Guitar Review 1997 Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop Ace Frehley By Scott Grove

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  • Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
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    Watch my other (Very informative) video of this guitar here: • 1997 Ace Frehley Gibso...

Комментарии • 303

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад +8

    The only RULE to guitars is to play what makes you happy. I've been MUCH, MUCH, MUCH happier constantly over the years with $300.00 guitars than I have been with all of this expensive stuff. Never let anyone tell you what to play. You can't be inspired at all my something that doesn't feel like an extension of you. If it feels right and sounds right...grab it and don't let the name on the headstock make any decisions for you. You are 100% on the right track my friend!

  • @jfo3000
    @jfo3000 10 лет назад +7

    Scott, love your videos.
    I played one of these in the store when they were introduced. I think it was like $5000 new at the time. A two fret bend on the B string at the fifteenth fret noted out, and the guitar had high action! OUCH! That's a pretty common move for a rock guitarist. The salesman said "The guy that buys that guitar isn't gonna play it anyway, so the fret work is acceptable." As a rule Gibson has no pride in their product; lousy quality control: by a $5K guitar, have the frets fixed for $75 to $150, probably get a few nicks in it while the tech is working on it. Yeah baby! I love Gibson guitars!

  • @leokimvideo
    @leokimvideo Год назад +1

    What's very interesting as time goes on is the Ace Frehley Customs are the ones going up in value. Mind you as an investment your always far better off buying Gold Vs a Signature guitar.

    • @mmonkeyman1403
      @mmonkeyman1403 11 месяцев назад

      Gold is not a particularly good investment.

  • @thomasdonohue1833
    @thomasdonohue1833 8 лет назад +1

    I remember when those guitars came out and I thought the price was outrageous. I love Gibsons because they are a solid guitar and sound great. I could care less about the finish on the back because it usually gets scratched any way. I own an Epiphone Les Paul and it's a great guitar. It plays great, it's solid and durable not to mention it's about 2k cheaper than a Gibson Les Paul

    • @groovydjs
      @groovydjs  8 лет назад

      Out of all the guitars I own, I can honestly say that there are no scratches on the back. I won't buy them if they are scratched.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад +1

    All 100% correct. Yeah, I was just trying to point out to people that THIS particular axe is simply a totally different axe than Ace ever used and not to think that it is anything like any of the guitars that he used during his first go around with Kiss.

    • @ionlarry-uz3yl
      @ionlarry-uz3yl Год назад

      what exactly do you mean it’s totally different than any axe ace ever used? I just watched a video from Tokyo 77 and it was literally identical to this. Not exactly sure what pick ups are in each but the open three humbucker honey burst is ace signature.

  • @SquierStrat72
    @SquierStrat72 11 лет назад +2

    In reference to our earlier discussion, I got a new mod for a couple of mine. Not one I've tried before, but it makes sense, and both you and Justin Spicer praise it. Got some blanks today, so(once I slot and shape them) both the Stratocaster and the Precision will be getting shiny metal nuts. Brass in this case. The Jazz will get one when the store has more in stock.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад +1

    Yeah, it makes all of the difference in the world huh? It is such a huge improvement. It may not be what STEVE is after, but it sure makes for a much more usable axe. You are so very welcome and I hope you enjoy yours a lot more now. You have the best of both worlds in one axe!
    Cheers!
    Scott

  • @guskuratlejr9228
    @guskuratlejr9228 4 года назад +1

    You are a very talented player and I appreciate your honesty I am trying to get beyond my knowledge of pentatonic scales when I was a Kid Ace was my Idol

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад +1

    I hear you my friend. The ACE FACE should've been a LOT closer to his KISS era solo album pic than it ended up being. They can do AMAZING inlay work and graphics like nobody's business these days (and then too) and there was no call for it to turn out like it did. The prices are kind of funky too. Here is the current breakdown on prices VS serial numbers.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Inked on serial numbers ACE 001 through ACE 300
    ACE 001 through ACE 010 - $8,750 to $9,500 US
    ACE 011 through ACE 025 - $8,000 to $9,000 US
    ACE 026 through ACE 300 - $6,000 to $8,000 US
    Increased value for 'flame' in the top.

