Post A Picture Of Your Guitar

[Hendrix]

It's here...

Although, I'm gutted a little bit. The scratch-plate is for a later model of Jazz, so doesn't fit perfectly. So it looks like another £30 goes, this time to Fender USA.

Apart from that, I'm happy as!

[Hendrix]

Davey, read above.

[Haz]

Should have gotten a Jazz V...

[Hendrix]

Eww.

This one is vintage though - 2002.

[Haz]

Vintage = Pre CBS

[davey1991]

Eww.

This one is vintage though - 2002.

I hate you from the bottom of my very very very jealous heart.

Its very nice i shall go cry now.

[Tomm]

I'm after some advice on buying a Les Paul - I'm hoping TF has all the answers as usual...

Basically I've always wanted a Gibson Les Paul, and now I have some cash to buy one. I'm sure a lot of people will recommend other guitars, but I'm really not that interested, pretty much got my heart set on a LP. That said, I don't actually know that much about them. I play my guitar quite a bit, and have done for a while but I've never been that into looking at different guitars online etc like I know a lot of people do.

I have about £1000 to spend, of course I'd rather spend less if possible. This means I can either buy a new Les Paul Studio, or try and find a second hand Les Paul Standard. Obviously if I bought new, I would have a better choice, but it would lose value immediately. I'm not looking for a guitar to keep for a few months and sell on, this one is going to be a keeper for sure, but I would definitely consider a second hand standard. They're just pretty difficult to find online.

For what it's worth, I play my guitar on my own, for myself. I have no aspirations of gigging or recording, I just love playing. I'm also fairly reluctant to buy a guitar without playing it - I love playing my Strat but I've played others (more expensive ones!) that didn't feel half as nice so ideally I'd find a shop to go and have a play before parting with my cash - I'm in Manchester.

So does anyone have any recommendations for second hand shops online (or near Manchester) for guitars? I'm trying to avoid eBay really. I'd also like to hear from anyone who has played both a LP standard and the Studio version (I've played a Studio LP before, but never a Standard one as far as I know) and just anyone that has advice/buying tips/what to avoid etc.

[davey1991]

I'm after some advice on buying a Les Paul - I'm hoping TF has all the answers as usual...

Basically I've always wanted a Gibson Les Paul, and now I have some cash to buy one. I'm sure a lot of people will recommend other guitars, but I'm really not that interested, pretty much got my heart set on a LP. That said, I don't actually know that much about them. I play my guitar quite a bit, and have done for a while but I've never been that into looking at different guitars online etc like I know a lot of people do.

I have about £1000 to spend, of course I'd rather spend less if possible. This means I can either buy a new Les Paul Studio, or try and find a second hand Les Paul Standard. Obviously if I bought new, I would have a better choice, but it would lose value immediately. I'm not looking for a guitar to keep for a few months and sell on, this one is going to be a keeper for sure, but I would definitely consider a second hand standard. They're just pretty difficult to find online.

For what it's worth, I play my guitar on my own, for myself. I have no aspirations of gigging or recording, I just love playing. I'm also fairly reluctant to buy a guitar without playing it - I love playing my Strat but I've played others (more expensive ones!) that didn't feel half as nice so ideally I'd find a shop to go and have a play before parting with my cash - I'm in Manchester.

So does anyone have any recommendations for second hand shops online (or near Manchester) for guitars? I'm trying to avoid eBay really. I'd also like to hear from anyone who has played both a LP standard and the Studio version (I've played a Studio LP before, but never a Standard one as far as I know) and just anyone that has advice/buying tips/what to avoid etc.

The standards heavier thats the only real difference and i suppose the pickups are slightly better on the standard.

If your willing to travel youcould probably find your dream guitar in your dream colour in perfect condition, but as for shops round manchester i know of none. (Not because there aren't any, because i've never been close to the place.)

http://www.guitarjunction.com/shop/browse....t=68&page=2

Is good but your probably going to be waiting a while for what your looking for.

http://www.guitar-mania.com/used-gibson-gu...here-p-445.html

The bottom of that list is a standard within your price range.

