My first LP.

[fiveightandten]

I've been thinking about picking up a Paul for a while now. I have a Gibson SG '61 Reissue that I bought new in 1999 and has been in heavy use ever since. My #2 is a 1990 Ric 360/6 (jetglo) that i've owned for about 10 years now. I also have a Mex Tele that comes out every once in a while.

Anyways, over the past 6 months i've been doing a lot of reading and playing different pauls. I had been pretty set on getting a used Custom, but it would require me to sell some amps to fund the purchase.

In keeping an eye on craigslist for any decent guitars, I came across a 1995 Studio in wine red with a headstock crack repair (crack, not break). I'm not one for headstock repairs, but the $400 asking price had me intrigued. I went down to have a look at it. The repair was done professionally in 1996. I picked the guitar up unplugged, hit an E chord, and that was all I needed to hear. It resonates beautifully. After some careful looking over and negotiations, I handed over $320 and brought home a new-to-me guitar, complete with the Gibson hardshell case.

I know this guitar is a bottom of the barrel Paul in every sense of the term. But I don't know of any LP enthusiast that would pass up a $320 Gibson Les Paul with a hardshell. I figure it will be a nice stepping stone to something a bit more upscale in the future.

Here's a few pics...


This color is hard to photograph, as it's so dark. But here she is after a good cleaning.




I had originally assumed this was veneer over the back, as there aren't any seams to be found...


But in looking at the edges, it looks like the back may actually be a single piece of wood. Again, this is tough to photograph.


And of course, everyone wants to see the carnage. It took a fall when he leaned it up against an amp. He was a 15 year old kid at the time and the guitar was less than a year old. That had to hurt.


And, i'm going to put some cream appointments on order...I like this look better than the black stuff. This is what will be happenning to her aesthetically (this belongs to a forum member here):


I'll keep the electronics stock for now. But sooner or later I want to upgrade the garbage wiring in the control cavity. I'm partial to the 57 classics in my '61 RI, but i'll give the pickups a chance for a while and go from there.

Thanks for all the great info in here, BTW.

[ant_riv]

Congratulations!

Great looking guitar and a fantastic price!!!!

Really cool that it plays better than it looks!

I like the idea of leaving it as is and playing it that way for a while before deciding on what changes to make.

[fiveightandten]

Originally Posted by ant_riv

Congratulations!

Great looking guitar and a fantastic price!!!!

Really cool that it plays better than it looks!

I like the idea of leaving it as is and playing it that way for a while before deciding on what changes to make.

Thanks. I didn't really plan on buying it. I'm not a big wine red fan, and a studio is...well, a studio. But it was a 15 minute ride, and a Paul tagged at $400, so I didn't have much to loose.

It played decent, but was in need of a setup. The scale length is shorter than my SG. I've noticed it's more finicky with neck adjustments. I have it playing pretty well now, but with this heat wave we're in, it's likely to shift.

It resonates very nicely though. Some pauls i've played feel kinda dead...a lot of the newer ones i've played haven't impressed me in that respect. Some are just plain amazing and feel alive in your hands. This one is definitely closer to the latter side of things. It's an ugly duckling (hopefully the cream appointments will help that a bit), but feels nice. I'll reserve my judgement on the tone until I see how it sits in the mix with the band this week.

[Tone deaf]

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

I know this guitar is a bottom of the barrel Paul in every sense of the term.

I think you haven't spent enough time with your studio, yet.

My studio is one of the best guitars that I have ever owned. In fact, I am considering culling the heard (to make room for a new-to-me norlin) and the my '99 Clapton Sig Strat is on the block, ahead of my '99 studio. It is the only one of my guitars that I have played for any meaningful amount of time recently (except my Martin, when my little one is in the tub).

[GitFiddle]

Congratulations. Sounds like you landed a sweet deal. Sometimes a good player with the least investment is the most fun to experiment with.

Welcome to MLP.

[fiveightandten]

Originally Posted by Tone deaf

I think you haven't spent enough time with your studio, yet.

