A Couple Of Gibson-ish Questions
Andrew Cockburn
Mar 23 2007, 03:36 PM
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Whilst I've been playing electric a long time, I'm a bit of a newb when it comes to different guitars and gear. I took 10 years to figure out I wasn't really a Strat guy, and love my new Variax, but feel I should embrace Gibson on some level (you may have seen my thread on SG vs LP).

I'm, going to try them both, maybe this weekend, but I'm still curious how Gibsons, particularly the LP differ from Strats in terms of their layout for want of a better term. My Variax has a longer fretboard, and I think a wider neck, both of which work well for me. Would a Les Paul be similar? How about the SG? I find the Strat hopelessly crowded for playing now.

And a second question for Amp experts out there (you know who you are smile.gif ) - A lot of people say Strat into Marshal is a classic combination. Would there be any similar classic Amp for a Les Paul? I know that its all down to what I like at the end of the day, and I will of course try all of this out for real before I shell out any dollars, but I am interested to hear what the more knowledgeable think.

Thanks,

Andrew

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MickeM
Mar 23 2007, 04:30 PM
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At my last rehearsal really, this tuesday I got a feeling I should drop my LP. I'm in two bands with different approaches, while one (the tuesday band) play straight forward rock I'm been using my LP there to get the right sound the other does Dream Theater where I use my Ibanez.
It's quite a different feel to play them both but lately I've started to enjoy my Ibanez to the extent my LP feels like crap. i like everything about the Ibanez a lot better, its fretsize, its thin neck and more. It really feels a lot more playable while the LP is starting to get harder to play since the frets feels so tiny. The LP got neck variations and I don't know what mine is called though.
The two guitars I've played before that feels good, besides Ibanez, are Charvel and Jackson.

If you had asked me 6 months ago I'd say a Gibson LP is great, now I'm in favor of the Ibanez and that's kind of a problem since it's pu's is a bit too hot for the rock covers stuff.
Today is not a good day for me since I started yesterday to fantasise about the Ibanez Paul Gilbert model and to kick my Strat and LP out the door.

A classic amp for a LP.. Marshall !!!!! :-)
But !!!! I'm a bit split nowadays about Marshall in general. I've been looking and looking to find one where you don't have to turn the knobs full right to make it sound great. I was choosing between the Marshall DSL and the one I decided for in the end, Hughes & Kettner Switchblade. There's a H&K 50W combo available now btw. It's a lot of fun, got a MIDI footswitch and 128 programmable sounds... and yes, it's still a valve amp. Of course! ;-)
I favour the modern sounding amps a bit now rather than the "brown"-sound Marshall. One reason is that they just don't sound good on low. So for me, if I was to recommend anything, either the H&K Switchblade I already have or an ENGL Powerball. Lots of power and still sound descent on low.
For a Marshall, maybe the DSL or the new JVM.
To go with the head, a 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30's.
Problem with these are if you want to play at bedroom levels..... right now, I don't know what to go for regarding bedroom playing. Another problem is that you can't really push them to their full potential since they are are 100W. On the bright side, the valves will last forever.

If you're up for a 30W I suggest you look at Vox. The... man.. slipped my mind, AC30C2 or something. Beats my Peavey Classic 30. Laney has a TT50 model that's versatile, a VC30 which is more bluesy and the LC30 which probably I'd get today instead of the Peavey. Hmmm... probably I should...


EDIT: AC30CC it's called, not what I said. Custom Classic.
CustomClassic video

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This post has been edited by MickeM: Mar 23 2007, 04:49 PM
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Robin
Mar 23 2007, 04:41 PM
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The neck is TOTALLY different, personally I cant stand playing strats. I have a Gibson explorer studio and its sooooo smooth tongue.gif my guitar got a much more metal sound, I guess, than strat, atleast the strat I have. I havent really played les paul or Sg much, just tried a epiphone les paul a long time ago.
I'm a total newb with gear aswell, but this is the difference I notice atleast.

