Picking up a cheapo Solid body rock guitar--Les Paul Studio???

[NSJ]

Anybody got one of these??? What do ya think? I've seen 'em on CL for like 600? How is the sustain compared to other LPs..? Also how is the neck pickup clean setting?

[bkdavidson]

My brother-in-law has one that he lets me use anytime I want. It sounds great, neck pickup and all. As far as I understand, it has the same pickups as the higher-up models (490T & 498R or whatever), it just doesn't have as nice of tuners or all the cosmetic appointments. Tuners are a cheap and easy fix, though. As far as cosmetic appts, you just have to decide if no binding (anywhere) and no flame maple top is really a breaking point. Also, at some point in the last few years they started chambering the bodies, but I don't know when. That may be a positive for some, but not for me.

There seems to be a huge stigma attached to LP Studios, but I don't get it. It looks like a duck (a less flashy duck, but hey...) and definitely quacks like a duck. If I ever have to buy an LP, I'd get a studio. I say go for it, esp. if $600 is "cheap."

[NSJ]

Originally Posted by bkdavidson

My brother-in-law has one that he lets me use anytime I want. It sounds great, neck pickup and all. As far as I understand, it has the same pickups as the higher-up models (490T & 498R or whatever), it just doesn't have as nice of tuners or all the cosmetic appointments. Tuners are a cheap and easy fix, though. As far as cosmetic appts, you just have to decide if no binding (anywhere) and no flame maple top is really a breaking point. Also, at some point in the last few years they started chambering the bodies, but I don't know when. That may be a positive for some, but not for me.

There seems to be a huge stigma attached to LP Studios, but I don't get it. It looks like a duck (a less flashy duck, but hey...) and definitely quacks like a duck. If I ever have to buy an LP, I'd get a studio. I say go for it, esp. if $600 is "cheap."

Interesting. Thanks for the feedback. If it quacks like a duck, that's a good price point to go duck hunting!

[NSJ]

Awe forgettaboutit! I went to try one of these out at lunch time--there is no way I will ever be a convincing rock player at all---I didn't even know the damn terminology (rhythm and lead pickup-which one is the neck and which one is the bridge?)

I realize I only know how to play and set up one way--neck pickup, clean, no premeditated licks, no overdrive, no distortion, no massive string bends, no sustain "for daze".

Given that, the jazz boxes are MUCH better for my limited purposes. What the hell was I thinking? If I ever need to rock out, my Tele is fine--might as well dust off that bridge pickup.

I realized how stupid I must have looked playing My Funny Valentine and Embraceable You clean on the neckpup and just left.

[JohnW400]

Originally Posted by NSJ

Awe forgettaboutit! I went to try one of these out at lunch time--there is no way I will ever be a convincing rock player at all---I didn't even know the damn terminology (rhythm and lead pickup-which one is the neck and which one is the bridge?)

I realize I only know how to play and set up one way--neck pickup, clean, no premeditated licks, no overdrive, no distortion, no massive string bends, no sustain "for daze".

Given that, the jazz boxes are MUCH better for my limited purposes. What the hell was I thinking? If I ever need to rock out, my Tele is fine--might as well dust off that bridge pickup.

I realized how stupid I must have looked playing My Funny Valentine and Embraceable You clean on the neckpup and just left.

The Tele is all you need to rock out with. You're in good company

George Harrison (Let it Be album)
Jeff Beck (Blow by BLow)
Roy Buchanan
Danny Gatton
Bruce Springsteen
Mark Knofler
Andy Summers
Mr. Beaumont

etc,

[randyc]

Originally Posted by NSJ

I realized how stupid I must have looked playing My Funny Valentine and Embraceable You clean on the neckpup and just left.

I very seriously doubt that you looked (or sounded) stupid playing those tunes. I would suggest the opposite - that everyone else in the store probably looked stupidly ENVIOUS while you tried out the guitar !

[bkdavidson]

I'm inclined to agree with Randy. My brother-in-law's LP gets a very pleasant clean jazz sound, but if you're a tele guy, I guess that's where you stand. I guess that's one more for me to try if I ever actually have to buy one. Also, as an addition to John's list, might I submit Prince? I know he's completely insane, but wow, can he play.

[peterk1]

If you want to have a bit of fun. Carvin strat kits are about 400$ and they're awesome (probably the equivalent of a 1000$ guitar if you don't mess it up). Built one last year and totally love it.

[JohnW400]

Originally Posted by bkdavidson

I'm inclined to agree with Randy. My brother-in-law's LP gets a very pleasant clean jazz sound, but if you're a tele guy, I guess that's where you stand. I guess that's one more for me to try if I ever actually have to buy one. Also, as an addition to John's list, might I submit Prince? I know he's completely insane, but wow, can he play.

I forgot him and Yes he can play!Thnaks

[NSJ]

Originally Posted by randyc

I very seriously doubt that you looked (or sounded) stupid playing those tunes. I would suggest the opposite - that everyone else in the store probably looked stupidly ENVIOUS while you tried out the guitar !

Well that's very kind for you to say, but I reckon that the Great American Songbook has largely been forgotten by large swaths of the American population---and that goes double for anyone who walks into a Guitar Center.

Emily Remler had this story of when she was a nobody trying out gear at Mannys in NYC, she would have entire chord melody arrangements worked out for the occasion and not just wank out/noodle away.

Sorry a brief bout of GAS--over now

[randyc]

No fear, it WILL come back !