Great Content, Thank You Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, I think you've setup the perfect lighting when you're showing the instruments. The color tone really accentuates the beauty and details of the guitars.
I'm subscribed to a lot of guitar channels and yours has probably the best sound and video quality. Just a pleasure to watch and listen to. Thanks man.
Yeah!! The playing was an 11/10! Man that Orca is gorgeous. Both are incredible guitars. (I still need to get a Les Paul). I have always thought that a Les Paul has "dry" kind of sound that sounds better on overdriven sounds but not as good on cleans. I think yours does sound better than usual, though. The Orca definitely has a little fatter sound that was different and sounded great clean. I guess you have to keep both!
They both sound fantastic. The Huber sounds a touch fuller and warmer. The Huber pickups sound a bit hotter as well. Your playing is beautiful as usual. I've never played a Nik Huber. I have a 23' Gibson 59' Brazilian. I would love to compare it to the Huber. Jonathan, what DAW do you use?
Thank you! I use Cubase. What color is your 59? I got to try a Brazilian limited at Gibson garage. I was impressed! The Huber feels quite a bit different. While they both cover similar ground, they are different enough tonally and playing wise for me to feel justified keeping both.
Love your channel. The methods, the playing and the videos are all top notch and always worth the watch. As for this one.... The Orca sounds very similar to my PRS 594 Singlecut with the 58/15 Low Turn TCI pickups. I listened to this video (and all of your videos) with high quality headphones and even though the PRS and the Orca sound great, the Les Paul continues to live in a space all it's own. The Les Paul has a very specific pronounced midrange tone and a more compressed overall sound that just isn't replicated anywhere else. And to be fair, I doubt that Nik Huber or Paul Reed Smith were trying to "copy" the Les Paul when they developed their best singlecut models, it's just that guitars that look like the Holy Grail sell easier as it's assumed their missions are very similar. I love the Les Paul tone, and want to add one to my very PRS centric stash. But a serious question remains about Les Paul quality that simply doesn't exist with PRS or Nik Huber. Has Gibson turned the corner after the reorganization? Do the new models intonate without having to compensate the tuning? If I remember correctly from an earlier video, your Les Paul was spec'd by Wildwood Guitars, but I didn't hear which specific year and model. Would you mind sharing that information? If it was made before the reorg, that might explain the issues. If it was made after, then even a Wildwood spec'd guitar, and the premium required to secure one, offers no guarantee it will play well. Which leaves you with the need to find a guitar store that stocks a ton of Gibsons and play 10 to 15 variants of the same guitar until you find "the one". Gibson Les Pauls are American Icons. Hopefully, someone at Gibson knows that too.
Excellent video, Jon! Both sounded amazing. That said, my 40-year “thing” for Gibson Les Paul hinders my ability to be objective about this. Simple solution is to keep both.
Recently, I've just had to admit that the reason I keep and love my custom shop 58 VOS is that the LP shape is my favorite - it's beautiful. I have better built and better sounding guitars, but the LP is just so cool. The Orca is a better guitar in every way, but the LP has that cool vibe.. lots of history and cool factor. If you can keep both that would be ideal. A friend recently told me to stop selling my guitars and keep what I have and enjoy them :) Good advice. Great playing and recording as always.
I have had a SSC for about 5 years Killer axe! Have a set of Virgil Arlo 59’s in it. It’s my number one. Always looking for a killer LP style guitar. Need a good R9 and a 59 Orca and I’ll be set!😉
Hello Jonathan. You had mentioned a 335 in a couple of your videos. I was wondering what your opinion was on how it stacked up against the Les Paul. I can only afford one and I was wondering between the two which one would be the most versatile.
Both are fantastic. The Orca has a pillowy sound and the LP cuts more. I hate to say it but my ears gravitate more toward the LP, but honestly that could because I’ve heard it far more
Great video! I found that both did the "singlecut" thing really well, but Gibson did have the brightness and I guess "harshness" you come to associate with a les paul. So if you are looking only for that particular les paul sound, really you gotta go with gibson. However, you made some good points about the neck radius, carve, scale length and build quality vs the orca. In that vain, its a similar comparison between PRS vs Gibson. Speaking of which, you should maybe do a comparison of the Orca 59 vs the Mccarty, since they are both well made alternatives to the Les Paul.
