Struggling with les Paul custom

[judson]

Man that looks high..


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you know i like action higher than most but what i am curious about if the OP asked the first tech WHY he could not adjust it lower, an answer because it would buzz isnt a good answer

my money says that looks like someone didnt know what they were doing...

you would think a good tech would explain why?

 

[dspelman]

I think that action is high and I think your "luthier" may be as well.
My experience is that almost any guitar can have its action set right down on the deck if the frets are level and the neck's not twisted, etc. When I get a guitar that's new to me that seems a bit wonky, I hand it to Gary Brawer in San Francisco. He's worked on enough of my guitars to know where I like the action (*low*) and he does whatever it takes to get it there, whether that involves a run on his PLEK or whatever. The frets come back gleaming and *level,* and the action's pretty much always where I like it, or within an RCH of it.

 

[ARandall]

It might be my imagination here, but in the above pic the 17th fret looks high, and the 18th low.

 

[deeno11]

Just had them leveled and crowned.

 

[DylanLP]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your guitar. If the luthier was told to set the action low then he’s ain’t competent and I’m no expert! It’s VERY HIGH, no wonder you’re fighting with your guitar lol.

As colleagues above, take it to an experienced/reputable luthier in your area. Gibson Les Paul Customs are top of the line and worth the investment in my opinion.

I wouldn’t think about selling it unless a top luthier checks it first.

Good luck!

 

[PierM]

After seeing that bridge picture and the action, I’ve to repeat myself; just find a better tech/luthier. Forget about neck reset nonsense.

 

[Taylor67]

Have the neck reset.






Should I have used purple?

 

[MSB]

I vote you try to learn for yourself. But If i took mine to a "tech" and he gave it back with the strings that close to the pickup, I personally wouldn't trust him to touch my stuff anymore.

 

[MooCheng]

hard to be sure from the pic' but the highest action appears to be around the 13th 14th fret then it seams to reduce higher up the fretboard ? this should not happen, the action should be getting higher. Maybe its got a hump at the neck/body joint.
The problem sounds much worse than it is, A good tech/ luthier can dress some "fall away " in the upper frets to redress the problem

I'm sure in the right hands your guitar can be made a real player. Worse case scenario, pull the frets, level the fretboard and refret. You will loose the nibs, thats no loss, their crappy things

 

[Subterfuge]

action should be 5/64 ?? this looks way, way, way too high ...

 

[LeftyF2003]

action should be 5/64 ?? this looks way, way, way too high ...

Yea, that's how I'd set up a slide guitar...

 

[ido1957]

Yes, try another tech. I went through 4 years of frustration with my nut/action/frets on my 2014 LPC before I found the right guy. How do you spell relief (no pun) "GOOD TECH". Good luck, LPC's are great machines IMHO so I hope it all works out for you.

 

[DylanLP]

This is how low my action (top photo) is compared to yours (bottom one) no fret buzz and plays like butter. I also play metal.

 

[Christosterone]

Sell it and get another one...

This one has too much “history”

Get a mid 2000s classic....perfect metal guitar 496/500 setup is the most underrated setup in the history of Lester’s imho

Also, the classic neck is like shaking hands with a kitten so u can fly up and down the neck...it’s why classics are my favorite guitars....

Or get a 2019 classic....slippery fast action

-Chris

 

[TheHarleyMan2]

Just a recommendation. I would also top wrap your tailpiece so your strings are not digging in the back of the bridge, (in my opinion it makes for better sustain when the tail piece is all the way down) and also gives to better intonation when having to adjust the saddles. I do my own set ups, it isn't really that hard, especially on Gibson's, I looked at either learning to do my own set it up or pay someone a couple of/or few hundred dollars to do it, (at least that's the rate where I am at in Austin), But each to their own.

I keep all my actions low to almost buzzing. I would get a metal 18" ruler, (it's what I use), and I would check the neck to see if it is straight for one thing or if it has a bow in it.

As others said here take it to another luthier to get another opinion.

 

[deeno11]

First of all, thank you very much for everybody’s feedback I greatly appreciate it. I am having a second luthier look it over today. I’ve called the shop I bought it from and they are willing to give me a full refund if we cannot get it where I need it to be. Either way, it sounds like I will be satisfied with the outcome. I will write back tonight after I’ve gone through this whole process. Again, you guys are always so helpful, thank you again.

 

[DylanLP]

First of all, thank you very much for everybody’s feedback I greatly appreciate it. I am having a second luthier look it over today. I’ve called the shop I bought it from and they are willing to give me a full refund if we cannot get it where I need it to be. Either way, it sounds like I will be satisfied with the outcome. I will write back tonight after I’ve gone through this whole process. Again, you guys are always so helpful, thank you again.

I'm so happy for you mate. You're doing the right thing! Le us know, all the best

 

[EndGame00]

Am I the only who likes higher action on LP, especially on Slim Taper profile? I struggle to play on low action, even for widdly widdly stuff...

Even on 50's fat neck, I like them high...

 

[jestremera]

Hey guys I hope everybody’s had a good weekend. I’m writing to you guys because I’m at wits end with one of my les Paul’s. It’s a gorgeous guitar but I just really can’t seem to get this thing playing right for me. I feel like I’m fighting with while playing. I recently had a very credible luthier in my area go through it. We dressed and leveled the frets and discovered the abr1 bridge had started to bow so we replaced it with a tone pros bridge. That’s all great, but he can’t seem to get the action where I want it on this thing. He says it’s what he would consider low but any lower and we will start getting too much buzzing. I play metal. I’m wondering if I just sort of ended up with one of those les Paul’s that didn’t turn out that great in terms of build quality....you know one of the ones that you just can’t seem to get playing right. The big question is, is there anything else I can do, or should put this thing up for sale and try my hands on another one?

It sounds like it's a combination of things, but mostly that this isn't the guitar for you. I'd sell it and try to find something that works a little better for you. Maybe another Custom or something different altogether. They're inherently not the easiest guitars in the world to play, but I love the tone and to me, nothing comes close, so I stick with them

 

[jestremera]

Am I the only who likes higher action on LP, especially on Slim Taper profile? I struggle to play on low action, even for widdly widdly stuff...

Even on 50's fat neck, I like them high...

I agree. I used to like really low action but over time have found myself raising it a bit higher than factory spec. That seems to "sound" better to me and no issue really with the widdly widdly stuff