fiveightandten
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- Joined
- Jul 23, 2011
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--In this thread:
-Les Paul Custom Lite info and review
-Size comparisons between The Custom Lite, regular LPs and the SG.
-Pics of the guitars' body thicknesses next to one another
-Specs on size, weight, and neck profile for each guitar.
-More...
I just got this guitar, and I thought i'd add a little (ok, a lot) more info to the typical NGD thread. We'll be comparing the LPCL to full body Les Pauls and an SG. For now, I will stick mostly to specs and facts. As I get more play time on the guitar, I will update with subjective opinion on tones. But for now, i'll keep that info at a minimum.
--The NGD part:
I get this new (to me) 2013 Les Paul Custom Lite, in ebony. I'm pretty stocked about it. It's a fantastic guitar, and will go great with my '92 standard and '95 studio.
--What's a Les Paul Custom Lite?
It's a carved top LP with a slim back. Maybe you can think of this guitar as a LP Special with a carved top and LP Custom trim work on it...only a bit more upscale. Or think of it as a regular LP with half the back cut off. They made a limited run of these in the late 80's/early 90's. This is a reissue of that guitar, with a few differences, mainly the neck profile and fingerboard. We will be concentrating on the reissues which were made in 2013 and 2014.
2013 - Only offered in ebony. They feature the diamond headstock inlay.
2014 - Offered in ebony, alpine white, and wine red. They feature the crown headstock inlay.
Depending on who you talk to, they supposedly made 400 of these, with between 250 and 275 that went to the US market. They aren't that plentiful.
There was also a "Les Paul Classic Custom Lite", which is basically the same guitar, but sold for more money and came in a burst finish.
--What are the specs?
-Mahogany body with maple cap. Traditional weight relief.
-Mahogany neck, rounded 50's profile with rosewood fingerboard, arcrylic block inlays.
-490R / 498T
-2 volume, master tone, and coil tap switch that splits the coils for both pickups simultaneously. Hand wired (no PCB or grounding plate).
-Traditional "custom" style binding on top and headstock.
-"Keystone" tuners 16/1
-Gold hardware
-Slimline hardshell case (specific to this model).
--How does the body size and weight compare to a regular Les Paul"?
The body is a carved top, and at the lowest point of the deck, it's the same thickness as an SG. See below for comparison specs and pics. How does this feel? Well, have you ever played a big archtop or acoustic, and felt like your picking arm was extended out at an extreme angle? You were happy to get back to your thinner Les Paul...it felt so much more playable and easy to manage. This is what the LPCL feels like after playing a normal LP.
The LPCL has the feel of a regular carved top LP. It hangs on you like an LP would (aka, NOT like an SG). But it's closer to your body, so your forearm doesn't sit at a sharp angle, and doesn't rub up against the top. The LPCL also has a belly cut, so it's even more contoured to the body. They weigh around the 8 lb mark. They are balanced (not neck heavy like an SG and not body heavy like most LPs). Some of the lighter ones may be slightly neck heavy. When buying, ask the seller about the balance. I did, and mine doesn't neck dive, it's nicely balanced.
They have enough weight and heft to feel like a LP. But the slimmer body is extremely comfortable to play and makes the LPCL feel like you're driving a sports car, compared to a full sized LP body, which feels like an old Cadillac in contrast. If you want a big full sized LP body in front of you, the LPCL will not supplement that. But trust me, you will be astonished at the tone, feel, and resonance of a guitar that's basically a LP special with a carved top and LP Custom trim work on it...or a carved top LP with the back cut in half. Is it going to replace your full size LP? Maybe, maybe not. Is it a valid LP to have in your stable? Absolutely. Most of us have multiple LPs. Having one of these is WELL worth the money, even if you want to have a regular LP to fall back on when you feel like slinging a huge hunk of wood...that won't happen as often as you think. This guitar kills. It's a monster. Classic LP tone and feel...modern comfort.
--Ok...you know we live on the subjective stuff, tell me a little bit about how the guitar is.
I have a 1992 Standard, a 1995 Studio, and a 2000 SG 61 reissue. I'm also very familiar with other Les Pauls that bandmates of mine have (2008 Custom, 2013 Traditional, 2013 Standard, 2014 50's tribute, etc). I've played plenty of LPs and other guitar over the years. I've been playing for about 20 years at this point.