I agree with your assessment, Jonathan. The Orca seems a bit rounder in the top-end but both sounded good. I'm not sure what pickups are on the Huber, but that is probably responsible for quite a bit of the differences. I'm not sure what the other poster meant about "too much chorus?" Perhaps he thought you were using too much delay/verb? How does the Bartlett compare?
The Huber has German made Haussel 59 pickups. The Bartlett sounds very much like a Les Paul as well with some nuanced differences. Maybe I'll have to do a comparison video with it!
Looks and sound are often subjective. That being said, I like the LP sound a bit better. The Orca is beautiful and also sounds good. When I'm trying out different guitars, I just play them to see if one "speaks" to me. Sometimes I can't quantitatively say why. It just has that "it" factor.
I played an Orca '59 and a Gibson Murphy Lab '59 back to back at my local guitar store.....bought the Gibson! I love them both but I agree with all your comments, the Gibson had more bite and attitude which was what i was looking for, the Nik Huber was warmer, more sophiticated, a great guitar but not quite what I was looking for at that point. Also the neck on the Nick Huber was a bit fat for me, not sure if it was one of the 'Fat Back' type though. I do also have a Nik Huber Krautster II and a Piet and they are the best quality built guitars I have ever played. So, went with the Gibson this time but may well add the Orca at some point in the future, but...I don't think the Orca can 'replace' the Gibson Murphy Lad '59...just sit along side it.
Thanks for sharing! That makes complete sense to me based on my experience as well. Also agree about Huber built quality. I’ve owned a Krautster, have handled a few other models, and the quality was remarkable on all of them. I played a bunch of Murphy labs at the Gibson Garage and thought they were killer LP’s. Enjoy!
Your videos are the class of RUclips. Speaking of class, both of these guitars are dripping in it. Personally, I’d take the Orca. It’s killer, and I’d love to whale on it. Brilliant puns aside, the Orca is a refined work of art, and sounds fantastic. I prefer it.
Damn dude, you can really play. So melodic with just enough shred, always tasteful. Something about that Gibson, just sounds killer, you even seem to play better with it. Les Paul wins
If I was a producing a record, the Gibson wins my pick for this specific track/tones. If I was on a sinking ship crashing into a desert island, I’m taking the Nik Huber. Because I like the modern features and it’s more versatile. If I’m my wife, I’m judging them based on which one I hear first because they sound exactly the same. Of course she is wrong, but also correct in a way… 😂
Orca has Haussel 59 pickups and Lester has low turn custombuckers. While the pickups are surely influencing some of the difference, I look look at as chef’s choice and focus on how I like the overall meal.
Gibson pioneered and perfected singlecut solidbody electric.Enough said.That trademark were,is and will always be unbeatable, same as Fender stratocaster or telecaster,for instance.Apart from that,Nik Huber orca 59 is a neaty piece.
Both guitars are beautiful, but the Orca is absolutely exquisite. Always tasty playing my man. That said I’m surprised to say the LP punches while the Orca pats. Both have their place sonically, but my ears prefer the LP I’m sad to say. Orca doesn’t replace the LP. If you still have the SC 594 I’d be interested in a shootout between it and the Orca.
Thanks, Grant! I found the LP sat better in the mix. Wish I still had the SC 594 to compare. From memory, it’s even a little more polite than the Orca.
@@RatherBeRiffing That’s a shame, but my guess is that you kept the DC instead then which if I remember correctly I preferred slightly more anyway. I also agree that it was probably more polite. Keep up your great content. I really enjoy your channel.
@@RatherBeRiffing I'm curious............Have you ever seen a tone comparison between a '50s Les Paul Standard w/P90s as compared to the mahogany topped Les Paul Custom w/P90 and Staple pickup? I'm giving this video a second listen, I really enjoy your phrasing, thank you.
The Huber for the Victory. Gibson hasn't been in the running for a very long time. What have they really done since leaving Parsons? Slash model..(a copy of a copy) or they keep trying and updating what they USED to make, so in essence they are doing copies for upwards of 8g or more LOL. The Huber seems to take the best of old School Gibson and mix in some of flash PRS has.. great looking and sounding guitars.
