Would you guys add anything else to this list to make a Les Paul more liveable and lovable? Any other guitars you'd like me to add to this series? Enjoy :)
I would trade it for something I truly love. Sorry man I will never love the les Paul. I can deal with sgs and juniors, but I can't deal with those hunking sized guitars, even if they are weight reduced. There are way too many options out there to deal with something I hate.
Besides looking amazing: is one for everybody. Gibson's, Epiphone's, etc. Some have different tuners, some have different pickups. They can have P-90s. They can have covers or none. Its your option. There is also a nice neck regardless if there are dots or bar inlays. There is also one in everybody's price range.
Yep this sums it up for me. I've had many guitars f holes sg gibson and a squire. But late last year came in contact with an ibanez 421 series Indonesian made. With pickup split switch on it. I swear I can play anything from groovy jazz to hard core metal on it. Just love it to bits. Best guitar I've ever owned.
Me too! Hilariously it was when he recommended taking it to a guitar tech to get it set up properly. Daryl-I’m not a tech but I’ll get a dramatic improvement in playability in about 30 seconds. 😉😆
I love the intro where he chucks the guitar on the roof of the shed and then falls on his face as he runs back towards the house. Effin priceless. That alone earned a sub! :-)
I don't think people hate Les Pauls. It's just that Big G and Big F are not making any sigificant progress in terms of design and is kind of hard to spend 1.5 to 2k on a LP when you go to the sore and you try out the likes of PRS, Charvel and Ibanez current models at that price range. I went to GC this winter with the intention of buying my first legit LP and walked out with a PRS S2 because... well I tried them both/
@@unodeldim3610 Preaching to the choir, I def agree. Gibson is not worth the price, at all, and they are stuck in the past. But they still make beautiful guitars, and the Les Paul is a classic for a reason. I will always appreciate the instrument for what it is.
I only own a LP copy it sounds and plays amazing but its just as hefty as an original. And I hate that aspect after owning it for some years now. Its not nice on the shoulder (even with a big strap) during rehearsels. And it certainly is one of the most uncomfortable shapes you can have on your lap when playing at home. So those aspects really are a big downside to some people I guess. And thats probably one of the more fringe things "to hate". Start talking about everything headstock related and you get to "not to argue about" territory.
I'm a Strat guy for 40 years. Bought my 1st Les Paul 10 years ago. A studio. Did a bunch of work and changes to it mostly mechanical - pups, pots, locking bridge and tuners, nut. Now it's pretty damn right for me.
I played fenders for years and just recently got me a Les Paul standard gold top 50s edition. I can’t put that thing down. I love the Gibson scale length over the fender all day long now. I can’t believe I’ve never played a Les Paul before.
A tip for people who want to wrap the strings over the tailpiece... Keep the ball ends from old strings and slip the new strings through them before running them through the tailpiece. They act like a spacer and will keep the unsightly first part of the strings mostly inside the tailpiece so they wrap over nicer. Looks better too. Or, just use the tailpiece normally, and raise it. If you aren't sure about over-wrapping, keep in mind, it will cause marks/damage to the top of your tailpiece after a short while, so if you don't want to ruin your tailpiece, just raise it instead.
When I learned to use the volume and tone on my Les Pauls, it completely changed my guitar playing. There are just so many incredible tones at your fingertips. Straight into a dirty amp and almost everything imaginable is right there built into the guitar with the knobs and switch. Damn, I love a Les Paul. Or any 2 volume, 2 tone guitar, really.
1. Ask the great fusion guitarists why they do not use Les Pauls (forget Robben Ford) 2. Take the neck off, make it a bolt-on, 3. with a reshaped body for easier upper fret access 4. Make a big cavity on its back then cover it to make it light 5. Chop the headstock off and reshape it to get straight string runnings from nut to tuners 6. Put the jack hole on the top, 7. Mount a 2 edge advanced trem system, 8. File a belly cut, 9. Mount a real single coil to the neck, 10. Put the pup selector to a convenient location. Bonus: Trade it for a good guitar 10.
@@ReyCarmesi666 Not half he doesn't?!. He could suck the chrome off trailer towballs, de-chrome a set of 6x Gotoh tuning pegs, the shine right off a LP Junior's compensated lightning-bolt bridge, and any last semblance of chromy gleam from an Oldsmobile's bumper-bars & hood decorations also - all reduced to bare metal in a flash. All these & more; all are most easily removed by Mark Agony-esi's paranormal face-suction forces which are just off the Newton-meters charts! C for centrifuge is his middle-name sure as sh*t! Amazing amounts of such insane torque generated when he sucks even is the primary causality of whirlpools & maelstroms that could sink the Bismarck all-hands down with it - turbo in fjords from Norway to New Zealand!.. FFS?!. he sucks alright! Agnesi is pretty much the same as an average unemployed elementary school teacher - he's got no class! Cheers, respect & be nice to ya missus. Didyabringyabongalong Station, Central QLD, Australia.
I don't know. I just started playing a year ago. Bought a Leo Jaymz because I seriously wanted the American flag. I didn't know what I was getting into. At this time I have changed all the hardware except the tuners. Nut, saddle, bridge. Changed out the pickups for A2 Buckers, and bumped up the pots to 500k, and I am super satisfied. If it wasn't for your channel I would never have considered modifications on that level. Now I play everyday and have a guitarsonal of my own. I'd just like to say, Thanks for sharing. So far the journey is pretty Sweet.
Also, I trust your judgement on purchases as well. Bought the firefly with the malted maple finish lol, I changed out the pickups for a cheap set of trons, and I absolutely love it! So as something you can add, you can always modify 👌
I'm guilty of leaving my Les Paul sit for months at a time and have thought of selling it. I went into the video thinking I would be able to guess a bunch of the suggestions, but most of them were great surprises. Lots of great ideas. Thanks for making the video.
Never have I considered people not loving Les Pauls haha. Since I discovered rock n roll through gnr and zeppelin I thought it was the coolest thing since whipped cream, and I’ve kept that sentiment to this day. Still have my Epi that I bought almost 15 years ago and still love it. One day when I somehow have 2.5 grand laying around I’ll cave for a Gibson. It was my first dream guitar and it’s remained in that caliber ever since!
