Vintage 1955-1959 Gibson Les Paul Special: Neither Fish Nor Fowl? NEW VIDEO

[TVBob]

I just released this video to share some thoughts about the original vintage 1955-1959 Les Paul Special. I hope you enjoy!
Not many of us can resist the fascination of a vintage Les Paul. The Standard with striking flame maple top and cherry sunburst finish gets most of the attention. Others prefer her more classy sister in “tuxedo look”: the Custom. Some others favour the stunning sonic impact of the Junior sister with a single P90 pickup and no-frills look. In this perspective, the double pickup Special seems to play a secondary role. It would seem condemned to the unfair definition of “neither fish nor fowl”: not a top shelf Les Paul Standard or Custom and not a minimalist rock’n’roll machine like the Junior. Yet, the vintage Special has been re-evaluated and it’s now considered a proud member of the Les Paul family. Let’s finally shed some light on its secrets and hidden virtues!

 

[VictorB]

Love it!!!

 

[TVBob]

Thank you Victor, I'm happy that you enjoyed!

 

[OBX351]

Interesting video. But I would contend it's more of a difference in P90s themselves. I've owned a good number of vintage SG and LP specials as well as a good number or reissues and every one of them sounded different. Some people think the Jrs have better resonance because there is not a magnet on the neck potentially affecting the vibrations of the strings. Maybe true but my r4 staple with a customer Lollar has better sustain than any of my P90 guitars, even with a massive staple pickup in the neck. I've also heard that the early LP Std pickups were mounted lower in the body and that effects tone as well. Thanks for the sharing your video.

 

[TVBob]

Interesting video. But I would contend it's more of a difference in P90s themselves. I've owned a good number of vintage SG and LP specials as well as a good number or reissues and every one of them sounded different. Some people think the Jrs have better resonance because there is not a magnet on the neck potentially affecting the vibrations of the strings. Maybe true but my r4 staple with a customer Lollar has better sustain than any of my P90 guitars, even with a massive staple pickup in the neck. I've also heard that the early LP Std pickups were mounted lower in the body and that effects tone as well. Thanks for the sharing your video.

Thank you for your kind feedback OBX351, I'm happy that you liked the video!
What you say is really interesting; I really don't see a "contending" but rather a confirmation. Also, it may be worth noting that P90's made before 1957 had slightly different tonal features.

 

[blouie]

Awesome playing! Enjoyed the video very much.

 

[OBX351]

Also, it may be worth noting that P90's made before 1957 had slightly different tonal features.

Maybe I hear it differently than you, but I disagree. This is based on playing and owning a lot of vintage guitars over the last 30+ years.

 

[Bluesdr57]

Great video. I own a 60’s Std a JB Epi burst and a few other Gibsons and Fenders. I went to Gibson Garage and ended up with a 60’s DC Special M2M . Recently acquired a 57 ML Special. Those two are now at the top of my players. And the 57 probably outs the DC.

 

[Bluesdr57]

 

[jimi55lp]

VERY WELL DONE!

 

[TVBob]

Awesome playing! Enjoyed the video very much.

Thank you so much for your kind feedback Blouie, I'm happy that you enjoyed!

 

[Bluesdr57]

As someone that enjoys Specials, the 57 Murphy Lab and a 60 Double Cut M2M really enjoyed the review and summary. Thanks

 

[TVBob]

Maybe I hear it differently than you, but I disagree. This is based on playing and owning a lot of vintage guitars over the last 30+ years.

I have a couple of P90 soapbars from 1952, they sound radically different: much sweeter and more "bluesy" than all later ones from the 50's that I tried, which sound way different from a hotter P90 from the early 1960's that I have... at least this is what I hear : ))

 

[TVBob]

As someone that enjoys Specials, the 57 Murphy Lab and a 60 Double Cut M2M really enjoyed the review and summary. Thanks

Thank you so much for your kind words Bluesdr57! Best wishes on your new guitars!

 

[fernieite]

Great job Bob! (as always)
The Special was the main guitar of the late Canadian guitarist Gord Lewis, from the band Teenage Head. Gord got some great sounds out of his 50s Special and Marshall amps back in the day. ( Late 70s/ 80s) I got to see them in the early 80s here in Toronto. Whenever I think of the Special, I think of Gord. Great guitars!

 

[TVBob]

Great job Bob! (as always)
The Special was the main guitar of the late Canadian guitarist Gord Lewis, from the band Teenage Head. Gord got some great sounds out of his 50s Special and Marshall amps back in the day. ( Late 70s/ 80s) I got to see them in the early 80s here in Toronto. Whenever I think of the Special, I think of Gord. Great guitars!

Thank you for the kind words Fernieite... and thank you for the link, great rock'n'roll with awesome playing and guitar tone. They remind me the Real Kids from Boston, also from the late 1970's.

 

[OBX351]

I have a couple of P90 soapbars from 1952, they sound radically different: much sweeter and more "bluesy" than all later ones from the 50's that I tried, which sound way different from a hotter P90 from the early 1960's that I have... at least this is what I hear

I have a couple of P90 soapbars from 1952, they sound radically different: much sweeter and more "bluesy" than all later ones from the 50's that I tried, which sound way different from a hotter P90 from the early 1960's that I have... at least this is what I hear : ))

It's all in the ear of the beholder. I was told that the P90s in the early 50s LP STDs sit lower and can have a distinctive sound. Maybe that's what you're hearing.

I've played and owned p90s from the 50s and 60s and they are all over the place. The sweetest sounding one is from a '63 LP/SG Jr. It was Gil Southworth's personal guitar that I bought about 13 or 14 years ago. My '52 has insane tone, great growl that has more treble than bass. The neck pickup sounds as if you put an old staple pickup in the lead position. My '63 SG white special sounds a lot like Gil's '54 staple, which has the hottest sounding P90 I've ever heard. I've also had several early 60s blade necked sg specials that sounded like you described as sweeter and bluesy.

I think the age of the magnet makes a big difference. The guy to ask is Jason Lollar or one of the bigger vintage dealers like Gil.

 

[TVBob]

It's all in the ear of the beholder. I was told that the P90s in the early 50s LP STDs sit lower and can have a distinctive sound. Maybe that's what you're hearing.

OBX351, actually that's not the case, I've tried them in three different guitars: they are obviously made with different wire and magnets and sound completely different from those of the early 1960's with phillis bottom screws and short A5 magnets (which I also love). Also I'm convinced that the aging factor of magnets is overstated: Telecaster flat poles pickups from the early 50's still sound as originally intended.

 

[fernieite]

I forgot to mention another popular guitarist that uses a vintage 50s Special - Dean DeLeo from STP.