That IS a very pleasant pheasant. Les Pauls are sneaky, the good ones have something intangible about them, they’re totally different beasts to strats and they take a while to click. The new 50’s and 60’s standards are really good, great build quality
I got my first Les Paul around 2000 after solely playing Strats and it's just soo different but in a really good way. Definitely something to have in the collection. This sounds great by the way, extremely musical 😀
I played one of these when they were new but at $4500.00 at the time ( LH ) It was like a chorus of angels singing , I remember them being hefty but lovely neck profile and lovely to play .
Good ones are special. When i got mine there were 5 to choose from, one being a nice white custom lite for a good price, still there was no question, the 2004 one was leagues above the other in every aspect. Lead me to sell my Setzer Hotrod, which had been no.1, until it didn't get played again for years.
When you get a Les Paul.....don't go for color, year etc. Just go play them and take home the one. I have a 2019 Traditional I got new after spending many days and hours playing a bunch of them. It is completely stock and sounds glorious. Most will sound similar but every now and then you will find one that just stands out a bit more. GET THAT ONE!
Lovely guitar and you make it sing. I’ve decided I’m definitely a humbucker / solid body person. What I’ve found is that if you’ve built patches for single coil guitars then play something like a Les Paul through them, they can sound epic. And the reverse is definitely not true, in my experience.
I got stressed about this Ukraine war, the intro song had a lot of happiness and hope feeling in it, thanks man! Les Pauls that weigh high 7 pounds are very rare and those are "very light", low 8s are light, 9 pound LP is middle of the road / standard one :)
I've got a 2019 custom shop heavy aged 59 and it's an incredible instrument. Literally was my dream guitar. I've owned a number of LP's over the years and they all tend have a "sound" and "feel" and I absolutely do NOT think you have to buy a custom shop to get a great LP. My second fav LP I've owned was actually a 90's LP studio that had an ebony board. It was a great guitar that I traded for a... refrigerator. LOL! What a terrible trade that was, but there's a LONG story behind it.
It’s a Excellent Guitar on my I took all parts off and put Gibson Historic Parts and Bumble Bees and got rid of the Black case got a Lifton case ! Excellence
I have a R7 ( Steve Hackett fan), thick neck, but they do have a sound, really good for recording. Just a really great balanced sound, nice highs, nice mids, not too much bass, just a great sound. PRS try to do the same but they are different, their own thing. Everyone needs a Les Paul
I bought a black Gibson Les Paul Studio in 2000 and I actually wore out the frets on it. I just bought a '50s Les Paul Standard Wildwood spec. that I'm infatuated with. It's a great rock guitar. I have a PRS CE 24 and I was originally in love with it because it was so effortless to play, but I've found that it doesn't have much sonic personality compared to a Les Paul. I could sell all my electric guitars except my Les Paul, Strat and Gretsch 6120 and be happy. I love the pheasant!
You really need to try to get the les paul in this video. You seem to love it. I hope you get a chance to play one with p-90’s . I did have a 2010 black les paul standard. I had to sell it for medical. I really loved that guitar. I had it new too. I have a les paul special right now. The neck is so nice
I've got 2 Les Pauls. By far my favourite not only that my favourite guitar I've ever owned is my 2008 standard. I know the cork sniffers won't like it because of its chambering etc. It really is exceptional and I've never once considered moving it on.
The tone you have and the playing is absolutely amazing today.. Welp I'm a Les Paul guy from America.. In general and I don't want to start any arguments... Outside of the '50s holy Grail stuff.... Early 2000s Les Paul's are some of the best and very sought after in the states.. Some say great wood I don't know but they just seem to sound, play and look fantastic with some of the best bursts you'll find.. Just about everyone that I played from that era had the same effect you feel.. kind of crazy.. The price you said you got for that one is a steal.. especially here in the states... I had a 2002 and unfortunately was separated from it and wished that never happened.. I was never able to find anything close until Gibson reemerged with new leadership.. I actually picked up a Les Paul standard 60s at a local chain and was blown away.. Closest Les Paul I played in years to what I used to have.. However that one was sold.. So, I had a guy at Sweetwater I knew.. After I told him what I was looking for burst wise he literally showed me pictures of 15 guitars and I picked one.. I am absolutely completely pleased even though I spent way more than I ever said I would on a guitar.. He gave me a heck of a deal and I'm still not thrilled about the price.. lol That was before they jacked up the price last year! This one I will never let go.. It's not the same as my 2002 but it's pretty damn close and I have completely bonded with it..So maybe scoot down to a local music store and check out one of the new standards out you might be surprised.. However if you can get one close to what you have now I would jump all over it.. just my two cents man..
