I'd call it basic. The Standard, should be called the basic model, as that's what it IS. Especially Gibson, their "features" are almost all looks and finishes. The pickups are almost always the same across the line. There's fat necks, skinny necks. P90 will be on every model. Buckers of the year, will be on every model. It's ridiculous how expensive they are for all they're willing to do to an instrument. Theyve always been this way, yes there are one than one pickup from Gibson. Look at the spec spreads, they use like 4 pickups for EVERYTHING, regardless of price points. Aim cheap, nothing of merit is added as you go.
I thought they sounded extremely close. I actually liked the clean sound more on the special! The neck p/u sounded better on the gold top, but it could have just been your more comfortable with the goldtop. Always wanted a goldtop, but I could spend some quality time with that special with a smile on my face.
I find a lot of these type videos, USA strat vs MIM strats, Ep LP vs Gibson LP to usually come to the same conclusion sound wise. They never sound 3x better to me. Feel is usually where I can tell the big difference.
It used to be 3 times the price not anymore. Specials at least here in California are 1800 and the standards are 2800. So only 1,000 more now for a standard. Unless you were talking about used Robert. I have both standard and a special.
Sold my '80 les Paul custom 15 years ago, to heavy on the back - strats and teles ever since with no regrets. But I'm liking that special. Never forget collective soul at the Roxy in '95.
It would be interesting to do this again with the same pickups that the gold top has. Because stock versus stock pickups may not have been as big of a difference.
I pretty much lived this scenario over the past two+ years. Diminishing returns is probably the best way of stating it. I had a 2019 Gibson LP Standard (Gold Top to boot) with humbuckers and a Gibson 2018 LP Special with P90s. I tried desperately to love the LP Standard: swapped pickups on it, adjustments galore, and still couldn’t convince myself it was any better than the LP Special. It was a beautiful guitar and mine was luckily well made, but in the end I sold it because I didn’t love it. Luckily Gibson LPs hold their value…sold it for about the same price as I bought it for. The LP Special is just about my favorite guitar and only behind the Tele Deluxe and Strat if I am splitting hairs. A true work horse instrument that’s purposeful and not gaudy. I love the way mine sounds and plays. And don’t anyone drink the kool aid about the PCB versions not being any good. They are perfectly fine…it’s just not ‘vintage’ correct. Works flawlessly and has been for nearly 3 years on my end.
Robert, the music at the end. You began a recent video with it. It’s one of the most fun sounding, joyful and brilliant pieces I’ve heard in a long, long time. Can we purchase it? Yes, it’s necessary. I love it and I’m tired of backing the video up fifty times just to hear it. Thank you, sir!
I think the Les Paul Special from the Gibson Original Collection is a really nice in between. For $700 more you get your binding back, a really nice hard case, and that (albeit not perfect) TV Yellow finish option. I think it nicely balances the sound/vibe to get what you want out of a P-90 guitar and at a closer price point to the tribute.
I bought a beautiful mahogany colored special a few months ago from Sweetwater and absolutely loved it. I was going to buy a standard with humbuckers, but they were all sold out, and I fell in love with the aesthetics of this special. I have never liked the tuners, however, so I change them for the same Gibson klusons that are on the standard, and I polished the fret ends, oiled the rosewood fingerboard, and lightly sanded the back of the neck, so it plays smoothly now.
The two most important benefits I got from buying a special over a standard with P90s, was the much lower price, and lower weight. I paid $1,600 for a Les Paul that weighs under 8 pounds. Try that with a standard.
Always wanted to hear the Special vs Goldtop comparison, especially that neck pickup cleans. Still convinced nothing sounds like a neck P90 on a vintage Goldtop through a clean fender amp, pure magic. Thanks for bringing us this comparo!
I love my Les Paul smartwoods, they’re stripped down carved top Les Pauls with exotic Brazilian woods, I got em both for around $1000/each. There wasn’t a huge difference, it’s mostly gonna be feel. And I did catch the collective soul…
I gotta say, although there were differences throughout, neither was really much more preferable to the other and I'd say they were relatively interchangeable... but that neck pickup on that goldtop is just pure sweet buttery gold And I personally actually prefer the idea and look of a special
You are 100% correct that the sounds are soooo close... 99% of the people will never distinguish the difference. But for a guitarist, the difference in the feel between the two guitars as you play is huge.
Differences in price don't really compare on a straight scale. There's always the Law of Diminishing Returns which comes into play. So a more expensive guitar will be better, but not necessarily better to the dollar. It just depends how important certain features are to you. It's a great comparison though. There's always a part of me that wants to be a snob about carved tops and tune-o-matic bridges, but I can't argue with the sound of a Special or Junior with the slab body and wrap tail piece. They always sound pretty darn awesome!
@@caiusmadison2996 Perhaps, but I still think there is an undefinable value in nonessential features, like a carved top and a bound neck. Sort of like fender fins on an old car. Because it makes me smile that much more, that extra work that went into making it makes it worth it to me.
