Would you guys add anything else to this list to make a Les Paul more liveable and lovable? Any other guitars you'd like me to add to this series? Enjoy :)
I would trade it for something I truly love. Sorry man I will never love the les Paul. I can deal with sgs and juniors, but I can't deal with those hunking sized guitars, even if they are weight reduced. There are way too many options out there to deal with something I hate.
Besides looking amazing: is one for everybody. Gibson's, Epiphone's, etc. Some have different tuners, some have different pickups. They can have P-90s. They can have covers or none. Its your option. There is also a nice neck regardless if there are dots or bar inlays. There is also one in everybody's price range.
Yep this sums it up for me. I've had many guitars f holes sg gibson and a squire. But late last year came in contact with an ibanez 421 series Indonesian made. With pickup split switch on it. I swear I can play anything from groovy jazz to hard core metal on it. Just love it to bits. Best guitar I've ever owned.
When I learned to use the volume and tone on my Les Pauls, it completely changed my guitar playing. There are just so many incredible tones at your fingertips. Straight into a dirty amp and almost everything imaginable is right there built into the guitar with the knobs and switch. Damn, I love a Les Paul. Or any 2 volume, 2 tone guitar, really.
Me too! Hilariously it was when he recommended taking it to a guitar tech to get it set up properly. Daryl-I’m not a tech but I’ll get a dramatic improvement in playability in about 30 seconds. 😉😆
@@ReyCarmesi666 Not half he doesn't?!. He could suck the chrome off trailer towballs, de-chrome a set of 6x Gotoh tuning pegs, the shine right off a LP Junior's compensated lightning-bolt bridge, and any last semblance of chromy gleam from an Oldsmobile's bumper-bars & hood decorations also - all reduced to bare metal in a flash. All these & more; all are most easily removed by Mark Agony-esi's paranormal face-suction forces which are just off the Newton-meters charts! C for centrifuge is his middle-name sure as sh*t! Amazing amounts of such insane torque generated when he sucks even is the primary causality of whirlpools & maelstroms that could sink the Bismarck all-hands down with it - turbo in fjords from Norway to New Zealand!.. FFS?!. he sucks alright! Agnesi is pretty much the same as an average unemployed elementary school teacher - he's got no class! Cheers, respect & be nice to ya missus. Didyabringyabongalong Station, Central QLD, Australia.
After a life with Strat I came to love the Les Paul in my late 40's. I left my Fender Strat 2002 go for a Gansom Les Paul Custom (Japan) 1974, all original, repaired headstock and lovely, careful use. It struck me like lightning with is warm tone and exceptional sustain and now it's no turning back. I have two strat style guitars left and a number of Les Paul's instead. A Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2011, ebony is the top but I can't say it plays and sound better than the Ganson.... Thanks för a great channel!
The Japanese were eating Gibson's rosebud in the late '70s and early '80s. Tokais, Grecos and Burnys from back then are still guitars to be reckoned with. So were the Orville by Gibson guitars in the late '80s.
I'm guilty of leaving my Les Paul sit for months at a time and have thought of selling it. I went into the video thinking I would be able to guess a bunch of the suggestions, but most of them were great surprises. Lots of great ideas. Thanks for making the video.
Picked my 2004 standard out of a choice of 5, didn’t think it could better. Practiced setups on cheaper ones until I got good, then went to town on the LP. And wow, thing turned out so good I simply stopped playing my Gretsch 6120 hotrod, tele thinline deluxe and my jazz master, no matter what I did no setup could match the Gibson, eventually sold the lonely things.
I simply cannot echo this statement enough!!! Learning to set up a guitar yourself can make almost any guitar play and sound FANTASTIC. Small adjustments make a huge difference!
Ha! Number 5! I bought this Les Paul because I have always wanted one and when I first saw it…it was beautiful! It was amber and a nice flamed top. I picked it up and thought that it wasn’t as heavy (8.2lbs) as all the others I have hefted over the years. So…I bought it then and there. However, I never liked that I didn’t have good access to the upper frets. (Anything higher than E at the 12th was a struggle) I started to hate it and regretting buying it. I tried for years to offer it up to somebody for much cheaper than I paid for it. (I paid $3200 cad back in 2007 (?)) No takers. Thank .god! Because I had a really think gauge strings laying around to put on an acoustic (011’s) and thought that I would put them on the LP and tune it down a whole step. Wow!!!! I love this guitar!!!!! Now I can play really low and write new stuff to boot! So glad I am rotten at selling stuff. In truth, I’d rather gift it to a kid who was showing promise and would love the thing. Sorry, again, for the essay. Lol
I absolutely love both of my Les Pauls. I was pretty surprised when you mentioned tuning issues, because I've never had tuning issues with either. I barely have to touch the tuners after playing for days. I also like the hefty weight. It feels like I'm playing a solid substantial instrument. But you're right that proper set up is key and can make or break any guitar, cheap or expensive.
I don't think people hate Les Pauls. It's just that Big G and Big F are not making any sigificant progress in terms of design and is kind of hard to spend 1.5 to 2k on a LP when you go to the sore and you try out the likes of PRS, Charvel and Ibanez current models at that price range. I went to GC this winter with the intention of buying my first legit LP and walked out with a PRS S2 because... well I tried them both/
@@unodeldim3610 Preaching to the choir, I def agree. Gibson is not worth the price, at all, and they are stuck in the past. But they still make beautiful guitars, and the Les Paul is a classic for a reason. I will always appreciate the instrument for what it is. But for my money, I go Epi every time as far as LP's go. I also have a PRS singlecut, and an EC-1000. But the one important point your post is missing is the feel of the guitar. Someone who enjoys the specs of an LP is going to hate an Ibanez. PRS is going to be hit or miss depending on the specific model and the player. Each brand has it's own unique trademark specs. For example, my EC-1000 might look like an LP, with it's singlecut design, but it plays NOTHING like an LP. It has a tiny neck and a very flat fretboard with extra jumbo frets. Completely different instruments, and for someone who wants an LP, the LP is the only thing that will cut it.
