Members notjonahbutnoah Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 So my band recorded our new album this week. The studio had this 1989 LP Custom. The thing was very playable, but beat to {censored}. Binding cracks at all the frets, I could feel the neck joint, dings and dents all over. But I loved it, I used my amp (it out-toned a vht deliverance 120 and an orange rocker 30) and the thing just made my sound come alive. Solos were jumping off the fretboard and all that other malarky... I must have a real paul. There are a lot of things to know though, here's what I liked: -top/fretboard binding (back and headstock binding is nice too)-weight, this thing weighed a ton, felt like the neck was gonna snap, but it was awesome-the toanz, don't know what pups were in, but its a stock 89 custom So I am currently shopping around for a paul that meets these criteria, id like the keep it under/right at a grand. Tall order, I know, but I kinda want one that's been played to death as my intention is to gig in beer flooded basements with it. Where are some good places to look? How about things to avoid? I know I don't want weight relief, what models have that? Basically I just want you guys to school me a little so I don't end up with a Gibson Les Lemon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members moger777 Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 With the fretboard binding it's going to be hard to find for around 1000. If you go with a les paul studio though, that will be well under a grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted July 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Yeah, I know, its a toughie. I've found a few studios on the net for 500. Ugh. I just know that I want this to be my last guitar for a long time. Its also usually very dark where we play, binding helps immensely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Josh S Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 My only real advice is don't settle. If you want one with binding, hold out until you get a deal. Standards from the 90s can be had in the $1500 range. I got my first Les Paul (a '99 Standard) for that, and I still have it. It's worth it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ubernerd Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Yep, don't settle. If you like the binding, one without won't do it for you. As far as non weight-relieved, Les Pauls have been weight-relieved since the early 80s. If you want a non weight-relieved guitar, you'll have to go Custom Shop Historic or VOS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 I'm not much help on LPs per se, but I know bargain hunting. Have your cash saved up, know what you want and don't get impatient. The champion cheapskate will hold out a year ready to punce on the deal he wants. Took me TWO years to find the most recent deal I was looking for. Totally worth it because I got way more guitar than what my outlay would indicate. When deals pop up, you gotta be ready to jump and they generally show up when and where you least expect it. Mine turned up at a generally overpriced local shop that caters to people with more money than sense. I was totally surprised to find my deal there, but there it was. I grabbed it quick. Happy hunting. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted July 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Thanks guys. Yeah, there's something on fleabay right now that I've got my eye on, even signed up for an auction sniper thing with 3 free snipes. {censored}, perhaps I'm stupid for posting it and giving away my precious butep here's a link, this thing is like my perfect prescription: http://cgi.ebay.com/GIBSON-1977-Les-Paul-Custom-Electric-Guitar-w-Case-/260631955903?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar&hash=item3caee009bf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Congrats on the recording too, btw. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted July 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Congrats on the recording too, btw. EG Thanks man. I'm so happy and proud. I keep comparing it side by side to professional bands and the sound is just great. *excited* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike.sartori Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 I got this 99' Classic for $900. I wouldn't sell it for that little though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted July 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 I can't sleep from this gas. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How about those sparrow guitars? Anyone know if they're heavy or relieved? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members onelife Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Play a Les Paul Studio before you dismiss them completely. The best guitar I have ever owned is a Studio with an ebony fingerboard. It does not have binding but it plays and sounds great. It's a real Les Paul complete with the weight.. I had a '77 or '78 Custom MF (maple fingerboard) similar to the one you are looking at on ebay. The finish was all natural and it was HEAVY. The maple neck and fingerboard sounded quite a bit different, not bad but more snappy like a Fender (no surprise), than the regular ebony/mahogany combination of most Les Paul Customs (and my Studio). I'm not saying you should not buy the Custom MF only that you should consider the studio. It may actually be closer to what you played when you were in the recording 'studio'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted July 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 I like studios, I just really want fingerboard binding. Is is possible