My studio is one of the best guitars that I have ever owned. In fact, I am considering culling the heard (to make room for a new-to-me norlin) and the my '99 Clapton Sig Strat is on the block, ahead of my '99 studio. It is the only one of my guitars that I have played for any meaningful amount of time recently (except my Martin, when my little one is in the tub).

Thanks for the kind words. You're right, I haven't spent much time with it. Just trying to be humble about it though...I know how internet forums can be. Ie. "You started a thread about a 90's Studio with a headstock repair? Get over yourself dude". Know what I mean? It's a humble guitar compared to some of the pieces I see around here, that's all. But it does feel nice, and if nothing else it'll get me into the LP world and introduce me to the subtleties of playing a LP long term that i'm sure one doesn't pick up on from fiddling around with them in music stores.

Originally Posted by GitFiddle

Congratulations. Sounds like you landed a sweet deal. Sometimes a good player with the least investment is the most fun to experiment with.

Welcome to MLP.

Thanks very much.

Agreed.



Actually, while i'm at it, the only problem i'm having with the guitar has to do with the tailpiece. I need to have it quite high for the strings to clear the back end of the bridge. I much prefer the feel of it cranked down lower.

Relief is at about .009 at the 9th fret. The neck has a slight warp, as i'm seeing about .009 on the bass side and .010 on the treble side. I'll deal with that soon.
Low E height is about 6/64 @12th fret
High E height it about 4/64 @12th fret

Using Ernie ball 10's.

Any thoughts? I do play lead in this band, but my playing is so heavily centered around rhythms, I vastly prefer the tailpiece lower. Do people with this issue switch to 11's?

[acstorfer]

Why is it a bottom of the barrel Les Paul? The only real difference, to me anyway, between your Studio and a Standard is the lack of binding. You can always swap out the pups which is another small, but changeable difference. That's only if you choose to. Maybe there is a difference in wood quality? I've never heard that from an official source, not saying Gibson hasn't said it, just that I never heard it. So as far as I'm concerned, that claim is just an old wives tale.

You got a great deal! A $1,200.00 guitar for a hair over $300.00. That's just a great deal. I personally popped my LP on a Studio just like yours, mine was ebony with gold hardware and I had to pay considerably more. It's good it had the broken headstock, it was repaired professionally and more savings for you. Win-Win!

Congratulations again on your score and welcome to the addiction known as Les Paul guitars!

[freddarl82]

Damn! I'm going to put you in for the "Deal-O-the-Month" award! GREAT find! And, a +1 for the cream plastics idea. This one could be a great candidate to sand/remove the finish along the edge of the maple cap for the "faux binding" look (plenty of other threads on that, many 60's Studio Tribute owners have done it).

Nice find!

[fiveightandten]

Originally Posted by acstorfer

Why is it a bottom of the barrel Les Paul? The only real difference, to me anyway, between your Studio and a Standard is the lack of binding. You can always swap out the pups which is another small, but changeable difference. That's only if you choose to. Maybe there is a difference in wood quality? I've never heard that from an official source, not saying Gibson hasn't said it, just that I never heard it. So as far as I'm concerned, that claim is just an old wives tale.

You got a great deal! A $1,200.00 guitar for a hair over $300.00. That's just a great deal. I personally popped my LP on a Studio just like yours, mine was ebony with gold hardware and I had to pay considerably more. It's good it had the broken headstock, it was repaired professionally and more savings for you. Win-Win!

Congratulations again on your score and welcome to the addiction known as Les Paul guitars!

Thanks for the kind words. I like the guitar a lot. I'm excited to get her down to rehearsal with the band this week. So far, it's exactly what I was looking for...a fatter sounding version of my SG. The pickups are obviously different, so it's more aggressive sounding than my SG. But it'll be fun to integrate this one into the herd. What i'm really curious about is how my shoulder feels after a few hours of playing.

The ebony is a nice color...what year is yours? Bought her brand new? You must be excited. I remember taking my SG home from Sam Ash in '99...like it was yesterday. For people like us, it's like driving off the lot in a brand new car.

