I played one of the most reviled guitars and I loved it

metropolis_4

metropolis_4

Rock Star
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Local shop had a used 2015 Gibson LP Standard :eek:

For years I’ve heard horror stories, jokes, ridicule, and anger over these guitars but I’d never actually had a chance to play one myself.

It was one of the best Les Paul’s I’ve ever played!

Unplugged it was unbelievably resonant. It felt more like a 335 than an LP. You know that thing with a really good guitar where all the pieces just seem to perfectly resonate together? This one had that.

I can see how some wouldn’t like the neck, but I loved it. The extra width felt very comfortable to me.

Plugged in it was hands down the best sounding Gibson in the whole store. No question. And possibly the best sounding LP I’ve ever played. When people talk about the “Tele on steroids” thing… this guitar was the epitome of that. It was a beautiful beautiful sound, and the coil splits actually worked (which I rarely see). I don’t know what pickups were in these, but I love them.

The hand scribbled headstock label and weird hologram of Les left me scratching my head… weird choices. This is not a guitar I would have given a second look online, but playing one in person made me a believer.

If you ever see one they’re worth checking out
 
Did you buy it?

well-waiting.gif
 
mbenigni said:
Oh. Ouch.

That looks like something you'd get out of a gumball machine.

40 years ago.
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FIFY :LOL:

That timeframe was bizarre for Gibson, robotuners held me back from buying an otherwise sweet "thinline" or more trim LP version. Thinner body with a tummy cut. Much lighter and it was a good resonant build with great finish and fretwork.

There were periods where LP's were good, but a lot of times, you had to play several to find the good ones. I've had much better success with more resonant guitars from Heritage - if you can look past the post lawsuit headstock.
 
A friend of mine bought one of the juniors for very little money a few years ago and it's great. Just ignore some of the aesthetics and it's grand.
 
mavrick102000 said:
That timeframe was bizarre for Gibson, robotuners held me back from buying an otherwise sweet "thinline" or more trim LP version. Thinner body with a tummy cut. Much lighter and it was a good resonant build with great finish and fretwork.
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I remember when they were blowing out robot SG's for firewood money. I regret not picking one up at that time. I have no idea where they all wound up... or whether those robotuners even stayed on them. There's not much consensus as to whether they actually worked, how long it took them to get in tune, how often they broke strings, etc. Plus I can only imagine the neck dive on an SG of all things. But every time I play 3 three different Sabbath songs in 3 different tunings in 1 sitting... :facepalm
 
mbenigni said:
I remember when they were blowing out robot SG's for firewood money. I regret not picking one up at that time. I have no idea where they all wound up... or whether those robotuners even stayed on them. There's not much consensus as to whether they actually worked, how long it took them to get in tune, how often they broke strings, etc. Plus I can only imagine the neck dive on an SG of all things. But every time I play 3 three different Sabbath songs in 3 different tunings in 1 sitting... :facepalm
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The tuners just eventually ate themselves. Had it happen in the shop. I was hesitant when I first saw them. The tuning worked well until it didn't. Solution in search of a problem and major failure point - instead of increasing quality off of the production line, add a new shiny gadget.

I hear you on the SG's, but they do feel great to play.
 
mavrick102000 said:
The tuners just eventually ate themselves. Had it happen in the shop. I was hesitant when I first saw them. The tuning worked well until it didn't. Solution in search of a problem and major failure point - instead of increasing quality off of the production line, add a new shiny gadget.

I hear you on the SG's, but they do feel great to play.
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For me, there's definitely a problem (the need for a bunch of different tunings without a bunch of different guitars) in search of a solution, but it's always seemed optimistic to think you could just make the tuning machines turn themselves and "voila". I've never changed tunings substantially without also changing string gauges, and usually the guitar needs a whole new set up in turn. So, either the entire guitar would have to be designed (materials, bridge, truss rod, nut, etc.) around the stresses of these changes, or you'd have to expect to settle for some mediocre least-common-denominator playability for the range of tunings needed. (And then pray the tuners don't pop a string at an inopportune moment.)

For the moment, Variax is the "solution", but that comes with a bunch of compromises of its own.
 
mbenigni said:
OK, Imelda Marcos. ;)

View attachment 42997
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Ok, I have to come clean and confess I was too ashamed and embarrassed to admit the whole story at first.

The full story is that I did buy it. I got so distracted by what an awesome guitar it was (and such a great deal) that I temporarily forgot about all of my responsibilities in the real world. I bought it on the spot.

And then when I got home my wife said “don’t you have other things you’re supposed to be using that money for?” And suddenly I snapped out of my new guitar trance, reality came crashing down on me, and I remembered the whole reason I was in a shop to begin with is because I have other things I was supposed to buy for upcoming shows! But I spent that money on a guitar I didn’t need instead :bag

So I had to sheepishly make the journey of shame back to the store to return it. :LOL:
 
metropolis_4 said:
Ok, I have to come clean and confess I was too ashamed and embarrassed to admit the whole story at first.

The full story is that I did buy it. I got so distracted by what an awesome guitar it was (and such a great deal) that I temporarily forgot about all of my responsibilities in the real world. I bought it on the spot.

And then when I got home my wife said “don’t you have other things you’re supposed to be using that money for?” And suddenly I snapped out of my new guitar trance, reality came crashing down on me, and I remembered the whole reason I was in a shop to begin with is because I have other things I was supposed to buy for upcoming shows! But I spent that money on a guitar I didn’t need instead :bag

So I had to sheepishly make the journey of shame back to the store to return it. :LOL:
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My line for situations like this is, "What's this 'or' business?"

(Tough talk, really. Mostly I wind up with neither LOL.)
 
metropolis_4 said:
It’s hard to tough talk when she’s 100% right and we both know it :rofl
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With my wife it's usually, "Buy the stupid amp/ whatever thing you 100% don't need so I can feel OK about buying my next pile of fabric." (She quilts.)

I keep myself pretty well in check anyway, because I know amp vs. fabric math falls apart pretty quickly. :D
 
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