• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: Gibson Les Paul Standard

<img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_mad.gif" border=0 alt="Mad">

1)I ask myself everytime to find a decent answer, about the "famous Gibson Les Paul Standard produced in 1958, 1959 and 1960. The price of 1 guitar is at this moment, for a guitar in a more or less good shape, between 150.000$ and 250.000$, you will have more succes if you buy with that money an Astor Martin. There were some new things: PAF humbuckers.

2) What about a reissue of these models, same material, also equiped with PAF's, IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN SOUND?

while you don't see those guitars, between the original 1959 and the reissue 1959.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

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  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: Gibson Les Paul Standard

Yes, they are made to original specs but the tonal difference would be in the seasoning of the wood. 49 years of aging, when cared for properly the woods tonal charecteristic mature around

the twenty year mark.


Bootlegger.

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Gibson Les Paul Standard

What's going on with this seasoning BL? Ok so volatile components are leaving the wood cells but is the wood really that much denser as to make a tonal difference?


I thought those old guitars sold for a high value just because the buyer wants a genuine bit of rock'n'roll history, to feel an authentic connection with the bluesmen of old. Tonewise I'd think there will be loose fittings and old-fashioned electrics even on the best looked after guitar, unless we are talking fully-reconditioned and upgraded here?

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: Gibson Les Paul Standard

The best way to explain tonal qualities of aged wood versus new. Typically fresh cut wood is kiln dried until it has a moisture content of 13 to 15%. Not too dry that it will crack. New wood is like a new pair of Levi's blue jeans a bit stiff until their broken in. Once you've had them a while they begin to feel comfortable.


Once their old and worn in they feel great. Once you wood has ages the tonal qualities are more subdue and warm. Your correct to say that they do not get any denser but like wine they get better with age.



That's why strativarius volins go for a million. They sound amazing tone wise in the right hands.


Electronics are a crap shoot some times true. But now a days everything is driven by the mighty dollar, pound or what ever currency you use. Build stuff cheaper and faster and make a bigger profit. But why are pickup manufactures trying to wind for vintage sound? Different material composition and technologies or lack of were around when the original's were made. The instruments were made by persons, hand made with minimal machines. Abigal Yabarra still winds pickups by hand for Fender. (and her customs ain't cheap)


The original electric guitar (Mr.Leo Fender, Paul Bigsby & Mr.Les Paul) pioneers had a dream and kept it simple.