Two stunning guitars in the hands of an even more stunnibg guitarist. Too bad that G and their new management have become so awfully arrogant. I don't want anything to do with this company anymore so I sold my G guitars.
Did I miss it or you didn't mention the obvious fact that the Gibson has a much stable and longer sustain? The Huber holds the sustain and after a short while sounds like it got tired of holding it and just drops it too quickly. Gibson unfortunately sounds better in the mix. Don't replace the Gibson.
Great video as always... the two guitars are killer. i prefer the orca because i love thta modern touches...question...i see that the Orca has top wrap and the gibson not ... why ? is this for something special? and for you top wrap or not top wrap?... greetings from the sunny Barcelona
Thanks as always! I prefer the Orca for those reasons as well. The stock setup had a little too much string tension for my preference. I chose to top wrap it to give it a more slinky feel. I also use 9.5 strings on it instead of my normal 10 gauge. That really helped it feel more like a 24.75” scale length rather than 25”.
well, you could go more easy on that chorus next time... wishywashy. on principle id say orca its quite tame, well behaved. that paul really comes through. even if im biased against gibson. try a thorndal or a maybach lp next. great stuff!
This whole better/worse discussion is pointless and boring. These are two different guitars , they are built different, sound different, look different. The rest is simple personal taste. Apples and oranges…
you're honestly asking if an 8k custom les paul is good enough to replace a low quality gibson? You can find plenty of les pauls better than that gibson in the 1k to 1.5k price range. This is one of those "comparison" videos where the guy is really just trying to get you to listen to his playing.
Great Content, Thank You
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, I think you've setup the perfect lighting when you're showing the instruments.
The color tone really accentuates the beauty and details of the guitars.
Thank you! I appreciate detail like that and glad you noticed.
@@RatherBeRiffing 👍😉
Totally agree. The lighting makes the glossy nitro of the Gibson incredibly gorgeous!
I'm subscribed to a lot of guitar channels and yours has probably the best sound and video quality. Just a pleasure to watch and listen to. Thanks man.
Thank you for the kind words and high praise - it means a lot to know that!
Yeah!! The playing was an 11/10! Man that Orca is gorgeous. Both are incredible guitars. (I still need to get a Les Paul). I have always thought that a Les Paul has "dry" kind of sound that sounds better on overdriven sounds but not as good on cleans. I think yours does sound better than usual, though. The Orca definitely has a little fatter sound that was different and sounded great clean. I guess you have to keep both!
Ha - thanks man! I’m glad to know I “go to 11”. Agree with your observation. I must keep both!
They both sound fantastic. The Huber sounds a touch fuller and warmer. The Huber pickups sound a bit hotter as well. Your playing is beautiful as usual. I've never played a Nik Huber. I have a 23' Gibson 59' Brazilian. I would love to compare it to the Huber. Jonathan, what DAW do you use?
Thank you! I use Cubase. What color is your 59? I got to try a Brazilian limited at Gibson garage. I was impressed! The Huber feels quite a bit different. While they both cover similar ground, they are different enough tonally and playing wise for me to feel justified keeping both.
I have a Darkburst. Thanks Jonathan.@@RatherBeRiffing
Love your channel. The methods, the playing and the videos are all top notch and always worth the watch. As for this one.... The Orca sounds very similar to my PRS 594 Singlecut with the 58/15 Low Turn TCI pickups. I listened to this video (and all of your videos) with high quality headphones and even though the PRS and the Orca sound great, the Les Paul continues to live in a space all it's own. The Les Paul has a very specific pronounced midrange tone and a more compressed overall sound that just isn't replicated anywhere else. And to be fair, I doubt that Nik Huber or Paul Reed Smith were trying to "copy" the Les Paul when they developed their best singlecut models, it's just that guitars that look like the Holy Grail sell easier as it's assumed their missions are very similar. I love the Les Paul tone, and want to add one to my very PRS centric stash. But a serious question remains about Les Paul quality that simply doesn't exist with PRS or Nik Huber. Has Gibson turned the corner after the reorganization? Do the new models intonate without having to compensate the tuning? If I remember correctly from an earlier video, your Les Paul was spec'd by Wildwood Guitars, but I didn't hear which specific year and model. Would you mind sharing that information? If it was made before the reorg, that might explain the issues. If it was made after, then even a Wildwood spec'd guitar, and the premium required to secure one, offers no guarantee it will play well. Which leaves you with the need to find a guitar store that stocks a ton of Gibsons and play 10 to 15 variants of the same guitar until you find "the one". Gibson Les Pauls are American Icons. Hopefully, someone at Gibson knows that too.