  • @weaselsuit
    @weaselsuit 10 лет назад

    Thanks for taking the time Scott. It is appreciated.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад +1

    Great mod! You'll love it. Yeah, Justin is a great friend of mine and he also understands the importance that nut mod. Please keep me posted when you get it done.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  10 лет назад +9

    ten8goa was blocked because I seem to provide TOO MUCH INFORMATION THAT HE SIMPLY DOESN'T HAVE TIME FOR. Bye douche!

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  9 лет назад +9

    Since there was NO LINK TO REPLY: Biker Tramp 8 hours ago
    It's kind of sad, but you know Gibson knew nobody would buy an Ace model and actually play it much, especially not at an actual gig... Those are purely for an investment.
    OK, MY TURN, By the same token, if a company released a limitied edition fuck doll with 24k pussy lips, somebody's still gonna fuck it. lol

    • @johnt.campbell316
      @johnt.campbell316 8 лет назад

      I say this all the time!!! They KNOW 99% of people aren't going to play them. They know that they're even sometimes bought by people who *don't even play!!* Like those Eddie Van Halen Frankenstrat guitars (Fender/Kramer/it doesn't matter. Any co. that ever made the $10,000 ""exact copy""). Almost every review I've seen of those the reviewer says that they aren't set up _at all_ or they sound terrible. It's really annoying and sad. At least you KNOW you can get at least what you paid out of it.

    • @groovydjs
      @groovydjs  8 лет назад

      So very true. I just sold that guitar last month, got the fortune I wanted out of it. Now, it is like most Les Pauls. It's in the case at some dude's house with a broken headstock. Yep, the Les Paul is a flawless guitar. LMAO.

    • @jbolo5378
      @jbolo5378 6 лет назад

      How similar to Framptons triple humbucker LP? Frampton was isibg his is at least 1969

  • @leemacgillivray1490
    @leemacgillivray1490 6 лет назад

    Scott, your honesty is so refreshing with all the day-to-day horseshit being put out there by the Gibson Inc. and their fan boys. Been playing for 54 years since the age of 12 I just have to sayn that you are a breath of fresh air. Don't let anyone or anything stop ya!

  • @davidtrueslayor7474
    @davidtrueslayor7474 7 лет назад +6

    Hold on isn't this Meatloaf ? Whats he doing with a Kiss guitar ?

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад +2

    Yeah, cheap is where it's at for a PLAYER'S guitar. No reason to haul a high dollar axe around at all. You are dead on correct.

  • @MusicStudent1
    @MusicStudent1 9 лет назад

    Hey Scott. I bought an Ace Frehley Washburn AF40V in Georgia in 1987. I've since sold it. It played ok once I tweaked it. The 1st string slipped off the fretboard while playing and I had to reposition the wonderbar bridge to offset it. They're hard to find now but if you want to see what it was all about, play a Washburn Rudy Sarzo Slammer bass. They show up on eBay from time to time. They had a lot in common construction-wise. Very thick poly finish, cool body shape, 24 frets, etc. I play my Slammer bass a lot because it reminds me of my old AF40 guitar that I wish I hadn't sold. I was kinda let down by the fact that Ace had little to do with a guitar he endorsed. I played mine more than he did! Just thought you might enjoy the info. Thanks for the videos.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yes, the Custom Shop has 3 pickups in it and only the bridge pickup is wired up. Same as the one that Ace used. The whole back of his guitar was cut out so that they could install the smoking rig. So it took up the space under the middle and neck pickups. So, those pickups were simply fake and the middle one had the top of a real pickup put there for looks and the neck pickup was a decal that looked like a pickup that he would poke with his pick so that the smoke would come out.

  • @killainmaccallan4700
    @killainmaccallan4700 2 года назад +1

    So did you own it from new or?, was this the first time you played this?. I like d the neck Pu and middl eposition. But yeah the bridge is quite harsh. Was this the only time you played it since or is it sold?. Long time viewer (on another account)

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yes there is. It's a regular production model, not a Custom shop relic.

  • @crazyuncleduke9
    @crazyuncleduke9 11 лет назад

    Thanks for this comment Scott. As a bass player I adore Leo's post CBS inventions. Pre Ernie MusicMans are amazing and G&L has the best bass bridge in the business.

  • @alexandergonzalez1922
    @alexandergonzalez1922 5 лет назад

    I wish I could buy me one of those. Ace’s guitar is so beautiful and just awesome, I’d love to get and play one. The fact that his Spaceman face is on it is what makes me want it even more.

