N(to me)GD: 2012 Gibson LP Traditional Pro II

Sombras · #1 08-27-2015, 01:55 PM

Picked up a used Traditional Pro II and, after two days, I'm in love. It's got the 60s neck (but slightly thicker than my 2013 Studio Deluxe's slim neck), coil splits (not taps), 10db boost through the neck p/u knob, locking Grovers, and it's a gorgeous Merlot red.

It was a mess when I picked it up--dulled (but ungrooved) frets, superficial scratches, gunky fretboard, smudge ALL OVER the body and headstock, and in bad need of a clockwise twist on the truss rod. After a strip down and two hours of cleaning and tweaking, it looked and felt like a brand new guitar. The three rags I used to clean and polish almost looked like I'd changed the oil in my car.

So far I've matched it to my Egnater Rebel 30 and Blackstar HT Club 40 and it sounds wonderful through both. The Classic/Super '57 pickups project slightly better than the 490R/BB Pro combo in my Studio II, and I quickly fell in love with the bound fretboard. After adjusting neck relief, it is a dream to play and I'm loving the tones I can get out of the humbucker-single coil combinations. Although I didn't expect it, I much prefer the rosewood fretboard to my Studio's baked maple. It feels better while playing and is much easier on the eyes.

All in all I am VERY pleased with the purchase. This will now be my go-to electric.

Sorry for the blurry cell phone pic:

Random1643 · #2 08-27-2015, 04:02 PM

Nice! Post some sound clips!

ahorsewithnonam · #3 08-27-2015, 08:14 PM

One word

STUNNING!!!!

The Growler · #4 08-27-2015, 09:38 PM

Very nice. Reminds me of my 1960 Classic in wine red. I know why you like it!

Enjoy in good health!

polarred21 · #5 08-28-2015, 02:40 AM

Awesome guitar man. I really wanted a Gibson but settled for an Epiphone. If my skills progress.....maybe one day....

Good luck with yours and would love the hear the sound as well.

jpjr50 · #6 08-28-2015, 06:27 AM

Don't see many Les Paul's in red. Glad to see something different than all those bursts they did.

She's a beauty, enjoy and congrats.

Sombras · #7 08-28-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polarred21

Awesome guitar man. I really wanted a Gibson but settled for an Epiphone. If my skills progress.....maybe one day....

Good luck with yours and would love the hear the sound as well.

Thanks, man. You know, a few months back I bought a roughed up 2004 Epi LP Standard Plus Top (AA flamed maple). Korean-made, before they moved production to China. I intended it as a practice guitar that I thought I wouldn't care much about.

It sounded solid when I got it, definitely better than the new Chinese models, but not like a Gibson LP. After changing tuners, lowering the action, installing a graphite nut and beefier bridge, and swapping the factory p/u's for Slash Alnico 2's, it is now an unruly, obnoxious beast. I don't play out with it much because I've found there are times I need the chimey single-coil option, but MAN does it sound great in front of some overdriven tubes. After one song a couple months ago a guy just walked up and stared at the headstock in disbelief, muttering "wow". I don't think he believed that an Epi could sound like a "real guitar".

The market might undervalue your guitar because of what's on the headstock, but you don't have to. My Epiphone Les Paul is now a point-and-shoot weapon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpjr50

Don't see many Les Paul's in red. Glad to see something different than all those bursts they did.

She's a beauty, enjoy and congrats.

Thanks! I know what you mean. I struggled with maybe wanting the burst, but I was drawn to the red because it's different. The above pic makes it look darker than it really is. The true color is more like persimmon than merlot.

Dru Edwards · #8 09-05-2015, 10:51 AM

I love it! Congrats on the new Les Paul. What's the difference between a Pro and a Pro II?

Sombras · #9 09-06-2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

I love it! Congrats on the new Les Paul. What's the difference between a Pro and a Pro II?

That's a darned good question. The only differences I can identify--other than perhaps color offerings available in any given year--would be the 10db volume boost push-push switch off of the neck p/u tone knob, and the Pro coming with Burstbuckers rather than the Pro II's Classic/Super '57 combo.

Now over a week in, I am convinced this is the best guitar I've ever owned. It's comfortable (for a Les Paul), gives me the tones I want and need, and everything on it just works perfectly. As much as I liked and appreciated my 2013 Studio Deluxe II, I have to admit that this one is of a much better build quality, especially in the neck joint, neck profile, and fretboard. I've put some elbow grease into buffing the back, sides, and neck and now they're almost as glossy now as the top. This and my hot rod Epiphone LP are doing it all for me.

Dru Edwards · #10 09-07-2015, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sombras

That's a darned good question. The only differences I can identify--other than perhaps color offerings available in any given year--would be the 10db volume boost push-push switch off of the neck p/u tone knob, and the Pro coming with Burstbuckers rather than the Pro II's Classic/Super '57 combo.

Now over a week in, I am convinced this is the best guitar I've ever owned. It's comfortable (for a Les Paul), gives me the tones I want and need, and everything on it just works perfectly. As much as I liked and appreciated my 2013 Studio Deluxe II, I have to admit that this one is of a much better build quality, especially in the neck joint, neck profile, and fretboard. I've put some elbow grease into buffing the back, sides, and neck and now they're almost as glossy now as the top. This and my hot rod Epiphone LP are doing it all for me.

That would be enough to take it from a "I" to a "II". Do you ever use the boost?

Sombras · #11 09-07-2015, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

That would be enough to take it from a "I" to a "II". Do you ever use the boost?

I haven't played out with the Trad Pro II yet--next month. But I did with the Studio Deluxe which also had the coil splits and volume boost. I definitely find the boost useful. There's a noticeable decrease in volume when switching to single coil, so I tend to use it then. It's also good for when you need an extra oomph for solos, particularly if you're using a cleaner signal. The more tube OD in the output signal, the more the volume boost serves as a dirt-producing preamp. It's an interesting feature.