I only own a LP copy it sounds and plays amazing but its just as hefty as an original. And I hate that aspect after owning it for some years now. Its not nice on the shoulder (even with a big strap) during rehearsels. And it certainly is one of the most uncomfortable shapes you can have on your lap when playing at home. So those aspects really are a big downside to some people I guess. And thats probably one of the more fringe things "to hate". Start talking about everything headstock related and you get to "not to argue about" territory.
I strongly recommend the Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky 10-48 string set for a Les Paul. The slightly beefier bottom end and slight extra tension really compensates for aggressive standard tuning / drop D players.
I'm a Strat guy for 40 years. Bought my 1st Les Paul 10 years ago. A studio. Did a bunch of work and changes to it mostly mechanical - pups, pots, locking bridge and tuners, nut. Now it's pretty damn right for me.
A tip for people who want to wrap the strings over the tailpiece... Keep the ball ends from old strings and slip the new strings through them before running them through the tailpiece. They act like a spacer and will keep the unsightly first part of the strings mostly inside the tailpiece so they wrap over nicer. Looks better too. Or, just use the tailpiece normally, and raise it. If you aren't sure about over-wrapping, keep in mind, it will cause marks/damage to the top of your tailpiece after a short while, so if you don't want to ruin your tailpiece, just raise it instead.
I love my Les Paul. It's only a Studio model, but it plays like melted butter. Sure, I'd love to have a higher priced model, but that's just not going to happen, I'm afraid. Still, wouldn't trade it, nor sell it.
Hell, I had two Gibson LP’s, a gold top and a custom. In ‘94, my kids bought me an Epi LP for Father’s Day to have something ‘cheap’ laying around the house to play on. I put switchcraft stuff in it, Duncan PAFs, a set of NOS ‘58 caps, a bone nut and set it up. That ‘cheap’ guitar is my go to, and it’s been in studios and stages all over the US and a handful of countries. I ended up selling the gibsons because I never used them. I keep Ernie ball 8’s on it, and like you said, it’s butter. I guard it with my life. I’ve got 3 Epi LPs now, and I feel they stay in tune better because of the shallower headstock angle.
@@OGSontar I was 55 when I bought mine. I got the Tangerine Burst. I also have that exact color Epiphone Ltd edition '59 Les Paul that he played. I even got it plekked at Sweetwater because I refuse to pay the $2,500+ for the Gibson name on a headstock when lower priced quality Les Paul style guitars are out there now. So, my Epiphone IS my Gibson.
I had 10's on my LP, but wasn't really excited about how they felt. So I changed to 9.5s, and now, it plays like it has 9s, but sounds like it has 10s. I'm now pretty happy overall with the guitar.
I played fenders for years and just recently got me a Les Paul standard gold top 50s edition. I can’t put that thing down. I love the Gibson scale length over the fender all day long now. I can’t believe I’ve never played a Les Paul before.
1. Ask the great fusion guitarists why they do not use Les Pauls (forget Robben Ford) 2. Take the neck off, make it a bolt-on, 3. with a reshaped body for easier upper fret access 4. Make a big cavity on its back then cover it to make it light 5. Chop the headstock off and reshape it to get straight string runnings from nut to tuners 6. Put the jack hole on the top, 7. Mount a 2 edge advanced trem system, 8. File a belly cut, 9. Mount a real single coil to the neck, 10. Put the pup selector to a convenient location. Bonus: Trade it for a good guitar 10.
it's hard to live with 50's designed instruments. Les Paul, Strat, Tele, Flying V, ES 335. They are just outdated designs used by modern players but it's hard to live without them too. I can't play any guitar comfortably as I do with my Flying V even if it's just a Les Paul with an airplane shape.
I love the look and vibe of LPs, but as someone who prefers big frets and slimmer necks, I can’t commit to an LP. Ltd and Jackson singlecuts are just spec’d how I’d like. I wish Gibson or epiphone would embrace some modern sensibilities
Les Paul’s are like a Porsche 911. Just because the design is old school, and many other brands have more modern design and features, doesn’t mean it isn’t still awesome at what it does. It’s rough when you first use it, but the more you do, the more you fall in love with it.
Bottom line is, if you love the sound of a Les Paul, you get a Les Paul. And there’s no other guitar that sounds land feels like a Les Paul! Yes, the design has its flaws, but that’s the way it is. 😊
Hi Darrell , I have a Epiphone Les Paul standard and have a project to put Gibson 61 burstbacker with all controls and circuit board in my Epiphone. The cavity needs definitely some wood removal with my Dremel but generally do Gibson's and epiphones have a standard position where the four holes positioned for the pots? Thank you mike. Love your channel man. Very inspiring. Happy holidays
Actually using the volume and tone controls...... how 70s. Todays players dime everything out including the gain on the amp and all the floor toys. Maximum mud.
That's is a very good point. On my guitar journey, I have learned many things, the most important that 'less is more' whether it be various volume settings, EQ, Comp, OD, DIST, Delay, Reverb.
@@HeadbangoO That’s what I used to think. But they are acquired tastes and grew on me. Now, I think Teles look awesome. There’s a certain rugged, utilitarian beauty to them. Like a significant other, they are each special in their own way and they are beautiful to me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I've owned 3 Les Paul's, they are just so uncomfortable I've sold each and every one! Just so uncomfortable coupled with my short fingers :( shame because they sound amazing
I love the intro where he chucks the guitar on the roof of the shed and then falls on his face as he runs back towards the house. Effin priceless. That alone earned a sub! :-)
I tried, I swear I tried. I just could not play it for any length of time without pain. I feel it's a young man's guitar if you didn't play one from the time you were young. Also, the tuning issues you mentioned. It wouldn't stay in tune for any length of time at all. Result; I sold mine and I never have missed it.
