Les Paul Classic (most recent one) anyone tried/own one?

ElectricXII · September 2023

Nerine said:

jellybelly said:

It doesn't sound like you're overly excited by it! Is a Traditional a lot more money-wise or same ballpark?

If you try one and come away unimpressed, would you consider something else? There's a few 'almost Gibson' options like a Heritage H150, MIJ Epiphone Elitist or a used Orville??

If it has to have 'Gibson' on it I totally understand that though, not trying to be contrary, I'd be the same with a Jazzmaster needing to be a Fender, or else it's not a Jazzmaster. More flexible with teles for some reason???

Well, I'm now wondering if I can get away with a Les Paul Special in TV yellow.

A cool guitar whichever way you slice it. Very workmanlike, no neck angle to worry about, simply constructed - surely Gibson can't even get them wrong etc.

Not sure the image is quite correct, but not far off, plus I've never had a guitar with P90's before.

I've got one of those, and it's my main gigging guitar, to the extent that my ES-335 stays at home. It does the classic rock thing perfectly and works really well sonically with our other guitarist's LP Standard. Don't hesitate to try one, although I find upper fret access slightly less easy than on some other guitars.

Nerine · September 2023

ElectricXII said:
I've got one of those, and it's my main gigging guitar, to the extent that my ES-335 stays at home. It does the classic rock thing perfectly and works really well sonically with our other guitarist's LP Standard. Don't hesitate to try one, although I find upper fret access slightly less easy than on some other guitars.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I think checking one out will be the thing to do.

How’s the clean up on the pickups? Do they stay bright when rolling back the volume?

What are the frets like? (Height and size etc)

roberty · September 2023

Nerine said:

ElectricXII said:
I've got one of those, and it's my main gigging guitar, to the extent that my ES-335 stays at home. It does the classic rock thing perfectly and works really well sonically with our other guitarist's LP Standard. Don't hesitate to try one, although I find upper fret access slightly less easy than on some other guitars.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I think checking one out will be the thing to do.

How’s the clean up on the pickups? Do they stay bright when rolling back the volume?

What are the frets like? (Height and size etc)

I have a 2020 Gibson Les Paul Special. Frets are vintage feeling but still fairly tall. I converted it to 50s wiring which helps retain the brightness when the volume controls are down. It's a really nice guitar, no compromises vs a full fat Les Paul imo. Doesn't feel budget at all

Without wishing to derail the thread, this is my insane collection right now. Still, no one was harmed in the process

guitars4you · September 2023

roberty said:

jellybelly said:

It doesn't sound like you're overly excited by it! Is a Traditional a lot more money-wise or same ballpark?

If you try one and come away unimpressed, would you consider something else? There's a few 'almost Gibson' options like a Heritage H150, MIJ Epiphone Elitist or a used Orville??

If it has to have 'Gibson' on it I totally understand that though, not trying to be contrary, I'd be the same with a Jazzmaster needing to be a Fender, or else it's not a Jazzmaster. More flexible with teles for some reason???

My H-150 is insanely good. I know it's not a big sample size but I would take mine over any Gibson

I've just picked up a used H140 gold top - Slimmer body model - It has thrown me about how well it feels and plays - And what good 'value' they are - As they are not popular you can pick them up for good money - This one has just amazed me how good it is - Not much more than the cost of an LP Studio and blows it away - Maybe they are not all good as this example - I don't normally get on with LP's but this one is growing on me - Going to keep it a while and might even 'hot rod' it a touch ref pick-ups and a better wiring loom

tomajoha · September 2023

roberty said:

Nerine said:

ElectricXII said:
I've got one of those, and it's my main gigging guitar, to the extent that my ES-335 stays at home. It does the classic rock thing perfectly and works really well sonically with our other guitarist's LP Standard. Don't hesitate to try one, although I find upper fret access slightly less easy than on some other guitars.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I think checking one out will be the thing to do.

How’s the clean up on the pickups? Do they stay bright when rolling back the volume?

What are the frets like? (Height and size etc)

I have a 2020 Gibson Les Paul Special. Frets are vintage feeling but still fairly tall. I converted it to 50s wiring which helps retain the brightness when the volume controls are down. It's a really nice guitar, no compromises vs a full fat Les Paul imo. Doesn't feel budget at all

Without wishing to derail the thread, this is my insane collection right now. Still, no one was harmed in the process

Always had a soft spot for a wine red studio

duotone · September 2023

@roberty ;
Really love the look of those, especially the Heritage & Maybach models.

How do they compare? The Heritage looks to have a bigger/wider body I’m guessing that’s just the angle the photo was taken from?

Finally if you could only keep one of those two which would it be?

Cheers!

