Les paul special TV Yellow - how do the Custom Shop and USA Original 2019/20 compare

[Starfire]

Has anyone been able to compare a Custom Shop Les Paul Special to the USA 2019 Special?


Im interested to know as specs wise they're very similar. I'd be especially interested how the TV Yellow finishes compare.

 

[Starfire]

Nobody compared them?

 

[jamesandrew]

I recently compared them! I bought a 2020 CS 1957 LP Special single cut reissue and a 2020 Original LP Special with the intention of keeping one of them.

The CS pickups had slightly lower output but were clearer and more articulate. More polite. Great sound but not quite what I wanted on my Special. The Original was hotter and raunchier.

I went back and forth on them a lot, resetting the amp volume each time so I wouldn't be tricked by the higher output of the Original. Also played with different pickup heights to try to get them in the same ballpark. Ultimately I liked the Original better.

Some other differences:

• The CS was lighter (7 lbs vs 8 lbs on the Original) and more refined all around (better nut, fingerboard material, fretwork, etc.). However, I found that these refinements made very little difference in terms of playing and getting a vibe out of the guitar.
• When played acoustically the CS sounded sweeter and more balanced, but it was also weaker. Both guitars had great sustain.
• The paint color on the CS was a very faded yellow with some subtle green putting it into pea soup or baby food territory, while the Original had a really bright and popping orangey-yellow finish. I preferred the brighter color.

Although I was ready to pay over double the price for the CS, I returned it since I just liked the Original better. The Original LP Special is pretty much the perfect, no frills rock 'n roll guitar to me. With the money saved I bought a JCM800 to go with it.

The only thing I had to do on the Original was file the nut slots since they were too high from the factory. I actually just copied the measurements from the CS. The slots on the Original were almost 1/32" higher than the CS, and the intonation on the first few frets was quite bad. Once I filed them down to match the CS it was perfect!

 

[Starfire]

Thanks thats really interesting to know. Were the neck profiles similar?

 

[jamesandrew]

Thanks thats really interesting to know. Were the neck profiles similar?

Yeah, the CS and the Original that I tried had exactly the same neck profile. Nice and fat!

 

[musicmaniac]

Congrats!

 

[Starfire]

This is the best video iv found comparing both. Custom shop is later in the video.

Sound wise the custom shop edges it for me out of this particular pair. The USA is amazing value considering the price difference.

 

[endial]

This is the best video iv found comparing both. Custom shop is later in the video.

Sound wise the custom shop edges it for me out of this particular pair. The USA is amazing value considering the price difference.

Great. Watched that on Youtoob and went down a rabbit hole of Specials videos.

THIS IS NOT HEALTHY.