And for that humbucker level think also at 6:14, you can get more brightness when you lower pickup and raise those screws on the pickup. That is good for neck pickup if it's a little muddy. And for 9:17 top wrap think, put another ball through the string so that the spiky part stays in the tail-bridge hole.
I noticed on my own that you may have to reverse a bridge string adjuster to get perfect intonation on one of the strings or more. I love your over the tailpiece stringing advice. I hate the angle of some of my strings and the angle promotes buzz. Thanks Darrell.
Wide straps make such a difference... I had a Warwick that was 14lbs, and an absolute monster for long gigs, but it sounded amazing. Once I got a nice thick strap, it made the long shows a lot more pleasant
I have a 23 year old Epiphone LP standard that I'll never sell. I run 8s and it plays like butter and stays in tune. With some Seymour Duncan pearly gate pick ups the guitar is a monster. Of all the guitars I have owned over 50 years that humble Epiphone LP is my all time favourite, even over my made in USA 2015 Gibson LP traditional.
i am thinking about putting a set of pearly gates in my little epiphone traditional pro 3...great gutiar and never loses tune...and sounds great too, but i want that zz tone. Are the pickups worth my money?
@@geraldhoffpauir5048 Yes absolutely! The SD pearly gates pickups are crazy good. The best part is they seem to make the guitar sustain even more. I have always chased sustain so I put a locking bridge and tail piece on my Epi, along with a bone nut. Still use the stock tuners and like you my Epi LP stays in tune.
Another thing. I never cared about pickup covers. I do now. I H@TE the look of uncovered pickups on a LP. I’ve got zebra ones, all black ones( actually no all white or cream ones) and I’m slowly covering them all. My zebra ones on my 2 LP Classics are giving me problems. I’ve done 2 orders now and they’ve been off just a hair. But I’ll be covering them up eventually
I love a gibson les paul. To be honest, that guitar is the reason I started playing. As much as I love playing music, I have no desire to play other models. I've tried it and always go back to the paul. Can't put my finger on why that is.
String gauge and scale length are so important to feel. I tried .11s on my Les Paul and didn't like them. Switched to .10s and problem solved. Also, I'd say pickups are more important than whether your strings are wrapped over the tailpiece. The ProBuckers on my Les Paul were not to my taste. I replaced them with Seymour Duncan Black Winters and the LP became everything I needed. Lastly, even if you play metal, be careful about raising the pickups too high; you'll kill your body and sustain and mute string vibrations, giving you a weird raspy sound. High-output pickups don't need to be raised ultra-high in order to scream.
i have an epiphone les paul classic in worn purple. it’s a really neat guitar that i saved up for for quite some time. today i picked it up for the first time in some weeks and did some messing around with the tone. it sounds so amazing! now all i need to do is change the strings and i think i should take it to a tech just so i should get the most of it?
Sell your LP buy a Revstar which sounds just as good and is just as good for a fraction of the price..then spend the rest on a holiday and your LP will finally have put a smile on yr face.
Les Paul's are great, but leave those pick guards in the garbage. They are hideous and useless. My first guitar was a rental while I took lessons... it was an un-tunable Black Les Paul that seemed to weigh about 50 pounds. I was 13 so... it may have only been 40 pounds.
I've avoided LPs altogether. Way too heavy for me to be comfortable with one, and I've never liked the headstock design (difficult - not impossible, but difficult - to keep in tune). When they're "on," they're really good, but it's difficult to get one where it should be, and then keep it there. If they were totally awful, no one would play one, but I'm not interested. For what it's worth, I put 11s on all my guitars, just for consistency.
This is one of your best vids yet. I just went through a major change in my LP Custom Elegant. I put a set of Pearly Gates in and this changed everything! Amongst other things, it changed the electronix into a working set by removing the faulty soldering that was on it. And now, when running it through a Slash signature WahWah ... well i found my signature sound. This has made me play that thing so much more!
@@DoktorLorentzBig I second that! Get a weight relieved Les Paul. I have an SG but will be selling it. The neck dive is rubbish, the long neck confuses the hell out me when changing from other guitars (Les Paul, Strat, Tele). It lacks the thick, chunky tone of the LP. A treble booster will get a LP to sound as biting as an SG, but an SG can NEVER sound like a LP.
@@DoktorLorentzBig Yet again you have a point. My LP is dark (you might say muddy), more pronounced through an OD pedal. A treble booster into the OD addresses the EQ a lot, or just a bright distortion pedal. The clarity of a Strat or Tele do not work well with a treble booster or bright distortion...they do not need it.
I have a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Tribute that plays better than most Standards I've played. I have Gotoh locking tuners, and a self lubricating nut. I also have a butler string thingy. Thing is a beast. It's a satin honeyburst, although your blue one makes me wanna sell mine and get yours LOL. Great video as always. You're amazing.
I’m guilty. 5 Gibson USA LPs. Maybe another 4 or 5 copies? Harley Benton. That makes 9 at least? One thing about that tuning thing. I will admit outta the 5 Gibsons, 2 used to piss me off as far as tuning. They didn’t go “outta” tune but I could never get them “ in” tune. So it’s not “ always the nut” as I always hears Graph Tech Ratio Tuners…. ??? Fantastic. Totally TOTALLY brought the thing back to 110%. BTW it’s always Klusons I had trouble with. ( not all LPs with Klusons were bad but all LP WITHOUT Klusons never seemed to be bad, if that makes sense) BTW not locking tuners either. I hate those $&@“ing things. Just regular old Graph Tech Ratio tuners. I Love Them.
Can you do a video on a gretsch 2210 jet club with a wrap around bridge? They are hard to set the intonation on. I'm thinking about changing to an adjustable wrap around. What's your way of adjusting one with no adjustments like the stock bridge they come with?
