You're Looking at a Wall of 20, How do you Select?

Vox · 12-31-03, 03:11 PM

To the vast uLPF resevoir - I need a little insight as I will be doing this next week. Lets say you're looking at a wall of 25, maybe 35+ Les Paul Historics. Forget about the looks for a while, and the year other than 58,59,60 - what is your method for finding the ONE in terms of sound? On one hand this could be a stupid question, on the other I don't want to get bogged down my own myopia. I've played Strats long enough to have a good idea, but am new to the Les paul. Hopefuly it will be obvious! and I'll pick the one that speaks to me - but do you have a step method for selecting your best player out of a large batch? To make matters slighty more complicated they'll have these new chambered Pauls there too.

Happy New Year!

p.s. I'll post a pic or two as soon as I bring one home.

sundaypunch · 12-31-03, 03:28 PM

First of all budget plenty of time. I would take your own amp if it's convenient, it will give you a better feel for the guitar. You probably will settle on a neck profile you like the best so that will narrow it down somewhat. Make sure to do a basic check on each you play beyond just playing music (electronics working, neck bow, fretting out anywhere on the neck, etc.).

With that many to choose from I can't imagine you won't have one or two that jump out at you. It's really no different than picking a Strat. You can always tweak the electronics so I tend to look for playability first. See how each resonates and play all over the neck to see if you have any dead spots.

That sounds like a great time to have that many to pick from :dude

Numbnutz · 12-31-03, 03:34 PM

Lets say you're looking at a wall of 25, maybe 35+ Les Paul Historics.

I have never seen 25 to 35 Historics in one place, ever. You must live near Heaven..........
Dave

Luke Jr · 12-31-03, 03:40 PM

While in LA for work, I spent a week driving around trying all the R8's I could find. Prolly 15, and a few Standards also. I had my main guitar with me at all places. This was just for a tone referance. I pick an amp that I know, or own, and play them all. Many Would not even get past the tuning if I did not get a "vibe".
Some were horibly set up or had Odd size strings( wound G) and so on. Most were very nice and 2 were spectacular. I played a few of them on diff days to be sure. The best one I could not afford. The 2nd best was 2nd due to weight only and the price was just Right! 3rd best was a regular standard, with a nice neck.
I have never owned or even played a nice LP in the 20 years of my playing. So I was carfull to make sure I wanted what I thought I wanted.

I would look at the "wall" and just start. If you are in a Place than has that many....and you are serious, I am sure they will let you go to town. Can you take youre amp?
Take a guitar you really like, even a strat, just to tune you're ear...so to speak.

Otherwise....Just pick the nicest looking ones first and work down

2

oceantoad · 12-31-03, 03:59 PM

Sam Ash across from GC in Hollywood on Sunset has about 40 at least right as you walk in!

1

Numbnutz · 12-31-03, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oceantoad
Sam Ash across from GC in Hollywood on Sunset has about 40 at least right as you walk in!1

I obviously need to get out more. In the Omaha area we have 3 Gibson dealers. 1 has a nice Les Paul stock ( including a few Historics ) all the time, #2 just got their first Historic ever ( they claim ) a month or so ago. #3 has 3 Gibsons in the store.
That's why Steve ( ACE139 ) and I have bought from Music Machine lately. No shortage of Fenders though. Every store has 50 + The Land of Milk & Honey - this ain't !
Dave

THIJS · 01-01-04, 11:09 AM

40.......
aww thats it i'm moving to the states

Guitardon · 01-01-04, 11:31 AM

I would start by selecting the ones I liked the look and weight and take them into a room and A - B them with and without an amp.

Lets say I picked 7 or 8 out of the pile of 40 I would spend time with them. If none of them totally grabbed me I would narrow those down to one or two and go back out and pick the next 7 or 8.

My guess is after 10 or 15 you eigher have found the one or you are so darned confuesed that you go home and catch your breath. I found all of mine at a store that had 15 or more. I did exactally what I suggested and always found one in the first batch I took into the sampling room. I love all the ones I bought and never have had a regret.

I trust the sound without an amp more then with an amp. To me it represents the instruments true resonance. Amps can sound good or bad depending on the room and you mood. The guitar dry either sounds live or flat.

SunburstKid · 01-01-04, 01:48 PM

I pick out the ones I "think" I will like first. Many times, the ones that catch your eye may not catch your ear.

Keep in mind that many guitars hanging in shops are not sporting the set-up they deserve. You can usually tell if they're not set-up properly within the first minute or two of playing.

First, I like to play without an amp. I like to hear what a guitar sounds like on it's own. That may not help you, but it helps me.

When I do plug into an amp, I usually have one of my own amps with me, or use something close to what I'm familiar with.

Also, many guitars are not stored or displayed in an environmentally friendly atmosphere and that will definitely have an effect on playability.

I try to find the one that feels best to me set-up the way it came off the wall. It can almost always be tweaked to your preference later.