  • @imilf2003
    @imilf2003 6 лет назад +1

    Ace only had the Bridge pickup hooked up the other 2 were not connected

    • @groovydjs
      @groovydjs  6 лет назад +1

      Yep. All of these that were released to the public had all 3 hooked up. Of course Ace has a couple that are specifically set up for the smoke thing where the middle pickup is fake and the neck pickup is just a drawing of a pickup placed there so that he can poke his guitar pickup through the drawing to allow for the smoke to come out. The majority of those guitars are hollowed out for the internal fog machine.

  • @jonathondenton3376
    @jonathondenton3376 5 лет назад +1

    My dream guitar

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Music Man instruments are all much better instruments than most companies make. Them and G&L. They should be the BIG NAMES as far as USA guitars go. The quality is there and their instruments are consistently amazing, not hit or miss like Gibson or Fender.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    There is a big difference in the Trad PRO 09 and the new ones, the Trad PRO II. In that the single coil mode is now the same (or more) volume than the humbucker mode. Plus you can run the humbuckers straight to the output jack and bypass all of the electronics (IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE THAT WAY). So.....I would still stick with the 09' PRO. That was a really cool axe for sure. I can't say anything bad about it other than it would've been cool to have a roller bridge on it.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, but it lasts and doesn't ever get old, cracked or even fade. It's a perfect finish if you want your axe to look new forever. I would much rather have that. Then I just sand the finish off of the guitars that I will actually keep anyway, so that part always feels really good. I never touch the body, so....it doesn't bug me. lol

  • @dharleyfan1
    @dharleyfan1 10 лет назад +1

    I was told that Ace didn't even play Gibson guitars, What ? You say ! Are You Crazy ? Ace's guitars that he gigged with were actually ghost built by someone else, made to look like Les Pauls, because he had an endorsement deal with Gibson. Ace actually hated how sharp edged and uncomfortable Les Pauls were to play, so he had someone build him guitars that had rounded and shaved edges, and contoured belly and shoulder shapes. I won't mention the builders name, but he owns a HUGE guitar store in Las Vegas, so you can probably figure out who it was very quickly. ALOT of pro's that you buy tribute, or signature models for, don't even play the brand of guitars your buying alot of them are "ghost built" by someone else. Some of them have endorsement deals with these companies, and their guitars are custom built, by hand, exclusively for them. So even if they REALLY do play the "Brand" that your buying, your not getting anywhere near the same guitar that they are playing. This is ALL my humble opinion, take it or leave it, but just do a little research and you'll see its the truth.

    • @groovydjs
      @groovydjs  10 лет назад

      Ace's Gibson guitars were in fact, 100% Gibson made. He did have the backs carved for a tummy cut and then just refinished. He actually had his original '73 tobacco burst Deluxe made into a double cutaway and painted black. He sold it a while back. But, they were all true Gibsons and none were ghost built. He had Steve Carr build his "Effects" guitars like the UFO, the LIGHT SHOW, and so on. The smoking ones were simply hollowed out Gibsons. Then in the early days you would see him with a few different brand guitars on tour. The Ibanez Destroyer (1975), a Greco model or 2 while playing in Japan (same factory that builds the Ibanez stuff. So, with Ace, whatever it said on the headstock was 100% correct.
      Cheersl

    • @dharleyfan1
      @dharleyfan1 10 лет назад

      groovydjs I wondered if the story was bullshit or not, I saw two of Ace's guitars in person, and knew they were shaved and rounded, so I believed half the story lol.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад +1

    I've had a few over the years and they are amazing. Them and G&L should be the 2 big companies and Fender and Gibson should shut their doors.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, that sucker does bite your head off. It is 10 times brighter in the room with it than it came out on the video. The treble was OFF on the amps. I have the treble up to about 6 using my Strats and Tele. And they don't hurt like that. OUCH! I won't be using any of these videos when it comes time to sell this axe for sure. lol

  • @onsesejoo2605
    @onsesejoo2605 9 лет назад

    Gibson has now launched the Les Paul 100 (Studio, Deluxe, Standard) models with changes that are thought to be radical such as wider neck, lightened body, automated tuning system and advanced electronics. Have you already heard or got personal experience on those guitars ?

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад +1

    Thanks my friend. Yeah, the scratch remover does a really commendable job. What covers do the pickups have on your Black Beauty?

