When will I realize that my LP sucks?

[goby]

In 1994 I bought my dream guitar, a 1988 Les Paul Custom. With 2 kids and a law practice, there was no time to get out the guitar and learn to play.

Well my wife moved 3 hours away to be near doctors (we're still married and happy---we see each other at least 3 days per week) and I've got time to play. I've been playing consistently for about 2 months and can actually play an entire song for the first time in my life!!

Well LoKi said he owned late 80's early 90's LP that he really didn't care for. I've also read plenty of posts about LP's (from '59 Bursts to Epi's) that suck. Stupid me, I thought a guitar with a $3K list would obviously sound great!!!

So when will I get good enough to learn if my LP is a winner or a stinker? My LP neck feels great, much better than a Fender Strat neck. Those that have played it like it. If my LP does stink, what could stink about it?

Ignorance is bliss, so I currently love me guitar, but when will I discover the wonderful/awful truth?

[tralf]

Greetings,
Sounds like you are asking for trouble. If you like it's sound, then who cares? Or maybe you want another guitar , then by all means go get one.

People get really tweaked out sometimes about their instruments. Can border on the neurotic or obsessive compulsive. Just enjoy the playing that you get to do,and if you want another then go get one! I have three guitars, and I sort of rotate playing them based on no reason at all. Or go the mod route and swap pick ups and all the other doodah. FWIW
Cheers Tralf

[DeafDumbBlind Kid]

some people never do. It depends on developing your ear. There are times when I wish I still had my ibanez les paul copy and never got any better. Life would be so much simpler and a hell of a lot less expensive.

you never know, you may have gotten lucky and got a good one right off the bat. But you made a common mistake, thinking just because a gibson is an expensive guitar, that it is automatically a great guitar. Gibson has rested on its laurels for so long, that I believe that if it were not for the internet, they wouldn't spend one thin dime trying to improve their quality if they didn't have to. I can't count how many les pauls i turned down because they just were not good guitars, or vastly overpriced if they were acceptable. I did finally buy one in 1989. I spend a fortune on it, and thought it was the cat's nads. Within a year, it got traded towards an amp, because it just wasn't that great.

It took me 30 years, plus the help of some really knowledgeable, experienced people, to learn the finer points. I've probably spent in the neighborhood of 75-80 thousand dollars in the past 20 years, buying and selling guitars, amps, pedals, mics, etc, to find the good ones. Some might say it was a fool's errand, they may be right. But I gave up drugs in favor of gear, and I can live with that. At least I had something to show for it, instead of scar tissue in my nose and lung and liver, and an empty bank account.

[5F6-A]

IME early 90s gibbies weren't bada at all.. well...shaky logos and inlays, so-so pickups and the rubbish tunning pegs but apart from that they are good guitars.

honest

[dwagar]

if you like the neck and it sounds good to you, don't sweat it.

In the old days, we knew nothing about modding and tweaking guitars. If it didn't sound right, you sold it and moved on. I don't even want to think about the fantastic guitars I sold.

Spend some time reading this forum. You'll find out lots about tone and how to change your guitar into what you want (when you realize what that might be).

I think there are a lot of guitars that guys think 'suck', when some very simple things (eg a pro setup, pickups, etc.) could turn them into fantastic guitars.

[5F6-A]

Originally Posted by dwagar

if you like the neck and it sounds good to you, don't sweat it.

In the old days, we knew nothing about modding and tweaking guitars. If it didn't sound right, you sold it and moved on. I don't even want to think about the fantastic guitars I sold.

Spend some time reading this forum. You'll find out lots about tone and how to change your guitar into what you want (when you realize what that might be).

I think there are a lot of guitars that guys think 'suck', when some very simple things (eg a pro setup, pickups, etc.) could turn them into fantastic guitars.

+1 absolutely spot on

[decoy205]

"My In 1994 I bought my dream guitar.....LP neck feels great, much better than a Fender Strat neck. Those that have played it like it."

Sounds to me like you have no problem. It's your dream guitar you like the way it plays and sounds. You have nothing to worry about. If your tastes change over time and it's not what you want any longer you can always sell and get top dollar for your gibby. But It sounds to me like you have a winner already. Enjoy it and don't let anyone else's issues cloud your opinions of your own gear.