Never have I considered people not loving Les Pauls haha. Since I discovered rock n roll through gnr and zeppelin I thought it was the coolest thing since whipped cream, and I’ve kept that sentiment to this day. Still have my Epi that I bought almost 15 years ago and still love it. One day when I somehow have 2.5 grand laying around I’ll cave for a Gibson. It was my first dream guitar and it’s remained in that caliber ever since!
Just look around for an Epi LP. I just picked up another one. A 2016 custom pro in koa….$300 with a case. And don’t let the haters beat up the Epi. I’ve got 3, and I sold the gibsons I had because I never played them……
@@williamsporing1500 I'm only 13 years old, if I wanted a new instrument, I would ask my mom. She would say no anyway, but she did say one time that I could get one with my own allowance when I can afford it. Thanks though.
Maybe the Gibson or Epiphone Modern (weight relieved). I have an Epi LP ES Pro (LP shape, semi-hollow ES construction). At 7lb on the nose it suits me fine.
I also use inexpensive Dunlop strap locks for Fender guitars, but oddly enough they will not fit over the buttons on my Epi LP! So I revert to cheap and cheerful Grolsch rubber washer...which are better (tighter fit) than the Fender versions!
Would you guys add anything else to this list to make a Les Paul more liveable and lovable? Any other guitars you'd like me to add to this series?
Enjoy :)
I would trade it for something I truly love. Sorry man I will never love the les Paul. I can deal with sgs and juniors, but I can't deal with those hunking sized guitars, even if they are weight reduced. There are way too many options out there to deal with something I hate.
Hey Darell. God bless. Was the winner of the Ibanez already announced?
Besides looking amazing: is one for everybody. Gibson's, Epiphone's, etc. Some have different tuners, some have different pickups. They can have P-90s. They can have covers or none. Its your option. There is also a nice neck regardless if there are dots or bar inlays. There is also one in everybody's price range.
Also easy to change strings and you can find them from $300 to like $3000.
@@wriglarzzz and for me I can’t deal with a strat love a tele and a les Paul but strats just don’t do a thing for me
Only having 1 guitar helps "cope" with the down sides🤣
I resemble that remark 😆
I have 5 guitars but I sell them to buy only one. I dont need 5 because I always play only one 😂
@@MaciejakGitara only upside to multiple guitars is leaving them in different turnings, imo
@@Ben-wm9vz yes. Exactly
Like that ever happens 🤪🤪🤪
Such a first world problem 'learning to live with a $4000 guitar'
it's not gibson, it's the les paul model
The dark satin finished model is an epiphone 1959 standard issue @ US$799. But these tips apply to many single cut designs of all price ranges.
Hahaha, true! But I got my Epiphone Les Paul Standard for $300 😁
@@DarrellBraunGuitar wow 300? Looks way more premium than that
Yeah, I got it used. Looked like the guy never even played it 😊
I believe that a guitar chooses the player. The great thing is that there is a guitar for anyone.
Yep this sums it up for me. I've had many guitars f holes sg gibson and a squire. But late last year came in contact with an ibanez 421 series Indonesian made. With pickup split switch on it. I swear I can play anything from groovy jazz to hard core metal on it. Just love it to bits. Best guitar I've ever owned.
Shhhhh I told my wife there are 10 guitars for everyone! Keep it on the down low!
@@Mark-f7o the 421 is a great guitar. Had one and had to sell it years ago. One of my favorites I ever played.
Great statement
That would be cool, but we know that's physically impossible. A player chooses their guitar, of course. Not the other way around.
When I learned to use the volume and tone on my Les Pauls, it completely changed my guitar playing. There are just so many incredible tones at your fingertips. Straight into a dirty amp and almost everything imaginable is right there built into the guitar with the knobs and switch. Damn, I love a Les Paul. Or any 2 volume, 2 tone guitar, really.
Ways you get along:
1 Ask how it's doing.
2 Tell it your name.
3 Be good friends.
Agreed 👌
Friend Zone stay away
And love it and hug it and call it George? (Got to have watched the Loonie Tunes to get it. Lol)
No kissing on the first date
3:20 I couldn't stop staring at the Low E being out of the saddle >.
SAME hahaha
Ha me too, I wanted to fix it so bad.😆😉
Me too! Hilariously it was when he recommended taking it to a guitar tech to get it set up properly. Daryl-I’m not a tech but I’ll get a dramatic improvement in playability in about 30 seconds. 😉😆
I'll take the hated guitar off your hands.
Mark Agnesi enters the chat
😂😂😂👍
Mark Agnesi sucks
@@ReyCarmesi666 Not half he doesn't?!.
He could suck the chrome off trailer towballs, de-chrome a set
of 6x Gotoh tuning pegs, the shine right off a LP Junior's compensated lightning-bolt bridge, and any last semblance of chromy gleam from an Oldsmobile's bumper-bars & hood decorations also - all reduced to bare metal in a flash. All these & more; all are most easily removed by Mark Agony-esi's paranormal face-suction forces which are just off the Newton-meters charts!
C for centrifuge is his middle-name sure as sh*t! Amazing amounts of
such insane torque generated when he sucks even is the primary causality of whirlpools & maelstroms that could sink the Bismarck all-hands down with it - turbo in fjords from Norway to New Zealand!.. FFS?!. he sucks alright!
Agnesi is pretty much the same as an average unemployed elementary school teacher - he's got no class! Cheers, respect & be nice to ya missus.
Didyabringyabongalong Station, Central QLD, Australia.
@@matthewtayloryowieresearch1912 don't hold back Matt tell us how you feel.
After a life with Strat I came to love the Les Paul in my late 40's. I left my Fender Strat 2002 go for a Gansom Les Paul Custom (Japan) 1974, all original, repaired headstock and lovely, careful use. It struck me like lightning with is warm tone and exceptional sustain and now it's no turning back. I have two strat style guitars left and a number of Les Paul's instead. A Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2011, ebony is the top but I can't say it plays and sound better than the Ganson.... Thanks för a great channel!