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    I've heard BOTH sides of the story. Some say that they offered to do so back in 1997-98, but not now. I wouldn't have it done anyway.....it takes away from the interesting (or stupidly sad) part of the story. lol If it's meant to be a collector's item, no solder joints are EVER supposed to be touched, let alone parts changed out, so it would actually HURT the value from a collector's standpoint. But, I honestly can't say if the replacement pickup offers were true or not.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    That is actually an axe that was custom made for me by Anderson guitars. Not for sale, sorry.

  • @SquierStrat72
    @SquierStrat72 11 лет назад

    Got it done for the strat, do like it. I'll run it down. The brass nut, stainless steel block saddles, high quality pots, caps, and wiring in place of the cheap, stock crap. At some point I also want TBX tones and a switch to bring in the bridge pickup with the neck, tele style. Also going to open it up soon and wire the middle pickup tone to work on the bridge as well.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    I hear you my friend. I REALLY, REALLY REALLY miss 3 basses. One is my Jazz Plus, amazing in every way, my Gibson G-3, and then those EDC 700's. Those HONESTLY did more and felt better than anything and they just don't weigh anything. Every time I see one pop up for sale, it's hard for me to deny myself. lol I LOVE THOSE BASSES.

  • @JokersWild70
    @JokersWild70 4 года назад

    I absolutely know that you hate Gibson's, and understandably so, but I do wish you'd get a 2017, '18, or '19 Gibson LP HP model to do a review on. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and opinions on things like the heel joint relief, removable pickguard, 4 push/pull pots, DIP switches, G Force tuner, adjustable titanium nut, fit and finish, etc.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Hi my man! Yeah, 100%! I think that every guitar in the world should have a Babicz bridge on it. AMAZING products for sure. Many thanks!

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Nah. I'm going to skip it. I just can't do the reliced thing or the 2 pickups being disconnected etc. I will probably get one of the REGULAR '97 versions of the one I have here. Hopefully it will be a lot better at half the price.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    The Epiphones are great. They had all the right pickups in them, the finishes are MUCH better and won't crack over the years. They are actually the better deal by far. People will simply pay me more for the Gibson Logo as soon as Ace dies and I sell this guitar right away. That's the plan anyway.

  • @mikemagnum7987
    @mikemagnum7987 7 лет назад

    Its sad that Ace Frehley has ended up having troubles in his life after experiencing so much success. You often hear about guys falling into hard times after a long ride on fame. I hope the man will find the means and will to turn his life around again, not to chase fame but to find himself and some happiness and peace of mind.

    • @leemacgillivray1490
      @leemacgillivray1490 6 лет назад

      Little know fact (possiby): He being an anti-semite probably just got tiresome for Simmons and Stanley. The same is true for Criss. Who needed them anyway....

  • @AK-cf9hp
    @AK-cf9hp 3 года назад

    Does not having the correct DiMarzio pickups devalue the guitar? Seeing that adding two holes could potentially devalue the guitar by $1000-$2000 in your opinion.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, it really is. It's 100X the guitar that this one is. I can't wait to fire it up on a little video.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Ahhhh, I haven't even looked at the specs on those yet. Funny how the cheaper ones are always much more useful at less than half the price huh? I'll go see what I can find out on them. I'm sure that you're right, it would make sense for ANYONE besides Ace to have access to more than one pickup.

  • @TheNedleyRogers
    @TheNedleyRogers 11 лет назад

    I was getting bummed that you might not post the review today. Love your work, sir.

  • @54macdog
    @54macdog 11 лет назад +1

    Another great vid, Scott. I'm looking forward to your review of the guitar scratch remover polish - that stuff rocks. I bought a Black Beauty that looked like it had been cleaned with a scouring pad from the kitchen and that stuff brought it back to new. Shame about the scratches on the pickup covers though....

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yep, they SHOULD be, but they are not doing it. I honestly wish folks would see that. Their days of great guitars are long behind them.

  • @davidgrove661
    @davidgrove661 5 лет назад +1

    Hey there cousin.

  • @PedroVasconcelosHQ
    @PedroVasconcelosHQ 11 лет назад

    Cool beans, thanks Scott. The scratch is pretty deep, but not down to bare wood..so fingers crossed!