Agree on all points
In the video he said he has to do compensation intonation with the Gibson. Pity...
Great playing and awesome reviews my dear friend!!
Love and respect Kyle!! 😊🥁🇵🇭
Thanks for the kind words as always!!!
Excellent video, Jon! Both sounded amazing. That said, my 40-year “thing” for Gibson Les Paul hinders my ability to be objective about this. Simple solution is to keep both.
Ha - well said! Thank you!
That intro solo was so good! Great channel, just discovered it and it was an immediate subscribe for me
Thank you! I appreciate knowing that - welcome!
Recently, I've just had to admit that the reason I keep and love my custom shop 58 VOS is that the LP shape is my favorite - it's beautiful. I have better built and better sounding guitars, but the LP is just so cool.
The Orca is a better guitar in every way, but the LP has that cool vibe.. lots of history and cool factor. If you can keep both that would be ideal. A friend recently told me to stop selling my guitars and keep what I have and enjoy them :) Good advice.
Great playing and recording as always.
Thanks as always, Lorenzo. I enjoy your insightful comments and can completely relate all points! Good advice indeed!
Awesome video and fantastic playing as always! We'll refrain from giving our opinion because it might be a bit biased ;)
Thank you as always - much appreciated!
That is a beautiful top on the Orca! I like the way you play. 👍
Thank you, Dave!
Gibson sounds phantastic. Stands out more in the mix.
I find it sits perfectly in a mix as well! It’s almost annoying that it seems to beats all of my other LP type guitars in that regard.
Fantastic playing!! Both guitars for the win!!
Thank you!!
They’re just different, both incredible.
That’s the simple truth of it!
I would be interested in seeing what you think about the Knaggs SSC
I’d like to try one along with an Eric Steckel model. I had a Doug Rappaport for while and that was pretty cool!
Let’s check that out !, 100 times.
Ha - thanks for checking out the video!
I have had a SSC for about 5 years Killer axe! Have a set of Virgil Arlo 59’s in it. It’s my number one. Always looking for a killer LP style guitar. Need a good R9 and a 59 Orca and I’ll be set!😉
Nice!!! How do you like the Virgil pickups? I have more LP variants than I care to admit and would be hard pressed to choose only one.
LOVE the Arlos! Are you on Instagram?
Hello Jonathan. You had mentioned a 335 in a couple of your videos. I was wondering what your opinion was on how it stacked up against the Les Paul. I can only afford one and I was wondering between the two which one would be the most versatile.
Both are fantastic. The Orca has a pillowy sound and the LP cuts more. I hate to say it but my ears gravitate more toward the LP, but honestly that could because I’ve heard it far more
Agree - thanks for the observations!
What amp models / profiles are you using?
Great video! I found that both did the "singlecut" thing really well, but Gibson did have the brightness and I guess "harshness" you come to associate with a les paul. So if you are looking only for that particular les paul sound, really you gotta go with gibson. However, you made some good points about the neck radius, carve, scale length and build quality vs the orca. In that vain, its a similar comparison between PRS vs Gibson. Speaking of which, you should maybe do a comparison of the Orca 59 vs the Mccarty, since they are both well made alternatives to the Les Paul.
Agree! I like your suggestion. I’ll put a Huber vs PRS comparison in the plans!
I agree with your assessment, Jonathan. The Orca seems a bit rounder in the top-end but both sounded good. I'm not sure what pickups are on the Huber, but that is probably responsible for quite a bit of the differences. I'm not sure what the other poster meant about "too much chorus?" Perhaps he thought you were using too much delay/verb? How does the Bartlett compare?
The Huber has German made Haussel 59 pickups. The Bartlett sounds very much like a Les Paul as well with some nuanced differences. Maybe I'll have to do a comparison video with it!
Looks and sound are often subjective. That being said, I like the LP sound a bit better. The Orca is beautiful and also sounds good. When I'm trying out different guitars, I just play them to see if one "speaks" to me. Sometimes I can't quantitatively say why. It just has that "it" factor.
