant in the nut (use a grey led pencil) and re-string this way as shown in the video - makes it a lot more stable.
th-cam.com/video/E7O6gQDroog/w-d-xo.html
I've got a 2001 Standard and a 2003 Special with a Bigsby I put on. I've played them hard...no problems. Both have Grovers.
I think what you need is an ES-335.
I have an Epiphone 59 Les Paul and the g-string does go out of tune within a couple of days. I think it’s just a Les Paul thing.
My 50s goldtop with p90s will be here in about an hour.
James, I also have this guitar and wasn’t digging the bridge pickup. Adjust the pole pieces considerably. The EAD strings will need more adjustment than the GBE, but all of a sudden the pickup is hotter bc the magnets can have a stronger effect on the strings. Before you adjust them just take a perpendicular look straight on and see how far off the strings they are compared to the neck. Night and day.
thanks for the tip!! will have a look
I’ve got a cheap stewmac lp build kit that I upgraded. I like it better than a lot of Gibson lp standards I’ve played. I love Gibson, but I can’t justify spending Gibson money. Honestly I think Epiphone is a better price to quality ratio anyway
I am thinking of getting one of these, but i will put locking tuners on it... :)
No need. Just deck and overwrap the tailpiece. When you wind the strings on the tuners low E, A and high E should be wrapped from the hole down the shaft. D, G and B should be wrapped from the hole up the shaft.
This combined with a tiny amount of nut sauce every 3 or 4 string changes will reduce the break over angles and friction at the bridge and nut and cure your tuning stability issues. It will also reduce string tension making bends easier.
I’m getting one! You convinced me! Thanks
Congrats! 🤟🏼
JamesOnGuitar Just letting You know that I’m so happy with mine! Played it this week and so in love with it! Plus..... out of the blue I’ve won a Gibson SG std 61reissue last week @ GibsonNL! 💥 still can’t believe that I now have P90’s and Humbuckers to Play on! Cheers
@@hiddevankrunkelsven9177 that is fantastic! How amazing 🤟🏼🤟🏼 i really want a SG ☺️ enjoy those, very cool 👍🏼
Just received mine in goldtop with P90's a few days ago. Haven't had a chance to play it yet.
Oddly enough, my Les Paul 60s Tribute with P90s has excellent tuning stability, and it’s one of the cheapest models in the lineup.
You can raise or lower your pickups to balance them out
How about DAVID GILMOUR on of the most iconic gold top p90 players
Great review
The ABR1/ tailpiece is correct for 1956. The rosewood finger board isn't.
This guitar is IMHO far more versatile than the humbucker model tonally and affords you the ability to use mini humbuckers if you want since the routes are the same size.
Many of the most useful tones on the p90 bridge pickup of this model are found with the tone set between 1 and 4.and the volume slightly rolled off.
Bridge volume 10 and tone at 0 is a great overdriven slide tone. I find that it helps to raise the high E pole piece about 3/4 turn from stock.
The unity volume for the p90 rhythm pickup is about .75 below the bridge pickup assuming the height is correctly adjusted.
Tuning stability on mine is rock solid when strung correctly:
Deck and overwrap the tailpiece.
Low E, A and high E should be wrapped on the tuning peg from the hole down.
D, G and B should be wrapped on the tuning peg from the hole up.
This reduces the break angles and friction at the bridge as well as the nut and, for me, cures all stability issues.
No headstock gizmos or locking tuners necessary.
Rosewood is correct for a 56
@@joshg3832 Brazilian Rosewood; which is a big deal.
Indian or Madagascar isn't period correct.
Granted, that Brazilian is a $$$ upgrade, but the real thing is the real thing and other things aren't.
I love my '22 1956 reissue with Indian rosewood fretboard, but I'll be the first to admit that it's not quite the real thing.
I’m pretty sure Jimmy page had Grovers on his Les Pauls. Pretty sure you’re talking about his double neck SG guitar
Mike ness is famous for playing gold top lPs with p90s too
Unfortunately the tuning issue is TYPICAL Gibson. No matter how much you pay. It’s the nut. My Gibson classic had TERRIBLE tuning amp it issues. I had to get a professional to change the nut and give it a basic set up. It now NEVER goes out of tune😎
Hey thanks for the info!! It was driving mad and recently when changing the strings i worked on the setup and it has helped for sure. And it was worse in hot weather, it is somewhat cooler now. My custom shop r9 has had no issues with tuning though, luckily!!