  • @eddieq2985
    @eddieq2985 9 лет назад

    Hi Buddy just to let you know when I was touring the States from UK in 70's Kiss were our support band, amazing!!
    Ed

  • @JokersWild70
    @JokersWild70 3 года назад

    I had a MIK Epiphone LP Ace Frehley model, and it had all DiMarzio Super Distortions. Go figure. That guitar actually sounded really good.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    That sounds about right my friend. I've had plenty of old Gibsons that I really enjoyed. Nothing but bad luck with the Custom Shop and the reissues or tributes and artist models etc. I have my few that really feel like home to me and I'll happily stick with those for sure. Well......we can say that we saw the fall of a giant in our lifetime, let's see how long it actually takes for the padlock to be put on the doors.

  • @TheBillproject
    @TheBillproject 10 лет назад

    Oh man, what a flashback to 1997-98
    I remember "window shopping" at a famous music store in montreal when the staff was talking about how they got that exact guitar in and they were pissed at the cost and how it sounded like a tin can. They had to set the truss rod and intonation and that pissed them off since it cost soooo much!

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    I hate it will all of my heart my friend. I would rather all of the guitars say nothing on them at all and for everybody to just grab the guitar that really felt and sounded best to them. It would be that way in a perfect world.
    Cheers.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    I fully agree 100% with you. I've NEVER liked a LP without a pickguard. I never do put a single mark on pickguards, but as you said, certain axes just look WRONG without them. These guitars have GIBSON written all over the back of them. lol The worst finishes in the entire industry. It comes down to the same junk I keep bitching about. Mahogany needs to be filled before it's finished, just too many places for everything to seep into (like this), NITRO clear coats (HORRIBLE). Quality Control!

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, they just used to stamp a "2" on the back of the headstock and send them out as factory seconds. You would think that they would rather make a dime off of them.....but who knows what goes through their minds. lol

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Oh yeah, there's always more Gibson's on the bench at any shop than anything else combined. Broken headstocks being the main thing and the next is always the necks coming off the damned things. I remember when my '61 Les Paul (SG shaped) came off. No warning at all. The crappy glue gave out and of course, that didn't do anything wonderful for the finish either when it popped loose. lol I actually have four of the First Act guitars here. Little acoustics for the grandkids. Still going strong.

  • @nursetom61
    @nursetom61 11 лет назад

    Another great one by Scott. I was starting to think it was just me and my lack of knowledge about guitars. But I have a Les Paul and really do not like playing it. I love playing one of my 2 Strats. Once I get moved from PA to VA I want to build a guitar from scratch. Body, neck pickups. The whole nine yards. Maybe I will post a video once I'm done

  • @muso4001
    @muso4001 11 лет назад

    Whatever you say about it...It looks fantastic!
    Best wishes Scotty, I've been quiet lately because I actually got round to making some actual videos!

  • @seagullpoet
    @seagullpoet 3 года назад

    Bought a C&L legacy guitar last month. $1300.00. BOSS Katana Amp. Wow !
    I’d never drop cash on an ACE guitar. A Paul Iceman Ibanez guitar Yes ! Yeah 🔥

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Nope, it doesn't. Go, to 1:12 watch?v=TfmNzkMdtZs This is the Custom Shop model. Ace NEVER had any other pickup wired up, so......neither does this. Facts are facts.

  • @michaelr.4878
    @michaelr.4878 Год назад

    I wonder what the reading is on the bridge pickup? Since they couldn't get the Super D pickups, they probably threw something extra hot in there and obviously didn't adjust it to proper height. Personally, I'd just turn the bridge volume down. But the fact that this guitar has the extra, middle pickup, kind of makes doing that a major pain in the butt if you plan on using all 3 pickup positions. Since you can't do the switch/killswitch trick, the middle pickup must be controlled by the bridge volume. I've never had or used a 3 pickup LP before (I'm a leftie)..so i'm not sure on how they are wired in the factory...other than I know that the middle position is bridge and middle. But i'm not sure on the tone and volume control on the middle. But due to the killswitch trick, I assume they are connected to the bridge.

  • @petermead5931
    @petermead5931 9 лет назад

    How does the Epiphone version compare to this Gibson version. What are the differences, is it better or worse? Help is needed! Thanks in advance :)

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, the pickups were all over the place. There was no telling what you were going to get. A lot ended up with 3 different pickups and even white and cream in the same guitar. lol Looked horrible.

