Zakk Wylde's 5 Favorite Les Pauls

[rich85]

Could be a little longer but enjoyable read. He does either have a rosewood body guitar or he got confused with mahogany or somebody made a typo either way, enjoy

Zakk Wylde's 5 Favorite Les Pauls | 2013-12-04 | Premier Guitar

 

[TobaccoBurst1983]

Nice article. Thank you!

 

[crossroadsnyc]

I like the term "Raw Top" more than BFG.

 

[icantbuyafender]

Yeah... Big fuzzy girl is a lame acronym

 

[Sinster]

So it's Zakk that came up with the concept of the BFG?

2009 Gibson ZW BFG
When I was going through the factory a while ago, I was looking at the tops coming out and they had a whole bunch of Standard tops. When the tops came out I thought they looked badass. I told them, “You guys ought to make a guitar like this, without any veneer, no paint, no stain.” The guitar completely breathes when it’s just bare wood. We talked about that and then eventually they made the BFG, or Barely Finished Guitar. I always called it the “Raw Top.” When they made the BFGs, they chambered them because a lot of cats are just like, “Les Pauls are great, I dig them, but standing up and playing them for a couple of hours and I’m ready to see the chiropractor.” That’s usually the complaint with a Les Paul, especially a Les Paul Custom. When I got it, I wondered what it would be like with a chambered body; maybe it would be too thin sounding. I was beyond shocked at how badass it sounds. The top end cuts, but it doesn’t rip your head off. There's a big difference between a good loud and, “Honestly, just stop.” [Laughs.] The spectrum of tone and fidelity of it is just phenomenal.

 

[rich85]

It kinda gave me a better appreciation for the BFG. It would have been a lot nicer if they didnt put the bullseye or buzzsaw patterns on the natural top though, made the guitar look like it was trying to be a custom shop or something.

 

[Paulinator]

I used to have a BFG, but I foolishly traded it in for another type of LP instead of hanging onto it. Now I want one so bad again, but I can't find them ANYWHERE. Not used, not on ebay, not on craigslist. I found one used Gary Moore BFG in the GC used section, but I want the black finish w/ tremolo version.

 

[Sinster]

Zakk does nail the description. I love my BFG.

I was beyond shocked at how badass it sounds. The top end cuts, but it doesn’t rip your head off. There's a big difference between a good loud and, “Honestly, just stop.” [Laughs.] The spectrum of tone and fidelity of it is just phenomenal.

 

[Leendrix]

It kinda gave me a better appreciation for the BFG. It would have been a lot nicer if they didnt put the bullseye or buzzsaw patterns on the natural top though, made the guitar look like it was trying to be a custom shop or something.

My thoughts exactly! The article gave a new light to the guitar.

Wanted to give it a second chance, but...

I used to have a BFG, but I foolishly traded it in for another type of LP instead of hanging onto it. Now I want one so bad again, but I can't find them ANYWHERE. Not used, not on ebay, not on craigslist. I found one used Gary Moore BFG in the GC used section, but I want the black finish w/ tremolo version.

This. You can't find them used anywhere! A guy I know in Canada has one and he loves it. Apparently so does everyone else that bought one.

Paulinator, that sucks! Hope you get it back or a new one!

 

[Sinster]

Here's one on Ebay, but it's been there for a while.. I know this because I scan ebay looking for BFG's for the right price. Within the last month there has been a few.

Auction #: 200984734980
Gibson '07 BFG Exotic Wood Extremely RARE Smooth Fast Play Projection | eBay

Omaha, NE Guitar Center has a Red one for 749.99 and Little Rock, AR has a Gary Moore for 799.99. Go to GC and do a search for bFG. Don't put Gibson BFG.

 

[ael_israel]

i really dig that "grail" les paul!!! nice read...

 

[Paulinator]

Paulinator, that sucks! Hope you get it back or a new one!

It sucks indeed. I recently picked up a junior special with a satin finish, but I was looking for a BFG. The jr. special was the closest thing I could find, I suppose due to the P-90s and stripped down look. The special sounds killer, but it just doesn't have that BFG vibe, you know, the crazy cool top, not to mention the trem and the kill switch!

 

[rich85]

Interesting I always thought that the grail had a maple neck. Well there you go I guess!

 

[OldBenKenobi]

Interesting I always thought that the grail had a maple neck. Well there you go I guess!

It does have a maple neck. It's just darkened from exposure and use.

 

[rich85]

Well then, that is some mahogany looking maple haha

 

[OldBenKenobi]

Well then, that is some mahogany looking maple haha

Yeah, when I first saw that pic I thought it was mahogany until someone clued me in lol.

 

[ael_israel]

It's a mojo machine:

battle scars all over!! now thats sweet,

 

[UEF]

That good sirs is mojo ringing out loud and true.

 

[borgein]

Cool guitars!
No historics or reissues being used by a famous player for once. It's great to see those Nashville bridges on a very famous LP players guitars!

Historically correct doesn't mean it doesn't sound awesome

 

[OldBenKenobi]

Cool guitars!
No historics or reissues being used by a famous player for once. It's great to see those Nashville bridges on a very famous LP players guitars!

Historically correct doesn't mean it doesn't sound awesome

He actually does have an R9... but he stuck EMGs in it and keeps it on the bus.