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Andrew Cockburn
Mar 23 2007, 04:51 PM
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QUOTE (MickeM @ Mar 23 2007, 11:30 AM) *
At my last rehearsal really, this tuesday I got a feeling I should drop my LP. I'm in two bands with different approaches, while one (the tuesday band) play straight forward rock I'm been using my LP there to get the right sound the other does Dream Theater where I use my Ibanez.
It's quite a different feel to play them both but lately I've started to enjoy my Ibanez to the extent my LP feels like crap. i like everything about the Ibanez a lot better, its fretsize, its thin neck and more. It really feels a lot more playable while the LP is starting to get harder to play since the frets feels so tiny. The LP got neck variations and I don't know what mine is called though.
The two guitars I've played before that feels good, besides Ibanez, are Charvel and Jackson.

If you had asked me 6 months ago I'd say a Gibson LP is great, now I'm in favor of the Ibanez and that's kind of a problem since it's pu's is a bit too hot for the rock covers stuff.
Today is not a good day for me since I started yesterday to fantasise about the Ibanez Paul Gilbert model and to kick my Strat and LP out the door.

A classic amp for a LP.. Marshall !!!!! :-)
But !!!! I'm a bit split nowadays about Marshall in general. I've been looking and looking to find one where you don't have to turn the knobs full right to make it sound great. I was choosing between the Marshall DSL and the one I decided for in the end, Hughes & Kettner Switchblade. There's a H&K 50W combo available now btw. It's a lot of fun, got a MIDI footswitch and 128 programmable sounds... and yes, it's still a valve amp. Of course! ;-)
I favour the modern sounding amps a bit now rather than the "brown"-sound Marshall. One reason is that they just don't sound good on low. So for me, if I was to recommend anything, either the H&K Switchblade I already have or an ENGL Powerball. Lots of power and still sound descent on low.
For a Marshall, maybe the DSL or the new JVM.
To go with the head, a 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30's.
Problem with these are if you want to play at bedroom levels..... right now, I don't know what to go for regarding bedroom playing. Another problem is that you can't really push them to their full potential since they are are 100W. On the bright side, the valves will last forever.

If you're up for a 30W I suggest you look at Vox. The... man.. slipped my mind, AC30C2 or something. Beats my Peavey Classic 30. Laney has a TT50 model that's versatile, a VC30 which is more bluesy and the LC30 which probably I'd get today instead of the Peavey. Hmmm... probably I should...


laugh.gif 50% introspection, 50% advice ! Thanks, I appreciate the info - I fully intend to add an Ibanez to my collection at some point, everyone seems to agree that they are the ultimate for speed. But, although I'm interested in nailing the techniques, I'm not a true shredder at heart, and I may well be at the LP stage. Maybe Ibanez will come later, or maybe I'll play one and fall in love all over again, we'll see. Of course he good thing about guitars is that you can have more than one without getting into trouble laugh.gif

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My Stuff:

Electric Guitars : Ibanez Jem7v, Line6 Variax 700, Fender Plus Strat with 57/62 Pickups, Line6 Variax 705 Bass
Acoustic Guitars : Taylor 816ce, Martin D-15, Line6 Variax Acoustic 300 Nylon
Effects : Line6 Helix, Keeley Modded Boss DS1, Keeley Modded Boss BD2, Keeley 4 knob compressor, Keeley OxBlood
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rokchik
Mar 24 2007, 03:40 AM
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I wouldn't say I'm an expert or anything (not even close) but I do have a LP and I love it. It was a toss up in the store between the LP and a Strat but I just loved the tone of the Gibson better. I find the fret size fine but I have a small hand. I tried both a 50 style neck and a 60's style. I found the 50's style like playing the wide end of a baseball bat as like I said my hands aren't that big and I just found it hard to move around on the fret board. I went with the 60's neck and I haven't had any trouble. The only issue I have is the weight. It's very bottom heavy and i find that it tends to slide off my leg sometimes as I play if sitting. This may just be me but that's my only problem.
As for an amp I have a Vox AC30VT and I love the sound. It's not the classic LP/Marshall that everyone I spoke with about it when looking for an amp told me to get but I love it. With all the built in effects and amp settings I find I can get the exact sound I want. (except with the auto Wah setting. I find that crap.) Not sure if this was helpful.

