OT - RIP Les Paul
I don't know how many other guitarists there are on this board, but Les Paul just died yesterday. Granted, we're several generations removed from the Mary Ford/Les Paul zeitgeist, but it's impossible to overstate his influence on ALL modern music.
It's hard to believe that just a week ago, he still was performing his weekly jam sessions in New York.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:52 AM ^
yea, sad stuff man.
edit: I play an Epi LP Custom II (felt it necessary to honor the man by posting my axe)
August 14th, 2009 at 2:36 AM ^
...was an Epiphone Les Paul knockoff.
The lead player in my band has a Custom. It fucking sings.
Rest in Peace indeed.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:39 AM ^
One of the truly great musical innovators of all time. Tragic.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:13 AM ^
He was 94.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:43 AM ^
that guy had a GREAT LIFE, right up to the end.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:51 AM ^
I can't even play guitar but I own a Les Paul. And It looks like it sounds nice. RIP Les
August 14th, 2009 at 3:08 AM ^
IMHO, I prefer Fender Guitars over Les Pauls. The Les Paul is butt heavy and not balanced. The one Les Paul that I used to own fell apart and all the hardware fell off of it.
Fenders are more balanced and even to play. I have several Fenders, including a Tele and a Strat. The only Gibson that I want is a 335, though I do have a nice Washburn copy.
_________
That having been said, there is no denying Les Paul's greatness as a guitarist and studio innovator. His creation of multitrack recording, first using acetates and later multiple tape record heads revolutionized modern recording. He also created tape echo and a number of other innovations.
As a guitarist, he was a fantastic player and kept up his performance schedule well in to his 90s. A great man and a great loss for a true electric guitar innovator.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:28 AM ^
Eh, every guitar plays differently. In this day and age, the Fender/Gibson comparison is totally moot since there are so many other options. Even if those options weren't out there, comparing Fender to Gibson is generally like comparing apples to oranges; totally different sound and feel.
If I had to pick between the two, I'd take a Les Paul any day of the week, but it'd have to be a non-chambered model. Either way, I'm pretty bitter to this day that Gibson packed up and left Kalamazoo high and dry when they moved to Nashville back in '84.
August 14th, 2009 at 6:07 AM ^
The shape and weight distribution of a Les Paul, in addition to its scale length is MUCH different than a Fender Tele or Strat... Much different...
(as you know)
that makes a huge difference in how the guitar feels in playing, as well as the sound too...
But....as far as other guitars are concerned lets be honest:
95% of other guitar brands are either based on a Fender body style or a Gibson Les Paul body style....
Id take my 90 Tele Deluxe Plus with my modified frets over any guitar, and my Strat EC custom shop model as the second most playable guitar that I have...
but we all have our opinions, if the LP works for you than great!
August 14th, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^
A few years back, I decided to assemble a tele with parts from USA Custom Guitars, and I've never looked back. I highly encourage every serious guitarist to give it a try. Over the years, I've built quite a few, and I can make 'em exactly how I want them (wood types, nut width, scale length, neck shape, thickness, string spacing, etc). Last year, I started to build Gibson type guitars from scratch, and that's even more addictive. The one I'm about to complete is a clone of a '59 LP Jr. For someone over-analytical like me, it can be a journey; I do lots of research on things like the best sources for mahogany and the merits of hide glue over white glue.
Oh yeah -- RIP Les.
August 14th, 2009 at 6:54 AM ^
My first electric was also an Epiphone Les Paul, which I still own. The only thing original left is the wood though. I love the thing. I've never been much of a brand whore when it comes to my guitars. I play what feels good and that Les Paul (albeit a knockoff) is great. I'm a big Dire Straits fan and Mark Knopfler was one of my big inspirations to start playing. He plays Les Pauls, Tele's and Strats. I just couldn't get over the sound of that Les Paul on Money for Nothing. What a great riff and it was a lot to do with Les Paul.
RIP Les Paul.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:45 AM ^
I also play guitar in a band, and I own an Epiphone Les Paul that desperatly wishes it was the real thing. The hardware, wood, headstock, and about 98% of the parts are the same as the real thing. However, it is machine made instead of handmade. I had some Semour Duncan pickups installed and it kicks major ass. RIP to a great man who was an innovator and a jedi. I think Fender guitars sound tinny and pathetic when paired next to a Les Paul style guitar (don't tell my lead guitarist I said that). No other guitar has the weight of a Les Paul, and I am sure that has a direct relation to its deep rich tones. If you guys want to check out my band (beware, it's heavy rock music) you can go to www.myspace.com/thrive07. We are the headliner at the Indiana State Fair this tuesday at 5:30-7:30 if anyone is in the area. Go Blue!!! Only three weeks until I am sitting in the Big House!!!
August 14th, 2009 at 9:04 AM ^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-S4TDGoOqA
it is about the most appropriate homage i can find....
August 14th, 2009 at 10:26 AM ^
His contribution to music is immeasurable. I'm with Juno on this one: I always liked the Les Paul more than the Strat. I have an Epiphone Les Paul from about 10 years ago.