[Liam]

Well...my 1990 LP Standard is a lovely guitar...can't see why an '88 couldn't be too.

[coldsteal2]

Hey, if you dont like it, i got a great White Les Paul studio you might
love in trade!

[MrWrong]

As long as you like it, that's all that matters.

[JPizzzle]

usually takes about 14 weeks. j/k, don't look for problems, it sounds like you got a great guitar!

[ArchEtech]

People get snobbish on tone with expensive amps and 6k reissue guitars.

Look at it this way, some of the greatest guitar players sound fantasic with a cheap guitar and a basic set up. Many tout around their sponsered signature guitar but really play their old stand by which probaly isn't an vintage $100,000 piece. Look at EVH - his guitar has been beat to crap. Your telling me that some of those beat up old strats some blues players have are made out of premium tone wood, with $500 custom pickups... not really.

I don't know I think you can take it too far, and we should all just practice more. If you have a Les Paul, any Les Paul, and a reasonably priced amp your equipment is not going to be hindering your learning curve. Worry about getting that "tone" when you have the skills to use it, and by then I'd guess you're fingers would be giving you more tone than the guitar you were playing.

That's just my $.02.

[Rock Johnson]

Lots of what you read on guitar forums is from guys with too much time and money on their hands chasing the last, most elusive 2% of tone. For me, my simple and ultra-slutty rig gets me 98% there, so I'm not real worried about that last 2%.

Do pots, caps, tail pieces, nuts, etc., make a difference in tone? Sure...but so does a fresh set of strings. I've even seen an actual discussion on another forum about how which direction your connecting wires go in will change your tone (ie, take the wire from your tone pot to your switch, disconnect it, turn it around and re-solder it, your guitar will sound much better).

So, at the end of the day, let your ears be your judge. A good professional setup, including a fret leveling and polishing, is always a good investment, but in the end, the more you play, the better you'll sound.

[GeeJay]

Originally Posted by goby

In 1994 I bought my dream guitar, a 1988 Les Paul Custom..... .......my LP neck feels great, much better than a Fender Strat neck. Those that have played it like it. If my LP does stink, what could stink about it?

Ignorance is bliss, so I currently love me guitar, but when will I discover the wonderful/awful truth?

Try putting some fresh strings on it, that would be a start...

Of course I'm just kidding.

As long as there are no major flaws in it's construction, I'd be astonished if you couldn't get it to sound and play decently at least. Set-up, pickups, wiring.. Gotta get you close.

It's fair to say that sometimes you come across a guitar that has some extra mystery ingredient that makes it great. But I believe that if the fundamentals are right, any guitar can be made to do the job.

On a final note, who decides if your Les Paul stinks? If you like it and other people who have played it like it, seems to me it doesn't stink...

Cheers!

[Paul]

post some specifics, you never know what a pickup switch or cap/pot switch could do or maybe just a setup.

amp's make allot of difference post specifics about your rig plz.

[Doctor Dread]

Dear Goby, you're on a very dangerous path!

You are not a pro, no top-notch high-end know-it-all producer will ever criticize your sound (and if he does, kick him in the head with your LP. You are a lawyer, you should get away with it)

If you love your guitar and if she brings the best in you, play her and enjoy. For us hobbyst, enjoyment is the name of the game. Take her to a professional set-up, change pots 'n' stuff if you want, but stick with her. Don't look for flaws if you haven't noticed them allready.

[coldsteal2]

Originally Posted by Doctor Dread

Dear Goby, you're on a very dangerous path!

You are not a pro, no top-notch high-end know-it-all producer will ever criticize your sound (and if he does, kick him in the head with your LP. You are a lawyer, you should get away with it)

If you love your guitar and if she brings the best in you, play her and enjoy. For us hobbyst, enjoyment is the name of the game. Take her to a professional set-up, change pots 'n' stuff if you want, but stick with her. Don't look for flaws if you haven't noticed them allready.

To me guitars are like women, i tend to enjoy
the flaws that make them different from the rest
and set them apart.

[Doctor Dread]

Originally Posted by coldsteal2

To me guitars are like women, i tend to enjoy
the flaws that make them different from the rest
and set them apart.