@@DDWyss I'm with you on that, for anyone that doesn't mind the outlay for bling. The carved maple top does change the feel, and tone to some degree. My attitude is, if your going to bond with a guitar for life, then why cheep out. You will be enjoying the guitar long after you have forgotten the cash outlay.
Very close in sound as you mentioned. Would be nice for slide playing IMO. Can you post a close up of the finish? It is supposed to be "worn white" but I don't see much grain coming through in the videos. Thanks!
I just bought a Les Paul Pro Vintage (2020). This is the best guitar I've ever owned! I've owned maybe over 20 guitars, including Fenders, Gibson and more.
I think it's the 3 times the feeling. I always wanted a real Les Paul. I finally got one and it was everything I wanted. The weight, the feeling, the sound and the sustain. I also bought it cheap of Stratosphere with a few cosmetic flaws and built what I wanted that only Gibson only offers in their Mod Shop.
I transformed a great sounding transparent blood red single cut away PRS into solid white. Still sounds great and I made it my own that I want to keep and play all the time instead of having that annoying feeling that I should sell it or trade it. Oh btw it was the mikael akerfeldt model with the Opeth logo below the tail piece. I'm now enjoying myself learning some jazz and even some chicken pickin without that nagging urge to attempt some death metal 😄
I have a Firebird Studio with P90 pickups which, aside from body shape, is similar to the LP Special you are giving away. I bought it brand new on sale for crazy cheap and it is a freaking amazing guitar! That is how I recommend that people buy guitars (specifically Gibsons), is to not just go order one at regular price online. Shop around, check out used models, and keep an eye out for sales. I have bought 4 different Gibson models over the past 5 years, never paid full price, and have gotten fantastic guitars that way.
From Leo: I have no idea what kind of magnet is in the cheap guitar pickups. If they re ceramic, simply swapping the magnets to Alnico 5 completely changes the voice and it eliminates the harsh edge of the ceramic brightness. If you want even more clarity, Alnico 2 works, but you loose some drive. $30 and some time may get you what you want.
The gold top came alive with some dirt on it! But the fact that those are not stock P-90's makes me wonder how the special would sound with those pickups.
I saw $10000 les Paul’s today. New reissue 59s. They are gorgeous. Nitro insane finish. Necks like butter. I fell in love. No comparison to a cheap tribute.
Both guitars were quite similar in tone, however, the gold top did have more clarity, but then they are different pickups, so we're not just comparing the bodies against each other, but what is most important the electronics.
I have a 54 Goldtop original, not reissue that I have been playing for 30 years and I just played a brand new special and I think it's every bit the guitar that the 54 original Goldtop is in terms of playability and sound- A total rock and blues machine !!!
I've owned both of these guitars (custom shop versions). The solid mahogany special slightly has a spongier sound, while the Goldtop has a more sustain. The special sits in the midrange while the Goldtop has more highs and deeper bass. I actually prefer the neck p90 on the Special because it can cop the vintage Gibson p90 jazz sound a bit better to my ears. These guitars feel very different to play in my opinion. As a p90 fan, I think there is room for both
I love satin as well. I have sweaty hands so my hands stick to gloss finishes. Also I think I prefer the sound of the special. Has a little warmer and fuller sound to it. Could be my headphones too tho
I was working with my head down. i had to look up to realize you changed guitars. I have a special and I would say I prefer the bridge and middle position over the neck. I noticed here that the low E comes in strong on both guitars (almost overwhelms it) and I found that with mine as well (had to dial back the tone and volume to find right balance). Love these guitars. Didn't think I would. I was eyeing a Jaguar, but my partner said we should go for something simple and stripped back (we spent the pandemic learning how to play). So glad we picked up the special. I can't see giving this thing up. Lifetime investment.
Goldtop's sound is more defined less muddy. But I think the special is worth for.the price. I've seen 2 demo one with a marshall (bizarre guitar chanel) and other for the clean sound.
I just got a special w humbuckers, and its great..it also has a stop tail and tunomatic bridge...i have two sunburst standards and if i needed to i could be perfectly happy w the special..its not as pretty, but its that good. I think its a great design..simple, but functional...and the pickguard is pretty much something bordering on modern art, same as the Jr. Its a great aesthetic look for both.
I like the sound of the Special better, but I like the aesthetics of the standard better. Although it's kind of hard to tell on youtube because youtube sound compression sacrifices a lot of the fidelity.
The only similarity is the Marshall branding. The Origin is more vintage plexi and the JCM is well... a JCM. An Origin with the Jose mod, that would be interesting against the JCM
Les Paul was unique unto himself! I have an R7 Goldtop reissue, ‘85 Silverburst Custom, Birdseye Maple Standard and a ‘60 Standard Unburst…all of which I like very much. I need a P90 version!
You can take one of those Green scrubbers with a handle found in the dish soap area at Wally World and lightly go up and down the shiny neck, it just takes off enough too make the neck not stick if your hands get sweaty.
