2020. 2. 18. 05:47ㆍ카테고리 없음
Finding the Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul That’s Right for You and Your Budget. First, we’ll put the in its historical context, then we’ll walk you through the many models available today. Use this guide to pinpoint the Les Paul that matches up with your music, your style, and your budget. Table of ContentsThe Les Paul Legacy—A Brief HistoryEpiphone Les Paul SeriesGibson USA Les Paul SeriesGibson Custom Shop Les Paul ModelsWhy Buy Your Les Paul from Musician's Friend?Need More Help?About Our Private Reserve CollectionGlossary of Les Paul Terms The Les Paul Legacy—A Brief HistoryThe guitar that bears Les Paul’s name is among the most iconic instruments that have helped shape the sound of popular music. Since its introduction in 1952, the LP’s rich, thick, midrange-focused tone, coupled with a prodigious ability to sustain notes has had a huge impact on the sound of rock, blues, metal, and those genres' modern offshoots.Though there’s some controversy about exactly who contributed what elements, it’s clear that the LP was the result of a fateful collaboration between Gibson president Ted McCarty and Les Paul, the brilliant country and jazz guitarist and compulsive inventor and tinkerer.
The trajectory of Gibson’s product line and Paul’s search for an electric guitar with more sustain and less feedback made that collaboration more or less inevitable. First Came The ClunkerLes Paul had struggled for years with the feedback generated by electric hollowbody guitars when their volume was cranked up. In the early 1940s he bought an Epiphone Broadway hollowbody and retrofitted it with his own hand-wound pickups and a rectangular steel bar body brace.
Though “The Clunker,” as Paul nicknamed it, partially overcame feedback, it wasn’t until he began experimenting with solidbody designs that feedback was fully tamed. Then Came The LogHis solidbody prototype called “The Log” had a body made from a solid chunk of pine that was just a bit wider than the neck and fretboard, and a little deeper than a standard hollowbody guitar.
Paul attached two wooden wings on either side of the slab giving The Log roughly the appearance of a conventional archtop guitar. Unlovely to look at, it delivered on Paul’s aim to get feedback under control. Around 1946, he took his design to Gibson, but the company didn’t bite. And Finally, the Les Paul was BornIt took several years and the introduction of a highly successful solidbody electric guitar by a certain California guitar company to bring Gibson around.
The result was the Les Paul introduced in 1952. Unlike the upstart from the West Coast with it’s its flashy, modernistic styling, slab body, bolt-on neck, and twangy tone, Gibson focused on building a solidbody instrument that retained the look of its carved-top hollowbody guitars, sharing their set-neck construction and trapeze tailpiece.The Les Paul would eventually be offered in four models during the ‘50s and early ‘60s—the Custom, Standard, Special, and Junior. The LP took the guitar world by storm. Its solid mahogany body with a thin maple cap solved the age-old problem of feedback while producing remarkable sustain, and it’s ornate Florentine cutaway facilitated high-note soloing. Initially equipped with dual P-90 single-coil pickups, the introduction of Gibson’s PAF (Patent Applied For) humbucking pickup eliminated the hum that plagued electric guitars with single-coil pickups while delivering the fat, thick tone that has become a sonic hallmark of the Les Paul.In 1957 the Les Paul Custom came to market with its dual PAFs. A three-pickup version followed.
Beginning in the early 1970s, Gibson has released dozens of variations of the LP, and the guitar has only grown in stature. Oddly though, in the early 1960s the Les Paul fell out of favor due to issues of weight and cost as well as a perception that it was a bit old-fashioned. But starting in the mid-’60s, British artists such as Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Jimmy Page, who all loved its thick, rock- and blues-friendly tone, rekindled interest in the LP. This resulted in the 1968 resumption of LP production. Everybody Loves the LPThe list of artists who have wielded Les Pauls is legion.