Right, coldsteal2

It's a very phycical contact we have with them. We go down the curvatures, peeking into hidden areas, holding them sometimes gently, sometimes hard, we touch and do the things to them and they respond, bringing us pleasure... now go figure am I speaking about girls or guitars?

Like I loved every girl I was involved with, starting from one-nighters to my ex and current wife, I loved every guitar I owned. Each had it's perks, some treasures no other had. They were blondes, brunettes, speckled, thin, big, small single-coiled, huge twin humbucked, short scaled, long necked... again, I'm lost. Am I speaking about the girls or guitars?

[goby]

Hey Listmates,

Thank you for all the smart advice. I think she plays fine, feels good, and stays in tune. When I get better, I'll play other guitars and see if my LP is still my dream guitar. And if not, I paid a whopping $900 for it. I'll definitely get my money back. Or maybe I'll want to put new pickups in, or maybe she'll be too heavy (I usually practice sitting down).

As for my amp, usually its my POD through headphones, which sounds pretty awesome, or unplugged so I can interact with my 6 year old. I also have a 25watt Park, and a 10 watt Marshall (both cheap solid state amps).

So I won't worry about my LP being perfect..today she is.

Thanks again,


Anthony

[coldsteal2]

Originally Posted by goby

Hey Listmates,

Thank you for all the smart advice. I think she plays fine, feels good, and stays in tune. When I get better, I'll play other guitars and see if my LP is still my dream guitar. And if not, I paid a whopping $900 for it. I'll definitely get my money back. Or maybe I'll want to put new pickups in, or maybe she'll be too heavy (I usually practice sitting down).

As for my amp, usually its my POD through headphones, which sounds pretty awesome, or unplugged so I can interact with my 6 year old. I also have a 25watt Park, and a 10 watt Marshall (both cheap solid state amps).

So I won't worry about my LP being perfect..today she is.

Thanks again,


Anthony

I love my PODxt, i do alot of recording with it
and can get any sound imaginable out of it,
its also great for bass

[mdr40z]

I'm convinced it is a stinker.......... I'll take it off your hands for about $500

[fretwire]

That's not a crappy guitar by any means. Lots of beginners start out with cheap guitars and then struggle with the setup, staying in tune, etc, and give up playing altogether. Putting a little extra cash into a decent guitar is a great motivator IMO.

[LoKi]

If you like it, nothing else matters! I've owned quite a few 80's and 90's Lesters that were dogs. The only 80's guitar I have right now is my 88 Standard, and its not too bad. A few factory fit and finish flaws that *to me anyway* don't constitute a $2000 guitar... But I changed the pickups, did a complete setup and she plays and sounds pretty good. I figure I'll keep her until I find another that sounds/plays better and then I'll sell it to help fund that one.

I think the biggest problem that all of us gear heads have is that we never stop looking for something 'better'... Its like a disease sometimes, or at least a serious addiction.

I play a different Les Paul every day. I'm really picky about finding the guitar that 'calls to me' so most of them I just pass right on, but if I were to stick it out with the ones I've got, I'd probably be just fine anyway. I got my current '88 Ebony Standard for $300 bucks so I wont lose a dime on it.

As fretwire said above me, having a high end guitar to start out on is a GREAT thing. My dad was a touring musician when I was a kid, so guitars were EVERYWHERE. If I had to start out with a squire or sears guitar *like he did* I probably would have gotten frustrated and become a drummer or something... God forbid!

Stick with it my friend. If the day comes and you find another Les Paul that just calls your name, you'll know it!

[LoKi]

Originally Posted by Doctor Dread

Right, coldsteal2

It's a very phycical contact we have with them. We go down the curvatures, peeking into hidden areas, holding them sometimes gently, sometimes hard, we touch and do the things to them and they respond, bringing us pleasure... now go figure am I speaking about girls or guitars?

Like I loved every girl I was involved with, starting from one-nighters to my ex and current wife, I loved every guitar I owned. Each had it's perks, some treasures no other had. They were blondes, brunettes, speckled, thin, big, small single-coiled, huge twin humbucked, short scaled, long necked... again, I'm lost. Am I speaking about the girls or guitars?