The Japanese were eating Gibson's rosebud in the late '70s and early '80s. Tokais, Grecos and Burnys from back then are still guitars to be reckoned with. So were the Orville by Gibson guitars in the late '80s.
I'm guilty of leaving my Les Paul sit for months at a time and have thought of selling it. I went into the video thinking I would be able to guess a bunch of the suggestions, but most of them were great surprises. Lots of great ideas. Thanks for making the video.
Picked my 2004 standard out of a choice of 5, didn’t think it could better. Practiced setups on cheaper ones until I got good, then went to town on the LP. And wow, thing turned out so good I simply stopped playing my Gretsch 6120 hotrod, tele thinline deluxe and my jazz master, no matter what I did no setup could match the Gibson, eventually sold the lonely things.
If you hate a LP, become a guitar tech and make adjustments. You will be rewarded with an axe with a ton of balls.
I simply cannot echo this statement enough!!! Learning to set up a guitar yourself can make almost any guitar play and sound FANTASTIC. Small adjustments make a huge difference!
Mmm ballssssss aarrrrgghh...
Ha! Number 5! I bought this Les Paul because I have always wanted one and when I first saw it…it was beautiful! It was amber and a nice flamed top. I picked it up and thought that it wasn’t as heavy (8.2lbs) as all the others I have hefted over the years. So…I bought it then and there. However, I never liked that I didn’t have good access to the upper frets. (Anything higher than E at the 12th was a struggle) I started to hate it and regretting buying it. I tried for years to offer it up to somebody for much cheaper than I paid for it. (I paid $3200 cad back in 2007 (?)) No takers. Thank .god! Because I had a really think gauge strings laying around to put on an acoustic (011’s) and thought that I would put them on the LP and tune it down a whole step. Wow!!!! I love this guitar!!!!! Now I can play really low and write new stuff to boot! So glad I am rotten at selling stuff. In truth, I’d rather gift it to a kid who was showing promise and would love the thing. Sorry, again, for the essay. Lol
You have restored my faith in Canadians with your wisdom sir!
I absolutely love both of my Les Pauls. I was pretty surprised when you mentioned tuning issues, because I've never had tuning issues with either. I barely have to touch the tuners after playing for days. I also like the hefty weight. It feels like I'm playing a solid substantial instrument. But you're right that proper set up is key and can make or break any guitar, cheap or expensive.
ditto.ive had a few and never had tuning issues with any of them
I'll never understand hating on LPs. They are just iconic and beautiful on every level.
If you really care about playability and if you use ears and not eyes you can not hate It.
I don't think people hate Les Pauls. It's just that Big G and Big F are not making any sigificant progress in terms of design and is kind of hard to spend 1.5 to 2k on a LP when you go to the sore and you try out the likes of PRS, Charvel and Ibanez current models at that price range. I went to GC this winter with the intention of buying my first legit LP and walked out with a PRS S2 because... well I tried them both/
@@unodeldim3610 Preaching to the choir, I def agree. Gibson is not worth the price, at all, and they are stuck in the past. But they still make beautiful guitars, and the Les Paul is a classic for a reason. I will always appreciate the instrument for what it is.
But for my money, I go Epi every time as far as LP's go. I also have a PRS singlecut, and an EC-1000. But the one important point your post is missing is the feel of the guitar. Someone who enjoys the specs of an LP is going to hate an Ibanez. PRS is going to be hit or miss depending on the specific model and the player. Each brand has it's own unique trademark specs. For example, my EC-1000 might look like an LP, with it's singlecut design, but it plays NOTHING like an LP. It has a tiny neck and a very flat fretboard with extra jumbo frets. Completely different instruments, and for someone who wants an LP, the LP is the only thing that will cut it.
I only own a LP copy it sounds and plays amazing but its just as hefty as an original. And I hate that aspect after owning it for some years now. Its not nice on the shoulder (even with a big strap) during rehearsels. And it certainly is one of the most uncomfortable shapes you can have on your lap when playing at home. So those aspects really are a big downside to some people I guess. And thats probably one of the more fringe things "to hate". Start talking about everything headstock related and you get to "not to argue about" territory.
@2v_5r so they can pose properly. I get that. I'd still rather play something better than the "Actual Thing"
Guitar is not made to be hated. They're perfect at their own way :)
Good points for any player. We all fall in and out of love with gear.
I’ve got 3 guitars I’ve had for 50 years. Of all my guitars most I’ve had for at least 30. I don’t buy something if I don’t love it.
I strongly recommend the Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky 10-48 string set for a Les Paul. The slightly beefier bottom end and slight extra tension really compensates for aggressive standard tuning / drop D players.
Good suggestion. For anyone that wants to go a bit lower, the Ernie Ball Beefy Slinkly set (11-54) feels perfect in E-flat standard or Drop C#.
@@ConvexSpade skinny top, heavy bottoms, Eb tuning or drop Db is magic
I never liked the shorter Gib scale, your recommendation to try slightly thicker strings could be a good idea
I’ve been a Les Paul guy for 50 years. Bought my first strat 5 years ago. Love both for different reasons.
The best of both worlds !
I'm a Strat guy for 40 years. Bought my 1st Les Paul 10 years ago. A studio. Did a bunch of work and changes to it mostly mechanical - pups, pots, locking bridge and tuners, nut. Now it's pretty damn right for me.
A tip for people who want to wrap the strings over the tailpiece... Keep the ball ends from old strings and slip the new strings through them before running them through the tailpiece. They act like a spacer and will keep the unsightly first part of the strings mostly inside the tailpiece so they wrap over nicer. Looks better too. Or, just use the tailpiece normally, and raise it. If you aren't sure about over-wrapping, keep in mind, it will cause marks/damage to the top of your tailpiece after a short while, so if you don't want to ruin your tailpiece, just raise it instead.