Jay100 · September 2023

I’ve had two Classics over the past few years, both Honeybursts, as well as two Standards (1 x 50s and 1 x 60s). I’ve still got the Standards, but not the Classics. All made ‘20-22.

In my own limited experience, the Classics definitely felt like a ‘lesser’ guitar.

The two I had both had noticeable QC issues with sloppy binding and fret board gouges, as well as poorly cut nuts. Both for whatever reason, had frets which were almost flat to the board too. Plek machine got a little too overzealous perhaps?

Both were pretty heavy too given the weight relief, Gibson were likely using the better mahogany for higher priced models.

They sounded good and played as best they could with very low frets, but at the time Standards weren’t a great deal more. I wasn’t a fan of the coil-tapping/splitting etc, but that might be something which appeals to you.

Both my Standards by contrast are close to flawless. Perhaps this is purely anecdotal, but that’s been my experience, if helpful at all.

duotone · September 2023

Worth a quick listen comparing the Standard, Classic & Deluxe.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Khu9n82Vxso

roberty · September 2023

duotone said:

@roberty ;;
Really love the look of those, especially the Heritage & Maybach models.

How do they compare? The Heritage looks to have a bigger/wider body I’m guessing that’s just the angle the photo was taken from?
Finally if you could only keep one of those two which would it be?

Cheers!

They are indeed the same size, 'tis a trick of the lens

The Maybach is lovely but the Heritage is something else. Honestly blown away by the Heritage. The Maybach may end up in the classifieds soon. I got excited by the H-150 and impulse bought an H-535 to match. Both are phenomenal. I have a few months interest free credit in which to make up my mind about what to keep and what to let go

@guitars4you I am a little bit in awe of my two Heritage guitars. I got interested because a local guitar player who I respect a great deal has been playing one and singing its praises

willo · September 2023

Jay100 said:

I’ve had two Classics over the past few years, both Honeybursts, as well as two Standards (1 x 50s and 1 x 60s). I’ve still got the Standards, but not the Classics. All made ‘20-22.

In my own limited experience, the Classics definitely felt like a ‘lesser’ guitar.

The two I had both had noticeable QC issues with sloppy binding and fret board gouges, as well as poorly cut nuts. Both for whatever reason, had frets which were almost flat to the board too. Plek machine got a little too overzealous perhaps?

Both were pretty heavy too given the weight relief, Gibson were likely using the better mahogany for higher priced models.

They sounded good and played as best they could with very low frets, but at the time Standards weren’t a great deal more. I wasn’t a fan of the coil-tapping/splitting etc, but that might be something which appeals to you.

Both my Standards by contrast are close to flawless. Perhaps this is purely anecdotal, but that’s been my experience, if helpful at all.

So this is interesting. My classic had really poor QC, I felt (and wrote above) that it wasn't a lesser guitar because I just assumed my poor QC was a one off. If those poor standards are baked into the product - i.e. lower quality standards around errors and other finish blemishes, I don't like that at all. But from reading things above, and my own experience, it does seem likely that a Classic could be more likely to have crap QC issues than a Standard.

ElectricXII · September 2023

Nerine said:

ElectricXII said:
I've got one of those, and it's my main gigging guitar, to the extent that my ES-335 stays at home. It does the classic rock thing perfectly and works really well sonically with our other guitarist's LP Standard. Don't hesitate to try one, although I find upper fret access slightly less easy than on some other guitars.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I think checking one out will be the thing to do.

How’s the clean up on the pickups? Do they stay bright when rolling back the volume?

What are the frets like? (Height and size etc)

There's a little treble roll off when you wind back the volume, but not drastic. The neck pickup was a bit too bassy for my ears, so I installed a cap between the hot lead and the pot which improved things a lot.

The frets are medium jumbos, maybe slightly taller than on my ES-335.

Nerine · September 2023

ElectricXII said:

Nerine said:

ElectricXII said:
I've got one of those, and it's my main gigging guitar, to the extent that my ES-335 stays at home. It does the classic rock thing perfectly and works really well sonically with our other guitarist's LP Standard. Don't hesitate to try one, although I find upper fret access slightly less easy than on some other guitars.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I think checking one out will be the thing to do.

How’s the clean up on the pickups? Do they stay bright when rolling back the volume?

What are the frets like? (Height and size etc)

There's a little treble roll off when you wind back the volume, but not drastic. The neck pickup was a bit too bassy for my ears, so I installed a cap between the hot lead and the pot which improved things a lot.

The frets are medium jumbos, maybe slightly taller than on my ES-335.

Thanks for the info, that’s good to know. Appreciate the reply.

tony99 · September 2023

@Nerine there's a nice looking used one in guitar guitar glasgow. It's heritage cherry though.

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Les Paul Classic (most recent one) anyone tried/own one?

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