Who's an expert in Customs? VOS, Customs etc

[Fixxxer]

I am really digging my custom for what it is. Its really different from the standards in the sense that, they have more pop when they play. Meaning they are a tad punchier.

Why are they like that? Are they different tone woods? I believe they are Maple caps, but why the difference in tonal qualities?

I am assuming these are not weight relieved, although I could be wrong. It does weight the same as my '59 reissue.

Anyway, if someone can school me on these it would be cool. I like it tuned down, and they look freaking killer.

Thanks for the input!

[Fixxxer]

Actually did some research and see that customs have mahogany caps. No idea Mahogany made that much of a tone impact in comparison to maple.

Its not bad... just different.

[LoKi]

Its just the 57 VOS that has the Mahogany cap. The rest of the Customs out there have Maple... The difference in tone comes from the really dense mahogany they use for the body. Makes for a heavy guitar, but its a thick tone and the big maple cap and ebony add bite behind it.

Not sure if the new Customs are as high quality Ebony anymore... I think they dye it black so its all even, but the older ones had really expensive boards on them.

Customs are by far my favorite Les Paul!

[JPizzzle]

Originally Posted by LoKi

Its just the 57 VOS that has the Mahogany cap. The rest of the Customs out there have Maple... The difference in tone comes from the really dense mahogany they use for the body. Makes for a heavy guitar, but its a thick tone and the big maple cap and ebony add bite behind it.

Not sure if the new Customs are as high quality Ebony anymore... I think they dye it black so its all even, but the older ones had really expensive boards on them.

Customs are by far my favorite Les Paul!

I was under the impression that maple was heavier than mahagony? Didn't gibson use mahagony to lighten the load of an all maple body (what les paul orginally wanted). Maybe since its one big piece of mahogony and not broken up it's denser then with the cap, i dunno.

[LoKi]

Density doesn't equal dark tone. Its the type of wood that matters, and a denser piece of any given tonewood will change its characteristics a bit, but its overall character will always be the same. Thats why they are tonewoods.

Maple is a dense wood, but it is a really bright tone wood. It balances out the Mahogany, which is why they use it. Mahogany has a natural dip in the upper midrange which is why Les Pauls have that thick woody tone. The Maple adds definition and a little snap. Ebony is also a bright and expensive tone wood, adding more high end into the mix.

To the best of my knowledge there has NEVER been an all maple Les Paul. All mahogany yes, but not all maple.

[Roman Rist]

Usually a custom has a maple neck with the ebony board. At least most 80s ones I have seen. New ones I am not sure about.

[LoKi]

The new ones all have a mahogany neck now, other than the ZW sig and the Sykes sig.

[Redfish]

I've owned several and I always felt it was the Ebony board that made them sound a little more aggressive with a little more bite and less warmth to the note. They were always heavy also and I think that affects the tone too. I like them for metal and heavy distortion but I like the standard better for classic rock tone. My 68 Custom Historic was a little warmer sounding than my old Norlins but the meanest sounding guitar I ever owned was my 1979 25/50 anniversary custom LP. That guitar just killed and I sold it in the early 90's for $1100. I just about cry when I see what they sell for now.

[Axeman16]

Originally Posted by LoKi

Its just the 57 VOS that has the Mahogany cap. The rest of the Customs out there have Maple... The difference in tone comes from the really dense mahogany they use for the body. Makes for a heavy guitar, but its a thick tone and the big maple cap and ebony add bite behind it.

Not sure if the new Customs are as high quality Ebony anymore... I think they dye it black so its all even, but the older ones had really expensive boards on them.

Customs are by far my favorite Les Paul!

+1.

[red2rider]

Maple is a very dense wood, much more than mahogony. The more density, and thickness the more higher range and snappy the sound of the notes. Mahogony is a much better all around tone wood as it has been what music standards have come to know and love. Basswood is very close in sound to mahogony all though quit a bit lighter. String height also plays a big part in that poppy sound I think your referring too. Extremely low action which Les Pauls are known for give this sound. Check the ht between the 2 guitars your referring to while playing unplugged and see the difference.While I might not be a world renowned luthier these are just observations I've made over the past 30yrs playing and 20yrs working on guitars.

RandyB.
Lefthand Player.
82 Les Paul Custom/ Antique White.
3 Ibanez RG's 1 Prestige.