The Les Paul thread

[wiretap]

The one I posted, that neck was refinished given how brown it is.

Yeah, that neck looks nearly black in that photo lol

 

[Jon Pearson]

So what's everyone's opinion on control knobs for LPs? I've got speed knobs on mine right now, but I've always been partial to lampshades, BUT I'm thinking maybe reflectors could be cool.

 

[wiretap]

So what's everyone's opinion on control knobs for LPs? I've got speed knobs on mine right now, but I've always been partial to lampshades, BUT I'm thinking maybe reflectors could be cool.

Depends on the guitar for me, but generally, I really like reflectors. Two of mine have them, the other has speed knobs but they’re old/yellowed and are cool so no plans to swap them. Comfort-wise, I think the speed knobs are superior than other types but reflectors look cooler, haha. I tried some witch-hats at one point but hated the feel.

 

[budda]

So what's everyone's opinion on control knobs for LPs? I've got speed knobs on mine right now, but I've always been partial to lampshades, BUT I'm thinking maybe reflectors could be cool.

Depends on the finish mostly, for me. I think speed knobs look worse 99% of the time compared to bell/lampshade ones. Reflector is finish depending vs black or amber. I generally leave everything on 10 99% of the time so grip is not a factor. My 68ri has fender type knobs and i dont care because again, on 10 most of the time ..

 

[Jon Pearson]

The gold(?) lampshades have always been what look "right" on an LP to me, but I'm thinking reflectors could look cool on the Orville that I posted in here earlier. I maybe get a set of each just to see. I agree that speed knobs don't look very good but are the easiest to grab (of course) - I associate them with my old Epi LP100

 

[crushingpetal]

WTF you'alls talkin' bout bell/lampshade: they're top hats.

 

[Jon Pearson]

WTF you'alls talkin' bout bell/lampshade: they're top hats.

You're right, I actually MEANT top hats and got that mixed up with the PRS lampshades

 

[wiretap]

You're right, I actually MEANT top hats and got that mixed up with the PRS lampshades

I just figured you mean top hats, I don’t follow PRS so I had no fuckin clue wtf a lampshade was. I was like “I guess they kinda look like lampshades??”

 

[Estilo]

I have no idea what knob shape is called what anymore. Aren't top hats the things at the end of Telecaster pickup switches? Not even sure which ones reflectors and bells refer to.

But anyways, I'm gonna voice out an unpopular choice: witch hats, i.e. those things on Jazzmaster and Fender amps. I'm partial to the 70s era Norlin look! Sure, it can cheapen the look of some LPCs but not everything has to look luxurious all the time?

 

[drb]

I'm really into the Les Paul Classic look, with the reflectors, zebra pickups, and plain maple top. I have a plain maple top Les Paul but it's a birth year guitar. So, I'm fighting between keeping it stock for sentimental reasons and modding it to have that look.

Clearly the only option is to buy another Les Paul!

 

[budda]

I have no idea what knob shape is called what anymore. Aren't top hats the things at the end of Telecaster pickup switches? Not even sure which ones reflectors and bells refer to.

But anyways, I'm gonna voice out an unpopular choice: witch hats, i.e. those things on Jazzmaster and Fender amps. I'm partial to the 70s era Norlin look! Sure, it can cheapen the look of some LPCs but not everything has to look luxurious all the time?

68ri custom is witch hats stock fwiw

 

[Jon Pearson]

I have no idea what knob shape is called what anymore. Aren't top hats the things at the end of Telecaster pickup switches? Not even sure which ones reflectors and bells refer to.

But anyways, I'm gonna voice out an unpopular choice: witch hats, i.e. those things on Jazzmaster and Fender amps. I'm partial to the 70s era Norlin look! Sure, it can cheapen the look of some LPCs but not everything has to look luxurious all the time?

I think on a black or white LPC or even Studio those look cool! Norlin guitars are cool to me because they show off the highs and lows of Gibson - you've got some really sick, unique-to-that-era stuff that just works, but then you've also got clown-bursts and other abominable things.

 

[wiretap]

I have no idea what knob shape is called what anymore. Aren't top hats the things at the end of Telecaster pickup switches? Not even sure which ones reflectors and bells refer to.

But anyways, I'm gonna voice out an unpopular choice: witch hats, i.e. those things on Jazzmaster and Fender amps. I'm partial to the 70s era Norlin look! Sure, it can cheapen the look of some LPCs but not everything has to look luxurious all the time?

lol, they DO call a certain telecaster switch tip a top hat also, you’re right there. As far as Gibson knobs go, bell, top hats, and reflectors are the same thing. Bell/top hat just being two different terms and reflectors being the ones with shiny silver/gold caps on the tops. They used the witch hats in the 60s and somewhat in the early 70s but mostly you’ll see reflectors and then a switch to speed knobs around late 78-early 79 but as with all things Norlin, not consistent. I’ve seen some 79s with stock reflectors still.