  • @macaholic100
    @macaholic100 11 лет назад

    You make a good point concerning QC at Gibson and that's another major issue I've had with them for a lot of years. What I see the most is finishes worn on the edges of headstocks and finishes rubbed through and clear coated over. I also hate this obsession with the black open face and zebra pick ups on every guitar they make these day's. I like the new T series Les Pauls, but why open face pick ups on what would be a very classy guitar? I swear I'd fire the guy making these decissions.

  • @mordokch
    @mordokch 9 лет назад

    Trust me man - it's not just gibson who don't care about the finish. I recently bought a very special hofner violin bass - one of only 50 made for the 1996 (?) anniversary. It's a cavern repro down the the nth detail - hand carved and finished in nitro, and VERY expensive. You should see this thing - seriously man there's glue oozing out of it in a number of places (the headstock is appalling ! - you could actually cut yourself on the rough edges), a rather nasty fault just under the mid point between the pickups that looks like the top has shrunk and come away from the binding. The tuners, whilst probably very authentic, simply don't work - the slightest turn adjusts the string by crazy amounts making it pretty much un-tuneable unless I spend half an hour screwing with it (like an un-geared 5th peg on a banjo). It turned up with an action you could drive a bus under, and although I have got it down to an almost playable hight the bass just feels crap to play - kind of numb and clumpy.
    I bought this bass because I figured it should be one of the best things hofner have made - I expected perfection (and paid for it !) but frankly it's a piece of crap. If I lived in Germany I would take it to the hofner factory and ram it up someone's arse. I swear it looks like a school project gone wrong - if that passed hofner's quality control then I shudder to think what you get for a standard violin bass ! I'm going to let my tech have a go at it - he's the best of the best and if anyone can sort it out, he can. BUT ... come on - if your spending 4 grand english on a bass you have a right to expect better and not to have to spend probably another 300 or so to basically have parts of it re-finished 'properly', then more for some decent tuners. I have a pretty cheap copy of the same bass made by (or for) Hutchins and I swear it looks, sounds and plays way better than the hofner, and cost me about £150 brand new ! I wonder what the German for 'bend over' is lol.
    By the way dude - that johnson (or however it's spelled) amp sounds bloody awful lol - why on earth do you like it ? I'm sure you have your reasons, but man the background noise was shocking - really shocking, and frankly it sounded like a cheap line 6 with a fault. I am not a fan of fender amps but the one you used first just crapped on the johnson imho. Maybe you had to be there lol :)
    Anyway mate - I've been enjoying your vids - it's refreshing to get away from the 'fan boy' reviews for a while.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, "Hard Times" was always a cool tune. I can't believe that it never made it into more of EVERYTHING. Ace's shows should've all had that song in there. That Explorer is way too cool! I love that one. Yeah, the Les Paul looks great from the front! lol It looks like a Gibson from the back. lol

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    EXACTLY! That's my MAIN bitch about these. I blame Gibson, Dimarzio and Ace. He could've easily put his foot down on this whole thing. But, I'm sure he was in MAJOR need of the money and simply looked the other way. He got the 13 free ones and they were all correct, and he was getting a salary from KISS again. He was no longer playing at the local bars for tips. The whole thing is simply sad and laughable. Gibson should've offered a free pickup swap for those who wanted them.

  • @SquierStrat72
    @SquierStrat72 11 лет назад

    Yeah, quality controls great, isn't it. I've seen some Gibsons and Fenders that look like they never should have left the factory, and some Epiphones and Squiers that just beg to be played. Sometimes seems that the big names are just riding on the names, while their "lesser" brands have really stepped it up in the last few years. I've got three lower end Squiers and some tweaking and a few sensible mods have made them solid players, and still for a fraction of the cost of the big boys.

  • @petertheduke1
    @petertheduke1 9 лет назад

    looks like someone playd it a bit before u bought it, if u get the back buffed it will look like the factory but most les paul customs dont have a flat back grain
    If u dont want it propperly set up because of the value fair enough but u cant complain how it plays till it does
    but yea probably will keep the value high if the back is buffed better

  • @ronnie5129
    @ronnie5129 11 лет назад

    Scott, Ya that Bridge pickup made me feel like i was eating a Lemon with Vinegar on it!! When Gibson left Kalamazoo Michigan to get rid of their Union Scale Wages,and moved to Nashville for Non Union pay they lost all of their best Employees.A sad day..I just watched a video on you-tube of Ace it is called Ace Frehley Deuce in Jackson Michigan 7-13-2012. He is playing a Budakon and it sounds Great,He is playing good and it seems like he is Sober.Check it out,your axe is pretty,Cheers, Gary