I’m led to believe that the early noughties Gibsons are part of the “good wood” era. I bought an 06 LP last year, refinished the head stock because the lacquer was coming off. It’ll never leave me, absolutely love it! And about 4500 quid less than a factory beat up Gibson 👍
"Goodwood" era is named after a guy's name and nothing to do with the wood. Every single year after inception Gibson made good and bad guitars. It's all about preference anyway
There's a bunch of LPS of all brands they are all the same. The Magick semi nonsense only applies to specific instruments to me not brands, and that's mostly about luthiery and pickups
I have two different Les Pauls, a Tribute and Classic which the Classic in more along the lines of a 58 Les Paul as far as the non weight relief plain maple top and 59 style neck. The Tribute is a great guitar it’s a 2018 which is the non weight relief, mahogany neck with the 490 and 498 neck and bridge pickups respectively. All that being said the each have a different vibe. Both are very different but both are very inspiring. I also have 3 Stratocasters and es 335 which are all wonderfully inspiring to play. I think you are bitten by the Les Paul bug especially sense there’s nothing like it not even a Les Paul knockoff is going to capture your inspiration like the “real thing”. You are a wonderful musician and inspiring regardless of the instrument you have in your hands. Blessings!
They definitely have a certain magic about them. I do find myself almost using up the whole pickup height screw thread trying to open up modern Les Pauls.
The custom shop 59s are way better. Not 4 grand better but enough for it to be irritating. I am not sure what they change about the spec, if its the pickups, pots or the bridge or nut who knows? But yeah the do sound noticeably more les paulish
@@sacredgeometry yes yes yes and yes. also the neck join, the finish, the top carve, the wood selection itself. neck angle too. the issue is and has always been you have to pay a LOT to get a great "GIBSON LES PAUL" ok if you just want a good or even great singlecut and dont want to spend huge then ESP, PRS, etc. make better guitars than Gibson USA. And for the huge money Bartlett, Yaron, Collings, Knaggs are at least as good as the better GCS examples, but then in the end with all of them you dont have a Gibson Les Paul and there's just something about the human brain I guess. From that perspective, I guess, the custom shop guitars are in fact worth the ask
@@TCMx3 Right but it feels like its absolutely artificial. i.e. all the things they change probably don't cost any more for Gibson. In fact I would be surprised if they wouldn't be less expensive to manufacture for them and thats the bit I think that rubs people the wrong way about Gibson. I know lots of companies do that. But they seem to have done it so much and so arbitrarily that its compromised their product and its so evidentially entirely profit driven. It feels like they have contempt for their literal customers.
Well John, i think you need an LP in your life, i think the Pheasant sensed you were much calmer today, probably after the joys of playing that LP, not like that last meeting where he was at you about vertex - and who could blame him. I think i heard him say ‘leave those vertex discussions to the gear page where they belong mate’ or something like that anyway…
The looks and sounds of that Les Paul are very imressive! I have a Gibson Heritage 80 Les Paul with the Tim Shaw humbuckers that I bought new in 1981. There is just something a bit special about a good Les Paul that gives you that thick sustain that is hard to find in any other guitar. I had a Black Beauty in before that was great for rock. Wore the frets out and traded it for another Les Paul (big mistake) should have kept it and had it refretted. Too impatient though with all the gigs I had. Good luck with the search John.
