If You Had to Own 5 Les Paul Guitars... which ones?

LPSpecial6403 · Jun 16, 2025

I could hardly afford the Special Tribute I own at half-price discount (as end of line) let alone 5 full spec Les Pauls!

If someone told me I HAD to buy one now with some kind of prize money or something, I'd get one of these, as per Gibson Custom Select, although I'd prefer it unaged.

1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, Light Aged Antique Pelham Blue

Screenshot 2025-06-16 at 10.45.31 PM.png

1allspub · Jun 16, 2025

Guitar Quackery said:
Maybe I shouldn’t have excluded historics. my reasoning was to keep it in the realm of what would be more realistic for more people.

I think maybe you’re using the word “Historic” a bit atypically. I’m guessing you mean guitars that have a famous history (like Jimmy Page’s No1 or BFG’s Pearly Gates, etc.)… whereas most often when people use the word “Historic” in reference to LPs, they use it as a synonym for “Reissue” (or combine the two to make the phrase “Historic Reissue”).

Southwest · Jun 16, 2025

Complete fantasy realm for me, because I don't have the space for five, never mind the time to play them. But as an academic exercise:

1. Norlin Wine Red Custom (gorgeous to my eyes, but just not likely to happen - I couldn't lift most of them, let alone play them)
2. 3 pup Custom as a tribute to Ace, because it was all his fault in the first place. Also not likely - see above.
3. My Studio because it's brilliant.
4. Something with P90s for when I'm in that kind of mood.
5. The red and gold Lifeson Axcess if I were ever to win the lotto that I don't play.

1allspub · Jun 16, 2025

My 5 as of 6/16/25 (and completely subject to change as this kinda stuff is always fluid):

2023 R9 in Green Lemon (got it—though sending it to Historic Makeovers to really dial in its finish and fretboard would be awesome… maybe someday)
2009 Pearly Gates Collector’s Choice Reissue (though I’d love to have one, I’d probably never spend the money on one based on what they are going for these days—but I want one)
1979 LPC in Tobacco Burst (always wanted one, yet to find the right one at the right time at the right price)
1978 LPC in Ebony (road warrior/road worn… modded w/ cream plastics, double cream pickups, etc… ala Ace’s black LPCs of the 70s—I already own this guitar and will never sell it!)
1977 LPC in Ebony (stock with gold hardware, etc… I have an ‘80 LPC but do wish it was a ‘77 for personal reasons)

DavGrape · Jun 16, 2025

Signature
Recording
55 Gold Top
DC Special, yellow
SG Ebony Block Tail

voided76 · Jun 16, 2025

First: workhorse. 90s LPC in wine red.

Next we need the niche, my birth year silverburst. First year to quit doing the volute too.

gibson-les-paul-custom-1982-silverburst-vintage-electric-guitar-2_1024x1024.jpeg

Next back in the day, a period goldtop

Then a good p90 guitar, say a 58 DC special

1958GibsonLesPaulSpecialTVYellowAsterisk-02_2048x2048.jpg

Lastly, the oddball because that's just too many LP's a 61

GibsonLesPaulStandard1961-3_03ea21ed-3e58-4c24-b742-27a5714afa80.jpg

1allspub · Jun 16, 2025

1allspub said:
My 5 as of 6/16/25 (and completely subject to change as this kinda stuff is always fluid):

2023 R9 in Green Lemon (got it—though sending it to Historic Makeovers to really dial in its finish and fretboard would be awesome… maybe someday)

2009 Pearly Gates Collector’s Choice Reissue (though I’d love to have one, I’d probably never spend the money on one based on what they are going for these days—but I want one)

1979 LPC in Tobacco Burst (always wanted one, yet to find the right one at the right time at the right price)

1978 LPC in Ebony (road warrior/road worn… modded w/ cream plastics, double cream pickups, etc… ala Ace’s black LPCs of the 70s—I already own this guitar and will never sell it!)