I bought a Special about a month ago. And I have an early 80s Custom with Humbuckers. In your demo, I thought the Goldtop Standard was deeper and richer. I haven't done my own test, and I definitely like my Special. It seemed in the Special demo you slowed down slightly or maybe didn't attack the strings in the same way. I bought the Special for the P-90s and it was pleked. Pretty good value.
I actually like the Special more! I feel like it has a little bit more low end clarity, probably cause of the brightness, in my opinion, and cleaned up a little more when you picked softer in the last test. Made my eyes widen when I heard it.
While you were playing December, it seemed like you lessened your pick attack on the special. There was a subtle increase of overall clarity on the gold top in the neck position as well. No noticeable difference in the bridge position though.
Gold Top is the winner for my taste but they both sound amazing. In my experience, a guitar being 3x more expensive doesn't necessarily make it better. It's all about how they feel for you it the end. You never know that you might find in a guitar. Sometimes you find the greatest sound in a guitar that you didn't expect at all. That's why we're constantly looking for new guitars even though we don't always need one.
I love my Les Paul Special Tribute P-90. The white finish is just sweet looking. The guitar sounds beautiful and is so light. Also with the satin finish I don’t need Mr Murphy to “age” it for me. 😜
So I have a satin finished cherry burst Tribute. No carved top, but it is maple. No binding. Cost me $1100. It sounds OK to me, but I can't play like you can. I also have a 2019 Standard with the modern features and burstbuckers, which is cool because it is still called a Standard.
I thinks it's all about what you value and at what point in life you are. If your just starting out or just don't care about the extras, it's a no-brainer get the Special and never look back. If you have the money and want a little extra playability and the finer details of the Gold-top then there you go. If you want the Gold-top but don't have the funds get a special and then later on when you've accumulated a little more wealth, trade up for it. In addition if you like custom pickups, you can always trade out the Specials for what ever you like.
I'm listening through my Adam Audio A7X monitors and I truthfully liked the extra little bit of brightness from the special a just little more than the standard. Overall, they both sound awesome!
100% agree with everything you said. I heard it the same way that you did. Also utmost respect on the “December” tune, that is always my go to riff to compare guitars.
Sound-wise I think the goldtop is just a wee bit more robust in the mids. Sounds a little rounder and I think that’s purely due to the added mass giving more resonance.
I'm definitely super amateur as a player but to my ear maple tops usually just sound better. Dunno if it's placebo or what not but to me they have an extra sharpness to them... However that being said I'd personally probably just get a special if I wanted one because money hehe. Great vid thanks for the comparison 👍
More bass and treble with the maple top. All mahogany brings more midrange focus. The golden era Les Paul Customs have carved mahogany tops because Les Paul wanted a mellower tonal option
Back in 2018 I bought a Gibson Les Paul Faded for 800 dollars (new). Since then I've replaced the stock 490 pickups to Seymour Duncan SH-6 (n & b). I've replaced the stock tuners (machine heads) for locking Gotoh tuners and I've filed the frets (professionally) down to 0.7 millimeters. By adjusting the truss rod and bridge I've managed to achieve fantastic string action (also thanks to the lower frets). Today the sound and playability of the guitar is better than Les Pauls costing thousands coming straight out of Gibson. I just don't have the rectangle inlays in the fretboard.... so I have to "live"with the plain dots ;-)
I noticed that the mids and highs were a lot brighter on the special and I wasn’t a super fan of that, love the content and keep up the great work my man!!
sold! :) I think you're right, on the neck, was the biggest difference, buuuuutttt.... although if i had to choose i preferred the gold top's 'chocolate', but...and here's the butt, the special's tone....a bit rough, by comparison, was also awesome, and better for certain songs! Cheers Robert
I have a 1990 Reissue Gold Top P90s 50s neck profile it later became the 1956 Reissue according to books on it. What kind of wood is the special body , slab of Mahogany. Or Maple There is a difference though slight in tone . I ran mine through a Marshal Artist 30 watt single 12 , all tube, though it a switch for 4 or 8 Ohm and extension jack , and the single 12 could be unplugged from the amp, EL 34 s tubes
I watched a factory tour on playtrade’s youtube. The biggest difference, according to Jim, Gibsons QC guy and manager of the department that lives across the street from the main shop, and pretty much only difference, are the extras, ie binsing, better tuners, things like that.
I think two Gibson LP guitars with p90s sound essentially the same. You point out the differences and similarities pretty well. Another excellent video Mr Baker!
I have a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Tribute. Plays and sounds like a top dollar Les Paul. I also have a 2018 Standard that I paid 2.5x more than the Tribute. The Standard is prettier and feels like money in my hands. It's just a work of art. However, close your eyes and you can't tell the difference between the two as far as tone.
I just sold my tribute and am waiting for my new standard 60’s….I’m really excited but also telling myself not to expect too much difference tone wise!