Those Heritage 80's were really good. I played one at the then British distributers in London. Unfortunately they would not let me buy it because it was the only one in the Country. Pete.
well John that is one of the best tones Ive heard on your channel. I still have mine, CC15. I would highly recommend one, or CC24 might be even better, but holy shit I just looked at prices. 10K USD is the lowest I see?!?! I paid 4200 for mine in 2015, chucked another 300 or so on top for some Wizz pickups and an RS harness and love the guitar but there's no way in the world Id part with that much money for it ffs.
I've never played a Les Paul that I've liked, but I've heard several that sounded really good. That's definitely a good one. David owes you big time, or if he doesn't want it, you should buy it. The Les Paul guitar model that I typically like the sound of is the "Studio" model. The Tokai guitars you've played have sounded good. I like the sound of PRS SE semi-hollow body and Vela models I've heard.
@@dionysusthemadgod Interesting. The reason I like the Studio is specifically for their bright, edgy sound, as I find most Les Paul guitars way to muddy for my liking. Goes to show how different people can have very different tastes for the same feature.
There is no more amazing thing than seeing someone play a 'love at first sight' guitar. It really adds an indefinable quality to our playing when we find such an instrument. Hopefully he hates this LP lol
I’ve been wanting a double bucker solid body for a while and although have an open mind I can’t help but come back to the LP tone. It just has a quality to the sound that seems to be not quite there with the alternatives. Happy to be wrong but so far just haven’t found it in others. Am I wrong?
@@johnnathancordy aww but I was hoping for extra terrestrials or something. Oh well. The pheasant was good. The pheasant will do. Ps just got my first ever 7-string
Good luck on the hunt and have fun! My '07 Classic Gold Top is my number one and will be with me until I am beyond playing. The 1960 on the pick guard is mostly a memory. I have played many - a few will stand out. Not necessarily the expensive ones. I also have a 2000 Studio that sings pretty well but I like the neck better on the Classic.
@@johnnathancordy Good luck on your hunt. The late Michael Casswell had a Les Paul standard from the late 90s at the time when Valley Arts Guitars founder Mike McGuire became operations manager of the Gibson Custom division. He seemed very happy with that one...
I'm a weirdo, but here goes... That les Paul is perfect.. If it feels and sounds right, nothing will top it - only different. Les pauls are like snow flakes, none are alike.. Expensive ones are not "better" in my opinion, you can chase your tail looking for a les Paul with better, optimal tone or whatever and will waste a lot of time and money. I prefer cheap les Paul studios, I mod them w my prefered pickups, hardware and have them well setup (fret work esp.). I prefer the chambered gold tops.. From around 2010. Lighter and show their play ware in a cool way.
You’ll develop the les Paul stoop with that lump round your neck. Or you could play it sitting down and have it dive off your knee because it’s so arse heavy. Your les Paul is basically a form of furniture for dentists who have run out of room for lacquered sideboards.. Get an Eastman. I’ve got one that’s just over 7.5 pounds. Lovely instrument, and useable without a truss.
In my opinion, this guitar, despite its many flaws, is the most musical instrument out there. Very inspiring to me.
Had an ‘02 LP standard. Honey burst, great flame top, fat neck. Regret selling.
That IS a very pleasant pheasant. Les Pauls are sneaky, the good ones have something intangible about them, they’re totally different beasts to strats and they take a while to click. The new 50’s and 60’s standards are really good, great build quality
Oh Yes Just added the New Historic Pickups that are now available to buy !
John's Favorite Pleasant Pheasant is in this VIDEO!!!
I got my first Les Paul around 2000 after solely playing Strats and it's just soo different but in a really good way. Definitely something to have in the collection. This sounds great by the way, extremely musical 😀
I had a 1991 Gibson Les Paul Standard in black 20 years ago. Sold it when my wife got pregnant. Miss that guitar every day!
I have this exact guitar. Bought second hand recently but pretty much mint. It's a keeper.
Yup, that’s a nice one. Proper LPs do shine through amps
I played one of these when they were new but at $4500.00 at the time ( LH ) It was like a chorus of angels singing , I remember them being hefty but lovely neck profile and lovely to play .
Good ones are special. When i got mine there were 5 to choose from, one being a nice white custom lite for a good price, still there was no question, the 2004 one was leagues above the other in every aspect. Lead me to sell my Setzer Hotrod, which had been no.1, until it didn't get played again for years.