Originally Posted by freddarl82

Damn! I'm going to put you in for the "Deal-O-the-Month" award! GREAT find! And, a +1 for the cream plastics idea. This one could be a great candidate to sand/remove the finish along the edge of the maple cap for the "faux binding" look (plenty of other threads on that, many 60's Studio Tribute owners have done it).

Nice find!

Thanks! I know, I couldn't pass it up. I took a ride out today for the Cream plastics. Actually a few rides...that stuff is hard to find. No single store had all the pieces in stock.


I threw that stuff on a little while ago. I think it's an improvement.

Before...



Now...

[HOT-BRIT]

that is a beauty!!!!!!!
and you got the best deal I have ever heard of!!!!!!!!!
enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Job-Job type Job]

Handsome. That may be the best $320 you ever spent.

[KenG]

Get some straplocks on that sucker!
Nice looking & yes the creme plastics pop a little more than the black.
Happy playing.

[fiveightandten]

Originally Posted by HOT-BRIT

that is a beauty!!!!!!!
and you got the best deal I have ever heard of!!!!!!!!!
enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! I think the cream plastics set it off and turned things up a notch or two. I've had some pretty good deals over the years, this is a nice one for sure.

Originally Posted by Job-Job type Job

Handsome. That may be the best $320 you ever spent.

Thanks man. It's $320 well spent. A while back, I picked up a Hiwatt 4x12 for $300 at Sam Ash (wound up being about $320 after tax), so this rivals that for the best $320 i've spent. We'll see after a few sessions with the band and some fine tuning with the action/setup.

Originally Posted by KenG

Get some straplocks on that sucker!
Nice looking & yes the creme plastics pop a little more than the black.
Happy playing.

Thanks man. Yeah, i'm digging the cream...and those pieces were girlfriend approved (the gold knobs were her recommendation actually), so i'm confident it looks better...she doesn't care how the guitar resonates or feels to play...as long as it looks 'pretty'.

Actually, I don't do strap locks. In my guitars I typically put washers over the strap ends. I use a washer that's big enough to fit over the bottom of the strap pin, but not the top. I trust this method more than strap locks.

My SG...



While i'm at it...here's some pics of the amp collection...





1964 Vox AC-50, 1966 Vox AC-50, Mid-90's AC-30TBX, 1971 Orange 4x12, 1971 Orange GRO100, Hiwatt Custom 50 clone (built that one myself), two 1980 Hiwatt 4x12's...and I have 2 Avatar 2x12's (one with Greenbacks and one with V30's).

The 4x12's are too much firepower, i'll be unloading them at some point to fund a Les Paul...well, that was the plan at least. The Hiwatt and the AC-30 have been my main amps lately. I also have an AC-30CC2, which I picked up hoping the master volume would make the volume more workable for smaller clubs. But I much prefer my TBX, so that CC2 is on the block as well. AC-30CC2 + Orange 4x12 + Hiwatt 4x12's will put a good dent in a LP Custom or an R0 or '68RI.

[Tone deaf]

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

Thanks! I think the cream plastics set it off and turned things up a notch or two. I've had some pretty good deals over the years, this is a nice one for sure.
Thanks man. It's $320 well spent. A while back, I picked up a Hiwatt 4x12 for $300 at Sam Ash (wound up being about $320 after tax), so this rivals that for the best $320 i've spent. We'll see after a few sessions with the band and some fine tuning with the action/setup.

Thanks man. Yeah, i'm digging the cream...and those pieces were girlfriend approved (the gold knobs were her recommendation actually), so i'm confident it looks better...she doesn't care how the guitar resonates or feels to play...as long as it looks 'pretty'.

Actually, I don't do strap locks. In my guitars I typically put washers over the strap ends. I use a washer that's big enough to fit over the bottom of the strap pin, but not the top. I trust this method more than strap locks.

My SG...



While i'm at it...here's some pics of the amp collection...