This 2013 LPCL plays, feels, and resonates with the best of them. It's louder acoustically than any of my other Gibsons. It has more sustain than most of them, and indistinguishable sustain to my '92 Standard. You hit a chord, and the guitar is absolutely alive with stout vibration and clear ringing notes. Believe me, the thin body does NOT trade off resonance or sustain in ANY way. If anything, it has MORE resonance and sustain than a typical LP.
I can't comment fully on tone yet, as I have yet to gig the guitar. But through my practice amp, it's every bit as gutsy and full bodied as my other LPs, and sounds fuller than my SG. The coil split feature does quite a convincing Strat tone in the middle position. Check out this quick and dirty clip for a demo of that. Yes, it's on a PODxt and doesn't sound good. Yes, my high E banged out and I didn't re-record it. Yes, you'll be surprised this is the sound of a Les Paul.
https://soundcloud.com/fiveightandten/lpcl-coil-tap
"You're only giving us a clip of it copping a strat tone? WTF!"
Yeah, you know what a LP sounds like. What you're really wondering is how it stacks up against a full sized LP. I don't have access right now to proper recording gear and a proper amp setup that can dive deep enough to hear any theoretical difference that may be there. So far with my practice amp, I can't hear any. But you know how things get up on stage at high volume...i'll reserve full judgement until then, and get high quality clips up when I have input to provide along with them.
--Ok...so lets see some comparison specs up against your other guitars.
I'm glad you asked...I measured them all and photos of the different thicknesses are below.
Note: I was too lazy to remove the strings, so neck thickness measurements are made by putting a capo down on the strings and making the measurement. The thickness of the strings is included in the measurement. They are all directly comparable to each other due to this, but if you compare to your guitar, keep that in mind.
--Ok...onto some pics!
The pack:
LP Standard vs LPCL:
LP Studio vs LPCL:
SG vs LPCL:
LP Studio vs LP Standard (yes, these are different, and you can feel it):
-Les Paul Custom Lite info and review
-Size comparisons between The Custom Lite, regular LPs and the SG.
-Pics of the guitars' body thicknesses next to one another
-Specs on size, weight, and neck profile for each guitar.
-More...
I just got this guitar, and I thought i'd add a little (ok, a lot) more info to the typical NGD thread. We'll be comparing the LPCL to full body Les Pauls and an SG. For now, I will stick mostly to specs and facts. As I get more play time on the guitar, I will update with subjective opinion on tones. But for now, i'll keep that info at a minimum.
--The NGD part:
I get this new (to me) 2013 Les Paul Custom Lite, in ebony. I'm pretty stocked about it. It's a fantastic guitar, and will go great with my '92 standard and '95 studio.
--What's a Les Paul Custom Lite?
It's a carved top LP with a slim back. Maybe you can think of this guitar as a LP Special with a carved top and LP Custom trim work on it...only a bit more upscale. Or think of it as a regular LP with half the back cut off. They made a limited run of these in the late 80's/early 90's. This is a reissue of that guitar, with a few differences, mainly the neck profile and fingerboard. We will be concentrating on the reissues which were made in 2013 and 2014.
2013 - Only offered in ebony. They feature the diamond headstock inlay.
2014 - Offered in ebony, alpine white, and wine red. They feature the crown headstock inlay.
Depending on who you talk to, they supposedly made 400 of these, with between 250 and 275 that went to the US market. They aren't that plentiful.
There was also a "Les Paul Classic Custom Lite", which is basically the same guitar, but sold for more money and came in a burst finish.
--What are the specs?
-Mahogany body with maple cap. Traditional weight relief.
-Mahogany neck, rounded 50's profile with rosewood fingerboard, arcrylic block inlays.
-490R / 498T
-2 volume, master tone, and coil tap switch that splits the coils for both pickups simultaneously. Hand wired (no PCB or grounding plate).
-Traditional "custom" style binding on top and headstock.
-"Keystone" tuners 16/1
-Gold hardware
-Slimline hardshell case (specific to this model).