I can totally relate to that!
I frickin love the playing
I played an Orca '59 and a Gibson Murphy Lab '59 back to back at my local guitar store.....bought the Gibson! I love them both but I agree with all your comments, the Gibson had more bite and attitude which was what i was looking for, the Nik Huber was warmer, more sophiticated, a great guitar but not quite what I was looking for at that point. Also the neck on the Nick Huber was a bit fat for me, not sure if it was one of the 'Fat Back' type though. I do also have a Nik Huber Krautster II and a Piet and they are the best quality built guitars I have ever played. So, went with the Gibson this time but may well add the Orca at some point in the future, but...I don't think the Orca can 'replace' the Gibson Murphy Lad '59...just sit along side it.
Thanks for sharing! That makes complete sense to me based on my experience as well. Also agree about Huber built quality. I’ve owned a Krautster, have handled a few other models, and the quality was remarkable on all of them. I played a bunch of Murphy labs at the Gibson Garage and thought they were killer LP’s. Enjoy!
Your videos are the class of RUclips. Speaking of class, both of these guitars are dripping in it. Personally, I’d take the Orca. It’s killer, and I’d love to whale on it. Brilliant puns aside, the Orca is a refined work of art, and sounds fantastic. I prefer it.
I always appreciate a pun! Thanks for the kind words. If I were to keep one, it would be the Orca.
But in the video you said it doesn't substitute the Gibson... 🤨
@@JLX5 I don’t think it does but I like it better for my preferences and it would be harder to replace.
Damn dude, you can really play. So melodic with just enough shred, always tasteful. Something about that Gibson, just sounds killer, you even seem to play better with it. Les Paul wins
Thanks man! I appreciate the kind words and glad to know my style comes across like that!
If I was a producing a record, the Gibson wins my pick for this specific track/tones.
If I was on a sinking ship crashing into a desert island, I’m taking the Nik Huber. Because I like the modern features and it’s more versatile.
If I’m my wife, I’m judging them based on which one I hear first because they sound exactly the same. Of course she is wrong, but also correct in a way… 😂
I love how you framed this and makes sense to me!
Which one has better tuning stability?
What year is your LP?
2019
Maybe I missed but were the pickups the same in both guitars? Also, which pickups were used?
Orca has Haussel 59 pickups and Lester has low turn custombuckers. While the pickups are surely influencing some of the difference, I look look at as chef’s choice and focus on how I like the overall meal.
@@RatherBeRiffing thanks! Both sound great and add a bit different flavor.
I wonder if the Orca would be a tad brighter if it had the bridge pickup cover removed. Both sound great.
Good point! That would be an interesting test.
Try also taking Gibson Les Paul November Burst video
Again, I wish I could play like this. 🙏👍☺️
Thanks for the kind words, George!
Gibson pioneered and perfected singlecut solidbody electric.Enough said.That trademark were,is and will always be unbeatable, same as Fender stratocaster or telecaster,for instance.Apart from that,Nik Huber orca 59 is a neaty piece.
The Orca sounds more compressed, I prefer the bite of the Gibson!
Both guitars are beautiful, but the Orca is absolutely exquisite. Always tasty playing my man. That said I’m surprised to say the LP punches while the Orca pats. Both have their place sonically, but my ears prefer the LP I’m sad to say. Orca doesn’t replace the LP. If you still have the SC 594 I’d be interested in a shootout between it and the Orca.
Thanks, Grant! I found the LP sat better in the mix. Wish I still had the SC 594 to compare. From memory, it’s even a little more polite than the Orca.
@@RatherBeRiffing That’s a shame, but my guess is that you kept the DC instead then which if I remember correctly I preferred slightly more anyway. I also agree that it was probably more polite. Keep up your great content. I really enjoy your channel.
i prefer the tone of the LP, i like the way it cuts and i love the top end, the NH sounds too warm for me. Both look great!
This LP cuts perfectly. Hard to beat when you need that voice. Thanks!
Best single cut I've ever played or heard is my maybach Lester 60s. I also own a Gibson les paul and have played about a dozen custom shop Gibsons
I’d like to try one!
Man...that Orca is .... throaty. In the most awesome way possible.