I've always coveted a goldtop because they are just so pretty! Having said that I have a Revstar 502. It's a dull, black and industrial looking piece of gear but the P90's are tremendous! The pickups have a brushed metal look. It's almost the opposite of a goldtop but it's a lovely guitar!
I'd have to say.., for someone on a budget the Lespaul Special is a great platform to get ya Rock-n-and a-Rollin !!!.. Both Guitars Rocked! I wouldn't kick ether out a bed on a Saturday-nite!
The question is if you can EQ the Special to sound just like the Gold top? If you can, then soundwise the difference is the price of an EQ pedal on your board...:) But the feel (and of course the idea of holding history in your hand) justifies the price tag...
I think a more fair comparison would have been with the gold top using the original P90’s vs the Special’s P90’s. In this comparison I found the Special to have a clearer definition playing crunch chords AND clean tones….then again, everyone’s taste will differ. For the price, the Special is a great choice.
I have a P90 Goldtop and a TV Yellow P90 Special. Gotta have both. They sound almost the same, but I couldn't choose between the aesthetic differences of the two. Yep, both. : )
Does the special have a laurel wood fretboard? Looks like it. That would significantly reduce the price right there. I don’t have an issue with the sound or feel but if I’m paying upwards of a grand, I’d just expect the fretboard to be either rosewood or ebony. Personally, I like ebony with NO inlays. Side dots only. That’s not gonna happen on a standard regular model tho.
I just got a Les Paul Junior Tribute Double Cut (that's a mouthful!). It was pretty cheap for a USA-made guitar, but I prefer it to more expensive Gibson. I don't like the feel of binding and glossy finishes, so those cheaper models feel better to me. I think the pickups are probably the same as your white Les Paul. I also tried two of the humbucker version of that same guitar. One felt pretty meh QC-wise, the other one felt pretty great, sounded great too.
I do think there was a slight tonal difference, even on cellphone speakers, of course in almost any situation the difference is negligible, but the goldtop did sound slightly smoother to me, while the special had more of a bite. That said, I prefer guitars with more bite myself 😆
You can replace the pickups in the standard, but the playability of the gold top is much better. Just my opinion though. The feel of the neck and frets is everything to me.
Nice comparison! I have one little suggestion: i would prefere if you switch more often between the two guitars rather than playing 40sec on one. So the nuances stand out more. Just me.. have a good one
They sounded very close. There was a very slight difference in in resonance. There is not enough difference to justify spending 3 times as much. The most important variable is which one has better tuning stability. All and all, it’s aesthetics.
Enter the giveaway HERE - ruclips.net/video/dU3zgGefiSE/видео.html
Man those LP Juniors with P-90s rule. Just ask Brian Baker of Bad Religion.
Gold top biter
How does the fret binding affect the feel of the neck? Does the binding have sharp edges or is it rounded?
I rated these the exactly the same. Great review! Great comparison!
Collective Soul, we cool.
Gibson's response: You are absolutely right! (Doubles the price of the Special)
Ha
facepalm
Yep
And they did. They’re 1800 now. A standard is 2800 so now they’re only 1000 off.
the word 'Special' sounds better than 'Standard'. but that's just me and words Maybe Gibson can make a Les Paul 'Normal' or 'Average'
HAHAHA That Canadian Dry humour! Good day sir from Regina!
well.. but where is the humour?
Hahaha...
Have a nice day guys.
@@zc3478 it's in our funny Ginger Ale
I'd call it basic. The Standard, should be called the basic model, as that's what it IS. Especially Gibson, their "features" are almost all looks and finishes. The pickups are almost always the same across the line. There's fat necks, skinny necks. P90 will be on every model. Buckers of the year, will be on every model. It's ridiculous how expensive they are for all they're willing to do to an instrument. Theyve always been this way, yes there are one than one pickup from Gibson. Look at the spec spreads, they use like 4 pickups for EVERYTHING, regardless of price points. Aim cheap, nothing of merit is added as you go.
My girlfriend said she preferred the Les Paul
Above average.
I thought they sounded extremely close. I actually liked the clean sound more on the special! The neck p/u sounded better on the gold top, but it could have just been your more comfortable with the goldtop. Always wanted a goldtop, but I could spend some quality time with that special with a smile on my face.
I find a lot of these type videos, USA strat vs MIM strats, Ep LP vs Gibson LP to usually come to the same conclusion sound wise. They never sound 3x better to me. Feel is usually where I can tell the big difference.
And resale..🙂
Oh, Collective Soul. That takes me back! I've played/sang "December" live many times!
I really like how sober and bs free your videos are. Everything is straight forward and clear! Nice!
It used to be 3 times the price not anymore. Specials at least here in California are 1800 and the standards are 2800. So only 1,000 more now for a standard. Unless you were talking about used Robert. I have both standard and a special.
Sold my '80 les Paul custom 15 years ago, to heavy on the back - strats and teles ever since with no regrets. But I'm liking that special. Never forget collective soul at the Roxy in '95.