to bind a fretboard as an aftermarket mod? HEAVY and boud board are my major things here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fuzztone Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 I like studios, I just really want fingerboard binding. Is is possible to bind a fretboard as an aftermarket mod? HEAVY and boud board are my major things here. Sure,it is possible but it would be cheaper to just find a used guitar that already has bindings like this 2002 Les Paul Classic that just sold on ebay for $952 If it doesn't have to have bindings or be a Gibson there are plenty of bargains out there. I got these 2 guitars for a total of $800 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members onelife Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 I like studios, I just really want fingerboard binding. Is is possible to bind a fretboard as an aftermarket mod?HEAVY and boud board are my major things here. It's possible but I would not do it. I don't miss the binding on mine at all - even though I like binding, especially the way Gibson does it. It seems that it is a deal breaker for you. Good Luck with your GAS, I hope you find a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fuzztone Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 I like studios, I just really want fingerboard binding. Is is possible to bind a fretboard as an aftermarket mod? Here you go: Just add binding and voila! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike.sartori Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Here's a studio mahogany I bought at GC for $580, I used super thin binding on the neck, but it was still nice. I painted it Gold top and put a bigsby on it. I had to sell it shortly thereafter to pay bills, but I got $1150 for it. (no deception about it's origins either, and I got positive ebay feedback, so I guess I did a pretty good job.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fuzztone Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Here's a studio mahogany I bought at GC for $580, I used super thin binding on the neck, but it was still nice. I painted it Gold top and put a bigsby on it. I had to sell it shortly thereafter to pay bills, but I got $1150 for it. (no deception about it's origins either, and I got positive ebay feedback, so I guess I did a pretty good job.) Wow! Do you have any photos of the guitar after it was finished? I'd love to see them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted July 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Whoa, that guy may not be the best at typing in english, but damn if I wasn't totally fooled for a second. Upon lots of ebay-ing, I've realized that I don't NEED body binding, and the fingerboard bit is nice but gibsons have bigger white dots than epis, I've noticed, so even that isn't ESSENTIAL. There are a couple really cute blue studios on the bay right now. There is also a nice looking swamp ash one. I read that swamp ask tends to accentuate upper mids. Is this true? If so that's a no go because my amp features el84s and vintage 30s (both very upper mid-heavy). Basically I just want paul, the heavier the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lp_junkie Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 The Studio will not fit your bill then, most are fairly light. Look for a used Classic, they tend to run 1000-1200 for the plaintops. Mine is an 01 I picked up for $1200, it weighs 8.4 lbs I have changed pups 3-4 times but they come with the 500t and 496r stock, which were higher output pickups. It has all the goodies- fretboard binding, body binding, maple cap, mahogany body and isn't the bottom barrel Gibson the studio is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bdubbs Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 The vintage Mahogonys don't have a maple top though do they? For the record I love my LP Studio with Ebony neck. Plays great and sounds great. I also don't need to worry about damaging it from all the travel and live play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bdubbs Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 The Studio will not fit your bill then, most are fairly light.Look for a used Classic, they tend to run 1000-1200 for the plaintops.Mine is an 01 I picked up for $1200, it weighs 8.4 lbs I have changed pups 3-4 times but they come with the 500t and 496r stock, which were higher output pickups.It has all the goodies- fretboard binding, body binding, maple cap, mahogany body and isn't the bottom barrel Gibson the studio is.He may want alnico pickups. Though I guess a pickup change is easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lp_junkie Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Right, I changed to Alnico/PAF based pups over the ceramics as well, just letting him know what would be stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members notjonahbutnoah Posted July 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Word, how about the swamp ash ones? Know anything? I do like the classics...mmmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members onelife Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 For the record I love my LP Studio with Ebony neck. Plays great and sounds great. I also don't need to worry about damaging it from all the travel and live play. I'm with you on the Studio w/ebony. In fact, I'm glad Gibson didn't remove the maple and ebony bits to replace them with plastic. Mine is a '94 - some kind of anniversary year - and it's every bit a Les Paul. Some guitars are for looking at and some guitars are for making music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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