Great description!
Gibson👍
At the 0:13, Classic Les Paul tone in the best of ways.
The Orca does it as well, its just that its not a Les Paul!
Both are exceptional, keep both
I think that is a mighty fine recommendation!
@@RatherBeRiffing Indeed yes 😉
@@RatherBeRiffing I'm curious............Have you ever seen a tone comparison between a '50s Les Paul Standard w/P90s as compared to the mahogany topped Les Paul Custom w/P90 and Staple pickup? I'm giving this video a second listen, I really enjoy your phrasing, thank you.
@@hkguitar1984I have not. I’d love to add a 50’s style gold top with P-90’s to the collection someday!
@@RatherBeRiffing Yeah, I picked up an R4 Goldtop, I love the wraptail and often wondered how an all mahogany carved top would sound.
The Orca is everything I would want in a single cut. I still kick myself for not buying the one I came across.
What amp are you using
Two Rock Bloomfield Drive and Blankenship Twinplex in stereo with two Suhr Reactive loads.
Jonathan please note you just have sense of rhythm ❤.
Thank you
The Huber for the Victory. Gibson hasn't been in the running for a very long time. What have they really done since leaving Parsons? Slash model..(a copy of a copy) or they keep trying and updating what they USED to make, so in essence they are doing copies for upwards of 8g or more LOL. The Huber seems to take the best of old School Gibson and mix in some of flash PRS has.. great looking and sounding guitars.
I appreciate the legacy design but my heart is more into modern renditions by boutique builders.
@RatherBeRiffing there are a few with cool takes for sure
@@RatherBeRiffing I'll take Heritage h150 over anything Gibson is doing since the move.
Strato→Custom24→McCarty→Singlecut→Les Paul→Telecaster
Here's my sound chart. What do you think?
The difference between Nik Huber is like the difference between American and German cars. And it is quite high-end.
💥
🤘🙏🏻
Orca 59 all the way!
It's such a fine instrument!
Orca is better looking for sure and by miles, sound is slightly "better" with the Les Paul. Don't know how Gibson does it, but it is.
The nitro gloss on the gibson is gorgeous to look at. I think the Gibson looks way more mature looking
The Gybson has a bit of more PRESENCE .....thats the only difference to me
More high end on the orca
Two stunning guitars in the hands of an even more stunnibg guitarist. Too bad that G and their new management have become so awfully arrogant. I don't want anything to do with this company anymore so I sold my G guitars.
Thanks for the kind words!
I’m pretty surprised that I found the Gibson actually sounded better.
I find it to be a really great example and am always surprised by it when it’s back in rotation.
The Gibson sounds brighter
I hear that as well
Did I miss it or you didn't mention the obvious fact that the Gibson has a much stable and longer sustain? The Huber holds the sustain and after a short while sounds like it got tired of holding it and just drops it too quickly. Gibson unfortunately sounds better in the mix. Don't replace the Gibson.
I didn’t notice but am curious to listen back for that. Agree that Gibson is voiced better for this mix.
Gibson may have better sustain
Great video as always... the two guitars are killer. i prefer the orca because i love thta modern touches...question...i see that the Orca has top wrap and the gibson not ... why ? is this for something special? and for you top wrap or not top wrap?... greetings from the sunny Barcelona
Thanks as always! I prefer the Orca for those reasons as well. The stock setup had a little too much string tension for my preference. I chose to top wrap it to give it a more slinky feel. I also use 9.5 strings on it instead of my normal 10 gauge. That really helped it feel more like a 24.75” scale length rather than 25”.
well, you could go more easy on that chorus next time... wishywashy. on principle id say orca its quite tame, well behaved. that paul really comes through. even if im biased against gibson. try a thorndal or a maybach lp next. great stuff!
Thanks! I'll be on the lookout to try those suggestions!
This whole better/worse discussion is pointless and boring.
These are two different guitars , they are built different, sound different, look different.
The rest is simple personal taste. Apples and oranges…
Les Paul is a better guitar
you're honestly asking if an 8k custom les paul is good enough to replace a low quality gibson? You can find plenty of les pauls better than that gibson in the 1k to 1.5k price range. This is one of those "comparison" videos where the guy is really just trying to get you to listen to his playing.