The Newer Les Paul Ive tried are so “Chingy”

[searswashere]

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.

Improved how? I only ask as my tech raved about the AVR-2 bridge swap on his 99 R9 and when I tried it on my 2021 the tonal shift was decidedly worse in my experience. This made me think perhaps his guitar was originally pretty dark.

 

[moreles]

I don't know if Gibson has changed anything in the composition of their hardware. The LP bridge is lousy, as it is poorly machined, and on top of that, saddle notching and setup are often poorly done by sellers and users. I encounter hardware noise, affecting string vibration and thus amplified tones, on a large number of LPs. It's just baked into the guitar and you have to track down the sources and eliminate them. It's possible, I suppose, for the more recently fabricated components to be somehow more problematic than earlier runs of the same stuff, but that seems doubtful to me. Perhaps currently used pickups have an unpleasant high treble response? I love LPs and better SGs, but every one that's passed through my hands has needed special attention to straighten out minor hardware glitches. When I get a used one, it's almost always bad saddle notching and lousy stopbar-to-bridge angling that is causing unwanted vibrations and overtones. Gotoh's version of all these standard parts makes Gibson's stuff look like, well... Chibson. Really junky.

 

[jbash]

All this is so guitar specific. I've spent well over a thousand bucks on replacement bridges, saddles, posts, inSerts, TPs, tp studs, you name it. Steel, brass, alum, etc.

On some guitars aftermarket stuff helps. On some it makes them sound worse. My Faber bridge usually sits in the parts bin. All 4 of my guitars (1 ES, 3 Les Pauls) sound dull and "plinky" (brass saddles) with it on. The stock Gibson ABR or Nashville or a Philly Luthier alum/titanium saddle make the guitars sound louder, ring out clearer and have more overtones. To tame any harsh highs I spend more on quality pickups without harsh sounding cheap metals/magnets and decent 50s wiring setup.

The one thing I have not tried yet is the full bell brass Nashville from Philly Luthier. Someday I'll give it a go, but generally I hate brass saddles- on a Tele/Broadcaster, PRS bridges, or Gibson bridges. You can always reduce highs, but you cannot get clarity back with dull sounding saddles.

 

[John Vasco]

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

Let's be serious about this.
The 'ching' - you haven't said whether it was with the neck pickup only, the bridge pickup only, or both.

You haven't stated the relevant settings with each/both pickup(s).

You haven't stated the settings on your amp.

Gibsons played clean DO have a certain 'chime' to them, particularly when both pickups are selected with the tone and volume controls up full.

Do you really think this: 'Im gonna guess has a lot to do with the crappy cheap chrome ABR-1 and tailpiece'. Given the overall cost of a Gibson, a bridge and tailpiece will be cheap by any metric applied to the overall cost.

But what the fuck do I know - only been playing and gigging with Gibsons since 1970...

 

[BGK529]

Let's be serious about this.
The 'ching' - you haven't said whether it was with the neck pickup only, the bridge pickup only, or both.

You haven't stated the relevant settings with each/both pickup(s).

You haven't stated the settings on your amp.

Gibsons played clean DO have a certain 'chime' to them, particularly when both pickups are selected with the tone and volume controls up full.

Do you really think this: 'Im gonna guess has a lot to do with the crappy cheap chrome ABR-1 and tailpiece'. Given the overall cost of a Gibson, a bridge and tailpiece will be cheap by any metric applied to the overall cost.

But what the fuck do I know - only been playing and gigging with Gibsons since 1970...

 

[mjross]

NO! No problems with ANY of my Les Pauls, sound great and what the hell is “Chingy”?

 

[gball]

Improved how? I only ask as my tech raved about the AVR-2 bridge swap on his 99 R9 and when I tried it on my 2021 the tonal shift was decidedly worse in my experience. This made me think perhaps his guitar was originally pretty dark.

The brass ones smooth out the pingy high end that the fake ABRs have, and punch up the midrange very nicely without bringing honkiness. Seem to help a fair bit with sustain as well. To me, they are a huge improvement. But to me any Nashville is going to be better than the not-an-ABRs.

 

[BGK529]

My inquiries in my the post are discussing or more so asking for others experiences w/ the construction of the newer Gibson Guitars and the sonic output (or lackerof) from them. I could grab my first $189 EPI LP I bought in HS 35 years ago into my 1974 Marshall Super Bass and get by but that isn't

NO! No problems with ANY of my Les Pauls, sound great and what the hell is “Chingy”?

A word I used to describe the high end unpleasant chime Im getting from this 2019 Les Paul Im test driving.

 

[mjross]

My inquiries in my the post are discussing or more so asking for others experiences w/ the construction of the newer Gibson Guitars and the sonic output (or lackerof) from them. I could grab my first $189 EPI LP I bought in HS 35 years ago into my 1974 Marshall Super Bass and get by but that isn't

A word I used to describe the high end unpleasant chime Im getting from this 2019 Les Paul Im test driving.

Maybe you need to try another brand or just play your $189 Epi and be happy!

 

[ErictheRed]

Try adjusting the pickup height and pole pieces, it costs nothing. It's hard to understand what "ching" means to you, but you can dial in and out high end and overall output with a simple adjustment. Also try pure nickel strings, they're warmer sounding (though personally I don't like them that much).

 

[dc007]

Now I did have a 2006 SG that had a good bit of bridge brightness but I did not notice it amplified.

 

[Steven]

The only definition of chingy I've ever heard is slang speak for monetary wealth. In this context I have absolutely no idea what a guitar sounding chingy means.

 

[searswashere]

My inquiries in my the post are discussing or more so asking for others experiences w/ the construction of the newer Gibson Guitars and the sonic output (or lackerof) from them. I could grab my first $189 EPI LP I bought in HS 35 years ago into my 1974 Marshall Super Bass and get by but that isn't

A word I used to describe the high end unpleasant chime Im getting from this 2019 Les Paul Im test driving.

10-46? Try a thicker pick too.

 

[MiniB]

Check to see if the guitar came with one of these....

If it did, use the upper position or change it.

 

[1allspub]

I’ve had just the opposite experience with my new 60s Standard to that of the OP. I’ve owned, I think, 12 Gibson USA LP and this new one is probably the best of the bunch. My 2016 Trad is its only real competition when it comes to USA LPs. My Trad is awesome, but it’s been well modded (pickups, Faber Hardware, caps, etc) to get it as good as it is. For this new 60s Standard to come straight outta the box, bone stock and be as good as it is really surprised me. I haven’t changed anything on it (yet? ) and may well not (I’m an inveterate guitar tinkerer )… it’s that good.

So anyway, yeah, sorry can’t relate with the OP’s experience… just the opposite actually.

 

[MiniB]

Or put these on the guitar and you see that knob on the right?

Turn that one down.

 

[Plant man]

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.

I assume that by chingy, you mean too much high end and has too much of a bell like sound? Either turn down the tone volume or lower the pick up heights. Good luck I hope you find the solutions

 

[MiniB]

I've also had good results with this....

.....put it right before your overdrive pedal.

 

[BGK529]

Check to see if the guitar came with one of these....

View attachment 678379


If it did, use the upper position or change it.

Thats great! Haha!

 

[BGK529]

Or put these on the guitar and you see that knob on the right?

View attachment 678381

Turn that one down.

These are the responses I was hoping when I chose to use the word Ching! I expected a few cranky responses sponsored by Nike Monarchs but these pics are killing me! Thank U!