How are the Les Paul 08-12 fully chambered models?

[Jazzmaster]

I'm thinking of buying a Les Paul but I'm looking for a light weight model (under 8lbs) due to back pain.
I'm looking at some of the 2008-2012 Les Pauls that have a fully chambered body.
I notice they have some unique features, like the locking jack.

So how are these guitars? Are they worth buying, or are there better models out there?

Thanks.

 

[BDW60]

The only other way to get a sub 8 pound LP is to spend a lot more cash on a chambered reissue or a super light solid historic ... so if that’s what you need, you’re on the right track. I have played some of the chambered Standards — they still sound like Les Pauls, just a little bit different. Maybe a bit less focused in sound, softer around the edges. It’s not a bad thing at all, depending on what you like.

 

[Wrench66]

I own a 2009 Studio in Wine Red that is fully chambered and a 2018 gold top tribute that is not weight relieved at all and they do sound different. I have no idea what causes the difference in tone. It could be the fact that one is chambered and the other is not. Or it could be any one of a thousand other reasons.

The chambered 2009 studio sounds a lot louder acoustically and I can feel the top resonate as I play it. Acoustically, it has a bright, ringing tone that I love. Plugged in, compared to the non weight relieved tribute, the mids are slightly reduced. When I say slightly I mean barely audible. Like you have to really listen for it. But it is there. The tribute is darker acoustically and not as loud, but sounds fantastic plugged in.

Both guitars sound amazing to my ears. Find a few and play them. That's the only way to determine if a chambered Les Paul is for you.

Edit: I should mention that both guitars have the slimmer bodies than the Standard and both have the same 490R 498T pickup combo.

 

[Gibsonrocknroll]

Before you spend money on a guitar I would try a 3 or 4 inch strap and see if that will help with your back.

 

[Fracture]

 

[Jazzmaster]

Thanks for all the replies. It's always good to get other opinions.

I don't have the money for a Historic. I wish i did.
The weight of the guitar also relates to me having to carry it to and from practice/shows, so it's on my shoulders for a very long time.

I've also heard that Edwards Les Paul clones are lighter, but i'm wondering about the sound difference. Has anyone ever compared a chambered Gibson Les Paul to an Edwards?

I realize this is the Gibson forum, so if i need to post elsewhere, please let me know.

 

[LCPG282]

My advice: look for a 2007 or 2008 Les Paul Standard Faded. They are chambered.
I have two very comfortably light 2008's, one is 7Lb 13 Oz the other is 8Lb.
Both are awesome sounding guitars.
LPS Faded models, because they dont use any grain filler on the mahogany and have a thinner satin finish, have a better more "open" tone and greater sustain than regular gloss models. Also the satin finish neck (50's neck) is an absolute dream to play, non sticky, rounded but not chunky at all.
Here are mine:

2008 Honeyburst

2008 Heritage Cherry

 

[dro]

I had an '08. It was great, till I turned it up.

It was fine at rehearsal. But when I got it on a stage and gave it the goose. Feedback was way more than I was ready for.

It may be something you can learn to deal with.

Or maybe you do allot of Ted Nugent covers.

 

[Texsunburst59]

I have a very early '08 Standard I bought a few years back.

It doesn't have the locking jack or locking tuners , and the back control cavity covers are black instead or the tinted clearish covers.

I love the light 7 1/2 lb. weight, 50's asymmetrical neck, and the fact that I got an AMAZING deal on it.

I picked up this beauty at a pawnshop for $762, so there's nothing I don't like about this guitar.

My '08 Gibson Wine LP Standard Plus:

 

[Jazzmaster]

Some great photos. Really make me jealous.

I had an '08. It was great, till I turned it up.

It was fine at rehearsal. But when I got it on a stage and gave it the goose. Feedback was way more than I was ready for.

It may be something you can learn to deal with.

Or maybe you do allot of Ted Nugent covers.

That's a concern. I use a lot of gain when we play, so any feedback would be a major problem.
Was it the pickups, or was it the fact that the body is chambered that made the guitar feedback?