[Tomm]

The standards heavier thats the only real difference and i suppose the pickups are slightly better on the standard.

If your willing to travel youcould probably find your dream guitar in your dream colour in perfect condition, but as for shops round manchester i know of none. (Not because there aren't any, because i've never been close to the place.)

http://www.guitarjunction.com/shop/browse....t=68&page=2

Is good but your probably going to be waiting a while for what your looking for.

http://www.guitar-mania.com/used-gibson-gu...here-p-445.html

The bottom of that list is a standard within your price range.

SG standard

They're exactly the type of thing I'm looking for, except in the wrong part of the country Are those shops you knew about? I'm struggling to find anything via google, just wondered how you knew about them?

[Hendrix]

For just over 1k, I would expect to get a USA custom in either really new or decent second hand condition. Unless you really want to 'feel' the guitar first, get it imported, may work out even less. Generally, I've found, Les Pauls feel generally the same.

Edited June 6, 2009 by Hendrix

[Tomm]

For just over 1k, I would expect to get a USA custom in either really new or decent second hand condition. Unless you really want to 'feel' the guitar first, get it imported, may work out even less. Generally, I've found, Les Pauls feel generally the same.

Yeah, you're probably right. I've heard a lot about counterfeit LPs though, and also people replacing the pickups for cheaper ones. Hrmm.

From what I've read, the quality control on the Studios is not as good as on the standard ones, so if I was going to buy a Studio I'd probably buy from a real world shop and examine it/play it beforehand. What I really want though is a shop in the North West with a 2nd hand Les Paul standard in good condition in Wine Red. I don't think that's too much to ask?

[davey1991]

SG standard

They're exactly the type of thing I'm looking for, except in the wrong part of the country Are those shops you knew about? I'm struggling to find anything via google, just wondered how you knew about them?

Friends and family members, didnt really read it properly the SG bit didn't sink in, i was lookin for the word standard. Sorry.

As for what you want, to get the correct colour (although thats a popular one.)and model you have to be willing to wait, Ebay or go abroad and it can get pretty tedious.

Go and play a studio anyway and maybe try find someone that stocks standards new, so you know what they should feel like roughly, before you go checking second hand ones.

We can tell you what to look for, but if you go and find out what they acctually feel like you'll be able to tell if somethings different/ wrong.

[Tomm]

I need to be more patient I guess. There are a few on eBay that look nice but I would be really worried about dropping that amount of cash on something that I don't know a huge amount about. At least if it's new or through a shop you'd have some kind of warranty. Thank you for looking anyway

Anyone know what is the difference between a Classic and Standard LP? I presume the Standard is going to hold value a bit better?

[davey1991]

I need to be more patient I guess. There are a few on eBay that look nice but I would be really worried about dropping that amount of cash on something that I don't know a huge amount about. At least if it's new or through a shop you'd have some kind of warranty. Thank you for looking anyway

Anyone know what is the difference between a Classic and Standard LP? I presume the Standard is going to hold value a bit better?

Classic's use the origional neck styles, thats why there are hundreds of models.

Standards use the current standard neck style.

[JD™]

With LPs of all varieties it is definitely something you want to play first. Their quality control is shocking, but this ended up being a good thing because there is an LP out there with your name on it in a way. I've owned 4 LPs and only really got on with 2 of them - one was a standard and one was a double cut ()

Patience is a virtue when finding the right new guitar, and being a little bit malliable in terms of price and specifications will help you to find something you'll want to keep forever. Go into your local shop, most deal in second hand stuff too, and just tell them what you're after and leave your number. Let them do the hard work!