  • @shield400
    @shield400 11 лет назад

    I was listening with headphones on and had to take them off when you started playing. That bridge pickup was unbearably harsh. The neck pickup actually sounded good. Watched the Player's Kit Polish video, that stuff is amazing! Will definitely have to get some. On another note, once again you were right about the LED Straps going up in price. Matt just listed more on evilBay and they are now $48.99 + $6.95 shipping. They're still $39.99 on his website, I'm getting one before those go up too. :)

  • @lcradcpt
    @lcradcpt 11 лет назад

    I used to like Jack D untill now. The thought of burnt chemical finishes as mellowing charcoal leaves a bad taste now that I have this tid bit of knowledge.
    Good review though!
    Just goes to show that a good amp and someone who knows how to use it make more difference than the hardware of the instrument.
    Thank god in this case for technology because the clean sound is all treble.

  • @Zillustration
    @Zillustration 11 лет назад

    So... what if you bought a 3 pack of Super Distortion pickups and soldered them in... Would that increase the value, or just be a wash? I guess if it's a player's guitar, rather than a collector's item, you'd be more prone to make that switch... plus the manufacturing date would not be 97 on the Dimarzios... is this even a question? i seem to be arguing both sides. Thanks for another stellar review!

  • @SquierStrat72
    @SquierStrat72 11 лет назад

    Yeah, and being that the base instruments are inexpensive, and my mods are never over the top, I don't have to worry if they get honest wear, or even some "war wounds". Not that that happens quickly with a poly finish. My oldest, a 2000 P bass, doesn't have a mark on it.

  • @riansettles2506
    @riansettles2506 11 лет назад

    I've been anxiously awaiting this review.I've had lots of bad luck with the Gibson Custom Shop.I'm a pretty hardcore sg player.I don't think they are the be all end all of guitars by any means but it's just what I started on as a kid and they are just very comfortable to me after 25 yrs of playing them.Having said that I decided to buy a high end Custom Shop version.I was so let down.I went through 3 returns before I said Fuxk it and ended up buying a Tele at a fraction of the price.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, this thing is sad and VERY typical of Gibson. For a company that screws up as much as they do, I just don't see how they are still in business.

  • @JokersWild70
    @JokersWild70 4 года назад

    Hey Scott, do you still recommend that polish that removes scratches? I have a few light pick scratches. I know you're not endorsed by them or anything, so I trust what you say. Thanks 👍 BTW, why would you get hated on for using a solid state amp? Obviously some tubeless amps sound great!

  • @dwreck5578
    @dwreck5578 6 месяцев назад

    10 years removed, the bridge PU is not harsh, it actually has a tone & bite an experienced player might prefer. What you hear in your bedroom lomor low level is not the same as a live band mix in a 1000+ venue or recording studio. This LP's got a very useable and distinct sounding LP, ..the owner in this vid might not play out live and understand how lead guitar tone has to cut thru a mix.

    • @dwreck5578
      @dwreck5578 6 месяцев назад

      17:20 "I am not a tube amp lover"..lol, that explains it.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    I've never liked them at all. But, they are just not my type of guitar. I'm a hard core country guy and there is ZERO twang to a 335. They are different now than when they first came out though. They were total feedback monsters in the beginning when all of the pickups were microphonic for the semi-hollow and hollow body axes. They were actually trying to pickup the sound from inside of the guitar. Not a great thing. They've learned to STOP doing that and put in regular pickups. So, much better.

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, it's just NASTY. That is the CUSTOM SHOP and the world's most famous guitar name to boot. Yep, time to simply close up shop over there at Gibson I think.

  • @jasondesjardins7371
    @jasondesjardins7371 11 лет назад

    Hi Scott! It's Jason again bumming for help. Loved the Les Paul Traditional Pro review. I'm in the market for an LP but I'm more cautious thanks to your comments about Gibson quality control issues. I see you quite likedthe Trad 09.

  • @laurieharding9100
    @laurieharding9100 6 лет назад

    Man I agree with every thing you have negative to say about Gibson. Bought a Epiphone Thayer Explorer. It is very near perfect but I did get jipped on the pick ups too. Supposed to have a SD JB in the bridge and a SD 59 in the neck, came with two JB's. Neck is muddy as fuck! Gona put in a 59 or antiquity.
    The paint is amazing even with a few finishing flaws.
    Your advise is a great resource, thanks man!
    You are the Bob Ross of guitars.