 

[dro]

Because it's hollow.
It's not the gain, It's the volume level.
I played what is full blown at rehearsal, and never saw a problem.
If you are a bedroom player, you'll likely never notice it.


Texsunburst59 you got a steel.

 

[Deftone]

I have a 2014 Standard Light 120. It's chambered and thin like a Custom Lite. Very light, super comfortable. Sounds amazing. Possibly the best sounding Les Paul I have ever owned.

Check out the top on this one.....

https://reverb.com/item/6837174-201...ight-flame-top-guitar-w-ohsc-honeyburst-43068

 

[Musha Ring]

I've also heard that Edwards Les Paul clones are lighter, but i'm wondering about the sound difference. Has anyone ever compared a chambered Gibson Les Paul to an Edwards?

I came here to mention Edwards. They're consistently quite a bit lighter than Gibsons. I owned an Edwards Custom while working for a Gibson dealer, got to compare to chambered and non-weight relieved LPs.

The Edwards was a really nice guitar. At the end of the day it wasn't a Gibson and that bugged me. Some would say that's brand snobbery or whatever, but it's my money, and I feel life is too short to compromise on guitars, so I bought what I really wanted.

That said if the brand thing doesn't bother you, an Edwards is a fine guitar. If it were my money, I'd do what I had to do (sell one I didn't like maybe?) to fluff my budget and spring for a used Gibson.

 

[LCPG282]

Because it's hollow.
It's not the gain, It's the volume level.
I played what is full blown at rehearsal, and never saw a problem.
If you are a bedroom player, you'll likely never notice it.

I second this. A chambered Les Paul is not a semi-hollow guitar like an ES 335, 345... and is much less prone to feedback.
I've played my chambered Les Pauls on stage indoors & outdoors (even in a big arena once,) never had a feedback problem. It's volume and closeness to the amp that can bring trouble with any guitar.

 

[Sinster]

Pre-2018 BFG..

 

[gibsonofabitch]

I'm thinking of buying a Les Paul but I'm looking for a light weight model (under 8lbs) due to back pain.
I'm looking at some of the 2008-2012 Les Pauls that have a fully chambered body.
I notice they have some unique features, like the locking jack.

So how are these guitars? Are they worth buying, or are there better models out there?

Thanks.

i would recommend taking a look at thinner bodied LPs like the classic lite, less plus, custom lite, etc.

if youre not into that and want a full sized, my 08 LP studio is a good pound lighter than my 50s standard (8.3 vs 9.3). I have no qualms with it. The chambered top almost sounds hollowed out if you knock on the right spot. My 08 also is the only one of my guitars with a natural neck dive (my sg doesnt). The lighter bodies + fatter necks can do that but nothing an easy repositioning or strap cant take care of

my less plus is about 6lbs and i love that thing. Lots of people dislike the wide neck but as a dude with large hands, i love it. Upgraded to locking grovers, threw in some dimarzio 36 annys and its a bitchin axe that weighs nothing

 

[mdubya]

I had a 2010 50's Tribute Studio. Fully chambered. Slightly thinner body, too, with P-90's. It sounded incredible. Like, really incredible. 7 lbs 7 oz.

I still miss it.

The chambering and lightweight seemed to give it all kinds of extra zing! and overtones.

My current lightweight LP is a semi-hollow. 6 lbs. I want the P-90 model to match. It has all sorts of special sauce going on, too. I love it.

 

[Sinster]

I have the 2010 Tribute, but didn't think they were chambered.

 

[LPV]

I’ve got a 2008 that I’ve had for 13 years and it’s the main guitar I use with my band. It’s definitely different sounding than my R8 but we play hard/classic/blues rock and at volume, live, It’s negligible. The weight is great. 7 lbs something. I’ve never had any issues with feedback.

 

[leofender55]

I recently purchased an ES Les Paul from the Memphis Custom Shop. I didn't need a 6th Les Paul but I was interested in the 6 pound weight. They also have specially designed pickups for this model which sound great.