So as per my last FS thread. I was making way for a guitar that I have lusted after for the past 5-6 years.
I’ll let the pictures do the talking:
It’s a Murphy Lab light/medium aged R9 with handpicked top.
As with any new guitar it needs a few little tweaks, but straight off the shelf, it’s hugely impressive. There are a few Gibson idiosyncrasies with the construction. In this case, the string angle from saddle to tailpiece when viewed along the neck from the body end is slightly offset. We’re talking a degree left or something. I didn’t notice until last night when I was making some intonation tweaks. Regardless, it’s not affecting anything. It stays in tune really well and plays really nicely, so I am not concerned about this at all. I thought the string spacing looked slightly out as well, but after confirming with a rule, it’s as near as damn it 11mm between every pair of strings. Think my eyes were playing tricks on me. Still, I’ve been playing it for 6-7 hours all told so far and I’m just enjoying it massively.
You can just see the angle of the low E exiting slightly left in this pic:
Am I concerned? No.
So how does it sound?
It’s got that raspy top end on the bridge pickup but it doesn’t sound harsh. The middle position is honky, bright and thick, and the neck position under some gain is as flute like as you like with that slight “ping” from the pick attack.
The controls are smooth, the neck is chunky for a ‘59, and it’s very comfortable. Weight is good. I tried out a few yesterday and whilst this wasn’t the lightest one, it felt the best overall.
It’s the most unnecessary, egregious guitar purchase I have ever made, and it has that sort of charm that always seems to have alluded me on any other guitar I’ve owned. But it sounds like I’ve always expected a Les Paul to sound. It’s throaty, raw, clear, articulate etc. I could throw superlatives around all day, but it matters not.
(Abstract alert): My absolute favourite thing about it, is that it isn’t “perfect”. When playing it, it feels like it wants to please. I know the ageing is “fake”, I know the price premium is silly, I know that. But already it feels like a companion. It’s truly the only guitar I’ve owned that feels like it has a soul. It absolutely sings. The notes pop, they bite. It sounds a bit angry.
Colour wise, it’s browner on the eye than in the third picture. It’s not as cherry as that in person, and honestly I have had periods of time just looking at it as a piece of art. Every time I open the case, I get the “fizz”. I can’t walk past it without taking a minute to take it in.
I’m looking forward to bonding with it over the coming months. I’ve got a couple of gigs this weekend, so I shall see how it performs.
Comments
Where did you get it from if you don't me asking?
Curse my poor bladder control [skulks off for a change of jeans].
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder
My trading feedback - I'm a good egg
Fantastic playing as well. Can tell you are loving this guitar!
Does it have something special that maybe the R9s lacked a few years ago? I remember you said you weren't too impressed with them when you chose the Suhr Alt T over R9s and PRS.
Enjoy it mate
EDIT
just listened to the soundclip - cool, cracking sound - lovely separation between neck/bridge, perfectomundo
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.