When you get a Les Paul.....don't go for color, year etc. Just go play them and take home the one. I have a 2019 Traditional I got new after spending many days and hours playing a bunch of them. It is completely stock and sounds glorious. Most will sound similar but every now and then you will find one that just stands out a bit more. GET THAT ONE!
Lovely guitar and you make it sing. I’ve decided I’m definitely a humbucker / solid body person. What I’ve found is that if you’ve built patches for single coil guitars then play something like a Les Paul through them, they can sound epic. And the reverse is definitely not true, in my experience.
I got stressed about this Ukraine war, the intro song had a lot of happiness and hope feeling in it, thanks man! Les Pauls that weigh high 7 pounds are very rare and those are "very light", low 8s are light, 9 pound LP is middle of the road / standard one :)
I believe the pheasant has been a Gibson guy all along, which is why he was less aggressive this encounter.
The hunt ends, i bought the very same guitar in 2003 brand new. No buckle rash and very well kept.
That pheasant wanted to quit life in the fields and move in with you. Must have heard that there was an LP Standard in the house.
I've got a 2019 custom shop heavy aged 59 and it's an incredible instrument. Literally was my dream guitar. I've owned a number of LP's over the years and they all tend have a "sound" and "feel" and I absolutely do NOT think you have to buy a custom shop to get a great LP. My second fav LP I've owned was actually a 90's LP studio that had an ebony board. It was a great guitar that I traded for a... refrigerator. LOL! What a terrible trade that was, but there's a LONG story behind it.
It’s a Excellent Guitar on my I took all parts off and put Gibson Historic Parts and Bumble Bees and got rid of the Black case got a Lifton case ! Excellence
I have a R7 ( Steve Hackett fan), thick neck, but they do have a sound, really good for recording. Just a really great balanced sound, nice highs, nice mids, not too much bass, just a great sound. PRS try to do the same but they are different, their own thing. Everyone needs a Les Paul
I bought a black Gibson Les Paul Studio in 2000 and I actually wore out the frets on it. I just bought a '50s Les Paul Standard Wildwood spec. that I'm infatuated with. It's a great rock guitar. I have a PRS CE 24 and I was originally in love with it because it was so effortless to play, but I've found that it doesn't have much sonic personality compared to a Les Paul. I could sell all my electric guitars except my Les Paul, Strat and Gretsch 6120 and be happy. I love the pheasant!
bless the broken road!!
I love my LP Custom!
You really need to try to get the les paul in this video. You seem to love it. I hope you get a chance to play one with p-90’s . I did have a 2010 black les paul standard. I had to sell it for medical. I really loved that guitar. I had it new too. I have a les paul special right now. The neck is so nice
I've got 2 Les Pauls. By far my favourite not only that my favourite guitar I've ever owned is my 2008 standard. I know the cork sniffers won't like it because of its chambering etc. It really is exceptional and I've never once considered moving it on.
The tone you have and the playing is absolutely amazing today.. Welp I'm a Les Paul guy from America.. In general and I don't want to start any arguments... Outside of the '50s holy Grail stuff.... Early 2000s Les Paul's are some of the best and very sought after in the states.. Some say great wood I don't know but they just seem to sound, play and look fantastic with some of the best bursts you'll find.. Just about everyone that I played from that era had the same effect you feel.. kind of crazy.. The price you said you got for that one is a steal.. especially here in the states... I had a 2002 and unfortunately was separated from it and wished that never happened.. I was never able to find anything close until Gibson reemerged with new leadership.. I actually picked up a Les Paul standard 60s at a local chain and was blown away.. Closest Les Paul I played in years to what I used to have.. However that one was sold.. So, I had a guy at Sweetwater I knew.. After I told him what I was looking for burst wise he literally showed me pictures of 15 guitars and I picked one.. I am absolutely completely pleased even though I spent way more than I ever said I would on a guitar.. He gave me a heck of a deal and I'm still not thrilled about the price.. lol That was before they jacked up the price last year! This one I will never let go.. It's not the same as my 2002 but it's pretty damn close and I have completely bonded with it..So maybe scoot down to a local music store and check out one of the new standards out you might be surprised.. However if you can get one close to what you have now I would jump all over it.. just my two cents man..
