Are LP's Custom that good?

[Vanaspatti]

If I had the money I would be searching for a Les Paul Supreme high grade flame on the top and back and the sexiest headstock inlay ever.

 

[crazytrain513]

I’m not sure if this is true or not but someone at Wildwood told me the Customs use a thicker finish than the Standards/Traditionals (at least, the solid black and white Customs).

Whether that’s true or not, they definitely feel different. I’m speaking about the normal maple-topped Custom line and not the Custom Shop or any M2M Customs (confusing, I know).

They kinda have their own neck profile and the necks and fretwork are BUTTERY smooth. The ebony fretboard definitely contributes to this. They play very smooth and very fast and I love that.

However, they have a different sound than the typical Les Paul sound. They are a bit more smooth and glassy sounding. They have more lower mids and a bit more “zing” in the high end. It’s hard to dial out, so if you like it, great. But if not, you’re in for a rough time.

But if you do like it, they sound great. Personally, I think more gain helps their tone, and they cut through the mix a bit more than their rosewood-boarded Standard counterparts for whatever reason. I think it’s the zing that does this and I think it comes from the ebony fretboard, because honestly, there isn’t much other difference other than a slightly larger headstock and more binding.

The rosewood boarded Les Pauls sound a bit rougher around the edges with a bit more warmth and bite.

I will say I had one Custom which was a straight up dog. It was a beautiful diamond-white finish and I believe 1/25 and no matter what I did, it sounded like it had a blanket over it. I tried new pots, pickups, capacitors, strings,, you name it.

Sold it and bought another “standard” run-of-the-mill alpine white Custom and that one is still with me today and is my #1.

They are great guitars if you like their sound.

Here is a VERY sloppy (and non-scientific) comparison between a ‘60s Standard I picked up, compared to my Custom with Brandenwound T-Top replica pickups, vs. a Jackson Adrian Smith I picked up. Although the pickups are different, I think the comparison between the two Les Pauls is still indicative of their sound differences, and if anything, is slightly more exaggerated here. Ultimately, I returned the ‘60s Standard because it didn’t do it for me, but I still do believe my rig demands a rosewood boarded Les Paul in the future.

 

[zak9990]

I’m not sure if this is true or not but someone at Wildwood told me the Customs use a thicker finish than the Standards/Traditionals (at least, the solid black and white Customs).

Whether that’s true or not, they definitely feel different. I’m speaking about the normal maple-topped Custom line and not the Custom Shop or any M2M Customs (confusing, I know).

They kinda have their own neck profile and the necks and fretwork are BUTTERY smooth. The ebony fretboard definitely contributes to this. They play very smooth and very fast and I love that.

However, they have a different sound than the typical Les Paul sound. They are a bit more smooth and glassy sounding. They have more lower mids and a bit more “zing” in the high end. It’s hard to dial out, so if you like it, great. But if not, you’re in for a rough time.

But if you do like it, they sound great. Personally, I think more gain helps their tone, and they cut through the mix a bit more than their rosewood-boarded Standard counterparts for whatever reason. I think it’s the ebony, because honestly, there isn’t much other difference other than a slightly larger headstock and more binding.

The rosewood boarded Les Pauls sound a bit rougher around the edges with a bit more warmth and bite.

I will say I had one Custom which was a straight up dog. It was a beautiful diamond-white finish and I believe 1/25 and no matter what I did, it sounded like it had a blanket over it. I tried new pots, pickups, capacitors, strings,, you name it.

Sold it and bought another “standard” alpine white finished one and that one is still with me today and is my #1.

They are great guitars if you like their sound.

Here is a VERY sloppy (and non-scientific) comparison between a ‘60s Standard I picked up, compared to my Custom with Brandenwound T-Top replica pickups, vs. a Jackson Adrian Smith I picked up. Although the pickups are different, I think the comparison between the two Les Pauls is still indicative of their sound differences, and if anything, is slightly more exaggerated here. Ultimately, I returned the ‘60s Standard because it didn’t do it for me, but I still do believe my rig demands a rosewood boarded Les Paul in the future.

That sounds true about the finish being thicker, most likely to get a better deep gloss finish. One thing I found with the white finish is it's like a sponge and it discolors very easy if left on a guitar stand or hanger ... I like when the white mellows to a cream color, but I've seen some 70's guitars that turned a nasty yellow. Then there's Jerry Cantrell Custom that he burned with cigarettes .........

 

[Overture]

That sounds true about the finish being thicker, most likely to get a better deep gloss finish. One thing I found with the white finish is it's like a sponge and it discolors very easy if left on a guitar stand or hanger ... I like when the white mellows to a cream color, but I've seen some 70's guitars that turned a nasty yellow. Then there's Jerry Cantrell Custom that he burned with cigarettes .........

