question about les Paul guitars

[Beachrunner]

You might want to consider a Les Paul Studio. My 2013 Studio weighs in at around 8 lb 3 oz.

Or, as others have mentioned, go for an SG. My SG Standard weighs in at around 6 1/2 lbs.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by skyblue314

How about a chambered Les Paul? Was thinking about getting one myself!

+1. Some retailers post the guitar's weights on their sites. If not, you can always ask for that.

LTD EC-1000 is an option. They look like Les Pauls and are lighter. Mine weighs 7.6 whereas my Les Paul Standards and Studio are in the 9 and 10 lbs range. I find the EC-1000 doesn't sound like a Les Paul though. It's not just the pickups.

SGs are awesome but if you want a Les Paul you should get a Les Paul, chambered, weight relieved, etc.

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by guitararmy

I have one of these. Chambered body, so it's distinctly lighter than a regular Les Paul. Plus it has a tummy tuck. The original pickups are nice PAF clones.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MIK-DeArmon...4383.l4275.c10

These are very nice guitars, if lesser-known, and an used only proposition. When I bought mine during the time the DeArmond line was being closed out, it was along side 3 or 4 others in a Guitar Center and was easily the lightest. That's years ago, but I don't recall the others being exceptionally light, though they probably weren't super heavy either. I also have the model from the line that has a LP like singlecut body and an arched top, single coil DeArmond pickups and a Bigsby style vibrato bridge. I think that model (like the M72) is supposed to be chambered, but mine is noticeably heavy.

[guitararmy]

That would be the M-75T, I've got one of those in blue sparkle as well!
You're right, they are very heavy for their size...

https://www.ebay.com/i/254585191418?...hoCgY8QAvD_BwE

[Texsunburst59]

I'd look for a used a late 2007- 2012 Gibson Chambered LP Standard.

I picked one up in a pawnshop a few years ago for $762.

The guitar weighs about 7 1/2 lbs, and also has the asymmetrical neck which feel great.

Because of the chambered body, the tones are a little airier sounding when comparing to a non weight relieved LP using the same amp setting.

This can be fixed by adjusting the settings on the amp to accommodate the Chambered LP.

Here's a pic of my '08 Gibson Wind LP Standard Plus:

[Ian111]

Les Paul Special. Its still a solid piece of mahogany and retains the Les Paul thickness without all the weight. SG’s have a bitier tone and other humbucker guitars have their own sound. I’ve owned Studios Tributes and SG’s and the “plain” LP Special ended up being my favorite. The one I have is the Guitar Center exclusive. There’s also the P90 version. Of course the higher priced LP Special in TV Yellow would be a Les Paul that could be passed on as an heirloom.

[ch willie]

I own a very heavy Les Paul. From time to time, I think about an SG--it is close enough to be an alternative to the Les Paul. Of course there are differences in tone according to pickups and because of the usual factors.

I think about an SG, but then I strap on my non-chambered Les Paul, play a few notes, and think, Man, no other guitar could sound better.

I do wish it were at least weigh relieved, but it is what it is, and it's good.

[Bob Womack]

2018 LP Standard, 7.8 lbs via weight relief





More HERE.

Compare to a 1974 Kalamazoo Small Script Standard at 9.8 lbs.


Both wonderful guitars.

Bob

[robj144]

Hate to beat a dead horse, but if I didn't care about the Gibson name, the Eastman is a fantastic deal and guitar. Fast forward to 4:17, and then listen to the comparison. He's comparing to Eastman to a chambered LP:

[pf400]

If you intend to play rock using overdrive/distortion, there are a lot of guitars that sound just like, or very close to, a Les Paul. Just look for one, even a cheap one, in which you can hear all strings individually when you have distortion turned up. Some guitars sound great with distorted power chords but the higher pitch strings can get to muddy. You can have heavy distortion with some clarity across the strings if you find the right guitar. If you want to play clean that's another question. I do love my SG for all round versatility but for that SRV sound I need my strats.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by pf400

If you intend to play rock using overdrive/distortion, there are a lot of guitars that sound just like, or very close to, a Les Paul. Just look for one, even a cheap one, in which you can hear all strings individually when you have distortion turned up. Some guitars sound great with distorted power chords but the higher pitch strings can get to muddy. You can have heavy distortion with some clarity across the strings if you find the right guitar. If you want to play clean that's another question. I do love my SG for all round versatility but for that SRV sound I need my strats.

Yea,, true dat, some things, only a strat can do..

But anyways,, volume controls go a long way to helping humbuckers clean up. especially middle position settings...

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by robj144

Eastman SB series... probably sounds and plays better than a standard Les Paul too.

That's a stretch and yes I've played the Eastmans

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by raysachs

You could always check out an SG.

I was thinking the same. Or a Les Paul Jr or Special!

[C-ville Brent]

I have a 2014 Les Paul Traditional (supposed non-weight relieved) and it is noticeably heavier than my 2014 LP Studio. I was having a good deal of shoulder pain. Switched to an LM, 2 1/2" wide Distressed Suede strap and it virtually eliminated the shoulder discomfort.

Weight relieved model with a wide, padded strap may work.

[robj144]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

That's a stretch and yes I've played the Eastmans

I have an Eastman SB 59v and my friends have LPs. Workmanship is unquestionably better on the Eastman hands down. The all play about the same and the sound is subjective, but at the very least you can't say the Eastman sounds worse. They all have their own character. I personally though, think the Eastman sounds better too.

Eastman was far cheaper than my friend's LPs too.