Les Paul Customs, CS not 57RI

[Classic71]

That is one sexy guitar, congrats! I wouldn't change anything about it. Actually, that's a lie, ideally I'd like the rounded grovers and an ABR-1 but I wouldn't mess with the look of the guitar by messing with the pick up covers or the pick guard. How about some more pics with the R0? Best of both worlds!

 

[Direstraits]

I have to say, I was quite happy with the 490R/498Ts that came on my Studio for contemporary & classic rock tones, I put a set of Antiquities in purely because I (eventually) wanted something a little less "in your face" and they achieved exactly that.

 

[Tele52]

The more I play it. I'm leaving it alone. It's a great guitar. The 490 are kinda cool, I hadn't bought a hot PUP since the eighties. But it's fun, it doesn't clean up much when you roll back the volume, but it's "clean" sound has teeth. I want to be able to expore what these Triple Rec guys do. I'm thinking of buying a Mini Rec, and joining Steel Panther.
I'm going to take this to the Mesa Store, and learn about metal amps.
I just want to play one.

 

[kidtwist]

Congratulations.

I have a 2012 custom and I love it. The richlite board is a non-factor. It feels and looks good.

I changed the pickups in mine to Seth Lovers, but it doesn't sound all that different than it did before, which was still pretty good. I may try something else though.

 

[Tele52]

I got to jam with some LA session guys, we handed my new Custom around the room, the guys loved everything about it, looks, tone. They loved the pickups in that guitar.

 

[LCP]

I have a 1960 Les Paul Custom RI. It is not light - over 9 pounds. Has Burstbuckers, one piece solid mahogany body, and pretty slim neck, of corse. Plus, the black glossy finish on it looks classy.

Tonewise, it is pretty thick sounding, even though not so "dark", nor muffled as some mahogany-only les pauls I have heard before. Awesome mid-range and quite bright, considering the lack of a maple top on it. Great for vintage rock, blues, dirty sounds and, needless to say, jazz.

The burstbuckers on it are somehow peculiar: they can sound clean on light picking - my dad plays bossa nova on it, and it sounds beautiful. And when asked for, the tone will go dirty on the ends, even without a distortion. P-90ish, maybe? Go figure... lol.

It has VINTAGE ROCK all over it! I think gibson got it right on this one...

Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

 

[stock_hippie]

only one i ever played looked just like that..exactly in summer 1972...and i Kept thinkinG...wow.. is this loud...!

 

[LCP]

It IS loud, hippie... and I specially like the way the action can be set up really low and still be slinky, making it reallly comfortable to play... butter, as I heard that guy Greg Koch say: "...get a cardiologist, due to the buttery nature of this guitar...". lol

 

[LAARS]

I'd think about looking for used from the 90s. I find the necks tend to be inbetween 50s and 60s type, and very comfortable.

I actually just found this one on craigs list, and bought it yesterday for $2000. Its a 1997 Custom, Not a mark on it, gold still nice and shiny. Best part is, I cut the original gibson strings off. The guy bought it new, had all the paperwork, but never played it. He was an acoustic player (got to see some of his acoustics). He said he might have played it 12 times over the years.

Next is to put some Bare Knuckles Black dogs in it. Not a fan of the 498R and 498T pickups.

Here are a few photos.

 

[Tele52]

I really wanted the 50thBB, man they're hard to find. I called wildwood they said I could order one custom, about 6 months, and $5000.00, I'm not that flush. I had a 57BB, and the neck was too big for me.
I ended up buying a new 2012 custom, not vintage anything, Gloss, Nashville, 490's, and 498, Richlite board. Weight relieved.
Well, it's one of the nicest guitars I have, it growls, spits, snarls, really powerful rock tones. But roll off the volume and it Jazzes up. These are great players guitars. The cork sniffers, hate these. They should play one. I am thinking of putting in double blacks for the John Sykes vibe. No chrome guard.

 

[Tele52]

I'd think about looking for used from the 90s. I find the necks tend to be inbetween 50s and 60s type, and very comfortable.

I actually just found this one on craigs list, and bought it yesterday for $2000. Its a 1997 Custom, Not a mark on it, gold still nice and shiny. Best part is, I cut the original gibson strings off. The guy bought it new, had all the paperwork, but never played it. He was an acoustic player (got to see some of his acoustics). He said he might have played it 12 times over the years.

Next is to put some Bare Knuckles Black dogs in it. Not a fan of the 498R and 498T pickups.

Here are a few photos.

That's a beauty, i was surprised i liked the PUPs, but I'm having fun with the heat. I got my 2012 for $2200.00

 

[LAARS]

That's a beauty, i was surprised i liked the PUPs, but I'm having fun with the heat. I got my 2012 for $2200.00

For $2200 on a 2012, WOW!!!! thats a GREAT deal as well....... I missed in the replys where you went and got it. Nicely done.:dude: :dude:


Makes my deal not as nice. In my area (NH), Customs are from $2500 to $3200 used.

I didn't realize you posted photos like 5 replys above mine.... I HATE GETTING OLD!!!!

Very sweet looking Custom.

 

[Tele52]

For $2200 on a 2012, WOW!!!! thats a GREAT deal as well....... I missed in the replys where you went and got it. Nicely done.:dude: :dude:


Makes my deal not as nice. In my area (NH), Customs are from $2500 to $3200 used.

I didn't realize you posted photos like 5 replys above mine.... I HATE GETTING OLD!!!!

Very sweet looking Custom.

It was a fluke, A really nice shop on ebay sold it to me, for just a little more than the trade, I'm second owner. These are great guitars.

 

[D'Mule]

Custom Shop Chambered Reissue '57 spec...comes with me everywhere! 7lbs, 11oz of awesome rock guitar.

That Custom is just badass. (GAS pains).

 

[Tele52]

They look cool of stage, you can tell one a mile away.

 

[Tele52]

I'm having fun with the hi Gain Pups, I'm going to put a set of these in.
http://youtu.be/VMxd0VGXfjQ

Cleanish

http://youtu.be/Xpu2omE3qd4

 

[Stevedenver]

nice sounding pups indeed it seems!

i agree too about a 90's, or even late 70s-early 80's -although the latter may be stupidly hefty

dont suppose youd consider even a norlin era custom?-
its likely thats what les i holding in your avatar
they had some great woods

while not an historic, some of the norlins have superb necks, pups, and some even had the transition tenons-which come pretty close to the historic tenon sound imho
and as for norlins
not all are boat anchors either, but many are

im very fond of mine

 

[Monroe]

Lemmesee, in addition to what I already said I changed, I also drilled and plugged for an ABR-1.

How did that effect the tone? I am torn on whether to do that mod to a Norlin Custom.

 

[Triplet]

It takes awhile to "mature." It's been a couple years now and I can feel more resonance throughout the guitar. Worth it if you have the patience to see it through.

Coinkidinkily, I just started an ABR-ectomy on my son's SG special. Matching paint is probably the biggest PITA (unless it's black).

 

[Monroe]

Matching paint is probably the biggest PITA (unless it's black).

I'd probably just go with two sets of thumb wheels to hide the plugged areas.