I have a natural finish Special….I play it through a Marshall Origin 50 and it just sounds wonderful.
Did someone say wonderwall
I also have a 2002 natural finish LP Special and play it through a Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 and it sounds awesome!
@@leeunderwood500 nice!
It would be interesting to do this again with the same pickups that the gold top has. Because stock versus stock pickups may not have been as big of a difference.
For Sure
And an upgraded standard is just similar sound to stock special 🤣
I pretty much lived this scenario over the past two+ years. Diminishing returns is probably the best way of stating it. I had a 2019 Gibson LP Standard (Gold Top to boot) with humbuckers and a Gibson 2018 LP Special with P90s. I tried desperately to love the LP Standard: swapped pickups on it, adjustments galore, and still couldn’t convince myself it was any better than the LP Special. It was a beautiful guitar and mine was luckily well made, but in the end I sold it because I didn’t love it. Luckily Gibson LPs hold their value…sold it for about the same price as I bought it for.
The LP Special is just about my favorite guitar and only behind the Tele Deluxe and Strat if I am splitting hairs. A true work horse instrument that’s purposeful and not gaudy. I love the way mine sounds and plays. And don’t anyone drink the kool aid about the PCB versions not being any good. They are perfectly fine…it’s just not ‘vintage’ correct. Works flawlessly and has been for nearly 3 years on my end.
I have a Special in TV Yellow and I have a 1960’s reissue standard. I love them both equally!!!!!
Robert, the music at the end. You began a recent video with it. It’s one of the most fun sounding, joyful and brilliant pieces I’ve heard in a long, long time. Can we purchase it? Yes, it’s necessary. I love it and I’m tired of backing the video up fifty times just to hear it. Thank you, sir!
I think the Les Paul Special from the Gibson Original Collection is a really nice in between. For $700 more you get your binding back, a really nice hard case, and that (albeit not perfect) TV Yellow finish option. I think it nicely balances the sound/vibe to get what you want out of a P-90 guitar and at a closer price point to the tribute.
Exactly, now THAT would be a close match to the Goldtop!
yeah but 700 is 700 man
On my opinion gold top Les Paul has more brillant low tones. But both are very cool guitars.
Thanks Mr Robert.
I bought a beautiful mahogany colored special a few months ago from Sweetwater and absolutely loved it.
I was going to buy a standard with humbuckers, but they were all sold out, and I fell in love with the aesthetics of this special.
I have never liked the tuners, however, so I change them for the same Gibson klusons that are on the standard, and I polished the fret ends, oiled the rosewood fingerboard, and lightly sanded the back of the neck, so it plays smoothly now.
The two most important benefits I got from buying a special over a standard with P90s, was the much lower price, and lower weight.
I paid $1,600 for a Les Paul that weighs under 8 pounds. Try that with a standard.
Always wanted to hear the Special vs Goldtop comparison, especially that neck pickup cleans. Still convinced nothing sounds like a neck P90 on a vintage Goldtop through a clean fender amp, pure magic. Thanks for bringing us this comparo!
I’ve got a special in worn white and love it’s bite. Roll back the tone to 7 and it tames it perfectly
I definitely enjoyed hearing the "December" riff! One of my favorite Collective Soul songs!
I would like to see a demo on the “Eastman” SB55 single cut. I’m thinking of buying one and would like to see the demo from you.
If you want it, get it. Eastman guitars are really nice.
Loving the Collective Soul clean tone demonstration. Such a killer, often overlooked band.
I love my Les Paul smartwoods, they’re stripped down carved top Les Pauls with exotic Brazilian woods, I got em both for around $1000/each.
There wasn’t a huge difference, it’s mostly gonna be feel. And I did catch the collective soul…
I gotta say, although there were differences throughout, neither was really much more preferable to the other and I'd say they were relatively interchangeable... but that neck pickup on that goldtop is just pure sweet buttery gold
And I personally actually prefer the idea and look of a special
Haven’t heard Collective Soul since… the 90s! Thanks for this piece of nostalgia.
You are 100% correct that the sounds are soooo close... 99% of the people will never distinguish the difference. But for a guitarist, the difference in the feel between the two guitars as you play is huge.
Differences in price don't really compare on a straight scale. There's always the Law of Diminishing Returns which comes into play. So a more expensive guitar will be better, but not necessarily better to the dollar. It just depends how important certain features are to you. It's a great comparison though. There's always a part of me that wants to be a snob about carved tops and tune-o-matic bridges, but I can't argue with the sound of a Special or Junior with the slab body and wrap tail piece. They always sound pretty darn awesome!
Especially if you're doing a blues scale on a Gibson, you paid too much. Except for the Special, that is the proper point of price in my mind.
@@caiusmadison2996 Perhaps, but I still think there is an undefinable value in nonessential features, like a carved top and a bound neck. Sort of like fender fins on an old car. Because it makes me smile that much more, that extra work that went into making it makes it worth it to me.