Les Paul are the best looking guitar ever made. Thats the only reason why my first electric guitar was a Les Paul, and I still love it :D
I love my Les Paul. It's only a Studio model, but it plays like melted butter. Sure, I'd love to have a higher priced model, but that's just not going to happen, I'm afraid. Still, wouldn't trade it, nor sell it.
Hell, I had two Gibson LP’s, a gold top and a custom. In ‘94, my kids bought me an Epi LP for Father’s Day to have something ‘cheap’ laying around the house to play on. I put switchcraft stuff in it, Duncan PAFs, a set of NOS ‘58 caps, a bone nut and set it up. That ‘cheap’ guitar is my go to, and it’s been in studios and stages all over the US and a handful of countries. I ended up selling the gibsons because I never used them. I keep Ernie ball 8’s on it, and like you said, it’s butter. I guard it with my life. I’ve got 3 Epi LPs now, and I feel they stay in tune better because of the shallower headstock angle.
ONLY a Studio? Be more appreciative of it regardless. I certainly appreciate my Gibson Studio.
@@calvinevans6347 Well, considering it took me until I was in my 50's to swing one at all, yeah, you could say I appreciate it.
@@OGSontar I was 55 when I bought mine. I got the Tangerine Burst. I also have that exact color Epiphone Ltd edition '59 Les Paul that he played. I even got it plekked at Sweetwater because I refuse to pay the $2,500+ for the Gibson name on a headstock when lower priced quality Les Paul style guitars are out there now. So, my Epiphone IS my Gibson.
Love my Studio. It’s my number one gigging guitar as it sounds great, is a fantastic weight and plays beautifully.
These are great! Going to try 11s with a setup.
I had 10's on my LP, but wasn't really excited about how they felt. So I changed to 9.5s, and now, it plays like it has 9s, but sounds like it has 10s. I'm now pretty happy overall with the guitar.
Same
Same. In fact, all my guitars have 9.5's except for my Telecaster which has 10s.
I actually found a set of 10.5's and fell in love with that gage. To me, it was perfect.
1. String butler
2. Babicz bridge
3. Lighter strings - hell yes (I have extra jumbos)
4. Push pull pots are awesome
5. I grease the nut slots.
I played fenders for years and just recently got me a Les Paul standard gold top 50s edition. I can’t put that thing down. I love the Gibson scale length over the fender all day long now. I can’t believe I’ve never played a Les Paul before.
1. Ask the great fusion guitarists why they do not use Les Pauls (forget Robben Ford) 2. Take the neck off, make it a bolt-on, 3. with a reshaped body for easier upper fret access 4. Make a big cavity on its back then cover it to make it light 5. Chop the headstock off and reshape it to get straight string runnings from nut to tuners 6. Put the jack hole on the top, 7. Mount a 2 edge advanced trem system, 8. File a belly cut, 9. Mount a real single coil to the neck, 10. Put the pup selector to a convenient location. Bonus: Trade it for a good guitar 10.
it's hard to live with 50's designed instruments. Les Paul, Strat, Tele, Flying V, ES 335.
They are just outdated designs used by modern players but it's hard to live without them too.
I can't play any guitar comfortably as I do with my Flying V even if it's just a Les Paul with an airplane shape.
Sage words of advice!
I love Les Pauls even my Epiphone I love ❤️🤘🏾🎸
I did all 10 of your suggestions on my LP and now I love it again. The tone is now incredible. Thanks so very much.
I love the look and vibe of LPs, but as someone who prefers big frets and slimmer necks, I can’t commit to an LP. Ltd and Jackson singlecuts are just spec’d how I’d like. I wish Gibson or epiphone would embrace some modern sensibilities
The biggest thing I hate about Les Pauls is that I don't have one.
Amazing tips, thanks a lot Dude!
Les Paul’s are like a Porsche 911. Just because the design is old school, and many other brands have more modern design and features, doesn’t mean it isn’t still awesome at what it does. It’s rough when you first use it, but the more you do, the more you fall in love with it.
Agreed
Wow, had no idea drawing with a pencil would keep it in tune. Kool hack!!
Strictly my opinion but try to know what guitar you are getting for what it is. LP'S are awesome they may not be for everyone. Great video
Correct. I use my LP for a lot of stuff, but not everything.
Bottom line is, if you love the sound of a Les Paul, you get a Les Paul. And there’s no other guitar that sounds land feels like a Les Paul! Yes, the design has its flaws, but that’s the way it is. 😊
Hi Darrell , I have a Epiphone Les Paul standard and have a project to put Gibson 61 burstbacker with all controls and circuit board in my Epiphone.
The cavity needs definitely some wood removal with my Dremel but generally do Gibson's and epiphones have a standard position where the four holes positioned for the pots?
Thank you mike.
Love your channel man.
Very inspiring. Happy holidays
Along with setting your pickups, don't be afraid to experiment with the height of the pole screws to make further adjustments to your tone.
Actually using the volume and tone controls...... how 70s.
Todays players dime everything out including the gain on the amp and all the floor toys. Maximum mud.
That's is a very good point. On my guitar journey, I have learned many things, the most important that 'less is more' whether it be various volume settings, EQ, Comp, OD, DIST, Delay, Reverb.
Mom says only way to live with Les Paul is to get a nice case and put in storage and get a Tele.
😂😂😂
Uh no, beautiful and annoying is still better than ugly and annoying. What, we're talking guitar? Oh...
Solid advice, Telecasters are awesome.
Your mother loves you.