I had 10's on my LP, but wasn't really excited about how they felt. So I changed to 9.5s, and now, it plays like it has 9s, but sounds like it has 10s. I'm now pretty happy overall with the guitar.
I have an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Pro in cherry burst. Broke the headstock off, glued it back together with Titebond and it plays better than It did and never goes out of tune. It is beautiful. sounds amazing. And I would never sell it. Love the Les Paul.
And for that humbucker level think also at 6:14, you can get more brightness when you lower pickup and raise those screws on the pickup. That is good for neck pickup if it's a little muddy. And for 9:17 top wrap think, put another ball through the string so that the spiky part stays in the tail-bridge hole.
This is one of your best vids yet. I just went through a major change in my LP Custom Elegant. I put a set of Pearly Gates in and this changed everything! Amongst other things, it changed the electronix into a working set by removing the faulty soldering that was on it. And now, when running it through a Slash signature WahWah ... well i found my signature sound. This has made me play that thing so much more!
After a life with Strat I came to love the Les Paul in my late 40's. I left my Fender Strat 2002 go for a Gansom Les Paul Custom (Japan) 1974, all original, repaired headstock and lovely, careful use. It struck me like lightning with is warm tone and exceptional sustain and now it's no turning back. I have two strat style guitars left and a number of Les Paul's instead. A Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2011, ebony is the top but I can't say it plays and sound better than the Ganson.... Thanks för a great channel!
The Japanese were eating Gibson's rosebud in the late '70s and early '80s. Tokais, Grecos and Burnys from back then are still guitars to be reckoned with. So were the Orville by Gibson guitars in the late '80s.
Picked my 2004 standard out of a choice of 5, didn’t think it could better. Practiced setups on cheaper ones until I got good, then went to town on the LP. And wow, thing turned out so good I simply stopped playing my Gretsch 6120 hotrod, tele thinline deluxe and my jazz master, no matter what I did no setup could match the Gibson, eventually sold the lonely things.
Especially in the middle position I like rolling off the tone for the neck, roling off the volume for the bridge, and blend it. Really good for ambient tones.
Some great advice here and I thank you! Nothing quite sounds the same as a LP . and if you play Blues or Jazz you find most of the finest solos were done on a Les Paul. Even jazz guitarist Jim Hall used a LP early in his career. I've been using ''Big Bends Nut Sauce'' in the nut slots and even on the saddles. You'll find ''Big Bends'' stays on the area & lasts longer than graphite or oil. The wrap over really helps alot but some don't like to scratch the tailpiece( I just purchase a spare tailpiece to replace if i need to sell).The new 2024 LP Studio is a good option for those who want a lighter version. Thank you again Darrell, love the humour used.
I have a 23 year old Epiphone LP standard that I'll never sell. I run 8s and it plays like butter and stays in tune. With some Seymour Duncan pearly gate pick ups the guitar is a monster. Of all the guitars I have owned over 50 years that humble Epiphone LP is my all time favourite, even over my made in USA 2015 Gibson LP traditional.
i am thinking about putting a set of pearly gates in my little epiphone traditional pro 3...great gutiar and never loses tune...and sounds great too, but i want that zz tone. Are the pickups worth my money?
@@geraldhoffpauir5048 Yes absolutely! The SD pearly gates pickups are crazy good. The best part is they seem to make the guitar sustain even more. I have always chased sustain so I put a locking bridge and tail piece on my Epi, along with a bone nut. Still use the stock tuners and like you my Epi LP stays in tune.
i have an epiphone les paul classic in worn purple. it’s a really neat guitar that i saved up for for quite some time. today i picked it up for the first time in some weeks and did some messing around with the tone. it sounds so amazing! now all i need to do is change the strings and i think i should take it to a tech just so i should get the most of it?
Gibson has drastically improved in the last few years in my opinion... I NEVER played a les paul that I liked even though I loved the classic iconic look, but recently I picked up a 60's standard and fell in love with it! It just played perfect, stayed in tune & looked amazing, so of course I bought it.... maybe its because the plek all their guitars now makes them better? Maybe it's because I've been playing for so many years now that I've become a better guitarist? As far as the weight goes it's heavy especially doing 4 45min sets almost every Saturday night, but then I see the pics of what it looks like onstage and that makes it worth a little bit of neck and shoulder pain🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Wide straps make such a difference... I had a Warwick that was 14lbs, and an absolute monster for long gigs, but it sounded amazing. Once I got a nice thick strap, it made the long shows a lot more pleasant
Ha! Number 5! I bought this Les Paul because I have always wanted one and when I first saw it…it was beautiful! It was amber and a nice flamed top. I picked it up and thought that it wasn’t as heavy (8.2lbs) as all the others I have hefted over the years. So…I bought it then and there. However, I never liked that I didn’t have good access to the upper frets. (Anything higher than E at the 12th was a struggle) I started to hate it and regretting buying it. I tried for years to offer it up to somebody for much cheaper than I paid for it. (I paid $3200 cad back in 2007 (?)) No takers. Thank .god! Because I had a really think gauge strings laying around to put on an acoustic (011’s) and thought that I would put them on the LP and tune it down a whole step. Wow!!!! I love this guitar!!!!! Now I can play really low and write new stuff to boot! So glad I am rotten at selling stuff. In truth, I’d rather gift it to a kid who was showing promise and would love the thing. Sorry, again, for the essay. Lol
That graphite pencil trick works. I do it with all my guitars when I maintenance/string change them. I have a guitar with a Bigsby on it (which are notorious for slipping out of tune) and that thing is always in tune.
I noticed on my own that you may have to reverse a bridge string adjuster to get perfect intonation on one of the strings or more. I love your over the tailpiece stringing advice. I hate the angle of some of my strings and the angle promotes buzz. Thanks Darrell.
I started using a “String Butler” on my Les Paul and, they work surprisingly well. Also, a device called a “String Stretcha” works incredibly well and I use it for all string changes. I use StringJoy 9.5’s and wholeheartedly recommend them.