As noted above, it was British blues rockers like Clapton who led the way to the LP’s resurgence. They had been listening to LP-brandishing guitarists such as Texas bluesman Freddie King and his rollicking instrumental “Hideaway,” and to Howlin’ Wolf axman Hubert Sumlin’s stinging riffs on “Smokestack Lightning.” And they wanted some of that sound too!On this side of the Atlantic it was Michael Bloomfield who helped cement the LP’s position as the go-to electric among heavy rock and blues players. The phenomenally talented Chicago native first owned a 1954 Les Paul goldtop, later trading up for the ‘59 LP Standard with which he’s most closely associated. The fat yet clean sound of Bloomfield’s LP was an urgent driving force in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band—for a time Dylan’s electric backup band that caused a ruckus at the Newport Folk Festival. In 2009 Gibson’s Custom Shop, recognizing Bloomfield’s contribution to LP lore, produced a painstaking limited-edition reproduction of his axe, replete with battle scars and Bloomfield’s mods.A list of the other signature and tribute Les Pauls that Gibson has built invoke some of the most stellar names in modern music. They include Jimmy Page, Slash, Joe Perry, Ace Frehley, Marc Bolan, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Billie Joe Armstrong, and dozens more. As we explore the many Les Paul models available today, we’ll touch on some of these special editions.
Epiphone Les Paul SeriesThe connection between inventor-musician Les Paul and Epiphone dates back to the late 1930s. In fact, Paul’s “The Log” was built during after-hours tinkering sessions in Epiphone’s New York plant, and the musician was a frequent consultant on designs, offering the insights of both a seasoned performer and audio innovator.In 1957 Gibson acquired Epiphone, a long-standing rival in the market for hollowbody electric guitars. After the buyout, Epiphone instruments were built in Gibson’s factories and shared many of the same woods and components used in Gibson’s product line.
Many Epiphone guitars were essentially identical to their Gibson counterparts.Beginning in the 1970s, most Epiphone instruments were built in Japan and later in Korea. Continuing today, Epiphone guitars are built in Asian plants to Gibson’s exacting specifications. Having less hand work and less costly woods, hardware, and finishes than their U.S.-made counterparts, Epiphone versions of Gibson models offer excellent value for budget-conscious guitarists.Let’s look at the lineup of series and models: Epiphone Les Paul Standard SeriesThe Epiphone Les Paul Standard series extends the LP legacy with a number of models loaded with essential Paul features, but at a fraction of the cost of a Gibson. For instance, the Standard Plain Top features a mahogany body with a maple veneer top, a set mahogany neck, and a pair of Alnico Classic humbuckers, for plenty of rich, warm tones with tons of sustain.There’s also a a model with a breathtaking flamed maple carved top and dual ProBucker pickups that offers amazing bang for the buck.
The delivers classic, thick humbucker tone at a bargain price. Epiphone Les Paul Traditional PRO-IIAn Alnico Classic PRO neck pickup and ProBucker-3 in the bridge combined with coil splitting plus an active 15dB boost add up to awesome tonal versatility.
The ‘60s SlimTaper neck and back receive a special broken-in finish treatment while the rosewood fretboard has traditional trapezoid inlays in mother of pearl. Equipped with Grover tuners and a LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge, the Limited Edition Les Paul Traditional PRO-II is a truly sweet deal with its friendly price tag. The cranks out classic PAF tones and many more thanks to coil tapping and an active 15dB boost control. Epiphone Les Paul SLAimed squarely at new guitarists who have more enthusiasm than budget, the Les Paul SL Electric Guitar is the least costly LP made by Epiphone.
Its thinner poplar body and SlimTaper boilt-on neck are easier for younger, smaller players to handle. A pair of ceramic single-coil pickups churn out authentic rock’n’ roll snarl. The ‘60s-era truss rod cover and headstock logo evoke vintage Les Pauls while the palette of available finish colors range from classic to contemporary. The super-affordable Electric Guitar makes a great first guitar. Epiphone Les Paul Custom SeriesThe original Gibson LP Custom introduced in 1954 was nicknamed “The Black Beauty” for its striking monochrome cosmetics.