Good luck

[davey1991]

With LPs of all varieties it is definitely something you want to play first. Their quality control is shocking, but this ended up being a good thing because there is an LP out there with your name on it in a way. I've owned 4 LPs and only really got on with 2 of them - one was a standard and one was a double cut ()

Patience is a virtue when finding the right new guitar, and being a little bit malliable in terms of price and specifications will help you to find something you'll want to keep forever. Go into your local shop, most deal in second hand stuff too, and just tell them what you're after and leave your number. Let them do the hard work!

Good luck

Thats quite shocking, they don't mass produce the guitars, so you'd expect them to inspect each one thoroughly, like Ibanez, each guitar comes with an inspection certificate.

If it was epiphone i'd understand but you'd think Gibson would be obbsessed with quality.

[JD™]

Thats quite shocking, they don't mass produce the guitars, so you'd expect them to inspect each one thoroughly, like Ibanez, each guitar comes with an inspection certificate.

If it was epiphone i'd understand but you'd think Gibson would be obbsessed with quality.

I think they are almost proud that every one is different, and i can understand that for sure. It's not like any come out bad, just not right for a certain person

[davey1991]

I think they are almost proud that every one is different, and i can understand that for sure. It's not like any come out bad, just not right for a certain person

Well i suppose. They're all hand made so i suppose theres no need for quality control.

[The Foamoi Refresher]

what!!!!

they definetly need to check thier QC. they are generally all well produced, but the finishing on most LP's are just shocking!

ive have only played a few, mostly brand new ones and there are flaws with all the guitars. plus you will prodably have to set it up yourself. as again the factory setup is just not good enough.

i really hate to say it but its absolutly true. the reason then being, to get a Gibson LP, is because it is a great guitar and they sound awesome.

Tomm, i would definetly recomend to stay away from the LP studio, go for the standard, much much nicer. you get much better pickups (burstbuckers are real good) alot better quality, and the detail is also much nicer.

then what kind of finish do you want? like the cutom black with gold hardware? or maybe like an iced tea flamed maple top? or even better the desert burts is lush as f**k!!

for your £1000 your not going to be able to get a brand new standard, unless you find a bargain. but check out some ebay shops, check the item description if you can go and try it before buying.

id say in your situation go second hand. a great great place to start if your willing to travel is denmark street in london, just of oxford street. theres about 15 guitar shops in the same road. all selling brand new and loads of used equip and at good prices.

have a look through some of these

denmark street

hope that helps

[davey1991]

what!!!!

they definetly need to check thier QC. they are generally all well produced, but the finishing on most LP's are just shocking!

ive have only played a few, mostly brand new ones and there are flaws with all the guitars. plus you will prodably have to set it up yourself. as again the factory setup is just not good enough.

i really hate to say it but its absolutly true. the reason then being, to get a Gibson LP, is because it is a great guitar and they sound awesome.

Tomm, i would definetly recomend to stay away from the LP studio, go for the standard, much much nicer. you get much better pickups (burstbuckers are real good) alot better quality, and the detail is also much nicer.

then what kind of finish do you want? like the cutom black with gold hardware? or maybe like an iced tea flamed maple top? or even better the desert burts is lush as f**k!!

for your £1000 your not going to be able to get a brand new standard, unless you find a bargain. but check out some ebay shops, check the item description if you can go and try it before buying.

id say in your situation go second hand. a great great place to start if your willing to travel is denmark street in london, just of oxford street. theres about 15 guitar shops in the same road. all selling brand new and loads of used equip and at good prices.

have a look through some of these

denmark street

hope that helps

I've always wanted the custom black with gold hardware but i've never got on with the way they play, i'm a thin neck guy.

Denmark street is amazing, some of the prices are shockingly high though. Just wandered through it on the way to the Pheonix theatre and the amount of choice was amazing.

[weirdoku]

Someone buy me this guitar!!

[Hendrix]

I told you, kit up a Tele yourself and it'll be substantially cheaper.

[Revolver]

Telecasters are mank.

[Hendrix]

Telecasters are mank.

[Revolver]

Telecasters are fugly.