‘74 Les Paul Custom feeling stiff/string tension

[Skydawg]

Hi everyone!

So I own this beautiful ‘74 custom that sounds awesome and sustains for days! Playing wise it’s not my favourite as everything feels hard and stiff. I’ve tried different string, 10s feel to heavy and 9.5 too light. Currently running 10s top-wrapped with absolutely no string brake angle.

It has been refretted with medium jumbo’s so the frets are not the issue.

What tips do you have for me? I wan’t to run 10’s but just need it to feel more slinky.

Thanks!

 

[garywright]

if the neck is dead on straight maybe add a tad of neck relief

 

[corpse]

I just set up my 68 and it feel stiff now. I have never had this happen before.

 

[gary buff]

My '74 LPC was the same way (as were many early-mid '70s LPs, chalk it up to the inconsistent QC of the day), I just raised the tp until it was more comfortable (I never top-wrapped it). You lose a bit of response that way but if you can't play it.....you might mention it to the refretter and see if he/she can make it better, a touch of relief as mentioned might help if the neck doesn't have any. Or you might try RAISING the action a bit so you can get more string onto your fingertip, with those big frets bending shouldn't be a problem.

BTW mine was a CSB 20th Anniversary with the commemorative inlay, I thought most if not all the '74s were 20ths. Just curious

 

[dwagar]

Not all '74s had the inlay, mine didn't. The neck angle on mine was such that I did end up top wrapping it, after straightening the collapsed bridge. I don't normally top wrap.

I loved that guitar, it was my main guitar for maybe 15 years, but I got old and it was just too heavy for me. 10 lbs 5 oz.

 

[TBurst Std]

What brand / model of strings are you using? I found certain ones to feel stiffer

 

[corpse]

I just put stringjoy on here- normally have been using Blue Magic but wanted to give them a try.
Part of it is def the strings. They feel a but like Pyramid to me. I need to top wrap this is guess.
Who's TP do I want so I can stick (the v tarnished) original in the case pocket?

 

[charliechitlins]

Nobody has really figured out what makes a guitar feel stiff or more compliant.
Things that I HAVE FOUND that contribute:
Break angle (top wrap and wind strings UP on the post for less break angle.)
Fret height.
Relief (measuring doesn't always do it. There can be a sweet spot where there is more or less relief than you'd measure for. Experiment.)
Fret finish (highly polished/buffed frets will make a guitar feel more compliant.)

 

[Midnight Blues]

Although not for me, you can try top wrapping. Beautiful LP!

 

[Cliff Gress]

I just put stringjoy on here- normally have been using Blue Magic but wanted to give them a try.
Part of it is def the strings. They feel a but like Pyramid to me. I need to top wrap this is guess.
Who's TP do I want so I can stick (the v tarnished) original in the case pocket?

Faber is what I use on my R7.

 

[neuroy]

The new frets made her stiff !
The neck / fretboard itself is no more "flexible".

 

[Skydawg]

The new frets made her stiff !
The neck / fretboard itself is no more "flexible".

Really? I did put rather larger then smaller frets on it. What could I do to make it play better?

 

[CK6]

Nothing to

Really? I did put rather larger then smaller frets on it. What could I do to make it play better?

Nothing to do with the frets, as I have Dunlop 6100 frets on my current 73 custom. Get a stumac neck relief guage, measure and set to where you like it. You’ll never have to guess again.

I had the same issue on a 73 custom, 76 and my current 73; it just comes down to setup.

Also, I find Ernie ball strings much less “stiff” than say GHS. Try using a different brand

Hope this helps!