--How does the body size and weight compare to a regular Les Paul"?
The body is a carved top, and at the lowest point of the deck, it's the same thickness as an SG. See below for comparison specs and pics. How does this feel? Well, have you ever played a big archtop or acoustic, and felt like your picking arm was extended out at an extreme angle? You were happy to get back to your thinner Les Paul...it felt so much more playable and easy to manage. This is what the LPCL feels like after playing a normal LP.
The LPCL has the feel of a regular carved top LP. It hangs on you like an LP would (aka, NOT like an SG). But it's closer to your body, so your forearm doesn't sit at a sharp angle, and doesn't rub up against the top. The LPCL also has a belly cut, so it's even more contoured to the body. They weigh around the 8 lb mark. They are balanced (not neck heavy like an SG and not body heavy like most LPs). Some of the lighter ones may be slightly neck heavy. When buying, ask the seller about the balance. I did, and mine doesn't neck dive, it's nicely balanced.
They have enough weight and heft to feel like a LP. But the slimmer body is extremely comfortable to play and makes the LPCL feel like you're driving a sports car, compared to a full sized LP body, which feels like an old Cadillac in contrast. If you want a big full sized LP body in front of you, the LPCL will not supplement that. But trust me, you will be astonished at the tone, feel, and resonance of a guitar that's basically a LP special with a carved top and LP Custom trim work on it...or a carved top LP with the back cut in half. Is it going to replace your full size LP? Maybe, maybe not. Is it a valid LP to have in your stable? Absolutely. Most of us have multiple LPs. Having one of these is WELL worth the money, even if you want to have a regular LP to fall back on when you feel like slinging a huge hunk of wood...that won't happen as often as you think. This guitar kills. It's a monster. Classic LP tone and feel...modern comfort.
--Ok...you know we live on the subjective stuff, tell me a little bit about how the guitar is.
I have a 1992 Standard, a 1995 Studio, and a 2000 SG 61 reissue. I'm also very familiar with other Les Pauls that bandmates of mine have (2008 Custom, 2013 Traditional, 2013 Standard, 2014 50's tribute, etc). I've played plenty of LPs and other guitar over the years. I've been playing for about 20 years at this point.
This 2013 LPCL plays, feels, and resonates with the best of them. It's louder acoustically than any of my other Gibsons. It has more sustain than most of them, and indistinguishable sustain to my '92 Standard. You hit a chord, and the guitar is absolutely alive with stout vibration and clear ringing notes. Believe me, the thin body does NOT trade off resonance or sustain in ANY way. If anything, it has MORE resonance and sustain than a typical LP.
I can't comment fully on tone yet, as I have yet to gig the guitar. But through my practice amp, it's every bit as gutsy and full bodied as my other LPs, and sounds fuller than my SG. The coil split feature does quite a convincing Strat tone in the middle position. Check out this quick and dirty clip for a demo of that. Yes, it's on a PODxt and doesn't sound good. Yes, my high E banged out and I didn't re-record it. Yes, you'll be surprised this is the sound of a Les Paul.
https://soundcloud.com/fiveightandten/lpcl-coil-tap
"You're only giving us a clip of it copping a strat tone? WTF!"
Yeah, you know what a LP sounds like. What you're really wondering is how it stacks up against a full sized LP. I don't have access right now to proper recording gear and a proper amp setup that can dive deep enough to hear any theoretical difference that may be there. So far with my practice amp, I can't hear any. But you know how things get up on stage at high volume...i'll reserve full judgement until then, and get high quality clips up when I have input to provide along with them.
--Ok...so lets see some comparison specs up against your other guitars.
I'm glad you asked...I measured them all and photos of the different thicknesses are below.
Note: I was too lazy to remove the strings, so neck thickness measurements are made by putting a capo down on the strings and making the measurement. The thickness of the strings is included in the measurement. They are all directly comparable to each other due to this, but if you compare to your guitar, keep that in mind.
--Ok...onto some pics!
The pack:
LP Standard vs LPCL:
LP Studio vs LPCL:
SG vs LPCL:
LP Studio vs LP Standard (yes, these are different, and you can feel it):
Post some pics up...congrats on picking one up!
and play her in good health!