1964 Vox AC-50, 1966 Vox AC-50, Mid-90's AC-30TBX, 1971 Orange 4x12, 1971 Orange GRO100, Hiwatt Custom 50 clone (built that one myself), two 1980 Hiwatt 4x12's...and I have 2 Avatar 2x12's (one with Greenbacks and one with V30's).

The 4x12's are too much firepower, i'll be unloading them at some point to fund a Les Paul...well, that was the plan at least. The Hiwatt and the AC-30 have been my main amps lately. I also have an AC-30CC2, which I picked up hoping the master volume would make the volume more workable for smaller clubs. But I much prefer my TBX, so that CC2 is on the block as well. AC-30CC2 + Orange 4x12 + Hiwatt 4x12's will put a good dent in a LP Custom or an R0 or '68RI.

Nice vintage gear...

[nutsauce]

Man that is a great looking Studio and I would have jumped on that deal in a second. I love my $800 Jr. just as much as my Custom.

[dcooper830]

Congrats and I hope you enjoy it!

Its not "bottom of the barrel" and it's not "garbage wiring".

I have a 1991 Wine Red LP Studio just like that one and its a phenomenal guitar. It feels extremely comfortable with low action and easy playing. Stays in tune great and has huge warm tone with plenty of bite.

It's completely stock.

I think it's every bit as awesome as my '58 VOS Les Paul.

So enjoy it! I'm sure you have a truly great guitar!

[InkedLester]

Congrats! Looks like my first LP which I no longer have.

[PoRk ChOp]

Nice guitar!

[scozz]

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

I know this guitar is a bottom of the barrel Paul in every sense of the term.

No such thing.

[fiveightandten]

Originally Posted by Tone deaf

Nice vintage gear...

Thanks man. Over the years I seem to be accumulating amps at a rate higher than the rate at which I sell them.

Originally Posted by nutsauce

Man that is a great looking Studio and I would have jumped on that deal in a second. I love my $800 Jr. just as much as my Custom.

Thanks! Hopefully soon i'll stop thinking about it as the guitar I got for real cheap and start thinking about it as a great guitar.

Originally Posted by dcooper830

Congrats and I hope you enjoy it!

Its not "bottom of the barrel" and it's not "garbage wiring".

I have a 1991 Wine Red LP Studio just like that one and its a phenomenal guitar. It feels extremely comfortable with low action and easy playing. Stays in tune great and has huge warm tone with plenty of bite.

It's completely stock.

I think it's every bit as awesome as my '58 VOS Les Paul.

So enjoy it! I'm sure you have a truly great guitar!

Thanks! Post some pics up of yours if you have any.

Maybe garbage is a strong term for the wiring. But I'm unimpressed with the wire they used in comparison to what's in my SG.

Originally Posted by InkedLester

Congrats! Looks like my first LP which I no longer have.

Thanks. Sorry to hear yours is out of the family...though it looks like you have a few other nice ones in the herd now.

Originally Posted by PoRk ChOp

Nice guitar!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by scozz

No such thing.

Haha. Point taken.

[GitFiddle]

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

...What i'm really curious about is how my shoulder feels after a few hours of playing.

First night I gigged with my R7 (9.5 lbs) my shoulder was killing me by the end of the first set. I found a decent Levy strap with slight padding on the back and 3 1/2" wide. Never had a problem since.

btw: The new plastics look great. Sweet guitar and sweet deal. Hope you enjoy it and welcome to MLP.

[lanniepig]

Very nice guitar. Definitely a deal hard to pass up. Enjoy your guitar. Also a nice perspective on a beginner guitar but don't count it out as a keeper. Many people love their studio's and other less expensive LP's. If you like her, definitely keep her no matter how inexpensive she was or what others may say. Congrats!!!

[fiveightandten]

Originally Posted by GitFiddle

First night I gigged with my R7 (9.5 lbs) my shoulder was killing me by the end of the first set. I found a decent Levy strap with slight padding on the back and 3 1/2" wide. Never had a problem since.

btw: The new plastics look great. Sweet guitar and sweet deal. Hope you enjoy it and welcome to MLP.