Its other moniker, “The Fretless Wonder,” referred to its low frets and slinky action. Dispensing with the maple cap of the original Paul, it had a carved mahogany top and was equipped with the newly introduced Tune-O-Matic bridge and sported more elaborate inlays and binding. Later versions would be produced with two or three PAF humbuckers—the latter configuration with a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece was Jimmy Page’s go-to session guitar.Epiphone continues to uphold the Custom’s legacy offering affordable models in various configurations. The is a great case in point. Its beautiful black-and-white cosmetics and gold hardware are reminders of the first “tuxedo” LPs.
Electronics are all business with Probucker 2 and 3 pickups featuring coil splitting and phase reversal for a range of tones vintage LPs can’t summon up. Deluxe appointments and powerful pickups with coil splitting and phase reversal make the not only a looker but a fierce performer.Check out the complete collection of. Epiphone Les Paul Tribute PlusThe Tribute Plus commemorates the long-standing friendship between Les Paul and Epiphone’s owner, Epi Stathopoulos. Incorporating time-tested LP virtues with a pair of Gibson USA ‘57 Classic humbuckers, it has push pull tone pots for series/parallel switching.
Premium hardware and electronics plus an included hard case make the Tribute a phenomenal value. Memorializing Les Paul’s friendship with Epiphone’s founder, push-pull tone pots make the a versatile tone machine. Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-IIIBeneath its traditional profile and ProBucker pickups, the Ultra-III is armed with digital-age capabilities that its namesake would surely have relished. A NanoMag pickup embedded in the fretboard creates shimmering acoustic guitar tones that can be combined with the humbuckers. Output options include stereo and USB connections—the latter giving you access to free GuitarRig LE software for limitless creativity and fun.
A full-function chromatic tuner built into the bridge pickup ring also keeps you posted on which pups are activated. This is definitely not your daddy’s Les Paul!
You can do astonishing things with the NanoMag pickup and a USB port.Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX/GXBoth versions—the EX and GX—have a sweet-looking quilted maple veneer top and a super-sleek SpeedTaper neck for fleet fretting. They part company where electronics are concerned however. The EX is designed for high-gain players looking for the extreme output of EMG 81/185 active pickups.
The GX features Gibson USA's powerful 490R/498T humbucker combination with push/pull coil-tapping for each pickup. The EX comes in your choice of Midnight Ebony or Midnight Sapphire. The GX is available in Black Cherry and Cherry Sunburst. Choose the pickups that match your music with either an EX- or GX-configured.Epiphone Les Paul StudioWhen Gibson debuted the original LP Studio in 1983, cosmetics were downplayed in favor of sonic performance and shoulder-friendly weight reduction. The same is true with its Epiphone counterpart. Dual open-coil Alnico Classic pickups and a LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge deliver classic Paul sound and performance.
Currently, Epiphone offers Studio versions with dot-inlaid fingerboards as well as an all-black version with dark cosmetics plus a kill switch for big transitions. Flamed maple gives the looks far beyond its minimal price tag.Shop all Epiphone Les Paul Performance PacksEpiphone has the new guitarist in mind with its. They come complete with everything you need to start jamming right out of the box, and are an awesome value.
Take the Epiphone Slash “AFD” Les Paul Guitar Outfit. You get a dual-humbucker LP Special-II Guitar, a sweet little 2-channel 15-watt Slash Snakepit amp, plus all the extras like a gig bag, strap, cable, picks and access to online eMedia guitar lessons. The Epiphone Slash “AFD” Performance Pack is an amazingly sweet deal for the developing hard-rock/metal/blues player. Gibson USA Les PaulsBuilt in their Nashville facility, continue to maintain their flagship status well into their sixth decade of production. Modern Gibsons are just as much a copy of the 58,59,60 etc masterpieces as those made by Tokai, Edwards, etc. different luthiers, using different machinery and tools to replicate a guitar of the past.I'll put my Tokai LSS195 Special up against any 'real' LP Special or my Hibiki Tokai Custom Shop HLS240 up against any R9.the idea that Gibsons are better or more 'real' is absurd.I don't buy Tokai, Greco, Burny, etc. Because I can't afford a GibsonStevie Ray used a Tokai Springy sounds Strat, not a Fender.Slash.
