Gibson ES-Les Paul

[QAman]

GNAPPI,
Congrats on a great value buy from CME. Please let us know how is plays and sounds.

[GNAPPI]

I guess the reference to my Vegas was less than descriptive since that's not a very common model.

Tone wise, the MHS neck pup on the LP-ES is more like a semi or even a hollow body than a solid body Les Paul. Even with stock bright round wound strings it does not "need" the tone rolled off on the Polytone, but with the tone rolled off to 7 it gets a different personality. I'm thinking that some may misjudge the MHS pickups (even myself) as the few gits that come with them have round wound strings. I am not by any stretch a rocker so I am going to replace the strings with chromes and see what it does, I'm optimistic about it getting even better.

The FB was desert dry and one light oiling darkened the rosewood nicely, and the neck is more like a 50's model, hand filling, not like a modern slim taper 335, it plays like... well a Gibson.

After reading so much about Gibson escapes AND personally experiencing some, I'm shocked myself saying this, every single detail of the git especially the neck (which to me is more important than other things) is spot on perfect... from the fret edges, to the frets, fingerboard smoothness, and the nut and neck binding.

More to come after the chromes go on, and maybe with Christmas coming up I can record something seasonal with it.

[Lobomov]

I came very close to buying one last year and would love clip or discribtion of how they sound with chromes

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[Herbie]

I guess the reference to my Vegas was less than descriptive since that's not a very common model.

Tone wise, the MHS neck pup on the LP-ES is more like a semi or even a hollow body than a solid body Les Paul. Even with stock bright round wound strings it does not "need" the tone rolled off on the Polytone, but with the tone rolled off to 7 it gets a different personality. I'm thinking that some may misjudge the MHS pickups (even myself) as the few gits that come with them have round wound strings. I am not by any stretch a rocker so I am going to replace the strings with chromes and see what it does, I'm optimistic about it getting even better.

The FB was desert dry and one light oiling darkened the rosewood nicely, and the neck is more like a 50's model, hand filling, not like a modern slim taper 335, it plays like... well a Gibson.

After reading so much about Gibson escapes AND personally experiencing some, I'm shocked myself saying this, every single detail of the git especially the neck (which to me is more important than other things) is spot on perfect... from the fret edges, to the frets, fingerboard smoothness, and the nut and neck binding.

More to come after the chromes go on, and maybe with Christmas coming up I can record something seasonal with it.

Sounds good.

I appreciate Your attitude to getting familiar with the guitar: at least for me it takes time before I can say anything about a new guitar. I struggled with my ES175 VOS for a year (with some mods) before I realized I love it. Still love after some years and tens of gigs.

[GNAPPI]

I generally either love it or not. The one I REALLY had a problem with like you was my ES-137C, I gave up on it a few times, but it was so darn good looking I kept it in the case hidden away unable to bring myself to sell it for a long time before it finally grew on me. I'm glad I waited it out.

[GNAPPI]

I took this screencap off a NAMM video of the LP-ES construction, I think this is a first, and likely a last for Gibson.

[rhoadsscholar]

Okay, I made you look. This isn't a Scott Chinery collection blue guitar, but it could have been (maybe)

I am a sucker for blue guitars (wish more folks made them in that color)

I put one of these on lay away at CME for $1350 and couldn't be more pleased. Just got it.

I was able to sell a Gibson R7 goldtop which allowed me to join the fun on the CME floor model purchases. I was able to get this guitar, and a figured Cherry ES-335 . Great Jazz tone on the neck pickup. Our band does blues and classic rock so I find I think it will do the trick. Will take it for a spin next rehearsal.

This guy does a good job of showing the tonal capabilities.

Gibson ES-Les Paul Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar - Blue Stain - YouTube

I am going to try and post something for Christmas later.....

[Eric Rowland]

The blue and gold together look fantastic!

[GNAPPI]

HNGD! The LP-ES is an amazingly versatile git.

[vinnyv1k]

Now that is a smoking deal. The maple figure and blue color really pops ! Beautiful. Congrats rs !
You Heritage guys having been turning to the dark side of the force.