I’m led to believe that the early noughties Gibsons are part of the “good wood” era.
I bought an 06 LP last year, refinished the head stock because the lacquer was coming off. It’ll never leave me, absolutely love it!
And about 4500 quid less than a factory beat up Gibson 👍
"Goodwood" era is named after a guy's name and nothing to do with the wood. Every single year after inception Gibson made good and bad guitars. It's all about preference anyway
@@ilmisxx2bullshit. 2000 to 2005 were the best and time will show that. Educate yourself before spewing a bunch of bullshit.
What about the Japanese Tokai's? Especially the higher end models...
There's a bunch of LPS of all brands they are all the same. The Magick semi nonsense only applies to specific instruments to me not brands, and that's mostly about luthiery and pickups
I think you're right Maynard, it's less about the brand (sorta) and more about finding one that works for you
@@johnnathancordy yeah man when you connect with an instrument for whatever reason, you can feel it. It's important to try a lot of them
I have two different Les Pauls, a Tribute and Classic which the Classic in more along the lines of a 58 Les Paul as far as the non weight relief plain maple top and 59 style neck. The Tribute is a great guitar it’s a 2018 which is the non weight relief, mahogany neck with the 490 and 498 neck and bridge pickups respectively. All that being said the each have a different vibe. Both are very different but both are very inspiring. I also have 3 Stratocasters and es 335 which are all wonderfully inspiring to play. I think you are bitten by the Les Paul bug especially sense there’s nothing like it not even a Les Paul knockoff is going to capture your inspiration like the “real thing”. You are a wonderful musician and inspiring regardless of the instrument you have in your hands. Blessings!
They definitely have a certain magic about them.
I do find myself almost using up the whole pickup height screw thread trying to open up modern Les Pauls.
The custom shop 59s are way better. Not 4 grand better but enough for it to be irritating.
I am not sure what they change about the spec, if its the pickups, pots or the bridge or nut who knows? But yeah the do sound noticeably more les paulish
@@sacredgeometry yes yes yes and yes. also the neck join, the finish, the top carve, the wood selection itself. neck angle too. the issue is and has always been you have to pay a LOT to get a great "GIBSON LES PAUL" ok if you just want a good or even great singlecut and dont want to spend huge then ESP, PRS, etc. make better guitars than Gibson USA. And for the huge money Bartlett, Yaron, Collings, Knaggs are at least as good as the better GCS examples, but then in the end with all of them you dont have a Gibson Les Paul and there's just something about the human brain I guess. From that perspective, I guess, the custom shop guitars are in fact worth the ask
@@TCMx3 Right but it feels like its absolutely artificial.
i.e. all the things they change probably don't cost any more for Gibson. In fact I would be surprised if they wouldn't be less expensive to manufacture for them and thats the bit I think that rubs people the wrong way about Gibson.
I know lots of companies do that. But they seem to have done it so much and so arbitrarily that its compromised their product and its so evidentially entirely profit driven.
It feels like they have contempt for their literal customers.
Well John, i think you need an LP in your life, i think the Pheasant sensed you were much calmer today, probably after the joys of playing that LP, not like that last meeting where he was at you about vertex - and who could blame him. I think i heard him say ‘leave those vertex discussions to the gear page where they belong mate’ or something like that anyway…
Yes, the guitar is important but the player is most important.
A new segment idea. Ask the Fez ....
The looks and sounds of that Les Paul are very imressive! I have a Gibson Heritage 80 Les Paul with the Tim Shaw humbuckers that I bought new in 1981. There is just something a bit special about a good Les Paul that gives you that thick sustain that is hard to find in any other guitar. I had a Black Beauty in before that was great for rock. Wore the frets out and traded it for another Les Paul (big mistake) should have kept it and had it refretted. Too impatient though with all the gigs I had. Good luck with the search John.