JamesOnGuitar anytime 😎
I had the same tuning issues with my Gibson. Same Deluxe tuners :) I changed them with some Gotoh (SD 90 I think) locking tuners and this fixed it. It took me half an hour to switch them and they only cost around 50 euros. Kinda makes you wonder why Gibson is using crappy tuners on expensive guitars. Cool review :)
@@stroeionioachim1663 interesting! Haven’t had the issue on my r9, just the goldtop - and then when i changed the strings and gave a couple extra wounds, it really improved the tuning! Hmmm
Mine arrives on Monday :)
How exciting - enjoy!
@@JamesOnGuitar I think i will :)
I've owned quite a few Les Paul guitars in my time, but none compare to my 2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard Gold Top fitted with P90's, the guitar I own is a bit of an enigma, officially I believe it was a limited line made for the Japanese market, but my one never made it to Japan, instead it came here to the UK. I've owned it from new and I've never had a guitar play like it. I used to own (many moons ago) a 1968 VOS Black beauty Custom Shop, in terms of comparing the two, the gold top blew it out the water for me, even though its not a custom shop model.
In terms of the gap it might be normal but I would have to look.
P90's for me work better with the middle toggle selected, and blend the tone of both the bridge and neck pickup, also has the guitar had a setup done? Truss rod? I'll get a video of my Les Paul Gold Top and my fender broadcaster.
Your tuning instability is more likely to be coming from strings binding in the nut rather than your tuners.
You make some really interesting points i too relate to how having a "real" gibson les paul was unobtainable and was the pinnacle the one to aspire to ...in fact i remember pre Smiths Johnny Marr saying that he came close to" going on the rob" and committing crime to get his as a young working class guy lol ... i remember saving up 2 years for mine (i was newly married with a mortgage and 2 kids bad time to start lusting after dream guitars lol)...i actually sold it 2 years later as i enjoyed my fender strat more ....
That said i do own a les paul junior witch is really great and if i ever get round to it would like another les paul especially a gold top as im kinda all sunbursted out ...my fender strat,Ibanez GB10 (George Benson jazz guitar) Epiphone casino ,and acoustic and dobro and my original les paul i once owed owned all sunburst and accordding to my 28 years old son "boring" lol...i enjoyed you channel
Great story man 👍🏼 i like the sound of your collection - all great stuff, although another burst can never be a bad thing 😁
How does this guitar compare to any of your PRS guitars? DGT?
I'm still wondering how thick the neck is, that's the only thing keeping me from ordering one
i want to get this.. but the 60 cycle hum is telling me not to.. anybody here have remedy for the 60 cycle hum?
I think they make noiseless p90s these days, so you could replace them. You may miss a little tone though 🤷🏽
@@JamesOnGuitar yeah i was looking at noiseless p90s.. but yes you are right i might miss a little tone . :(
I sometimes use an Electroharmonix Hum Debugger. I much prefer it to a noise gate.
I just picked one up used as my P90 guitar; only one dream guitar left a 335 (or equivalent). Do you think you’d like the bridge pickup at higher volume?
Congrats, lovely guitar!! You know, you are probably right although i plan to do a video where i swap it out for another p90 next year, to find out!
@@JamesOnGuitar will love to watch the results.
.....you forget David Gilmour..
Sounds like your bridge pickup is either faulty, wired incorrectly, or not adjusted properly. Hmmmm.
Hi! Im tearing apart between these two p90 and humbucker, which one do u think i should get? Thanks alot
It is a hard decision! Do you have other guitars? Do you generally go towards strat and tele tones or les paul tones? If you have a strat or tele you love then maybe no need for a p90. On the other hand if you are into more heavy punk sounds then p90s are great. I am finding i pick up my strat for single coils and les paul with humbuckers for my les paul tones. If you are to only have one guitar then p90 is very versatile though
You should get it with P90's, if you want humbuckers then get the black beauty or the Jimy Page collor! Thats howit should be, wright?😁👍
Each to their own on the bridge pickup, I think not sounds lovely.
I think it has forced me to sort of get better at dialling in a tone with it too 👍🏼
get some strap locks mate
Good shout!
Sink a few bottles of Grolsch beer and use the red rubber bottle seal instead, it’s a much more enjoyable way of purchasing strap locks! 😂👍🏻
@@stevekent Yep, exactly this :-)
Gente che spende un sacco di soldi per una chitarra e poi la senti “suonare”…
Too much talking.
No sense I don't think this dude knows he's talking about first he hates it then he loves it then he hates it then he loves it then the paint job is phenomenal then it's not make up your mind dude I don't think you should be even showing this guitar