Yeah, this one is 9.9 lbs. I'll try and tough it out with a regular strap for a while and see how things go. Haha.

Thanks, i'm liking the cream plastics.

Originally Posted by lanniepig

Very nice guitar. Definitely a deal hard to pass up. Enjoy your guitar. Also a nice perspective on a beginner guitar but don't count it out as a keeper. Many people love their studio's and other less expensive LP's. If you like her, definitely keep her no matter how inexpensive she was or what others may say. Congrats!!!

Thanks!

Makes sense. I wasn't trying to degrade the guitar. But people around here have some seriously beautiful customs, reissues, and vintage guitars. Some beautiful collections. It's a humble one in comparison, but that doesn't mean it can't play well and sound great.

[jfm07]

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

Actually, while i'm at it, the only problem i'm having with the guitar has to do with the tailpiece. I need to have it quite high for the strings to clear the back end of the bridge. I much prefer the feel of it cranked down lower.

You should try top wrapping over the tail piece. There's a whole lot on this topic here: How many of you "really" wrap your strings around the tailpiece?

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

Relief is at about .009 at the 9th fret. The neck has a slight warp, as i'm seeing about .009 on the bass side and .010 on the treble side. I'll deal with that soon.

Yep, that's definitely slight. I doubt you'll have any intonation issues. The relief on my 91 varies slightly from side to side, as well, but there's no problems with intonation, buzz, etc.

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

Low E height is about 6/64 @12th fret
High E height it about 4/64 @12th fret

Factory spec is 5/64 and 3/64 ... sounds like you're about right.

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

Using Ernie ball 10's.

Any thoughts? I do play lead in this band, but my playing is so heavily centered around rhythms, I vastly prefer the tailpiece lower. Do people with this issue switch to 11's?

Lots of folks like EB 9's or 10's--it's just a personal preference. I like the sound and feel of D'Addario XL 10's. Tailpiece height is usually solved by top wrapping.

[Alex W]

$320 is an amazing bargain. It looks really great with the cream accents.

[Overture]

Wow, the cream plastics really make it look a lot better. Awesome guitar and an awesome deal.

[fiveightandten]

Thanks again for all the replies.

As an update, I finally had a chance to try it out with the band. The guitar sounds flippin' fantastic. It exceeded my expectations. I brought the Paul and my SG '61 RI to practice tonight. The SG didn't make it out of the case all night. We played for 5 hours. I didn't even have a desire to take it out for comparative purposes. That's a big statement...I love that SG to death. It's been my #1 for over 10 years.

I will say that the SG definitely has a better clean sound. The LP is flatter with less chime. Only in 2 or 3 songs did I find myself wanting more more out of the cleans. But the LP sounds so damned good doing 95% of what I do, i'm not bothered by it much. I thought about a '57 classic in the neck for some more chime in the neck and middle positions. But i'm not sure if i'll mess with it yet. My only driving force to experiment is that we're recording soon, and i'd hate to experiment after the fact and have a "damn, I should have done that before" moment.

Regardless, i'm very very happy with the guitar. It's so fat sounding. Smooth. Less abrasive than my SG. Nearly as full as my Ric, but more raw. It plays great, sustains for days as well. It sustains so well, I found myself backing my volume knob off at the end of certain passages where letting the note(s) decay is always fine with my other guitars. The Paul sustains too long!

The guitar is perfectly balanced. Nary a headstock dive in sight. Yeah, it's heavy, but the weight didn't bother me. My other guitarist has a white 2008 custom that's also almost 10 lbs. They feel about the same on your shoulder. He was impressed with the guitar as well.

We're playing out at a local bar/club on Saturday. The Paul will come. The SG will come. Vox AC-30TBX will come. The SG will sit on a stand in case I pop a string.

I think i'm going to sell my Tele, AC-30CC2, and a few 4x12's I don't use much, and fund another Paul. I've got the bug now. I want a standard, an early model classic, or a custom.

[Mr Insane]

Nice deal!

[jfm07]

Glad it worked out! Thanks for the follow up.

[msfenderarg]

Much, much better!


Congrats!