Mine even has red dye that ran into my clothes from my 58’ reissue and into the custom. It’s nuts lol

 

[zak9990]

Mine even has red dye that ran into my clothes from my 58’ reissue and into the custom. It’s nuts lol

 

[Der_Kaiser]

That sounds true about the finish being thicker, most likely to get a better deep gloss finish. One thing I found with the white finish is it's like a sponge and it discolors very easy if left on a guitar stand or hanger ... I like when the white mellows to a cream color, but I've seen some 70's guitars that turned a nasty yellow. Then there's Jerry Cantrell Custom that he burned with cigarettes .........

Yeah mine has started to get a very slight pink tinge where the headstock sits on the hanger.

It’s annoying because I love to look at it on the wall and it’s played far more too when it’s out but I suppose I’m going to have to keep her in the case.

 

[Jupper]

That sounds true about the finish being thicker, most likely to get a better deep gloss finish. One thing I found with the white finish is it's like a sponge and it discolors very easy if left on a guitar stand or hanger ... I like when the white mellows to a cream color, but I've seen some 70's guitars that turned a nasty yellow. Then there's Jerry Cantrell Custom that he burned with cigarettes .........

I also have a White Custom and can confirm as well. I have one of those Hercules guitar racks that were supposedly safe for Nitro. It was perfectly fine for my Standard. Put my Custom on it and then it started discoloring on the contact points. Heck, I think my neck is starting to turn creamier from having my hand going up and down it when playing.

Guess if you're really safe, you can preserve the Alpine Whiteness of your Custom. But if you're going to have a White Custom, you're going to need to start accepting that it will start getting stained in certain points.

 

[zak9990]

I also have a White Custom and can confirm as well. I have one of those Hercules guitar racks that were supposedly safe for Nitro. It was perfectly fine for my Standard. Put my Custom on it and then it started discoloring on the contact points. Heck, I think my neck is starting to turn creamier from having my hand going up and down it when playing.

Guess if you're really safe, you can preserve the Alpine Whiteness of your Custom. But if you're going to have a White Custom, you're going to need to start accepting that it will start getting stained in certain points.

Strange eh, I would think the clear lacquer is the same on most Gibson's. So I guess the white base coat can react under the clear, or the clear is reacting too it's just you can see it on a white guitar ? Never had an issue on any other color. I worked in a plant where we used inks, and some colors were just inherently unstable compared to most others. The reason I mention this is because I noticed some of the edges next to the binding is not as smooth as it was several years ago.. almost like the base coat shrunk. The guitar was only bout a year old when I got it and it wasn't like that before. I've got guitars over 50 years old so I'm used to the aging process, but this just seems different.

 

[shark]

my buddy at work laughed and choked on his pig knuckle he was chewing on when I told him how much my custom cost . told me he never paid more than 500 bucks for any of his guitars.................


i told him.." then you never really played a guitar then have you?".

.

 

[zak9990]

I also have a White Custom and can confirm as well. I have one of those Hercules guitar racks that were supposedly safe for Nitro. It was perfectly fine for my Standard. Put my Custom on it and then it started discoloring on the contact points. Heck, I think my neck is starting to turn creamier from having my hand going up and down it when playing.

Guess if you're really safe, you can preserve the Alpine Whiteness of your Custom. But if you're going to have a White Custom, you're going to need to start accepting that it will start getting stained in certain points.

Strange eh, I would think the clear lacquer is the same on most Gibson's. So I guess the white base coat can react under the clear, or the clear is reacting too it's just you can see it on a white guitar ? Never had an issue on any other color. I worked in a plant where we used inks, and some colors were just inherently unstable compared to most others. The reason I mention this is because I noticed some of the edges next to the binding is not as smooth as it was several years ago.. almost like the base coat shrunk. The guitar was only bout a year old when I got it and it wasn't like that before. I've got guitars over 50 years old so I'm used to the aging process, but this just seems different.

my buddy at work laughed and choked on his pig knuckle he was chewing on when I told him how much my custom cost . told me he never paid more than 500 bucks for any of his guitars.................


i told him.." then you never really played a guitar then have you?".

View attachment 598401.

Machine heads look nice with the gold. Nice guitar!

 

[AJK1]

I also have a White Custom and can confirm as well. I have one of those Hercules guitar racks that were supposedly safe for Nitro. It was perfectly fine for my Standard. Put my Custom on it and then it started discoloring on the contact points. Heck, I think my neck is starting to turn creamier from having my hand going up and down it when playing.

Guess if you're really safe, you can preserve the Alpine Whiteness of your Custom. But if you're going to have a White Custom, you're going to need to start accepting that it will start getting stained in certain points.