@@HeadbangoO That’s what I used to think. But they are acquired tastes and grew on me. Now, I think Teles look awesome. There’s a certain rugged, utilitarian beauty to them. Like a significant other, they are each special in their own way and they are beautiful to me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I've owned 3 Les Paul's, they are just so uncomfortable I've sold each and every one! Just so uncomfortable coupled with my short fingers :( shame because they sound amazing
My Les Paul stays in tune just fine . Put 10s on them If you complain about the weight Drink milk or something. Les Paul's are guitars for Men..
I love the intro where he chucks the guitar on the roof of the shed and then falls on his face as he runs back towards the house. Effin priceless. That alone earned a sub! :-)
Finally! I got my Les Paul set up perfect! It only took me six years. I do love it now instead of resenting it.
Put it away. Play other guitars. Come back later and try it again
Very, very good advice. Generally that will make you appreciate (or not) the benefits of a guitar. Always worked for me.
I tried, I swear I tried. I just could not play it for any length of time without pain. I feel it's a young man's guitar if you didn't play one from the time you were young. Also, the tuning issues you mentioned. It wouldn't stay in tune for any length of time at all. Result; I sold mine and I never have missed it.
This video was necessary - not just with the LP, but in general.
And for that humbucker level think also at 6:14, you can get more brightness when you lower pickup and raise those screws on the pickup. That is good for neck pickup if it's a little muddy. And for 9:17 top wrap think, put another ball through the string so that the spiky part stays in the tail-bridge hole.
I noticed on my own that you may have to reverse a bridge string adjuster to get perfect intonation on one of the strings or more. I love your over the tailpiece stringing advice. I hate the angle of some of my strings and the angle promotes buzz. Thanks Darrell.
Wide straps make such a difference... I had a Warwick that was 14lbs, and an absolute monster for long gigs, but it sounded amazing. Once I got a nice thick strap, it made the long shows a lot more pleasant
This. I've got a 1980 BC Rich Eagle Deluxe bass. A wide strap became a necessity.
ive never had any tuning issues with any of the LPs ive had
I have a 23 year old Epiphone LP standard that I'll never sell. I run 8s and it plays like butter and stays in tune. With some Seymour Duncan pearly gate pick ups the guitar is a monster. Of all the guitars I have owned over 50 years that humble Epiphone LP is my all time favourite, even over my made in USA 2015 Gibson LP traditional.
i am thinking about putting a set of pearly gates in my little epiphone traditional pro 3...great gutiar and never loses tune...and sounds great too, but i want that zz tone. Are the pickups worth my money?
@@geraldhoffpauir5048 Yes absolutely! The SD pearly gates pickups are crazy good. The best part is they seem to make the guitar sustain even more. I have always chased sustain so I put a locking bridge and tail piece on my Epi, along with a bone nut. Still use the stock tuners and like you my Epi LP stays in tune.
Another thing. I never cared about pickup covers. I do now. I H@TE the look of uncovered pickups on a LP. I’ve got zebra ones, all black ones( actually no all white or cream ones) and I’m slowly covering them all. My zebra ones on my 2 LP Classics are giving me problems. I’ve done 2 orders now and they’ve been off just a hair. But I’ll be covering them up eventually
Hey! Darrell, great video. Now could you please do the same video with a cheap Squier. Please 🙏
I love a gibson les paul. To be honest, that guitar is the reason I started playing. As much as I love playing music, I have no desire to play other models. I've tried it and always go back to the paul. Can't put my finger on why that is.
String gauge and scale length are so important to feel. I tried .11s on my Les Paul and didn't like them. Switched to .10s and problem solved. Also, I'd say pickups are more important than whether your strings are wrapped over the tailpiece. The ProBuckers on my Les Paul were not to my taste. I replaced them with Seymour Duncan Black Winters and the LP became everything I needed. Lastly, even if you play metal, be careful about raising the pickups too high; you'll kill your body and sustain and mute string vibrations, giving you a weird raspy sound. High-output pickups don't need to be raised ultra-high in order to scream.
Very good advice!
i have an epiphone les paul classic in worn purple. it’s a really neat guitar that i saved up for for quite some time. today i picked it up for the first time in some weeks and did some messing around with the tone. it sounds so amazing! now all i need to do is change the strings and i think i should take it to a tech just so i should get the most of it?
My strings START at 11! Take that Nigel Tufnel!
Oh brother, I just bought one the other day...it's being shipped.
😂 Sorry! Congrats on the new guitar. I'm sure you will love it!
Sell your LP buy a Revstar which sounds just as good and is just as good for a fraction of the price..then spend the rest on a holiday and your LP will finally have put a smile on yr face.
LOL
It's funny, I have a 2001 Les Paul Standard and a 2003 Les Paul Special. I've never had the tuning problems. Both guitar have been played hard.
Les Paul's are great, but leave those pick guards in the garbage. They are hideous and useless. My first guitar was a rental while I took lessons... it was an un-tunable Black Les Paul that seemed to weigh about 50 pounds. I was 13 so... it may have only been 40 pounds.
.010s? :-o I play .007s on my lp and my sg and love them.
You’re string gauge recommendation vs scale length was well considered and not something many would think of. Good job!
Lol….I run 8’s on all of mine.
Wow, that was an interesting list, Darrell, including a few things I'd never heard/thought of. Thanks for another very informative video! 👍👍👍
I've avoided LPs altogether. Way too heavy for me to be comfortable with one, and I've never liked the headstock design (difficult - not impossible, but difficult - to keep in tune). When they're "on," they're really good, but it's difficult to get one where it should be, and then keep it there. If they were totally awful, no one would play one, but I'm not interested. For what it's worth, I put 11s on all my guitars, just for consistency.
You're probably using the wrong gauge,. Rick beato,. Check it out
I’ve learned to live with four of them. Even though I’m too old to stand up with one for ten minutes. Lol
This is one of your best vids yet. I just went through a major change in my LP Custom Elegant. I put a set of Pearly Gates in and this changed everything!
Amongst other things, it changed the electronix into a working set by removing the faulty soldering that was on it.