  • @heathtrantham316
    @heathtrantham316 10 лет назад

    Ace's guitar did have the flame top and inlays and face on the headstock during the psycho circus and Farewell tour.

  • @mikepville1
    @mikepville1 11 лет назад

    thats a great thing "Musicians wanting to help Musicians".if only everyone thought that way.

  • @rjc7289
    @rjc7289 6 лет назад

    Scott, do you have a video detailing why you dislike Les Pauls and why the quality control at Gibson guitars is so bad? What other Gibson guitars do you like / dislike?

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Here is one of their videos: /watch?v=R7r7CHn6Pkg I bought the entire kit. It works perfectly as long as the clear coat has not been broken. If you have something that shows the wood.....it's not going to happen, but this stuff took all of my scratches right off. I couldn't believe it. Some of my vintage guitars look like brand new again!

  • @highlighted_reply
    @highlighted_reply 10 лет назад

    How does the epiphone line sound? What Les Paul makes the best "Ace" guitar, just say for a tribute band?

  • @buddyvincent9205
    @buddyvincent9205 4 года назад

    I had the Epiphone AF, it was way better sounding and better looking. I added the pick guard later.

  • @anomolydebaucle5320
    @anomolydebaucle5320 2 года назад

    Ace Frehley sounds great . Its got the Ace Tone mojo

  • @abeanx
    @abeanx 11 лет назад

    also like u said if the pickups were moved a little down it would probably sound better, i know the duncan antiquities that are in my gibson get kinda harsh if you have them up high. It you look at all the older 50's and 60's gibson standards they all have the pickups even with the pickup rings or slightly over or under them and since that pickup was voiced that way, maybe thats the reason. But still it doesnt make it ok that guitar should come out pefect for that price & 100% correct with NO BS

  • @groovydjs
    @groovydjs  11 лет назад

    Yeah, that pickup will rip you a new one for sure! lol There are a few demos of OTHER people trying to use the polish.....they always say....nah, not a single one of them follows the instructions. lol You gotta love it. They have the instructions in their hand and they are still not doing it right. lol I'll have to go see Matts new listings. I figured that they would go up soon. Yeah, grab one off of the site. They truly are cool.

  • @beyondlimitsproductions1468
    @beyondlimitsproductions1468 9 лет назад

    My God man...how may awesome guitars do you own! You must have 1 million dollars worth of guitars!

  • @TheBillproject
    @TheBillproject 10 лет назад

    speaking of Gibson... I tried the SGj and LPj and wow they are amazing, yes the barebone one was done right!
    699$ Gibson but wow no nitro satin wood finish with cool rubbed stain sounds great and smells like fresh cut wood.

    • @DeanGuilberry2
      @DeanGuilberry2 10 лет назад

      Yes I got an SGJ for $415 on sale it is pretty bad arss. Not as pretty as the higher end models no mother of pearl name badge but I really don't care to pay an extra $800 for bling.

  • @jasondesjardins7371
    @jasondesjardins7371 11 лет назад

    ...sorry, hit post too fast. Is there a marked difference between the Trad Pro 09 and the new Standards?

  • @dyingslowly666
    @dyingslowly666 11 лет назад

    doesnt the budokan have only 1 working pickup if so then explain how i saw a video with one having three piclups

  • @Justin.Franks
    @Justin.Franks 11 лет назад

    For someone like you, who generally prefers bright single-coil guitars, to say that a humbucker-equipped mahogany guitar is far too bright and grating....wow. Just wow. And not the good wow.

  • @googoobadabajagal
    @googoobadabajagal 11 лет назад

    A friend who once owned a music store told us the only thing about a Gibson he liked was the fact that sooner or later he was going to have to repair or modify it and that meant more cash for him. It was his opinion you could get a better guitar by buying one of those First Act brands at Wally world. Just pathetic really.

  • @6672rock
    @6672rock 9 лет назад

    And to think a bunch of scrapped Les Pauls are responsible for making the charcoal that flavors Jack Daniels whiskey. That's a very interesting fact to know. Scott, do you know of any other guitar manufacturers who recycle their scrapped instruments by selling them off to other companies?