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Best sounding STOCK Les Paul...

nuclearfishin

Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
45
Ok gang, here's a quick question--what do you all think is the best sounding stock Les Paul from 1980 and newer? I know all the 50's LP's would be first, but I'm looking for what you all think is the best sounding LP right off the rack in the last 20 years or so. Neck size and shape doesn't matter, I'm looking for strictly the best tone.

Let the opinions start rolling...
 

George

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Jul 23, 2002
Messages
1,229
My first R9 is the best sounding, most harmonically complex Les Paul I've ever played, period.
I posted a message on this very forum to that effect 6 or seven years ago, and it's still true.
 

pepejara

Active member
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
2,242
The best stock les paul I have tried is a buddy's "Slash relic" (I think one of those 100 that were made)... Simply amazing, the tone (above all) and the feel and the look!
 

reswot

Active member
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
3,295
If you don't want to get into specific guitars, I'd say that the R7, R8, R9 group would be the best-sounding models. Some are better than others, but, on the average, those would be the ones.
 

LiveOak

New member
Joined
Dec 6, 2006
Messages
237
You can't go wrong with the R7, R8, and R9 group. However, for me, my stock, 2006 LP Standard, 60's neck is the best sounding and playing stock LP I have ever experienced.
 

nuclearfishin

Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
45
Oh man, you guys are killing me! The reason I asked this question is because I just bought the absolute BEST acoustic combo I've ever heard or played, a Doyle Dykes Signature Model and a Rivera Sedona. In an effort to keep things peaceful in the house, I promised to sell a little gear to keep the checkbook even. I currently have a 2003 R9 (braz--the Texas burst) and a killer R7. They both sound almost identical. I was thinking I could sell the R7 and buy a great sounding standard with a little cash left over to reimburse the checking account. I knew both my R7 and R9 sounded killer, but now you all are making me second guess which guitar I should sell. I think I might need to sell my '52 tele reissue now instead. Dang, I thought this would be an easy choice since I have 2 LP's, but of all my guitars, the LP's are what I consistently reach for...
 

pepejara

Active member
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
2,242
Sell the tele! I love teles also, but I wouldn´t sell any of those two les pauls...
 

Progrocker111

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
4,013
My most favourite was perhaps 1973 LP Custom and nowadays my Historic 1957 LP Junior RI.
 

studioguy

New member
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
75
My stock '81 Custom is pretty damn good and compares to my '91 Classic with Duncan Antiquities
 

kht2002

New member
Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Messages
8
My '92 Classic (w the stock ceramic pups) is really amazing. More tones and variants than you can believe. With a 2 channel tube amp and a FullDrive, you get a terrific spectrum of sounds.
 

George

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Joined
Jul 23, 2002
Messages
1,229
Selling my tele would hurt too much. Just get a second job long enough to make the dough that you spent!
 

concert410

Active member
Joined
Jan 17, 2003
Messages
2,388
My '92 Classic (w the stock ceramic pups) is really amazing. More tones and variants than you can believe. With a 2 channel tube amp and a FullDrive, you get a terrific spectrum of sounds.

I have a Stock Classic like that. One of my Classics is just merely a nice guitar. I have no complaints with it. The other Classic is Phenomenal. It just has more tone, more tones, and plays a quite a bit nicer. I played almost every Les Paul in GC and Sam Ash before I settled on these two. They were bought a little over a year apart too.
 

stock_hippie

Les Paul Froum Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2006
Messages
4,247
i havent played a Gibson Les Paul since 1972 when i met a girl
taxi driver who had a new Les Paul Black custom...since then ive been in Hawaii and you just dont see that many LPs out here ....but i do remember that guitar was veryyyyy loud
 

gavindale

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2001
Messages
446
I know it's hard to believe but my first Les Paul (and I own 3 Historics and three other Les Pauls) is still the standard that I use to preview every amp I own. A 1979 "The Paul". The neck, pick ups, and tone have put it in the class of "If I could only keep two" for the desert island. Stock from the word go. Frets are non existant but still plays clean.



Please don't beat me up too bad. :worm :laugh2:
 

passingtime

New member
Joined
May 20, 2009
Messages
13
You're in a tough spot brother but I think you've answered your question in selling the Tele. You can always replace it later if you're so inclined, for less money than a good Les Paul.

As much as I like my '52 RI Tele it's been kind of lonely since I got a Les Paul again.
 
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