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.

 

[Stiman]

Ever since I sold off my Gibson LP Standard 60s (it was too heavy to play sitting down. I know, I'm a wimp), I've been itching to get a Les Paul that does work for me.

I'm kind torn between the new Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio and the new IBG Epiphone Les Paul Custom. They are wildly different, I know.

Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio
Pros:
- real Gibson
- light
- ebony board
- 490R/480T pickups

Cons:
- satin finish sadly
- no HSC

IBG Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Pros:
- 490R/498T pickups
- that Custom LP look
- HSC
- about $1,400 CAD cheaper than the Modern Studio
- they seem to be in the 8 to high 8 lbs range (perfect weight)

Cons:
- not a real Gibson (but has the Gibson head stock shape!)


Such a tough choice. I've also looked into finding a used Gibson LP Classic. That was the logical choice, as it's almost the same as a Standard but with the weight relief (yay!!) but the few that I've found were actually heavier than my Standard was. Pretty weird. I could also find a used previous iteration LP Studio, but then I would lose the ebony board...

 

[budda]

@Stiman 90s studios have ebony and for certain years the classic was chambered vs 9-hole weight relief.

Finally got the lpc out with a drummer

 

[pahulkster]

Top hats. I set up my Heritage with two regular and two reflectors to give it a Greeny vibe. My Gibson and Epiphone LPs both have speed knobs so I'm not die hard or anything. Might change them on the Epiphone at some point but I want to keep my Gibson stock for some reason.

 

[wiretap]

Ever since I sold off my Gibson LP Standard 60s (it was too heavy to play sitting down. I know, I'm a wimp), I've been itching to get a Les Paul that does work for me.

I'm kind torn between the new Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio and the new IBG Epiphone Les Paul Custom. They are wildly different, I know.

Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio
Pros:
- real Gibson
- light
- ebony board
- 490R/480T pickups

Cons:
- satin finish sadly
- no HSC

IBG Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Pros:
- 490R/498T pickups
- that Custom LP look
- HSC
- about $1,400 CAD cheaper than the Modern Studio
- they seem to be in the 8 to high 8 lbs range (perfect weight)

Cons:
- not a real Gibson (but has the Gibson head stock shape!)


Such a tough choice. I've also looked into finding a used Gibson LP Classic. That was the logical choice, as it's almost the same as a Standard but with the weight relief (yay!!) but the few that I've found were actually heavier than my Standard was. Pretty weird. I could also find a used previous iteration LP Studio, but then I would lose the ebony board...

I’ve heard both good and bad about those new IBGC LPC’s but the two GC’s closest to my house have yet to stock any. Saw one was in stock a little south in Miami but not gonna suffer through the traffic just to check out a guitar lol. Curious to see how they stack up to like LTD’s and other brands imports at the same price point. Assuming it was up to par with those I’d take that over a studio all day, myself.

 

[Stiman]

Yeah, certainly the looks are no compromise, and with the Gibson pickups, it just comes down to making sure the fretwork is good (and the weight!).

No store near me has the IBG LPCs yet either. They should be getting them in in the fall I believe.

 

[JSKrev]

I don't own an LP anymore, but I do have this '82 335s Deluxe with Wolfetone Marshallheads.