Gibson Les Paul (or Similar) NGD sale

[General Klinger]

So I am officially retired now from the Air Force, and we just sold our house and moved back to the East Coast.

I want to celebrate by purchasing an expensive guitar I currently own a few LTD Deluxe EC-1000's that are similar to a Gibson, but not a true Gibson.

I want to stay under $2K, used or new. Any recommendations for a Les Paul? I've read the Classic's are the way to go, since I want one that has the weight relief.

Prefer a flame top, or a glossy top, not a satin finish. Don't like the look of those (so the studio's are out I believe)

Read alot about the ESP E-II's, or perhaps an older ESP MIJ model.

Of course, if anyone on here has one they'd like to sell, I am open

[Budda]

They all have weight relief since the late 90s or early 2000's iirc.

You'll want to figure out which neck profile you like. Try some standards, classics and traditionals. Used standards can be had in your budget.

[General Klinger]

They all have weight relief since the late 90s or early 2000's iirc.

No they don't all have it from what I've been researching. The Classic's are better for the weight relief. The Traditionals are known for not having any or very little.

Where's the Standard sit in the line? Higher or Lower than a Classic?

Edit - Just googled it. The Standard is definitely higher on the line than a Classic.

[Budda]

Classic also has a 60's neck (I don't think 50's is an option on them?)

Could also find a 90's LP studio with ebony board IIRC, and then get another one .

[General Klinger]

Classic also has a 60's neck (I don't think 50's is an option on them?)

Could also find a 90's LP studio with ebony board IIRC, and then get another one .

The thought has crossed my mind, but I already have 7 other guitars across different brands. I "promised" my wife this would be my last purchase for a long time, hence I have the higher budget. In reality, I control the finances, so I can spend whatever I want, but I am being respectful

[Chris]

I got a new LP classic from Sweewater not too long ago. I did a few mods to it and ended up selling it, it was just too heavy for my liking. Great sounding guitar but both my Carvin and my Edwards LP-shaped guitars sounded and played better.

Still, if you must have a LP, the Classic was really nice. Just needlessly heavy IMO.

[Soopahmahn]

Read this on weight relief:

Body construction – Gibson Les Paul Traditional (gibsontraditional.com)

All LP Studio, Standard, Custom and Traditional from 1983-2006 have the "plugs" removed weight relief. Since 2006, Traditionals continue to use that weight relief.

2006-2012, the Studio/Standard/Custom received the "chambered" weight relief.

2012-present, the Studio/Standard/Custom received either the "modern" weight relief or the Traditional.

I think the Chambered and Modern remove more wood than the Traditional.

Basically, anything since 1983 is weight relieved unless it's an Historic Reissue.

[General Klinger]

Read this on weight relief:

Body construction – Gibson Les Paul Traditional (gibsontraditional.com)

All LP Studio, Standard, Custom and Traditional from 1983-2006 have the "plugs" removed weight relief. Since 2006, Traditionals continue to use that weight relief.

2006-2012, the Studio/Standard/Custom received the "chambered" weight relief.

2012-present, the Studio/Standard/Custom received the "modern" weight relief.

I think the Chambered and Modern remove more wood than the Traditional.

To be clear, I am NOT looking for a 12lb Les Paul I am hoping for some weight relief, but not a featherweight either.

[General Klinger]

I got a new LP classic from Sweewater not too long ago. I did a few mods to it and ended up selling it, it was just too heavy for my liking. Great sounding guitar but both my Carvin and my Edwards LP-shaped guitars sounded and played better.

Still, if you must have a LP, the Classic was really nice. Just needlessly heavy IMO.

Tips on an Edwards? Isn't that an ESP MIJ brand?

[Soopahmahn]

To be clear, I am NOT looking for a 12lb Les Paul I am hoping for some weight relief, but not a featherweight either.

Aye, sorry I edited my post after you replied.

Basically anything since 1983 is weight relieved.

If you want the lightest LP, you want a Chambered body. These tend to have more of a semi-hollow type resonance since there's so much wood missing. If you want super chunky heavy tones it's the wrong direction, if you want it to sing it's perfect.

The Modern cut is supposed to be a compromise between the Trad and Chambered methods.

Also there is a lot of weight variation among and between models. Customs tend to be quite heavy for example. Just look at serial #'s on Sweetwater and you'll see weight variance if they have 3 or 4 serials on a given model.

[Chris]

Tips on an Edwards? Isn't that an ESP MIJ brand?