Those Heritage 80's were really good. I played one at the then British distributers in London. Unfortunately they would not let me buy it because it was the only one in the Country. Pete.
well John that is one of the best tones Ive heard on your channel. I still have mine, CC15. I would highly recommend one, or CC24 might be even better, but holy shit I just looked at prices. 10K USD is the lowest I see?!?! I paid 4200 for mine in 2015, chucked another 300 or so on top for some Wizz pickups and an RS harness and love the guitar but there's no way in the world Id part with that much money for it ffs.
Ask to borrow Keith's R9.
I think they are eager to mate when they stand on one leg.
I've never played a Les Paul that I've liked, but I've heard several that sounded really good. That's definitely a good one. David owes you big time, or if he doesn't want it, you should buy it. The Les Paul guitar model that I typically like the sound of is the "Studio" model. The Tokai guitars you've played have sounded good. I like the sound of PRS SE semi-hollow body and Vela models I've heard.
I don’t like the 490s in the Studio and Tribute. Too bright and edgy, not very smooth or articulate, especially compared to Burstbuckers.
@@dionysusthemadgod Interesting. The reason I like the Studio is specifically for their bright, edgy sound, as I find most Les Paul guitars way to muddy for my liking. Goes to show how different people can have very different tastes for the same feature.
@@picksalot1 Certainly, to each their own.
There is no more amazing thing than seeing someone play a 'love at first sight' guitar. It really adds an indefinable quality to our playing when we find such an instrument. Hopefully he hates this LP lol
I’ve been wanting a double bucker solid body for a while and although have an open mind I can’t help but come back to the LP tone. It just has a quality to the sound that seems to be not quite there with the alternatives. Happy to be wrong but so far just haven’t found it in others. Am I wrong?
Have you tried an SG ?? or a 339/336 ..
I have a 335 and love it but the weight behind the LP is lovely.
Really enjoyable intro, John, but who are these beings in the title?
SAM. I feel quite embarrassed. I will not change the title on account that I've messed up...
@@johnnathancordy aww but I was hoping for extra terrestrials or something. Oh well. The pheasant was good. The pheasant will do.
Ps just got my first ever 7-string
The new ones are even better than anything before.
Good luck on the hunt and have fun! My '07 Classic Gold Top is my number one and will be with me until I am beyond playing. The 1960 on the pick guard is mostly a memory. I have played many - a few will stand out. Not necessarily the expensive ones. I also have a 2000 Studio that sings pretty well but I like the neck better on the Classic.
You won't be sorry with a Les Paul. Period.
Exactly what beings are you gonna be hunting?
Only ones with Gibson in the name. Les Pauls and Mels
@@johnnathancordy Good luck on your hunt. The late Michael Casswell had a Les Paul standard from the late 90s at the time when Valley Arts Guitars founder Mike McGuire became operations manager of the Gibson Custom division. He seemed very happy with that one...
I'd like to hear yours without an effects...
th-cam.com/video/2a_bsYD-WkQ/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/IARnUlcJsKg/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/Ec5YEJQLBWM/w-d-xo.html
a range of tones here
I'm a weirdo, but here goes... That les Paul is perfect.. If it feels and sounds right, nothing will top it - only different. Les pauls are like snow flakes, none are alike.. Expensive ones are not "better" in my opinion, you can chase your tail looking for a les Paul with better, optimal tone or whatever and will waste a lot of time and money. I prefer cheap les Paul studios, I mod them w my prefered pickups, hardware and have them well setup (fret work esp.). I prefer the chambered gold tops.. From around 2010. Lighter and show their play ware in a cool way.
I warned you !!! If you are up town come and try a real one ! see my clips on the "Studio Rats " site ..
You’ll develop the les Paul stoop with that lump round your neck. Or you could play it sitting down and have it dive off your knee because it’s so arse heavy. Your les Paul is basically a form of furniture for dentists who have run out of room for lacquered sideboards..
Get an Eastman. I’ve got one that’s just over 7.5 pounds. Lovely instrument, and useable without a truss.
Or you could grow some muscles?
@@sacredgeometry ah...Les Paul - the guitar for REAL men.