I'm a drummer first or was but more a keys man now. I'm on my second LP a 1960 Tribute Plus in Black Cherry with Gibson pickups& wiring love it. I've learned you need to let these things out of the case to breathe more or out of tune they go as they've a mind of their own!
If you go over the top of the tailpiece, slip an extra ball-end (off of old set of strings) over the string then put it through…it helps take pressure off of the string where it’s twisted (I broke a couple of strings until a guitar tech told me that little trick).
Ha! You make me feel guilty over my les Paul! It's a 1960 old heavy beast! After 4 hrs my shoulder feels it!. I also have a high end 1984 stratocaster. Most of the time I use my mexican special edition modded twice the cost. I use 10s on all of them. You reassured me I will never let go of my les paul. Great video! ☺️
I have a basic Gibson Les Paul special with p90s, maple neck. So amazing. It’s like my strat Gibson equal. Not flashy, functional and sounds amazing/feels great.
Hey to Darrell Thanks for the vid ( and all of the others that you do ) My 2 cents I've owned a few Les Pauls over the years. A proper set up is crucial. Either learn to do it yourself ( which I did ) or take it to a tech you trust. Next is strings. Different manufacturers have different characteristics - sound and feel. I prefer Ernie Balls I buy Ernie Ball separates and do a custom set .10 .14 .18w .26w .36w .48w I play blues , R&B and rock And the key to that is the 18 wound on the G
I changed the way I have been tuning my guitars, especially electrics. After filing nut slots, lubricating nut and saddle, changing break angle, I also tune using more than open strings. I tune open, 3 up, and 5 up. Making sure all three are as close to the notes as I can get them. That often means a compromise. But when I play I don’t get the “off” sound with some chords. The fret placement is a compromise anyway, I have learned. I am so much happier especially with first position chords where some strings are fretted and some are open.
Some useful tips here. I own an LTD EC256, which is a bit of modern take on the LP, but the saddle and all that stuff is virtually standard. After watching this video I raised the saddle to get less of an angle on the strings, and also lowered the bridge pickup and found myself liking it even more instantly. It may be a placebo effect of course, but raising that saddle must make for less tension and probably help the guitar stay in tune. Next up, going up a step in string-gauge. I find myself being one of those who digs in pretty hard when I play which means that I kind of force the strings out of tune. Thicker strings will probably help.
#2 Tuning Stability: Wrap your strings correctly, this greatly improves tuning stability. You can also install locking tuners, preferably ones where you're not having to drill new mounting holes. String changes with locking tuners is so so so so so much faster! Great vid as usual!
Thank you Darrell. I learned something about the saddle and tail piece. Have been getting buzzing from my saddle and just had no idea why. Was totally putting me off from playing my guitar .
I have four brands of guitars, but my Gibson Les Paul is by far my favorite. I have my setup almost the same as you described and it is perfect! I raised my tailpiece, and it seemed to add to the sustain and eased the bending! Thanks for your video! Great job!😊
If the weight issue resonates with any viewer, I would highly recommend Epiphone's 2014 Les Paul Florentine. I absolutely adore mine. Sounds and feels exactly like a Paul, at about 2/3 the weight. They made an ES Les Paul that is even lighter still, but the neck dive can be strong. Plus, the Florentine model retains all of the back panel access for easy pickup and pot replacement.
I have an ‘87 custom lite.. I can’t say I ever hated it…but I can certainly understand why someone would…oh and for tuning issues with “older” LP don’t overlook your bridge..they can collapse in the middle and cause all types of problems… replaced mine with a tone pros and it brought it back to life in a way I never thought possible!!
I got a Czech Republic Epiphone Les Paul that plays fantastic. It was not in proper shape when I got it, but I changed alot of the components and did a setup. Now its probably my favourite guitar I have.
I was about to sell my les Paul. But I started to use more the tone and volumes knobs and now its my no 1 guitar 😂 so true it does everything. Sometimes we just want to trade the guitar because we don't wanna see what we have
Les Paul is easy to fix. Just add body, neck joint and forearm contours, balance it, reduce the weight, fix the nut, reduce thickness, change headstock angle, re-carve the neck, re-fret to stainless steel, swap to lock-in tuners and you're set. Simple and easy! Something everyone can do at home.
For years i wanted to sell my LP, but after playing, and enjoying immensely my new Strat and Tele, i can much more appreciate the unique tones out of Les Pauls. Now i really love all my guits. So my advice, buy a single coils guit along with your LP, and you'll understand the subtleties in sounds.
I have a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Tribute that plays better than most Standards I've played. I have Gotoh locking tuners, and a self lubricating nut. I also have a butler string thingy. Thing is a beast. It's a satin honeyburst, although your blue one makes me wanna sell mine and get yours LOL. Great video as always. You're amazing.
Love my Gibson Les Paul and loved my Epiphone Les Paul I played at my local guitar shop. I ordered one and had it delivered to my house. It arrived with two splits down the neck. That left me with a different opinion of Epiphone.
I use the kliq aircell guitar strap. I have a hefty goldtop LP standard and it would really wear my shoulder and back out. I ended up with the short version of the strap which worked out better because the guitar is closer to my body. The kliq air cell has made a big difference.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, a 24 fret HSS strat with a versatile swt of pickups, a Floyd and a tremol-no unit installed will give you all the versatility you'll ever need in a guitar. It will do any song in any genre flawlessly (Also: pro tip for anyone rewiring a strat - make it a neck/middle Vol, bridge Vol, master tone control set-up. You can turn the neck and middle all the way up for leads with the bridge backed off slightly, all the way down with the bridge on max for switching to cleans, or use it as a killswitch like on a Les Paul)
I have a Les Paul, that I loved to play when I got it. But overtime it's been sitting in the case, unplayed. I decided to bump up the string gauge from 9's to 10/48 hybrids, do a little setup. Now it's a beast of a guitar, feels so satisfying to pull a powerful bend :D Next time, I'll try the top wrap
I top wrapped my Les Paul because Joe Bonamassa does his that way and I thought he must know a thing or two right? It didn’t feel right to me. Felt too mushy and caused the strings to rattle and buzz. Joe most likely has higher action on his plus he uses 11 gauge and I use 10s. Give it a try you may like it but it wasn’t for me.