There are many variables to take into account when trying to find "the perfect Les Paul", but when you finally come across "the one", you'll know. If you're not totally satisfied, try the next LP or the next shop down the road.

Don't be intimidated. Use your search as a learning experience to become more familiar with the Les Paul type of guitar and a chance to play many unfamiliar guitars. Each instrument has it's own personality.

Basically, it all comes down to what you like to feel while playing your guitar. You're the only one who knows what you want.

Vox · 01-01-04, 03:22 PM

:yay Thanks for all the suggestions\advice so far! I'm getting a good idea for an attack plan here.

bjm007 · 01-01-04, 03:57 PM

Buy 'em all and sell the ones you don't like....

Just kidding

spin

kingsleyd · 01-01-04, 07:19 PM

which are the good ones? and start there...

But I have to admit, being a bit of a LP newbie myself, it took me a couple of tries to find "the one." It takes playing a lot of them and some time to get a real handle on what schwings you personally.

pablomago · 01-02-04, 07:52 AM

When I was shopping for a Historic '56, I went to the website of the store and jotted down the serial numbers of the ones I liked. I played them two at a time through an amp that I knew well. The one I liked best stayed and I'd try another. The best of those two stayed and I'd play another... until I was down to two. There was one that I kept coming back to. That was the one I would have taken home if I hadn't found one on line that called my name.

Lanny · 01-02-04, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pablomago
When I was shopping for a Historic '56, I went to the website of the store and jotted down the serial numbers of the ones I liked. I played them two at a time through an amp that I knew well. The one I liked best stayed and I'd try another. The best of those two stayed and I'd play another... until I was down to two. There was one that I kept coming back to. That was the one I would have taken home if I hadn't found one on line that called my name.

Everything you said made since until the last sentence. I cannot imagine what kind of 'logic' you applied to that decision.

Ace139 · 01-02-04, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Domecars
I obviously need to get out more. In the Omaha area we have 3 Gibson dealers. 1 has a nice Les Paul stock ( including a few Historics ) all the time, #2 just got their first Historic ever ( they claim ) a month or so ago. #3 has 3 Gibsons in the store.
That's why Steve ( ACE139 ) and I have bought from Music Machine lately. No shortage of Fenders though. Every store has 50 + The Land of Milk & Honey - this ain't !
Dave

Dave - I just talked to # 2 where they have the '58 Plain top with the flame and all of the PRS Inventory. Jim the owner said that he was going down to Gibson and was going to start going inter-net with Historics. I brought in my '03 Murphy to show him and he thought it was very cool. Not sure when he is going to up and running could be a month could be a year. Did you get you '60 yet?

Numbnutz · 01-02-04, 05:06 PM

Really ? That would be nice to have someone close carrying a decent inventory. If anyone would have I would have thought Sean would be the one, but I think his mind is somewhere else anymore. Can't blame him I guess. I wonder how long before he sells out and moves ? Anyway. No '60 yet :hrmph It was promised before Christmas, but nothing yet. They say it's done. I would hope it will ship Monday.
Dave

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12-31-03, 03:11 PM	#1
Vox Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USA Posts: 478	You're Looking at a Wall of 20, How do you Select? To the vast uLPF resevoir - I need a little insight as I will be doing this next week. Lets say you're looking at a wall of 25, maybe 35+ Les Paul Historics. Forget about the looks for a while, and the year other than 58,59,60 - what is your method for finding the ONE in terms of sound? On one hand this could be a stupid question, on the other I don't want to get bogged down my own myopia. I've played Strats long enough to have a good idea, but am new to the Les paul. Hopefuly it will be obvious! and I'll pick the one that speaks to me - but do you have a step method for selecting your best player out of a large batch? To make matters slighty more complicated they'll have these new chambered Pauls there too. Happy New Year! p.s. I'll post a pic or two as soon as I bring one home. Last edited by Vox : 12-31-03 at 03:22 PM.

01-01-04, 11:09 AM	#7
THIJS Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: land below the water (not atlantis) Posts: 128	40....... aww thats it i'm moving to the states __________________ it a character mark.... until the headstock breaks off.....

01-01-04, 01:48 PM	#9
SunburstKid LPF Recording Artist Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: coming to a town near you Posts: 597	I pick out the ones I "think" I will like first. Many times, the ones that catch your eye may not catch your ear. Keep in mind that many guitars hanging in shops are not sporting the set-up they deserve. You can usually tell if they're not set-up properly within the first minute or two of playing. First, I like to play without an amp. I like to hear what a guitar sounds like on it's own. That may not help you, but it helps me. When I do plug into an amp, I usually have one of my own amps with me, or use something close to what I'm familiar with. Also, many guitars are not stored or displayed in an environmentally friendly atmosphere and that will definitely have an effect on playability. I try to find the one that feels best to me set-up the way it came off the wall. It can almost always be tweaked to your preference later. There are many variables to take into account when trying to find "the perfect Les Paul", but when you finally come across "the one", you'll know. If you're not totally satisfied, try the next LP or the next shop down the road. Don't be intimidated. Use your search as a learning experience to become more familiar with the Les Paul type of guitar and a chance to play many unfamiliar guitars. Each instrument has it's own personality. Basically, it all comes down to what you like to feel while playing your guitar. You're the only one who knows what you want. Last edited by SunburstKid : 01-01-04 at 01:50 PM.

