I’ve been trying to find a decent Les Paul for ages. I’ve owned 3, two 70’s Deluxes with the Mini humbuckers and a 1990 Standard, but really being a Fender guy I’ve always found them way to heavy. So what did I find the other day? A brand new custom shop chambered Gibson Les Paul. With chambering they actually carve out much of the mass of the mahogany body, thus reliving the excess weight and giving it a little more hollow body ‘air’ in the tone. It played beautifully, sounded amazing and weighed a lot less than my Telecaster (7lbs!). The only problem? Here in the UK they cost between £2500-£3000 new. Ouch!!
So what do I do? Well, it seems that Gibson have been chambering a few of their other cheaper models recently, notably some of the 2007 Faded Les Paul Standards seem to have had some kind of weight reliving, but not in the same way and its not as light as the custom shop models and the Les Paul Supreme has chambering but I don’t want to look like Liberace after a visit to a half price jewellery sale.
I could try to find a used one on Ebay, but you never really know what its like until you play it. So does anyone have any other suggestions? I don’t want a double cut model as I think they look strange and many of the PRS’s look a bit bling. I basically want a proper Les Paul that weighs under 7.5 lbs. Not too much to ask you think?
4 Comments
Andy I’m reading your post of the Gibson Les Paul that you like the sound but not the weight? I might suggest that you try one of their ES-175 models. They are hollow body with a single cutaway. I own one and like the looks and the feel plus I get that tone I like. They are producing an Epiphone ES-175 reissue that they advertise for $832 MSRP USD. These are smaller body guitars than the ES335 style of BB King fame. They are also an arch top body that compliments the look well. I own a Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion model that I’ve had for a few years now that holds it’s tune very well. It’s one of my favorite guitars at home or at a gig!
its a good thought Jowayne. Ive seen a couple of guys using ES-175′s and they tick quite a few boxes so thanks for the suggestion. That said I posted this a couple of years ago and eventually bit the bullet and went for a used chambered les paul.
Seems like part of the point of the LP is the amazing sustain you get from a heavy guitar. I’ve got a ’59 reissue and it weighs almost 10 pounds. But I wouldn’t trade the tone for anything. Makes my strat feel like a toy (though I do still love the strat).
I’ve been playing a Guild Bluesbird for years now…all the features and sustain (and more!) than a Les Paul, with chambered mahogany body that won’t break your back. SH-1 humbuckers sound great.
No longer made, but findable on eBay. Check out the reviews at http://www.harmonycentral.com/products/84710
Love my Goldtop Bluesbird so much, I just bought a AAA flametop Bluesbird as a backup.
You can get them for $900-1300 USD.
Very versatile as a primary worship guitar…highly recommended!