@@DDWyss I'm with you on that, for anyone that doesn't mind the outlay for bling. The carved maple top does change the feel, and tone to some degree. My attitude is, if your going to bond with a guitar for life, then why cheep out. You will be enjoying the guitar long after you have forgotten the cash outlay.
I’m very prejudiced against those bridges.
Very close in sound as you mentioned. Would be nice for slide playing IMO. Can you post a close up of the finish? It is supposed to be "worn white" but I don't see much grain coming through in the videos. Thanks!
I just bought a Les Paul Pro Vintage (2020). This is the best guitar I've ever owned! I've owned maybe over 20 guitars, including Fenders, Gibson and more.
I got the 2020 60's standard and that thing is perfect.
I think it's the 3 times the feeling. I always wanted a real Les Paul. I finally got one and it was everything I wanted. The weight, the feeling, the sound and the sustain. I also bought it cheap of Stratosphere with a few cosmetic flaws and built what I wanted that only Gibson only offers in their Mod Shop.
I transformed a great sounding transparent blood red single cut away PRS into solid white. Still sounds great and I made it my own that I want to keep and play all the time instead of having that annoying feeling that I should sell it or trade it. Oh btw it was the mikael akerfeldt model with the Opeth logo below the tail piece. I'm now enjoying myself learning some jazz and even some chicken pickin without that nagging urge to attempt some death metal 😄
I have a Firebird Studio with P90 pickups which, aside from body shape, is similar to the LP Special you are giving away. I bought it brand new on sale for crazy cheap and it is a freaking amazing guitar! That is how I recommend that people buy guitars (specifically Gibsons), is to not just go order one at regular price online. Shop around, check out used models, and keep an eye out for sales. I have bought 4 different Gibson models over the past 5 years, never paid full price, and have gotten fantastic guitars that way.
From Leo: I have no idea what kind of magnet is in the cheap guitar pickups. If they re ceramic, simply swapping the magnets to Alnico 5 completely changes the voice and it eliminates the harsh edge of the ceramic brightness. If you want even more clarity, Alnico 2 works, but you loose some drive. $30 and some time may get you what you want.
I want that guitar so bad but I also want a knew corvette 😂
Then you should look at the Gretsch Corvette and satisfy both needs!!!🤪
i Knew,,,,you would say this
The gold top came alive with some dirt on it! But the fact that those are not stock P-90's makes me wonder how the special would sound with those pickups.
I saw $10000 les Paul’s today. New reissue 59s. They are gorgeous. Nitro insane finish. Necks like butter. I fell in love. No comparison to a cheap tribute.
Both guitars were quite similar in tone, however, the gold top did have more clarity, but then they are different pickups, so we're not just comparing the bodies against each other, but what is most important the electronics.
I have a 54 Goldtop original, not reissue that I have been playing for 30 years and I just played a brand new special and I think it's every bit the guitar that the 54 original Goldtop is in terms of playability and sound- A total rock and blues machine !!!
I've owned both of these guitars (custom shop versions). The solid mahogany special slightly has a spongier sound, while the Goldtop has a more sustain. The special sits in the midrange while the Goldtop has more highs and deeper bass. I actually prefer the neck p90 on the Special because it can cop the vintage Gibson p90 jazz sound a bit better to my ears. These guitars feel very different to play in my opinion. As a p90 fan, I think there is room for both
I love satin as well. I have sweaty hands so my hands stick to gloss finishes. Also I think I prefer the sound of the special. Has a little warmer and fuller sound to it. Could be my headphones too tho
All hail satin
@@Techcensorshipbot lol
My favorite is the Les Paul Studio. You get a maple cap, 490/498 humbuckers, really sweet guitar. AAHHH, but that P90 tone! Love it!
3:47 December! what a great song to try the middle position of any Les Paul, Collective Soul is the best 90's band in my opinion
I was working with my head down. i had to look up to realize you changed guitars. I have a special and I would say I prefer the bridge and middle position over the neck. I noticed here that the low E comes in strong on both guitars (almost overwhelms it) and I found that with mine as well (had to dial back the tone and volume to find right balance). Love these guitars. Didn't think I would. I was eyeing a Jaguar, but my partner said we should go for something simple and stripped back (we spent the pandemic learning how to play). So glad we picked up the special. I can't see giving this thing up. Lifetime investment.
Goldtop's sound is more defined less muddy. But I think the special is worth for.the price. I've seen 2 demo one with a marshall (bizarre guitar chanel) and other for the clean sound.
Digging the little Collective Soul riff!
I just got a special w humbuckers, and its great..it also has a stop tail and tunomatic bridge...i have two sunburst standards and if i needed to i could be perfectly happy w the special..its not as pretty, but its that good.
I think its a great design..simple, but functional...and the pickguard is pretty much something bordering on modern art, same as the Jr.
Its a great aesthetic look for both.
Always great to hear "December" That Collective Soul album is a gem front to back!
I like the sound of the Special better, but I like the aesthetics of the standard better. Although it's kind of hard to tell on youtube because youtube sound compression sacrifices a lot of the fidelity.
