I hate the poker chip! Do I need help?

[HearHear]

I am considering buying a 2017 Les Paul Standard, because the 2017's look so gorgeous. Love the Bourbon Burst Standards! However, I see a lot of people don't like the "missing" poker chip on the front switch. I really can't see why.

The 1950's are over. That gaudy plastic circle around the switch is, just in my opinion, not right on some of the 2017's. Look at the Bourbon Burst Standard. The top on this guitar, the darker wood finish, is absolutely stunning. Why hide some of it with a cheap circle of plastic that makes the switch look like a dopey bullseye from a 1950's Gold Top??

Analogy: Compare a 1959 Cadillac with a 1965 Cadillac. The'59 has plenty of gaudy, "glittery excess". Big fins, lots of chrome, lots of over-the-top bling. That's fine, if that's what you're into. But now look at the '65- sleek, low, straight and muted fins, clean lines, a faster looking car. Wide areas of flat sheet metal- sleek style, clean lines, no gaudy excess. Just like a 2017 Les Paul Standard.

I say away with the poker chip -at least for my new '17 LP!

 

[chasenblues]

What are you gonna do about the pick guard.

 

[Christosterone]

The bourbon burst is spectacular....period....put neon on a bourbon and it will look perfect

Umm.....I love the 59 Cadillac...
Maybe the coolest rear end in history...

 

[OldBenKenobi]

Because it is aesthetically pleasing, simple as that. Without the poker chip the upper bout seems excessively large next to the cutaway on the lower bout. By reducing the amount of visible wood in that area it makes the guitar look more balanced.

The only guitars where I don't care about the lack of a poker chip are on black guitars with black plastics, as the chip blends in which is a look I do not like anyway (I'd like to see a pokerchip made of beveled 5-ply pickguard material), and on guitars with geometric patterns like Zakk Wylde's Les Pauls.

 

[TheX]

The poker chip is pointless as far as I'm concerned...for ME. I like it not being there. I get why some people like them.

 

[1allspub]

Not digging the poker chip isn't the biggest sin... don't get me wrong, it's not right, but you can be forgiven... but liking THIS over a 59 Caddy... that's just not right... you need meds. (just razzin' ya... welcome to MLP... congrats on your new 2017 LP).

 

[Christosterone]

I like the poker chip so much I might get 3 like jimmy's black beauty...bigsby baby!

 

[chasenblues]

But you can get em with Neato names or acronyms..

 

[Sitedrifter]

No tone without the chip. Also, if you drop the pick guard, you might as well buy a PRS. The chip and guard make the Les Paul what it is. DAMN IT. Keep the Chip

 

[Christosterone]

 

[chasenblues]

I like the poker chip so much I might get 3 like jimmy's black beauty...bigsby baby!

You may want to look closer,There are no poker chips on there just the switches.

 

[purpledc]

My LP guitars will always have poker chips. Its not about nostalgia or living in the 50's. Its about having a feature that has been present on those guitars since they were created. I have no criticism for someone not liking them. Heck I don't even have anything bad to say about Gibson not actually installing them on the guitars. But to not even have that piece in the case like you would with the pickguard is just stupid to me. Especially when prices on a new LP are at an all time high? Even I was sorta dismissive and said its not that hard to buy a $4 piece of plastic but then it dawned on me that no matter how easy it is, you shouldn't have to. There are just some things that les pauls are known for and that is one of them. I think it should be the customers choice. Anyone can remove it if they don't like it. But you cant put it on if its not included.

 

[chasenblues]

Its about having a feature that has been present on those guitars since they were created.

Shh..Don't let Les hear you say that..

 

[LeftyF2003]

I know what you mean, but I tried it and it looked kind of naked without it. It looks fine on Duane Allman's gold top though!

 

[HearHear]

Not digging the poker chip isn't the biggest sin... don't get me wrong, it's not right, but you can be forgiven... but liking THIS over a 59 Caddy... that's just not right... you need meds. (just razzin' ya... welcome to MLP... congrats on your new 2017 LP).

Maybe on a different guitar I'd like a poker chip, but the 2017 LP Standards, esp. with darker wood like Bourbon, it just doesn't belong on there in my eyes (and Gibson's obviously). The pick guard I'm ok with, makes it look more Les Paul-ish in profile.
BTW-
I do like the '65 Caddy much more than the '59. Cleaner lines, and just enough fin there to make it the best looking Caddy in history, IMHO. Wider grille, vertical headlights and faster too. '65 is truly the "Cadillac of Cadillacs".

 

[Christosterone]

Well I'm into poker chips, top hats and pickguards...

So there!!!

 

[sk8rat]

I like em on certain guitar, some not. I have one on my honey burst but not on my custom.

 

[GibsonKramer]

You'll love 2017 then.

 

[sk8rat]

Well I'm into poker chips, top hats and pickguards...

So there!!!

there is a video, iirc it is peter greene (might not be) playing a les paul with two pickguards. I think there is also a picture of someone with two pickguards on an es335

 

[chasenblues]

I think there is also a picture of someone with two pickguards on an es335