Until paid off by Gibson, used a LP made by a US luthier. Guitarists from Elliot Easton of the Cars, to Ace Frehley, etc.
Have used Greco, Burny and other Japanese makesBilly Gibbons frequently plays Tokai Les Pauls in addition to his 1959 Gibson Pearly Gates. No, I think you miss the point.The original Les Paul was a great guitar despite being a commercial flop. And of course later it's greatness was recognized.Then Gibson reintroduced it- I notice the article glosses over the pancake Norlin era controversyThe modern Gibsons are JUST AS MUCH A COPY of what Gibson made in 58,59 etc as the ones made by Tokai et alGibson is so threatened by these companies they sue and lose and their company has gone so downhill as to rank 5th worst in the country to work for by Glassdoor.Hint: employees with terrible morale don't tend to equal good quality control and Gibson has been plagued by thatI care about good guitars - not the name on a headstock. A Les Paul is defined ultimately by components, production methods, quality and the resulting guitar.
And by those metrics, the MIJs like Tokai, Greco, Burny are as good and in many cases better. I don't think you've done you're homework properly.
I've owned over 20 epiphones, and while most of them were probably not as good as a good 2k-3k Gibson, there are a few made with carved maple top and Gibson pickups, switch, wiring and pots good quality, and are as good playing and sounding as the 1.5k -3k Gibby's, and better than anything less than 1.5k, in most cases, but not all cases. I own a few of these jewels. Best bang for the buck I can guarantee!! I've put years of research into this. But, having said that, aside from the diamonds I own, there are lower end lower quality ones that are still decent guitars for those just getting started, getting back into it, who are on a budget. I'm grateful for the fact that they have manufacturers making them available. Thx for all of the comments and the discussion.
It's one of the hottest most contested arguments in music IMHO.:). Remember Gibson owns Epiphone. It is just not a replica it is designed to the exact specs of LP. The only veneer is on the top.
I own both Gibson and Epiphone LP's. They have the new Pro Buckers vintage humbucking pickups based on gibsons burst buckers same windings and material used in the 57 LP's. It is also equipped with grover machine heads. Each of my guitars has its own unique quality. I perform on stage with both guitars.
Zak Wylde owns several Epiphones. I suggest you try for yourself. Remember Les Pauls signature are on these fine instruments just as he puts on Gibson. Here's what I know about the Recording LP. I bought mine used in @ 1975 from E.M.
Shorts Music in Wichita. It cost me $350 at that time.
A screaming bargain though I didn't know it. I was just starting to play and a guitarist friend helped me select it. My understanding is that it was made only in one year, 1972. I read in an interview with Les Paul that appeared in Guitar Player magazine (I think) in about 1975 or 76 (I think) that he stated that it was his favorite LP, I believe because it had switchable output impedance built in, i.e.
Les Paul Gibson
You can plug it into an amp as usual, or directly into a board with 600 ohms. It seems very heavy, as heavy as any LP I've ever played.
I've seen them advertised on ebay before, but mine is the only one I've ever seen 'in the flesh'. Mine is a mahogany burst finish which may have been refinished. I have a LP Deluxe. I was told it was a '68 when I bought it, and then discovered some '73 parts in the pickups. It was common to switch pickups in the Deluxe to whatever suited your taste because of the less expensive starting point.
Gibson Les Paul Custom Classic
I've heard that most '68's were gold tops, but Gibson also had some sunburst bodies they wanted to use up as sales for LP were down - the reason for the creation of the less expensive Deluxe. Mine is a sunburst so I always wonder. About ten years ago there was a LP Deluxe reissue with the same mini humbuckers as mine has. The mini humbucker is both bright and fat with a quality of its own. It would be nice to see the history of the Deluxe included in this wonderful collection.