Les Paul Sig-T vs Traditional?

[Gerr]

I went a little too crazy during Gibson's recent sale and ended up with two new Gibson Les Paul guitars, a Sig-T and a Traditional. Problem is I really can't afford to keep both, so one has to go. The problem is I don't know which one to keep.

Which ever one I do keep will get a wiring over haul with new Duncan pups, so the differences in pups & electronics will be nullified. I also don't like either set of tuning heads, so those will be changes as well. The other differences are...

Neck - Sig-T has the 60's slim neck while the Traditional has the 50's fat neck. I am pretty much a rank beginner, so really don't have a preference yet, both feel good to me, even with small hands.

Color - the Sig-T is Wine Red while the Traditional is Chicago Blue. Being born & raised in Chicago, I prefer the Traditional for obvious reasons, but both look good.

Fretboard - the Traditional has a normal Rosewood fretboard while the Sig-T has that Grandillo wood. The Rosewood looks better, but is there really a difference?

Weight - the Sig-T is about 8.5 lbs while the Traditional is around 9.5 lbs. Not sure that extra pound makes that much of a difference?


I believe those are the only differences. I think the main difference is the neck size. I would think that with small hands, I would prefer the Sig-T with the slim neck, but that isn't the case as while I can tell they are different, but really don't have a preference at the moment.

Any recommendations as to which guitar would be the best one to keep?

 

[Chuck M]

They both sound beautiful! If you could only keep both...I'd have a really hard time with this. You've got the best of both styles (and colors...wow). Good luck with this one.

Chuck M

 

[Fernandomania]

Play them for a bit and decide which one you like best. The difference is really the necks and the coil splitting.

I prefer beefier necks so and don't need coil-splitting so I prefer the Traditional. But that comes from years of playing and figuring out what I prefer.

 

[sonar]

Which ever one I do keep will get a wiring over haul with new Duncan pups, so the differences in pups & electronics will be nullified. I also don't like either set of tuning heads, so those will be changes as well. The other differences are...

You have no idea what you have and you're already ripping out the electronics and drilling holes for new tuning pegs?

I am pretty much a rank beginner...

I'm just throwing this out there, but maybe learn how to play guitar?

Any recommendations as to which guitar would be the best one to keep?

You also have a bunch of other guitars in your sig for sale.

Unless this is some type of troll bait I'd seriously rethink your priorities.

 

[budg]

This. Learn to play first , tinker later. The 57s are good pickups. Try them out before you decide to swap them. So basically you are swapping the wiring harness, pickups and the tuners? Whats left besides the bridge and tailpiece? Maybe a Les Paul isnt the guitar for you. Just sayin.

 

[Gerr]

Maybe rank beginner isn't the best description as I have been playing on and off for 5 years. I just never practice, so not very good. I know any guitar will do at my level, but I am a "upgrader" by nature, and I am on the ever ending quest for the best guitar that fits my needs. I hope that getting a really good guitar will kick start me into a practice routine as I am back to taking weekly lessons.

The bottom line is I now have 2 Les Pauls and can only keep one and time is running out to return one of them.

 

[jason_mazzy]

depends on how cheap you wanna sell the traditional for...................

 

[icantbuyafender]

I'm a 50s neck guy, and the neck is what would influence me

Electronics and hardware can be changed.

Neck profiles can't (...easily, anyway)

Pick the guitar that feels right.

That's all I care about when buying a guitar.

 

[Graham H]

Show us photo's, since we can't play 'em, or feel 'em, or hear 'em, at least we'll be able to see 'em !!!

 

[TobaccoBurst1983]

Count til 3 and say the guitar's model name which comes first on your mind.

 

[modavis99]

The three things that matter (IMO) are tone, neck, and weight. Before swapping any parts, decide if you prefer the sound of one to the other. Neck - for me it's either comfy or it isn't, I tend to prefer 60s style but that's not a rule. Weight - if it's over 9 pounds that's a negative for me.

 

[Howard2k]

Agreed, it would be all about the neck for me at this point. But if you're really not going to keep either one for a longer term, toss a coin, and if you feel pain at the result, it's the other one.

 

[DaveGH]

I tend to agree... don't put the cart before the horse. Send one back, sell the others, forget about modding it (...why?) and play it as much as you can. Get some lessons, play with others. You like the blue? Keep that one. Or just get it over with and buy a VOS RI... but then again why? This gear thing is like a disease. Gear is not the answer, music is....

 

[dwoverdrive]

Trad all the way. They are just fantastic guitars

 

[WRS]

Which one feels better and has the "Tone"You like?I've owned custom's,standards and studio's over the years[as well as an Epi56 goldtop].My #1 is my SigT.Mine weighs in at just under 10pds.Mine is the vintage sunburst,60's neck and grandillo[?]fretboard.Its a beautiful guitar but more importantly,its got"Tone".Very versatile with the split coils[that ant no les paul on the intro to sweet home Alabama].It all boils down to what you like and what feels and sounds best to you.Good luck on your quest.

 

[Lolly]

I love 50's necks and blue so, for me, Traditional all the way.

 

[Rezamatix]

+1 for traditional!

 

[JMB1984]

I'd go traditional for 50s neck and the color between the two. You are changing everything else that matters. Plus some people will always value the rosewood more in the used market if you try to sell later.

 

[Chuck M]

Why don't you try this:

Take one song that you know really well. Play it on the Signature T first because that's the slim tapered neck. Play the same song a few times on it, then immediately play that same song on the Traditional with the fatter neck. You'll find you have to wrap your fingers and reach just a bit more on the Trad.

Make sure the amp and tone knobs on each guitar match as close as possible because you'll also be measuring which tone pleases you more.

You should tell the difference with the better tone, feel, and ease of playing for one of them.

That's the one you keep. The other you can return to the store before the time runs out. Don't worry, you can always get the other at a later date (they make more ). At least keep the one that's got the edge over the other.

I'm not going to post my suggestion because it's all up to you. I'd be proud and excited to play and own either one of them.



Chuck M

 

[TobaccoBurst1983]

Don't play old Aerosmith riffs/licks on the T!

You might choose the T...