Next video should be comparing the JCM800 to the Origin!
The only similarity is the Marshall branding. The Origin is more vintage plexi and the JCM is well... a JCM. An Origin with the Jose mod, that would be interesting against the JCM
Les Paul was unique unto himself! I have an R7 Goldtop reissue, ‘85 Silverburst Custom, Birdseye Maple Standard and a ‘60 Standard Unburst…all of which I like very much. I need a P90 version!
You can take one of those Green scrubbers with a handle found in the dish soap area at Wally World and lightly go up and down the shiny neck, it just takes off enough too make the neck not stick if your hands get sweaty.
OMG Robert, which amp were you into at 5:35 ? To my ears that tone is so beautiful. You have a great touch btw.
Excited to see you and the great conversation with awesome content 😊
I bought a Special about a month ago. And I have an early 80s Custom with Humbuckers. In your demo, I thought the Goldtop Standard was deeper and richer. I haven't done my own test, and I definitely like my Special. It seemed in the Special demo you slowed down slightly or maybe didn't attack the strings in the same way. I bought the Special for the P-90s and it was pleked. Pretty good value.
I actually like the Special more! I feel like it has a little bit more low end clarity, probably cause of the brightness, in my opinion, and cleaned up a little more when you picked softer in the last test. Made my eyes widen when I heard it.
Nice comparison, can’t wait for the final result and keep crossing my fingers 🤞🏼
While you were playing December, it seemed like you lessened your pick attack on the special. There was a subtle increase of overall clarity on the gold top in the neck position as well. No noticeable difference in the bridge position though.
Gold Top is the winner for my taste but they both sound amazing. In my experience, a guitar being 3x more expensive doesn't necessarily make it better. It's all about how they feel for you it the end. You never know that you might find in a guitar. Sometimes you find the greatest sound in a guitar that you didn't expect at all. That's why we're constantly looking for new guitars even though we don't always need one.
Dot fan. Started with an ‘84 Studio with ‘em in the ebony board. Still like the simplicity.
I love my Les Paul Special Tribute P-90. The white finish is just sweet looking. The guitar sounds beautiful and is so light. Also with the satin finish I don’t need Mr Murphy to “age” it for me. 😜
So I have a satin finished cherry burst Tribute. No carved top, but it is maple. No binding. Cost me $1100. It sounds OK to me, but I can't play like you can. I also have a 2019 Standard with the modern features and burstbuckers, which is cool because it is still called a Standard.
The special with neck pick up and the clean sound gave me goose bumps.
December! Oh wow, I had forgotten about this song.
Looks like I know what I'm learning to play next! : )
I thinks it's all about what you value and at what point in life you are. If your just starting out or just don't care about the extras, it's a no-brainer get the Special and never look back. If you have the money and want a little extra playability and the finer details of the Gold-top then there you go. If you want the Gold-top but don't have the funds get a special and then later on when you've accumulated a little more wealth, trade up for it. In addition if you like custom pickups, you can always trade out the Specials for what ever you like.
I'm listening through my Adam Audio A7X monitors and I truthfully liked the extra little bit of brightness from the special a just little more than the standard. Overall, they both sound awesome!
100% agree with everything you said. I heard it the same way that you did. Also utmost respect on the “December” tune, that is always my go to riff to compare guitars.
Sound-wise I think the goldtop is just a wee bit more robust in the mids. Sounds a little rounder and I think that’s purely due to the added mass giving more resonance.
they sound darn close. i agree, the only differences were more noticeable on the neck pickup, which i think the Goldtop had the edge by just a bit
Really love your playing. I prefer the look of the Gold Top and the sound of the Special. I have a Special and just love it's versatility.
Thanks dude and yeah the specials are really great! I was thinking about getting one for myself but they are sold out now 🙁
What are the settings? Amp ,cab and pedal? Thanks
I'm definitely super amateur as a player but to my ear maple tops usually just sound better. Dunno if it's placebo or what not but to me they have an extra sharpness to them... However that being said I'd personally probably just get a special if I wanted one because money hehe. Great vid thanks for the comparison 👍
More bass and treble with the maple top. All mahogany brings more midrange focus. The golden era Les Paul Customs have carved mahogany tops because Les Paul wanted a mellower tonal option
Back in 2018 I bought a Gibson Les Paul Faded for 800 dollars (new). Since then I've replaced the stock 490 pickups to Seymour Duncan SH-6 (n & b). I've replaced the stock tuners (machine heads) for locking Gotoh tuners and I've filed the frets (professionally) down to 0.7 millimeters. By adjusting the truss rod and bridge I've managed to achieve fantastic string action (also thanks to the lower frets). Today the sound and playability of the guitar is better than Les Pauls costing thousands coming straight out of Gibson. I just don't have the rectangle inlays in the fretboard.... so I have to "live"with the plain dots ;-)
How can you live with dots :(((
🥱
I have a 2011 LP Special, the stock Gibson P-90s have never let me down.
