The Newer Les Paul Ive tried are so “Chingy”

[BGK529]

So as I am still in search for another Les Paul that isn't defective when trying to find a bargain on some older models, my newest “used” venture was actually more so a newer 2021 50s Standard and it took me all of maybe 10 minutes after a setup to see what issues I have w/ newer Standards.. Quite a few I played (including this one to a lesser extreme) are so freakin chingy sounding when strummed which Im gonna guess has a lot to do with the crappy cheap chrome ABR-1 and tailpiece. Yeah when I plug it into my cranked Marshall it sings but that high end chinginess surfaces when I try to play the guitar clean.. Issues I dont have w/ my 2005 LPS that has a pretty sturdy Nickel tonepro bridge.. I guess my question is, does anyone else have issues as such.. This one already had my other issues w/ Gibsons resolved when the previous owner replaced the BB w a set of SD SNS pickups.. At any rate, I guess what I am saying I love everything about the newer les pauls but the hardware and pickups. I know I cant be the only one who feels this way. Are we really paying 2K to spend a couple more C notes to make the fiddle complete.

 

[ARandall]

Oh, of course its a Friday

 

[Duane_the_tub]

Yep, they've got the ping. A hardware swap to Faber or comparable tames a good amount of it, and isn't all that expensive. Pickup swap is a matter of personal preference; some more of that brightness can be dialed out via simple height adjustment.

 

[dc007]

Ok I'll play cause I'm curious. Last guitar I bought was a LP junior in 2020. Last LP was in 2013. So my experience with newer LPs has just been casual playing while visiting guitar stores. I am not sure what chingy means to you. To me it would mean overly bright or maybe metallic. So by that definition I have not noticed that issue on the half a dozen or so I've had my hands on.

 

[ErictheRed]

Modern vs 50s wiring maybe?

 

[MiniB]

I actually agree to some extent. Got a 2020 Wildwood Spec USA 50's Std and felt it was a little 'clinky' or fizzy in the hight end, especially with pick attack which can be edgy on upstrokes. You could tell just playing it acoustically. A little hard and metallic. After a professional setup, two things seemed to help.

One was replacing the high E saddle with a new one notched correctly (not so deep) and checked for screw movement/rattle in the ABR1 bridge. I was actually going to try some nylon saddles on the high strings, but this worked fine. Secondly, replacing the Gibson Deluxe Kluson-style tuners with Grovers, which I intended to do anyway because I like those tuners better. That seemed to give it a little more body and resonance in the lower mids, probably because of added mass.

So that combined with just playing it in more smoothed things out, but there's still good chime on tap in a musical way. Much better.

 

[LesPaul60sTribute]

The first think I swap out on all of my current 50s Standards is the light stop bar. I buy a Kluson Zink heavier stop bar and I immediately hear and feel the difference.

In fact I have 4 or 5 light stop bars for Gibson Les Pauls if anyone is interested.

 

[MiniB]

Yeah I kept the aluminum tailpiece on and I'm happy with it, but that would have been next . I've actually noticed a little harder attack more with steel tailpiece studs and usually go with brass ones. But obviously, it comes stock with brass.

 

[Duane_the_tub]

@LesPaul60sTribute do you have a gold one?

 

[MiniB]

Do you have a gold one?

Ha...I did but had to melt it down to make ends meet.

 

[Jeremiah]

I never made it without biting, ask Mr. Owl...

 

[DarthPaul]

Might be the hardware. You could always order a new bridge/stop tail from CreamTone so you have no choice but to get used to it.

 

[1981 LPC]

Tone is in the fingers. Take those rings off!

 

[LesPaul60sTribute]

@LesPaul60sTribute do you have a gold one?

Sorry no - all are nickel

 

[AJK1]

When I’m in a guitar store and I see someone buying a Gibson all I hear is ‘Ka chingy’

 

[BGK529]

@LesPaul60sTribute do you have a gold one?

This is not a gold one.. Bourbon Burst
@LesPaul60sTribute do you have a gold one?

 

[searswashere]

I have a 96 and 2007 and had a 2019 with P90. Gonna see if I notice anything next time im in store.

 

[John Vasco]

Buy a good amp, and get the settings right...

 

[BGK529]

Buy a good amp, and get the settings right...

Thats like the time my buddy told me to buy a better grill when I complained about my Cutco knifes underperforming

 

[gball]

I can’t stand those ridiculous fake ABR things that Gibson has been putting on certain models - they sound awful, look too dainty, don’t feel right under my palm, and I hate the stupid conceit of trying to make things look “vintage”

I’ve removed the fake ABR on every guitar that’s come with one and put on a brass Nashville, which has dramatically improved the tone and looks of the guitars.