01-01-04, 03:57 PM	#11
bjm007 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: ...uncharted tropical isle... Posts: 1,115	Buy 'em all and sell the ones you don't like.... Just kidding spin __________________ Inventor of the PAF Blue Background...

12-31-03, 03:28 PM	#2
sundaypunch Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: A pleasant peninsula Posts: 708	First of all budget plenty of time. I would take your own amp if it's convenient, it will give you a better feel for the guitar. You probably will settle on a neck profile you like the best so that will narrow it down somewhat. Make sure to do a basic check on each you play beyond just playing music (electronics working, neck bow, fretting out anywhere on the neck, etc.). With that many to choose from I can't imagine you won't have one or two that jump out at you. It's really no different than picking a Strat. You can always tweak the electronics so I tend to look for playability first. See how each resonates and play all over the neck to see if you have any dead spots. That sounds like a great time to have that many to pick from :dude __________________ You're a bottle cap away from pushing me too far

12-31-03, 03:34 PM	#3
Numbnutz Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: On the Left side of the world. Posts: 496	Re: You're Looking at a Wall of 20, How do you Select? Lets say you're looking at a wall of 25, maybe 35+ Les Paul Historics. I have never seen 25 to 35 Historics in one place, ever. You must live near Heaven.......... Dave __________________ Go stick this in your fusebox !

12-31-03, 03:40 PM	#4
Luke Jr Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hotels all across the USA Posts: 69	While in LA for work, I spent a week driving around trying all the R8's I could find. Prolly 15, and a few Standards also. I had my main guitar with me at all places. This was just for a tone referance. I pick an amp that I know, or own, and play them all. Many Would not even get past the tuning if I did not get a "vibe". Some were horibly set up or had Odd size strings( wound G) and so on. Most were very nice and 2 were spectacular. I played a few of them on diff days to be sure. The best one I could not afford. The 2nd best was 2nd due to weight only and the price was just Right! 3rd best was a regular standard, with a nice neck. I have never owned or even played a nice LP in the 20 years of my playing. So I was carfull to make sure I wanted what I thought I wanted. I would look at the "wall" and just start. If you are in a Place than has that many....and you are serious, I am sure they will let you go to town. Can you take youre amp? Take a guitar you really like, even a strat, just to tune you're ear...so to speak. Otherwise....Just pick the nicest looking ones first and work down 2

12-31-03, 03:59 PM	#5
oceantoad Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 697	Sam Ash across from GC in Hollywood on Sunset has about 40 at least right as you walk in!1

01-01-04, 11:31 AM	#8
Guitardon All Access/Backstage Pass Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 871	I would start by selecting the ones I liked the look and weight and take them into a room and A - B them with and without an amp. Lets say I picked 7 or 8 out of the pile of 40 I would spend time with them. If none of them totally grabbed me I would narrow those down to one or two and go back out and pick the next 7 or 8. My guess is after 10 or 15 you eigher have found the one or you are so darned confuesed that you go home and catch your breath. I found all of mine at a store that had 15 or more. I did exactally what I suggested and always found one in the first batch I took into the sampling room. I love all the ones I bought and never have had a regret. I trust the sound without an amp more then with an amp. To me it represents the instruments true resonance. Amps can sound good or bad depending on the room and you mood. The guitar dry either sounds live or flat.

01-01-04, 03:22 PM	#10
Vox Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USA Posts: 478	:yay Thanks for all the suggestions\advice so far! I'm getting a good idea for an attack plan here.

01-01-04, 07:19 PM	#12
kingsleyd Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: just down the street from Mark's Posts: 1,328	I just ask Mark which are the good ones? and start there... But I have to admit, being a bit of a LP newbie myself, it took me a couple of tries to find "the one." It takes playing a lot of them and some time to get a real handle on what schwings you personally.

01-02-04, 07:52 AM	#13
pablomago Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,168	When I was shopping for a Historic '56, I went to the website of the store and jotted down the serial numbers of the ones I liked. I played them two at a time through an amp that I knew well. The one I liked best stayed and I'd try another. The best of those two stayed and I'd play another... until I was down to two. There was one that I kept coming back to. That was the one I would have taken home if I hadn't found one on line that called my name. __________________ Save the '68 Gold Tops!

01-02-04, 05:06 PM	#16
Numbnutz Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: On the Left side of the world. Posts: 496	Really ? That would be nice to have someone close carrying a decent inventory. If anyone would have I would have thought Sean would be the one, but I think his mind is somewhere else anymore. Can't blame him I guess. I wonder how long before he sells out and moves ? Anyway. No '60 yet :hrmph It was promised before Christmas, but nothing yet. They say it's done. I would hope it will ship Monday. Dave __________________ Go stick this in your fusebox !