I noticed that the mids and highs were a lot brighter on the special and I wasn’t a super fan of that, love the content and keep up the great work my man!!
How’s the neck on the Special Tribute? Love that thick gold top 50s neck, how does the Special compare?
sold! :) I think you're right, on the neck, was the biggest difference, buuuuutttt.... although if i had to choose i preferred the gold top's 'chocolate', but...and here's the butt, the special's tone....a bit rough, by comparison, was also awesome, and better for certain songs! Cheers Robert
I have a 1990 Reissue Gold Top P90s 50s neck profile it later became the 1956 Reissue according to books on it. What kind of wood is the special body , slab of Mahogany. Or Maple
There is a difference though slight in tone .
I ran mine through a Marshal Artist 30 watt single 12 , all tube, though it a switch for 4 or 8 Ohm and extension jack , and the single 12 could be unplugged from the amp, EL 34 s tubes
Special...because of the weight..I like how the Special is stripped down and love dots on the board...
I watched a factory tour on playtrade’s youtube. The biggest difference, according to Jim, Gibsons QC guy and manager of the department that lives across the street from the main shop, and pretty much only difference, are the extras, ie binsing, better tuners, things like that.
I like both. Always need one more guitar right?
I would go for the urine top. Weighs 10lbs, feels sticky, costs 2,600, doesn’t stay in tune, headstock will break at some point…what’s not to like?
Lmao 🤣
I think two Gibson LP guitars with p90s sound essentially the same. You point out the differences and similarities pretty well. Another excellent video Mr Baker!
I have a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Tribute. Plays and sounds like a top dollar Les Paul. I also have a 2018 Standard that I paid 2.5x more than the Tribute. The Standard is prettier and feels like money in my hands. It's just a work of art. However, close your eyes and you can't tell the difference between the two as far as tone.
I just sold my tribute and am waiting for my new standard 60’s….I’m really excited but also telling myself not to expect too much difference tone wise!
I've always coveted a goldtop because they are just so pretty! Having said that I have a Revstar 502. It's a dull, black and industrial looking piece of gear but the P90's are tremendous! The pickups have a brushed metal look. It's almost the opposite of a goldtop but it's a lovely guitar!
I'd have to say.., for someone on a budget the Lespaul Special is a great platform to get ya Rock-n-and a-Rollin !!!.. Both Guitars Rocked! I wouldn't kick ether out a bed on a Saturday-nite!
Loved hearing some Collective Soul riffage!!!
Is there a substantial difference in the neck and fretwork?
The question is if you can EQ the Special to sound just like the Gold top? If you can, then soundwise the difference is the price of an EQ pedal on your board...:) But the feel (and of course the idea of holding history in your hand) justifies the price tag...
Thx Robert. I appreciate your point of view.❤
I think a more fair comparison would have been with the gold top using the original P90’s vs the Special’s P90’s.
In this comparison I found the Special to have a clearer definition playing crunch chords AND clean tones….then again, everyone’s taste will differ. For the price, the Special is a great choice.
I did a blind test and the goldtop was a clear winner in each of the three pickup selections - so there you have it... 3x better!
Did you put new strings on the gold top before you did the comparison? New strings do sound brighter.
I have a P90 Goldtop and a TV Yellow P90 Special. Gotta have both. They sound almost the same, but I couldn't choose between the aesthetic differences of the two. Yep, both. : )
Does the special have a laurel wood fretboard? Looks like it. That would significantly reduce the price right there. I don’t have an issue with the sound or feel but if I’m paying upwards of a grand, I’d just expect the fretboard to be either rosewood or ebony. Personally, I like ebony with NO inlays. Side dots only. That’s not gonna happen on a standard regular model tho.
I just got a Les Paul Junior Tribute Double Cut (that's a mouthful!). It was pretty cheap for a USA-made guitar, but I prefer it to more expensive Gibson. I don't like the feel of binding and glossy finishes, so those cheaper models feel better to me. I think the pickups are probably the same as your white Les Paul. I also tried two of the humbucker version of that same guitar. One felt pretty meh QC-wise, the other one felt pretty great, sounded great too.
I do think there was a slight tonal difference, even on cellphone speakers, of course in almost any situation the difference is negligible, but the goldtop did sound slightly smoother to me, while the special had more of a bite. That said, I prefer guitars with more bite myself 😆
You can replace the pickups in the standard, but the playability of the gold top is much better. Just my opinion though. The feel of the neck and frets is everything to me.
Nice comparison! I have one little suggestion: i would prefere if you switch more often between the two guitars rather than playing 40sec on one. So the nuances stand out more. Just me.. have a good one
They sounded very close. There was a very slight difference in in resonance. There is not enough difference to justify spending 3 times as much. The most important variable is which one has better tuning stability. All and all, it’s aesthetics.
Difference in resonance? Dude you are full of crap lol.
@@firemarshal2629 the gold one sounded thicker.