Yeah. I have an Edwards Eclipse and it is fucking awesome. I got it for like a grand on Reverb. I had never tried one before (Edwards) and had buyer's remorse for a bit before it showed up (it came from Ishibashi, so it took a while to ship). As soon as I took it out of the box all of my remorse went away. It's a freakin' fantastic guitar and I'd 100% buy another Edwards. Sounds and plays awesome, fit and finish is top notch, I love everything about it except the stupid ass EMGs.

I would reach for this guitar 100 times out of 100 over any LP ever made. My 2c.

[Soopahmahn]

Jesus that's hot dude.

[Chris]

Jesus that's hot dude.

It really is. It's also like 1/3 the weight of a real LP with all the tone.

The only flip-side is that if you want a LP because LPs look awesome, you wont' get that from Edwards/Carvin/etc. Even though I love both of them, nothing looks as rock and roll as a low-slung LP.

This = Rock & Roll.

[Markus]

It really is. It's also like 1/3 the weight of a real LP with all the tone.

The only flip-side is that if you want a LP because LPs look awesome, you wont' get that from Edwards/Carvin/etc. Even though I love both of them, nothing looks as rock and roll as a low-slung LP.

This = Rock & Roll.

You can get close!

https://www.musamaailma.fi/fi/catalog/product/view/id/11702/s/esp-edwards-e-lp-130cd-js-black-sahkokitara/category/60/

[Chris]

For me it's just the weight. The LP Classic I had played and sounded really good. It's just that every time I strapped the thing on I asked myself why the hell I was dealing with this boat anchor when there's a Carvin right next to it that sounds just as good and doesn't destroy my shoulder.

[General Klinger]

It really is. It's also like 1/3 the weight of a real LP with all the tone.

The only flip-side is that if you want a LP because LPs look awesome, you wont' get that from Edwards/Carvin/etc. Even though I love both of them, nothing looks as rock and roll as a low-slung LP.

This = Rock & Roll.

Not gonna lie, that's part of the reason I want a LP. Slash, Alex Lifeson, Jimmy Page, etc have all owned and played them. Can't get the image out of my head.

[Chris]

Not gonna lie, that's part of the reason I want a LP. Slash, Alex Lifeson, Jimmy Page, etc have all owned and played them. Can't get the image out of my head.

Totally valid reason.

Get a Classic, they are bitchin'.

[Phil]

Tips on an Edwards? Isn't that an ESP MIJ brand?

Yeah, Edwards is basically only sold in Japan because of copyright issues. They make Edwards versions of ESP models, but they make pretty accurate Gibson and Fender copies, too.

I'm not overly familiar with their entire line, but you have a fair bit of choice - poly finishes, quasi-lacquer, aging on the odd model. Here's one of their LP Standard copies:

https://espguitars.co.jp/edwards_/lp/E-LP-125SD.html

[Alan]

I have a white Edwards LPC style I'm trying to sell locally... it's a great guitar but it doesn't hold a candle to my real Les Pauls, IMO of course. I just never reach for it, so I put it on the chopping block. There are so many flavors of Les Pauls that you really would have to figure out what you want - rosewood or ebony, trapezoids or blocks, binding or no binding. Some are a lot lighter than others, even with weight relief.

For under 2k, I'd look hard for a 90's era Standard or Classic depending on what sort of neck shape you prefer. An early 90's studio would also be great, but the pricing on them is creeping up - and that era should be gloss finished. You used to be able to get a clean one with ebony fretboard for $600-800... now they are typically $1k+.

NSLALP

[Markus]

Japanese Tokais and FGN (Fujigen) might be worth looking into too.

https://fgnguitars.com/eg/neo-classic/

Tokai's site sucks ass, but there's a Finnish dealer with info on their guitars https://www.musamaailma.fi/en/merkit..._bodyshape=260

[Flexkill]

The old Yamaha SG1000 models are excellent fucking guitars man. I mean really really good. Definitely worth checking out.

[Randy]

Not gonna lie, that's part of the reason I want a LP. Slash, Alex Lifeson, Jimmy Page, etc have all owned and played them. Can't get the image out of my head.

Since you mentioned Slash, I've been eyeballing this one. Price can and probably will go up but this nails the Slash aesthetic in an authentic LP package.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-Gibson-Les-Paul-Studio-Premium-Plus-Trans-Amber-Slash-AFD-Vibe-/224529513142?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[Randy]

Also a soft spot for a Cinnamon Burst Classic a la Billy Howerdal

[Darren]

The new Epiphone Lifeson model looks pretty sweet.

[General Klinger]

The new Epiphone Lifeson model looks pretty sweet.

Yes it does, it caught my eye, but I won't own anything with a FR. No patience to learn how to tune it