Dude... I have two LP's (Epiphones)... one is a P90 equipped axe that I love and the other is full humbucker LP standard. Both play like a dream. I do my own set ups and such so that may be why? Here is the switcherooski... If my bud called and says "Hey man can you sit in tonight?" I would grab neither. I would grab my Indio Strat I got on sale for 80 bucks SHIPPED, my Line 6 Floor PodXT with my Hagstrom Viking for a backup guitar. I LOVE my Les Paul guitars but they are NOT the most versatile beasts in the herd. That Indio Strat? Yeah... I put a set of locking tuners on it, a beefier trem and gave it a good setup and I play it constantly! Less than 150 bucks and it kicks my Korean made Strat in the dirt. Love it!
I have that same color Epi les paul. Standard top pro. However, I put 500k demarzio picups in the bridge and the neck with a top choice selector switch and BAM" MARVELOUS choice sound..
The Alex lifeson (sp?). Epiphone has a belly cut, fabulous addition, Gibson tuning issues on my SG and TV Special are non existent with a light touch. I play a Rev star with its belly cut, it’s heavy, I did get a bass strap! But the belly cut fosters an interest in the $900 new Epiphone that has a Floyd, but the single coil sounds are same volume. Talk about versatile! I’ve never had an interest in one until now. My SG only has the headstock issue, nothing like a Les Paul
Just look around for an Epi LP. I just picked up another one. A 2016 custom pro in koa….$300 with a case. And don’t let the haters beat up the Epi. I’ve got 3, and I sold the gibsons I had because I never played them……
@@williamsporing1500 I'm only 13 years old, if I wanted a new instrument, I would ask my mom. She would say no anyway, but she did say one time that I could get one with my own allowance when I can afford it. Thanks though.
Adjust the pickups and pole pieces, if you change the strings, stretch them, do a properly setup and tonation, turn all your controls on the guitar back a liiiitle bit, use stereo cables and the best amp you can afford aaaaand have fun 😄🥳👍 🐈
Never hated them but was too heavy for me. So with a weight relief model very happy! They're not the only one with this issue. Bought a Fender John 5 triple monster Tele. That thing weighed so much was shocked. Had to sell it....😛
I strongly recommend the Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky 10-48 string set for a Les Paul. The slightly beefier bottom end and slight extra tension really compensates for aggressive standard tuning / drop D players.
I recently got an Epiphone Les Paul ES. Semi hollow. More of an ES-335, than a Les Paul. My guitar shop was really impressed with the sound. It weighs alot less than a solid body. It is my new goto guitar. Like your vidoes, good stuff. Thanks
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Would you guys add anything else to this list to make a Les Paul more liveable and lovable? Any other guitars you'd like me to add to this series?
Enjoy :)
I would trade it for something I truly love. Sorry man I will never love the les Paul. I can deal with sgs and juniors, but I can't deal with those hunking sized guitars, even if they are weight reduced. There are way too many options out there to deal with something I hate.
Hey Darell. God bless. Was the winner of the Ibanez already announced?
Besides looking amazing: is one for everybody. Gibson's, Epiphone's, etc. Some have different tuners, some have different pickups. They can have P-90s. They can have covers or none. Its your option. There is also a nice neck regardless if there are dots or bar inlays. There is also one in everybody's price range.
Also easy to change strings and you can find them from $300 to like $3000.
@@wriglarzzz and for me I can’t deal with a strat love a tele and a les Paul but strats just don’t do a thing for me
Finally! I got my Les Paul set up perfect! It only took me six years. I do love it now instead of resenting it.
I believe that a guitar chooses the player. The great thing is that there is a guitar for anyone.
Yep this sums it up for me. I've had many guitars f holes sg gibson and a squire. But late last year came in contact with an ibanez 421 series Indonesian made. With pickup split switch on it. I swear I can play anything from groovy jazz to hard core metal on it. Just love it to bits. Best guitar I've ever owned.
Shhhhh I told my wife there are 10 guitars for everyone! Keep it on the down low!
@@Mark-u2b3f the 421 is a great guitar. Had one and had to sell it years ago. One of my favorites I ever played.
Great statement
That would be cool, but we know that's physically impossible. A player chooses their guitar, of course. Not the other way around.
Ways you get along:
1 Ask how it's doing.
2 Tell it your name.
3 Be good friends.
Agreed 👌
Friend Zone stay away
And love it and hug it and call it George? (Got to have watched the Loonie Tunes to get it. Lol)
No kissing on the first date
3:20 I couldn't stop staring at the Low E being out of the saddle >.
SAME hahaha
Ha me too, I wanted to fix it so bad.😆😉
Me too! Hilariously it was when he recommended taking it to a guitar tech to get it set up properly. Daryl-I’m not a tech but I’ll get a dramatic improvement in playability in about 30 seconds. 😉😆
Only having 1 guitar helps "cope" with the down sides🤣
I resemble that remark 😆
I have 5 guitars but I sell them to buy only one. I dont need 5 because I always play only one 😂
@@MaciejakGitara only upside to multiple guitars is leaving them in different turnings, imo
@@Ben-wm9vz yes. Exactly
Like that ever happens 🤪🤪🤪
I love the intro where he chucks the guitar on the roof of the shed and then falls on his face as he runs back towards the house. Effin priceless. That alone earned a sub! :-)
I'll never understand hating on LPs. They are just iconic and beautiful on every level.
If you really care about playability and if you use ears and not eyes you can not hate It.
I don't think people hate Les Pauls. It's just that Big G and Big F are not making any sigificant progress in terms of design and is kind of hard to spend 1.5 to 2k on a LP when you go to the sore and you try out the likes of PRS, Charvel and Ibanez current models at that price range. I went to GC this winter with the intention of buying my first legit LP and walked out with a PRS S2 because... well I tried them both/
@@unodeldim3610 Preaching to the choir, I def agree. Gibson is not worth the price, at all, and they are stuck in the past. But they still make beautiful guitars, and the Les Paul is a classic for a reason. I will always appreciate the instrument for what it is.