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Andrew Cockburn
Mar 24 2007, 03:25 PM
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QUOTE (rokchik @ Mar 23 2007, 10:40 PM) *
I wouldn't say I'm an expert or anything (not even close) but I do have a LP and I love it. It was a toss up in the store between the LP and a Strat but I just loved the tone of the Gibson better. I find the fret size fine but I have a small hand. I tried both a 50 style neck and a 60's style. I found the 50's style like playing the wide end of a baseball bat as like I said my hands aren't that big and I just found it hard to move around on the fret board. I went with the 60's neck and I haven't had any trouble. The only issue I have is the weight. It's very bottom heavy and i find that it tends to slide off my leg sometimes as I play if sitting. This may just be me but that's my only problem.
As for an amp I have a Vox AC30VT and I love the sound. It's not the classic LP/Marshall that everyone I spoke with about it when looking for an amp told me to get but I love it. With all the built in effects and amp settings I find I can get the exact sound I want. (except with the auto Wah setting. I find that crap.) Not sure if this was helpful.


Thanks Rokchik - I didn't know the difference between the necks until I read your post!

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My Stuff:

Electric Guitars : Ibanez Jem7v, Line6 Variax 700, Fender Plus Strat with 57/62 Pickups, Line6 Variax 705 Bass
Acoustic Guitars : Taylor 816ce, Martin D-15, Line6 Variax Acoustic 300 Nylon
Effects : Line6 Helix, Keeley Modded Boss DS1, Keeley Modded Boss BD2, Keeley 4 knob compressor, Keeley OxBlood
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rokchik
Mar 24 2007, 04:01 PM
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Posts: 2.729
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QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Mar 24 2007, 11:25 AM) *
Thanks Rokchik - I didn't know the difference between the necks until I read your post!



No problem. The actual name is a 60's slim taper neck which I forgot to mention. I never knew the diffence either until I was cruising the Gibson web site and noticed. I figured I better try both if I could before I made a decision. I'm not sure if the 60's neck is available on all models of LP you'd have to check that out but I found the Gibson site pretty helpful as far as comparing different LP's...on paper anyways. But I was some happy in the store when I signed my credit card reciept and realized I was now a proud owner of a LP.( Also as a women any time you shop it's awesome) It was well worth the cash!

I'm so glad I stumbled across this website. none of my friends play and they all look at me like I have two heads when I start talking guitar.

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Andrew Cockburn
Mar 24 2007, 05:32 PM
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QUOTE (rokchik @ Mar 24 2007, 11:01 AM) *
No problem. The actual name is a 60's slim taper neck which I forgot to mention. I never knew the diffence either until I was cruising the Gibson web site and noticed. I figured I better try both if I could before I made a decision. I'm not sure if the 60's neck is available on all models of LP you'd have to check that out but I found the Gibson site pretty helpful as far as comparing different LP's...on paper anyways. But I was some happy in the store when I signed my credit card reciept and realized I was now a proud owner of a LP.( Also as a women any time you shop it's awesome) It was well worth the cash!

I'm so glad I stumbled across this website. none of my friends play and they all look at me like I have two heads when I start talking guitar.


Thanks, I'll definitely check out the Gibson site to try and figure out the difference between all of the LP variations - also, going to the guitar shop today to try a few out as well smile.gif

Yeah, even guys appreciate shopping when its for stuff like Guitars, Amps, effects smile.gif This site really rocks - I left all my guitar buddies behind when I moved to the US a year ago, so its great to hang out with like minded people!

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My Stuff:

Electric Guitars : Ibanez Jem7v, Line6 Variax 700, Fender Plus Strat with 57/62 Pickups, Line6 Variax 705 Bass
Acoustic Guitars : Taylor 816ce, Martin D-15, Line6 Variax Acoustic 300 Nylon
Effects : Line6 Helix, Keeley Modded Boss DS1, Keeley Modded Boss BD2, Keeley 4 knob compressor, Keeley OxBlood
Amps : Epiphone Valve Jnr & Head, Cockburn A.C.1, Cockburn A.C.2, Blackstar Club 50 Head & 4x12 Cab
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