My White and Silverburst customs both have pink stains from stands so I put cloths on the stands now at the contact points to prevent any further staining

 

[ajory72]

I’m personally more into SG customs at the moment 3 pickup white or light green

But I digress….. I have always gassed after Robbie Kriegers 54 LP Custom - and if you’re in America and have access to some forgotten backwood guitarshop you might stumble on something nice - maybe with multiple breaks and rust galore to get the 54’s price down?

Or just go to Reverb and pay close to market value see this 54 Custom

 

[crazytrain513]

Strange eh, I would think the clear lacquer is the same on most Gibson's. So I guess the white base coat can react under the clear, or the clear is reacting too it's just you can see it on a white guitar ? Never had an issue on any other color. I worked in a plant where we used inks, and some colors were just inherently unstable compared to most others. The reason I mention this is because I noticed some of the edges next to the binding is not as smooth as it was several years ago.. almost like the base coat shrunk. The guitar was only bout a year old when I got it and it wasn't like that before. I've got guitars over 50 years old so I'm used to the aging process, but this just seems different.

I see a lot of white customs (mine included) where the paint is cracking along the neck joint and the neck where the binding meets the paint. I don’t see it on any other LP or even on the black one for that matter. Must be something to do with the chemistry of the white paint they use.

 

[mudface]

I have owned my 1978 Sunburst Custom over 42 years.... good enough i bought a companion.... a 1977 Ebony Custom......... there ain't nothing like'em.

 

[1allspub]

I have owned my 1978 Sunburst Custom over 42 years.... good enough i bought a companion.... a 1977 Ebony Custom......... there ain't nothing like'em.

View attachment 598444

Dayum!!! Now that's quite the Dynamic Duo right there!

A black 77 LPC has long been on my wish list!

 

[MrCrowley]

I have a thing for Customs, especially from the 90s.
It’s all been covered here already, but Customs have their own growl and bite. That’s not to say they sound superior or miles away from Standards, but they do have their own thing.

I see a lot of white customs (mine included) where the paint is cracking along the neck joint and the neck where the binding meets the paint. I don’t see it on any other LP or even on the black one for that matter. Must be something to do with the chemistry of the white paint they use.

Mine’s the same, I wonder why that happens. I find it charming though.
Now there’s a $500 up charge for Alpine White.
Apparently it's trickier to work with.

 

[dk2429]

" kinda thought that was a hell of a deal compared to $3500"

It's $3795, I don't follow what you are saying.

Okay sorry...

Is $3795 not a good deal for a 2020 Custom in excellent condition?

Unfortunately I'm not fully saved up enough right now for a Custom. Otherwise, I probably would have bought it without asking. I've never seen a Custom like that, and it is absolutely perfect for what I'm wanting

 

[dk2429]

What my plan was is to save up the money for the cherry Classic I've been wanting and get it in October. Apparently they go on sale at Guitar Center in October for $1799.

I'm not sure now though, I might be inclined to just keep saving up for a Custom like this one that I linked earlier in the thread. This thing took my breath way as soon as I saw it. That is PERFECT https://reverb.com/item/52212127-gi...&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=partnerstack

I think the only things I would change on that is switch all the black parts (poker chip, pickguard, plastic around pickups, etc...) to cream/white. Otherwise, perfect. I also noticed this one doesn't have an ebony board???

 

[crazytrain513]

What my plan was is to save up the money for the cherry Classic I've been wanting and get it in October. Apparently they go on sale at Guitar Center in October for $1799.

I'm not sure now though, I might be inclined to just keep saving up for a Custom like this one that I linked earlier in the thread. This thing took my breath way as soon as I saw it. That is PERFECT https://reverb.com/item/52212127-gi...&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=partnerstack

I think the only things I would change on that is switch all the black parts (poker chip, pickguard, plastic around pickups, etc...) to cream/white. Otherwise, perfect. I also noticed this one doesn't have an ebony board???

Yeah, must be a short-run of some sort...someone on here will probably know more. I guess if you want the looks of the Custom with more of the sound and feel of a Classic (I see it also has a slim-taper neck which is uncommon), this might be a good buy.

$3,795 is, I guess, a decent deal for a 2020 that cost over $5 grand but in all reality, is a bit expensive for what you are getting - a Classic with block inlays and more binding. A big draw to the feel of a Custom is the ebony fretboard.

Also one thing to note about these red customs with white binding - the binding turns yellow over time, so just make sure you're ok with that red/yellow look. Otherwise, its a beautiful axe!

 

[Christosterone]

If I had the money I would be searching for a Les Paul Supreme high grade flame on the top and back and the sexiest headstock inlay ever.

if I could afford it Id have a supreme, ultima or [the greatest] tree of life

-chris