I only own a LP copy it sounds and plays amazing but its just as hefty as an original. And I hate that aspect after owning it for some years now. Its not nice on the shoulder (even with a big strap) during rehearsels. And it certainly is one of the most uncomfortable shapes you can have on your lap when playing at home. So those aspects really are a big downside to some people I guess. And thats probably one of the more fringe things "to hate". Start talking about everything headstock related and you get to "not to argue about" territory.
@2v_5r so they can pose properly. I get that. I'd still rather play something better than the "Actual Thing"
I’ve been a Les Paul guy for 50 years. Bought my first strat 5 years ago. Love both for different reasons.
The best of both worlds !
I'm a Strat guy for 40 years. Bought my 1st Les Paul 10 years ago. A studio. Did a bunch of work and changes to it mostly mechanical - pups, pots, locking bridge and tuners, nut. Now it's pretty damn right for me.
Good points for any player. We all fall in and out of love with gear.
I’ve got 3 guitars I’ve had for 50 years. Of all my guitars most I’ve had for at least 30. I don’t buy something if I don’t love it.
Guitar is not made to be hated. They're perfect at their own way :)
1. String butler
2. Babicz bridge
3. Lighter strings - hell yes (I have extra jumbos)
4. Push pull pots are awesome
5. I grease the nut slots.
I did all 10 of your suggestions on my LP and now I love it again. The tone is now incredible. Thanks so very much.
I played fenders for years and just recently got me a Les Paul standard gold top 50s edition. I can’t put that thing down. I love the Gibson scale length over the fender all day long now. I can’t believe I’ve never played a Les Paul before.
A tip for people who want to wrap the strings over the tailpiece... Keep the ball ends from old strings and slip the new strings through them before running them through the tailpiece. They act like a spacer and will keep the unsightly first part of the strings mostly inside the tailpiece so they wrap over nicer. Looks better too. Or, just use the tailpiece normally, and raise it. If you aren't sure about over-wrapping, keep in mind, it will cause marks/damage to the top of your tailpiece after a short while, so if you don't want to ruin your tailpiece, just raise it instead.
When I learned to use the volume and tone on my Les Pauls, it completely changed my guitar playing. There are just so many incredible tones at your fingertips. Straight into a dirty amp and almost everything imaginable is right there built into the guitar with the knobs and switch. Damn, I love a Les Paul. Or any 2 volume, 2 tone guitar, really.
Top wrapping was the most significant modification I made to mine and I’m in love with it.
1. Ask the great fusion guitarists why they do not use Les Pauls (forget Robben Ford) 2. Take the neck off, make it a bolt-on, 3. with a reshaped body for easier upper fret access 4. Make a big cavity on its back then cover it to make it light 5. Chop the headstock off and reshape it to get straight string runnings from nut to tuners 6. Put the jack hole on the top, 7. Mount a 2 edge advanced trem system, 8. File a belly cut, 9. Mount a real single coil to the neck, 10. Put the pup selector to a convenient location. Bonus: Trade it for a good guitar 10.
Les Paul are the best looking guitar ever made. Thats the only reason why my first electric guitar was a Les Paul, and I still love it :D
Mark Agnesi enters the chat
😂😂😂👍
Mark Agnesi sucks
@@ReyCarmesi666 Not half he doesn't?!.
He could suck the chrome off trailer towballs, de-chrome a set
of 6x Gotoh tuning pegs, the shine right off a LP Junior's compensated lightning-bolt bridge, and any last semblance of chromy gleam from an Oldsmobile's bumper-bars & hood decorations also - all reduced to bare metal in a flash. All these & more; all are most easily removed by Mark Agony-esi's paranormal face-suction forces which are just off the Newton-meters charts!
C for centrifuge is his middle-name sure as sh*t! Amazing amounts of
such insane torque generated when he sucks even is the primary causality of whirlpools & maelstroms that could sink the Bismarck all-hands down with it - turbo in fjords from Norway to New Zealand!.. FFS?!. he sucks alright!
Agnesi is pretty much the same as an average unemployed elementary school teacher - he's got no class! Cheers, respect & be nice to ya missus.
Didyabringyabongalong Station, Central QLD, Australia.
@@matthewtayloryowieresearch1912 don't hold back Matt tell us how you feel.
I don't know. I just started playing a year ago. Bought a Leo Jaymz because I seriously wanted the American flag. I didn't know what I was getting into. At this time I have changed all the hardware except the tuners. Nut, saddle, bridge. Changed out the pickups for A2 Buckers, and bumped up the pots to 500k, and I am super satisfied. If it wasn't for your channel I would never have considered modifications on that level. Now I play everyday and have a guitarsonal of my own. I'd just like to say, Thanks for sharing. So far the journey is pretty Sweet.
Also, I trust your judgement on purchases as well. Bought the firefly with the malted maple finish lol, I changed out the pickups for a cheap set of trons, and I absolutely love it! So as something you can add, you can always modify 👌
Great advise Darrel. I have 3 LP's and they all have their own little quirks. The thing you can't beat is the sweet beautiful
tone you get from a LP.
I'm guilty of leaving my Les Paul sit for months at a time and have thought of selling it. I went into the video thinking I would be able to guess a bunch of the suggestions, but most of them were great surprises. Lots of great ideas. Thanks for making the video.
Never have I considered people not loving Les Pauls haha. Since I discovered rock n roll through gnr and zeppelin I thought it was the coolest thing since whipped cream, and I’ve kept that sentiment to this day. Still have my Epi that I bought almost 15 years ago and still love it. One day when I somehow have 2.5 grand laying around I’ll cave for a Gibson. It was my first dream guitar and it’s remained in that caliber ever since!
You’re string gauge recommendation vs scale length was well considered and not something many would think of. Good job!
Lol….I run 8’s on all of mine.
I had 10's on my LP, but wasn't really excited about how they felt. So I changed to 9.5s, and now, it plays like it has 9s, but sounds like it has 10s. I'm now pretty happy overall with the guitar.
Same
Same. In fact, all my guitars have 9.5's except for my Telecaster which has 10s.
I actually found a set of 10.5's and fell in love with that gage. To me, it was perfect.