1977 LPC in Ebony (stock with gold hardware, etc… I have an ‘80 LPC but do wish it was a ‘77 for personal reasons)

Ah crap, just realized I forgot one (told you it was “fluid”

).

1976 LPC in Natural (with a maple fretboard… the “Blonde Beauty”… always wanted one of those).

I know this technically makes 6, but I don’t care. :dude:

gkelm · Jun 16, 2025

Dilver said:
why no Historics?

No “historics” by “reissues” okay? :dunno:

It’s pretty much show us your five Les Pauls!

Deftone · Jun 16, 2025

Pretty happy with my current 5 LP's....

L to R: '89 LPC Lite w/floyd, '09 Premium+, '79 LPC, '14 Standard Light, '21 Classic Lite.

Nopicknick · Jun 16, 2025

All would have 50s profile necks…

ES-335 any color 57 classic pickups
Les Paul Standard P90 Goldtop
Les Paul Special TV Yellow compensated wraparound
Les Paul Jr vintage cherry compensated wraparound
Les Paul Standard Goldtop BB 1&2 pickups

TXOldRedRocker · Jun 16, 2025

I just looked at the 12 I own, and I can't figure out only 5 that I would keep.

:io:

Edit: I typed 10, instead of 12. It's correct now.

Sullen · Jun 16, 2025

Guitar Quackery said:
Friends,

Here's the question:

If you had to own 5 Les Paul guitars, which ones would they be?

Let's just list guitars that are actually doable to own. So, let's not put any desirable historics on this list. But vintage and reissues are fair game.

So, lets do a list from 1 to 5, with the most desirable one at #1 and let's list appointments for each one that are actually important to you, to have on each one of those guitars. So, if you don't care if the guitar has Klusons or Grovers, don't mention the tuners, but if plating of the hardware (nickel, chrome, gold) is important to you, please include it.

Feel free to include photos, too.

Let's hear it.

In order on my current want list of things that are actually attainable.

1) Early 90s black standard
2) 90s classic plus top, amber or tobacco
3) A nice class 5 trans black
4) A recent Pelham modern
5) A 2013 traditional Chicago blue or honey burst.

If I can find a Norlin with the serial stamped on my date of birth that would probably go to top of the list however.

voided76 · Jun 16, 2025

Chicago blue?! Funny you mention

mdubya · Jun 16, 2025

I would gladly take Custom Shop Made to Measure versions of each. And I'd swap the Tokai Goldtop for an SG Special (were they ever designated as Les Paul?). I'd leave the ES LP as is.

DmacD · Jun 16, 2025

Memphis Custom Shop Historic CR9

Sullen · Jun 16, 2025

voided76 said:
Chicago blue?! Funny you mentionView attachment 863681

That's a beauty!!!

gball · Jun 16, 2025

Interesting question. Over the last 6 months I have sold off half of my Les Pauls, going from 6 to 3. The non-negotiable ones are where I start then: my '79 Silverburst Custom and my '16 Traditional plaintop. I also kept my '50s Standard and I think that's a solid third choice.

After that, I think I would choose a current-production Custom if I was going to buy another Les Paul at this point. To round it out I would likely go with a Deluxe for the minis.

voided76 · Jun 16, 2025

Sullen said:
That's a beauty!!!

Lemme know whatcha have. I'm always game to wheel and deal.

VII Graphics · Jun 16, 2025

I would add another one,
a 6 string one and one with P90/staple

DrBGood · Jun 16, 2025

hgrev said:
I would like to have 5 modern budget Asian Les Paul copies to compare them side by side.

Lets have for example:

Epiphone LP Standard
Cort CR 250
Jet JL 500
Burny RLG 60
Harley Benton SC450

Based on my experience, Epiphone won't be the best in this list.

If you want to spike the dice, get one of these in your shootout.

If You Had to Own 5 Les Paul Guitars... which ones?

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1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue, Light Aged Antique Pelham Blue