+1 for sure. Even the guitars I hated had finer points. I think I tend to look for a nicely balanced instrument, between playability, sound and looks. You can't have it all, for any price! Love the things about them that are good, and try not to hate the things that aren't so good, and you'll do fine.

[LoKi]

Actually, just to put it a little in perspective for you... My first guitar was a Gibson Sonex. It was my Dad's, and he wasn't a huge fan of it *too heavy and the tone didn't suit his style of playing*.

I latched on to it and still play it to this day. It has its own unique tone, and quite possibly the best neck pickup sound I've ever heard in any Gibson.

But try telling that to ANYBODY else... 99% of the members on here HATE them. Most people I've met in the world hate it, without even hearing it. They change their mind after they hear me play it, but when they play it themselves, they can't get into it.

Honestly, I've always been of the opinion that the tone is in your hands. The guitar is just the tool you use to get it out there.

Hell I played a birthday show one year with a Daisy Rock butterfly guitar. I was drunk *was my birthday* but the guitar sounded AMAZING. Mighta been the Marshalls, but c'mon... It was a BUTTERFLY! Haha



You should have been there for the audience reaction. I played and sang 'Night Train' *long story... but its my birthday song* and people couldn't believe I had such a huge solo tone with quite possibly the ugliest and most feminine guitar on the planet...

Oh also, if you check out my videos on youtube... I think the 'Slither' and 'Fall to Pieces' covers sound best... but thats me playing a blonde NORLIN Les Paul Custom... and everyone knows Norlin's are all garbage... Right?

I get more compliments on that guitar and its tone than any other I've ever owned... But you can be the judge.

[goby]

LoKi,
Actually my first guitar, for about a week, was a really bad G&L that was set up terribly. I played the Les Paul, and with my one week of playing I even I could tell the difference.

I was smart/lucky enough to know that G&L was a "bad" guitar. Of course I could have just got it set up right, but I'm still glad I bought the LP Custom. If in a year or two I find out that I really don't like the tone, weight, etc., I know I can get my $900 investment back.

Thanks,

Anthony

[MrWrong]

I frequently play through a POD and headphones, lots of sounds to play with without disturbing peace.

[mdr40z]

Originally Posted by goby

I paid a whopping $900 for it

I'm with others, get it checked out, maybe switch out some guts and play it like you stole it, which you did, any LP Custom is worth that....

[tarddoggy]

Originally Posted by LoKi

Actually, just to put it a little in perspective for you... My first guitar was a Gibson Sonex. It was my Dad's, and he wasn't a huge fan of it *too heavy and the tone didn't suit his style of playing*.

I latched on to it and still play it to this day. It has its own unique tone, and quite possibly the best neck pickup sound I've ever heard in any Gibson.

But try telling that to ANYBODY else... 99% of the members on here HATE them. Most people I've met in the world hate it, without even hearing it. They change their mind after they hear me play it, but when they play it themselves, they can't get into it.

Honestly, I've always been of the opinion that the tone is in your hands. The guitar is just the tool you use to get it out there.

Hell I played a birthday show one year with a Daisy Rock butterfly guitar. I was drunk *was my birthday* but the guitar sounded AMAZING. Mighta been the Marshalls, but c'mon... It was a BUTTERFLY! Haha



You should have been there for the audience reaction. I played and sang 'Night Train' *long story... but its my birthday song* and people couldn't believe I had such a huge solo tone with quite possibly the ugliest and most feminine guitar on the planet...

Oh also, if you check out my videos on youtube... I think the 'Slither' and 'Fall to Pieces' covers sound best... but thats me playing a blonde NORLIN Les Paul Custom... and everyone knows Norlin's are all garbage... Right?

I get more compliments on that guitar and its tone than any other I've ever owned... But you can be the judge.

alot of our tone is generated through "OUR" hands,I remember reading this somewhere along time ago and I'll be damned if it aint true.Lokis BUTTERFLY proves this
in all seriousness (Loki you know im funnin' brother),the way alot of us and the Greats play have alot of impact on the tone IMHO

[LoKi]

Hey you know the old saying... A butterfly flapping his wings in New York will cause a monsoon in Asia...