I have an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Pro in cherry burst. Broke the headstock off, glued it back together with Titebond and it plays better than It did and never goes out of tune. It is beautiful. sounds amazing. And I would never sell it. Love the Les Paul.
And for that humbucker level think also at 6:14, you can get more brightness when you lower pickup and raise those screws on the pickup. That is good for neck pickup if it's a little muddy. And for 9:17 top wrap think, put another ball through the string so that the spiky part stays in the tail-bridge hole.
This is one of your best vids yet. I just went through a major change in my LP Custom Elegant. I put a set of Pearly Gates in and this changed everything!
Amongst other things, it changed the electronix into a working set by removing the faulty soldering that was on it.
And now, when running it through a Slash signature WahWah ... well i found my signature sound. This has made me play that thing so much more!
Such a first world problem 'learning to live with a $4000 guitar'
it's not gibson, it's the les paul model
The dark satin finished model is an epiphone 1959 standard issue @ US$799. But these tips apply to many single cut designs of all price ranges.
Hahaha, true! But I got my Epiphone Les Paul Standard for $300 😁
@@DarrellBraunGuitar wow 300? Looks way more premium than that
Yeah, I got it used. Looked like the guy never even played it 😊
After a life with Strat I came to love the Les Paul in my late 40's. I left my Fender Strat 2002 go for a Gansom Les Paul Custom (Japan) 1974, all original, repaired headstock and lovely, careful use. It struck me like lightning with is warm tone and exceptional sustain and now it's no turning back. I have two strat style guitars left and a number of Les Paul's instead. A Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2011, ebony is the top but I can't say it plays and sound better than the Ganson.... Thanks för a great channel!
The Japanese were eating Gibson's rosebud in the late '70s and early '80s. Tokais, Grecos and Burnys from back then are still guitars to be reckoned with. So were the Orville by Gibson guitars in the late '80s.
Picked my 2004 standard out of a choice of 5, didn’t think it could better. Practiced setups on cheaper ones until I got good, then went to town on the LP. And wow, thing turned out so good I simply stopped playing my Gretsch 6120 hotrod, tele thinline deluxe and my jazz master, no matter what I did no setup could match the Gibson, eventually sold the lonely things.
Especially in the middle position I like rolling off the tone for the neck, roling off the volume for the bridge, and blend it. Really good for ambient tones.
Man, the blue Les Paul is absolutely beautiful. I wish Gibson sold a Les Paul Modern with that finish.
Some great advice here and I thank you! Nothing quite sounds the same as a LP . and if you play Blues or Jazz you find most of the finest solos were done on a Les Paul. Even jazz guitarist Jim Hall used a LP early in his career. I've been using ''Big Bends Nut Sauce'' in the nut slots and even on the saddles. You'll find ''Big Bends'' stays on the area & lasts longer than graphite or oil. The wrap over really helps alot but some don't like to scratch the tailpiece( I just purchase a spare tailpiece to replace if i need to sell).The new 2024 LP Studio is a good option for those who want a lighter version. Thank you again Darrell, love the humour used.
I have a 23 year old Epiphone LP standard that I'll never sell. I run 8s and it plays like butter and stays in tune. With some Seymour Duncan pearly gate pick ups the guitar is a monster. Of all the guitars I have owned over 50 years that humble Epiphone LP is my all time favourite, even over my made in USA 2015 Gibson LP traditional.
i am thinking about putting a set of pearly gates in my little epiphone traditional pro 3...great gutiar and never loses tune...and sounds great too, but i want that zz tone. Are the pickups worth my money?
@@geraldhoffpauir5048 Yes absolutely! The SD pearly gates pickups are crazy good. The best part is they seem to make the guitar sustain even more. I have always chased sustain so I put a locking bridge and tail piece on my Epi, along with a bone nut. Still use the stock tuners and like you my Epi LP stays in tune.
i have an epiphone les paul classic in worn purple. it’s a really neat guitar that i saved up for for quite some time. today i picked it up for the first time in some weeks and did some messing around with the tone. it sounds so amazing! now all i need to do is change the strings and i think i should take it to a tech just so i should get the most of it?
“Know what a les Paul is and what it’s meant to do and what it can’t do.” - the best point in this video.
Along with setting your pickups, don't be afraid to experiment with the height of the pole screws to make further adjustments to your tone.
Gibson has drastically improved in the last few years in my opinion... I NEVER played a les paul that I liked even though I loved the classic iconic look, but recently I picked up a 60's standard and fell in love with it! It just played perfect, stayed in tune & looked amazing, so of course I bought it.... maybe its because the plek all their guitars now makes them better? Maybe it's because I've been playing for so many years now that I've become a better guitarist? As far as the weight goes it's heavy especially doing 4 45min sets almost every Saturday night, but then I see the pics of what it looks like onstage and that makes it worth a little bit of neck and shoulder pain🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Wide straps make such a difference... I had a Warwick that was 14lbs, and an absolute monster for long gigs, but it sounded amazing. Once I got a nice thick strap, it made the long shows a lot more pleasant
This. I've got a 1980 BC Rich Eagle Deluxe bass. A wide strap became a necessity.
Turn the bridge saddles so that the flat edge faces up the neck. This is an instant improvement regarding tuning stability.
You have restored my faith in Canadians with your wisdom sir!
Ha! Number 5! I bought this Les Paul because I have always wanted one and when I first saw it…it was beautiful! It was amber and a nice flamed top. I picked it up and thought that it wasn’t as heavy (8.2lbs) as all the others I have hefted over the years. So…I bought it then and there. However, I never liked that I didn’t have good access to the upper frets. (Anything higher than E at the 12th was a struggle) I started to hate it and regretting buying it. I tried for years to offer it up to somebody for much cheaper than I paid for it. (I paid $3200 cad back in 2007 (?)) No takers. Thank .god! Because I had a really think gauge strings laying around to put on an acoustic (011’s) and thought that I would put them on the LP and tune it down a whole step. Wow!!!! I love this guitar!!!!! Now I can play really low and write new stuff to boot! So glad I am rotten at selling stuff. In truth, I’d rather gift it to a kid who was showing promise and would love the thing. Sorry, again, for the essay. Lol
That graphite pencil trick works. I do it with all my guitars when I maintenance/string change them. I have a guitar with a Bigsby on it (which are notorious for slipping out of tune) and that thing is always in tune.