And now, when running it through a Slash signature WahWah ... well i found my signature sound. This has made me play that thing so much more!
I have an sg but neck pickup sounds dirty and muddy in overdrive. sounds fine in clean. guitar is new. haven't changed strings yet. what should i do?
Sell it
@@DoktorLorentzBig I second that! Get a weight relieved Les Paul. I have an SG but will be selling it. The neck dive is rubbish, the long neck confuses the hell out me when changing from other guitars (Les Paul, Strat, Tele). It lacks the thick, chunky tone of the LP. A treble booster will get a LP to sound as biting as an SG, but an SG can NEVER sound like a LP.
Just use the tone knob of any guitar to have a muddiest sound. It's the LP you cannot turn the knob more than 10
@@DoktorLorentzBig Yet again you have a point. My LP is dark (you might say muddy), more pronounced through an OD pedal. A treble booster into the OD addresses the EQ a lot, or just a bright distortion pedal. The clarity of a Strat or Tele do not work well with a treble booster or bright distortion...they do not need it.
@@DoktorLorentzBig strings look bad to me i will change it. and also my amp is not the best.
Best way to live with a les paul…….SELL MORTIMER! SELL!!!!!
I have a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Tribute that plays better than most Standards I've played. I have Gotoh locking tuners, and a self lubricating nut. I also have a butler string thingy. Thing is a beast. It's a satin honeyburst, although your blue one makes me wanna sell mine and get yours LOL. Great video as always. You're amazing.
That blue he had was really nice looking.
I’m guilty. 5 Gibson USA LPs. Maybe another 4 or 5 copies? Harley Benton. That makes 9 at least? One thing about that tuning thing. I will admit outta the 5 Gibsons, 2 used to piss me off as far as tuning. They didn’t go “outta” tune but I could never get them “ in” tune. So it’s not “ always the nut” as I always hears Graph Tech Ratio Tuners…. ??? Fantastic. Totally TOTALLY brought the thing back to 110%. BTW it’s always Klusons I had trouble with. ( not all LPs with Klusons were bad but all LP WITHOUT Klusons never seemed to be bad, if that makes sense)
BTW not locking tuners either. I hate those $&@“ing things. Just regular old Graph Tech Ratio tuners.
I
Love
Them.
I'm guilty too. 4 Gibson's, 2 of them are les Pauls a 2021 standard and a les Paul traditional pro v, 1 sg, and a blueberry burst 335.
Can you do a video on a gretsch 2210 jet club with a wrap around bridge? They are hard to set the intonation on. I'm thinking about changing to an adjustable wrap around. What's your way of adjusting one with no adjustments like the stock bridge they come with?
Never have I considered people not loving Les Pauls haha. Since I discovered rock n roll through gnr and zeppelin I thought it was the coolest thing since whipped cream, and I’ve kept that sentiment to this day. Still have my Epi that I bought almost 15 years ago and still love it. One day when I somehow have 2.5 grand laying around I’ll cave for a Gibson. It was my first dream guitar and it’s remained in that caliber ever since!
Turn the bridge saddles so that the flat edge faces up the neck. This is an instant improvement regarding tuning stability.
Hey, Darrell - have you reviewed the Yamaha Revstar yet? Curious about your views on this line.
actually in my case it's 11 Ways to Make You LOVE Your Les Paul Again, because the 1st one is have a les paul guitar first :)
Great series, DB! Great info. Your video about Stratocasters really helped me lock in some newer tones. GG’s!
Really? I have all my LP’s dialed in!! Luv em
i used to until i watched a video about how different it can sound. now i play at around 4-5 it sounds so much clearer.
Step 1 - actually play one instead of believing everything you read on the internet.
My dream guitar is any type of les paul, so I would always love it, but I get ya.
Just look around for an Epi LP. I just picked up another one. A 2016 custom pro in koa….$300 with a case. And don’t let the haters beat up the Epi. I’ve got 3, and I sold the gibsons I had because I never played them……
@@williamsporing1500 I'm only 13 years old, if I wanted a new instrument, I would ask my mom. She would say no anyway, but she did say one time that I could get one with my own allowance when I can afford it. Thanks though.
I’m wondering which LesPaul is the most lightweight.
Maybe the Gibson or Epiphone Modern (weight relieved). I have an Epi LP ES Pro (LP shape, semi-hollow ES construction). At 7lb on the nose it suits me fine.
Darrell, should you ever decide to "thin the herd", please keep my contact info. for that blue Standard. Love that combo.
Love them. How you can hate them?
If anobody hates his you can send it to me 😃
.. buy an ESP/LTD .. 😅😬👀
Also too appreciate your les paul. Listen too some old frampton or the LRB. Their sound was outstanding!
Alternative title: 10 ways to delay your GAS when you own a Les Paul
Hi, Darrell, tell me please, where is your red mexican standart strat?
*Ways to live with a les paul you hate*
Buy an Epiphone
Thank you for the positive video Darrell
Really enjoyed it
No need to change the strap buttons. Just go Grolsch!
I also use inexpensive Dunlop strap locks for Fender guitars, but oddly enough they will not fit over the buttons on my Epi LP! So I revert to cheap and cheerful Grolsch rubber washer...which are better (tighter fit) than the Fender versions!
Darrell, you need to get a SG and do a video on it, so I can watch and like it! Just do it!
Skinny top heavy bottoms make my les paul sing, anything less than 10s feel like noodles to me and you gota play with a delicate picking hand.
Lol…I run 8’s on mine. I can almost think it into a bend. I’m a very light player, and after 50 years the tendinitis like 8’s lol
Excellent string choice...
@@williamsporing1500 I tried 8s, boy you gota have a delicate player for thoes, I can relate you could think the bends 😂 well said!
Great advice, love it. Bone nut well slotted as well.
Top wrapping was the most significant modification I made to mine and I’m in love with it.