I noticed on my own that you may have to reverse a bridge string adjuster to get perfect intonation on one of the strings or more. I love your over the tailpiece stringing advice. I hate the angle of some of my strings and the angle promotes buzz. Thanks Darrell.
I started using a “String Butler” on my Les Paul and, they work surprisingly well. Also, a device called a “String Stretcha” works incredibly well and I use it for all string changes. I use StringJoy 9.5’s and wholeheartedly recommend them.
Thank you for the positive video Darrell
Really enjoyed it
I actually went down in gauge on my 339 and it’s the exact feel and sound I was looking for. I liked the guitar before, but it’s my dream guitar now.
I'm a drummer first or was but more a keys man now. I'm on my second LP a 1960 Tribute Plus in Black Cherry with Gibson pickups& wiring love it. I've learned you need to let these things out of the case to breathe more or out of tune they go as they've a mind of their own!
If you go over the top of the tailpiece, slip an extra ball-end (off of old set of strings) over the string then put it through…it helps take pressure off of the string where it’s twisted (I broke a couple of strings until a guitar tech told me that little trick).
Ha! You make me feel guilty over my les Paul! It's a 1960 old heavy beast! After 4 hrs my shoulder feels it!. I also have a high end 1984 stratocaster. Most of the time I use my mexican special edition modded twice the cost. I use 10s on all of them. You reassured me I will never let go of my les paul. Great video! ☺️
I have a basic Gibson Les Paul special with p90s, maple neck. So amazing. It’s like my strat Gibson equal. Not flashy, functional and sounds amazing/feels great.
Hey to Darrell
Thanks for the vid ( and all of the others that you do )
My 2 cents
I've owned a few Les Pauls over the years.
A proper set up is crucial.
Either learn to do it yourself ( which I did ) or take it to a tech you trust.
Next is strings.
Different manufacturers have different characteristics - sound and feel.
I prefer Ernie Balls
I buy Ernie Ball separates and do a custom set
.10 .14 .18w .26w .36w .48w
I play blues , R&B and rock
And the key to that is the 18 wound on the G
Great series, DB! Great info. Your video about Stratocasters really helped me lock in some newer tones. GG’s!
I changed the way I have been tuning my guitars, especially electrics. After filing nut slots, lubricating nut and saddle, changing break angle, I also tune using more than open strings. I tune open, 3 up, and 5 up. Making sure all three are as close to the notes as I can get them. That often means a compromise. But when I play I don’t get the “off” sound with some chords. The fret placement is a compromise anyway, I have learned. I am so much happier especially with first position chords where some strings are fretted and some are open.
Some useful tips here. I own an LTD EC256, which is a bit of modern take on the LP, but the saddle and all that stuff is virtually standard. After watching this video I raised the saddle to get less of an angle on the strings, and also lowered the bridge pickup and found myself liking it even more instantly. It may be a placebo effect of course, but raising that saddle must make for less tension and probably help the guitar stay in tune. Next up, going up a step in string-gauge. I find myself being one of those who digs in pretty hard when I play which means that I kind of force the strings out of tune. Thicker strings will probably help.
Not sure what gage you're using, but I tried a 10.5 and absolutely loved it. It was just right for me.
I been playing Stratocasters from back in the 80's got a Gibson LP standard in 2017 love the rap over the bridge with the strings.
#2 Tuning Stability: Wrap your strings correctly, this greatly improves tuning stability. You can also install locking tuners, preferably ones where you're not having to drill new mounting holes. String changes with locking tuners is so so so so so much faster! Great vid as usual!
Thank you Darrell. I learned something about the saddle and tail piece. Have been getting buzzing from my saddle and just had no idea why. Was totally putting me off from playing my guitar .
I have four brands of guitars, but my Gibson Les Paul is by far my favorite. I have my setup almost the same as you described and it is perfect! I raised my tailpiece, and it seemed to add to the sustain and eased the bending! Thanks for your video! Great job!😊
The wide strap works! Also, let's give a tune-o-matic bridge a shoutout for allowing bending in tune.
If the weight issue resonates with any viewer, I would highly recommend Epiphone's 2014 Les Paul Florentine. I absolutely adore mine. Sounds and feels exactly like a Paul, at about 2/3 the weight. They made an ES Les Paul that is even lighter still, but the neck dive can be strong. Plus, the Florentine model retains all of the back panel access for easy pickup and pot replacement.
I have an ‘87 custom lite.. I can’t say I ever hated it…but I can certainly understand why someone would…oh and for tuning issues with “older” LP don’t overlook your bridge..they can collapse in the middle and cause all types of problems… replaced mine with a tone pros and it brought it back to life in a way I never thought possible!!
I got a Czech Republic Epiphone Les Paul that plays fantastic. It was not in proper shape when I got it, but I changed alot of the components and did a setup. Now its probably my favourite guitar I have.
Darrell, you need to get a SG and do a video on it, so I can watch and like it! Just do it!
So true. I’m looking for my perfect Les Paul .. great points
Top wrapping was a game changer for me. Made the guitar feel so much more alive somehow.
Good vid, my friend. I was clueless for years and your suggestions are all totally solid and agree with what i've learned about my les pauls.
I was about to sell my les Paul. But I started to use more the tone and volumes knobs and now its my no 1 guitar 😂 so true it does everything. Sometimes we just want to trade the guitar because we don't wanna see what we have
Les Paul is easy to fix. Just add body, neck joint and forearm contours, balance it, reduce the weight, fix the nut, reduce thickness, change headstock angle, re-carve the neck, re-fret to stainless steel, swap to lock-in tuners and you're set. Simple and easy! Something everyone can do at home.
Ouch!
For years i wanted to sell my LP, but after playing, and enjoying immensely my new Strat and Tele, i can much more appreciate the unique tones out of Les Pauls. Now i really love all my guits. So my advice, buy a single coils guit along with your LP, and you'll understand the subtleties in sounds.
I have a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Tribute that plays better than most Standards I've played. I have Gotoh locking tuners, and a self lubricating nut. I also have a butler string thingy. Thing is a beast. It's a satin honeyburst, although your blue one makes me wanna sell mine and get yours LOL. Great video as always. You're amazing.
That blue he had was really nice looking.
Love my Gibson Les Paul and loved my Epiphone Les Paul I played at my local guitar shop. I ordered one and had it delivered to my house. It arrived with two splits down the neck. That left me with a different opinion of Epiphone.
My favorite Gibson is an Ibanez Artcore...
I top wrap and put a string butler on my LP and I like it a lot more since having done so.
I use the kliq aircell guitar strap. I have a hefty goldtop LP standard and it would really wear my shoulder and back out. I ended up with the short version of the strap which worked out better because the guitar is closer to my body. The kliq air cell has made a big difference.
+1 for the Kliq air cell strap
I've said it before and I'll say it again, a 24 fret HSS strat with a versatile swt of pickups, a Floyd and a tremol-no unit installed will give you all the versatility you'll ever need in a guitar. It will do any song in any genre flawlessly (Also: pro tip for anyone rewiring a strat - make it a neck/middle Vol, bridge Vol, master tone control set-up. You can turn the neck and middle all the way up for leads with the bridge backed off slightly, all the way down with the bridge on max for switching to cleans, or use it as a killswitch like on a Les Paul)
Darrell, should you ever decide to "thin the herd", please keep my contact info. for that blue Standard. Love that combo.
I have a Les Paul, that I loved to play when I got it. But overtime it's been sitting in the case, unplayed.
I decided to bump up the string gauge from 9's to 10/48 hybrids, do a little setup. Now it's a beast of a guitar, feels so satisfying to pull a powerful bend :D
Next time, I'll try the top wrap
I top wrapped my Les Paul because Joe Bonamassa does his that way and I thought he must know a thing or two right? It didn’t feel right to me. Felt too mushy and caused the strings to rattle and buzz. Joe most likely has higher action on his plus he uses 11 gauge and I use 10s. Give it a try you may like it but it wasn’t for me.
Hey! Darrell, great video. Now could you please do the same video with a cheap Squier. Please 🙏
Dude... I have two LP's (Epiphones)... one is a P90 equipped axe that I love and the other is full humbucker LP standard. Both play like a dream. I do my own set ups and such so that may be why? Here is the switcherooski... If my bud called and says "Hey man can you sit in tonight?" I would grab neither. I would grab my Indio Strat I got on sale for 80 bucks SHIPPED, my Line 6 Floor PodXT with my Hagstrom Viking for a backup guitar. I LOVE my Les Paul guitars but they are NOT the most versatile beasts in the herd.
That Indio Strat? Yeah... I put a set of locking tuners on it, a beefier trem and gave it a good setup and I play it constantly! Less than 150 bucks and it kicks my Korean made Strat in the dirt. Love it!
I use 7 or 8's and the clarity and note separation is phenomenal,
holds tune after the strings break in some and I couldn't be happier.....
I had a LP studio gem series for a long time, if i ever find it I'm buying it back. When they are dialed in, they are SO sweet.
I have that same color Epi les paul. Standard top pro. However, I put 500k demarzio picups in the bridge and the neck with a top choice selector switch and BAM" MARVELOUS choice sound..
The Alex lifeson (sp?). Epiphone
has a belly cut, fabulous addition, Gibson tuning issues on my SG and TV Special are non existent with a light touch. I play a Rev star with its belly cut, it’s heavy, I did get a bass strap! But the belly cut fosters an interest in the $900
new Epiphone that has a Floyd, but the single coil sounds are same volume. Talk about versatile!
I’ve never had an interest in one until now. My SG only has the headstock issue, nothing like a Les Paul
Thanks for the tips Darrell
Excellent Video Sir!
My Les Paul will get back into playing rotation thanks to your helpful tips! \m/
Love the Les Paul sound and looks amazing. Comfort and build can be hit or miss for me.
I like that cool guitar LP. It's amazing a one of the best model of the guitar history.
as a lp lover.... I enjoyd the video for few tips I didn't know. thank you
My dream guitar is any type of les paul, so I would always love it, but I get ya.
Just look around for an Epi LP. I just picked up another one. A 2016 custom pro in koa….$300 with a case. And don’t let the haters beat up the Epi. I’ve got 3, and I sold the gibsons I had because I never played them……
@@williamsporing1500 I'm only 13 years old, if I wanted a new instrument, I would ask my mom. She would say no anyway, but she did say one time that I could get one with my own allowance when I can afford it. Thanks though.
It's funny, I have a 2001 Les Paul Standard and a 2003 Les Paul Special. I've never had the tuning problems. Both guitar have been played hard.
Adjust the pickups and pole pieces, if you change the strings, stretch them, do a properly setup and tonation, turn all your controls on the guitar back a liiiitle bit, use stereo cables and the best amp you can afford aaaaand have fun 😄🥳👍
🐈
Never hated them but was too heavy for me. So with a weight relief model very happy! They're not the only one with this issue. Bought a Fender John 5 triple monster Tele. That thing weighed so much was shocked. Had to sell it....😛
I strongly recommend the Ernie Ball Ultra Slinky 10-48 string set for a Les Paul. The slightly beefier bottom end and slight extra tension really compensates for aggressive standard tuning / drop D players.
Good suggestion. For anyone that wants to go a bit lower, the Ernie Ball Beefy Slinkly set (11-54) feels perfect in E-flat standard or Drop C#.
@@ConvexSpade skinny top, heavy bottoms, Eb tuning or drop Db is magic
I recently got an Epiphone Les Paul ES. Semi hollow. More of an ES-335, than a Les Paul. My guitar shop was really impressed with the sound. It weighs alot less than a solid body. It is my new goto guitar. Like your vidoes, good stuff. Thanks
As always great content. Very user friendly information. Thanks for sharing these tips.
Man i love the content you're putting out recently
Beautiful examples of the Les Paul Darrell! I would be happy with any!
Also too appreciate your les paul. Listen too some old frampton or the LRB. Their sound was outstanding!