[339 in june]

Nice, really nice.
I've always been a fan of blue guitars, although I don't own one yet.
Would you trade it for my non-ES Les Paul Studio weighing 2 tons, a cow and a donkey ? It has a nice wine (more bordeaux than burgundy) red color.

Congrats !

[rhoadsscholar]

I really love the looks of the finish, I ended up returning it though. I can play two guitars of the same model or same neck profile and notice differences.

I kept comparing this one to the recently aquired CME FIgured Cherry 335 (same exact neck profile), and I would experience the high e string falling off the edge of the fretboard. Took measurements to compare the two, examined the nut etc. I happen to have a heavy handed vibrato.

I ended up exchanging it for a goldtop version of this guitar with p90s and a bigsby. If you see this blue one for sale, no flaws per sea but it just wasn't right for me (hoping to have better success with the next one. Wish I could play em side by side). I am sure I could find the right one then. Love the design of the ES Les Paul.

[GNAPPI]

Yet another CME deal came in this week, a Les Paul ES "Special II" which is a flat top version of the higher cost archtop LP-ES with less appointments like body / neck binding, pick guard and a torrified maple FB, and corian nut BUT with delicious 57 classic pickups.

So, it's been a couple of days and with a few setup tweaks it's been a surprising little git. All in all it's every bit as good a player as the premium archtop lemon burst model I got with MHS pickups. The truth be told, the 57's are better sounding, not by a wide margin but I do like the softer tone of the 57's better.

The "corian" nut was filed REALLY shallow, and despite my putting pencil lead in the grooves, it makes some LOUD squeaks and jumps in pitch while tuning. Maybe corian is best left to kitchen counter tops? That will have to go at some point.

Anyway it goes to show you that spending premium dollars on a premium uplifted model with a beautiful finish, binding and other appointments and up level woods do not always net you a FAR better guitar. Here's a typical crappy phone pic, the actual color is a bit darker Ice tea and less of the orange tint.

[GNAPPI]

I know that this is an older thread, but I think it needs reviving.

To date I have owned three LP-ES models and as reported above brought one back.

The two most recent that I will keep are a lemon burst archtop and a "special II" flat top.

The Archtop lemon burst weighs in at 6 lb 10 oz. has MHS pups, mahogany neck with a rosewood FB, with Les Paul type trapezoid markers, cream neck binding, "pearl" head inlay and includes a pickguard as a standard appointment.

The "figured" (not so figured) honey burst special II has 57 classics, decal head badges, no pick guard and a black edge sort of neck binding around a torrified maple FB with dot markers and a maple neck.

At nearly 1/3 the price (@ 6lb. 7oz. with new pick guard) the special II is every bit as good as the much better appointed high end model. Sound on both is very much more 335 than Les Paul. The lightweight mostly hollow body definitely resonates with the strings more like an archtop than a 335.

It is very interesting to have two gits with identically made bodies and different neck / FB materials and pickups. The 57's have more output than the MHS pups which are "softer" sounding with a bit less bite and volume than the 57's... I couldn't be happier with them.

The Les Paul ES models are discontinued now so if you want an approximately 2 pound lighter alternative to a 335 now is the time to get one.

[Robertkoa]

I was going to say what's a 'Chinery'..

I thought it was a Berry like a Blueberry or Loganberry ....

But a much harder question ...differences are audible plugged in from a Solid Les Paul ?

I played a Hollow LP and instead of sounding deeper than a Solid LP it sounded brighter..thinner .

I want a Hollow or Semi Hollow guitar to sound like moving to a heavier gauge string and hopefully the ' Air' might sound a bit warmer ( less treble , etc).

The one I Played did not do that- went in another direction...

[Endorphins]

I'd love a LP-ES, but no $$$$ here for guitars this season.

[rio]

I was going to say what's a 'Chinery'..

But a much harder question ...differences are audible plugged in from a Solid Les Paul ?

I have wondered that too, if there is any leaning towards the 335 side in terms of tone or if it still sounds essentially like a LP considering the size. Looks really handsome though and you got a really good price.


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[Lobomov]

I have wondered that too, if there is any leaning towards the 335 side in terms of tone or if it still sounds essentially like a LP considering the size. Looks really handsome though and you got a really good price.


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In my experience they sound less like a solidbody than the ES-335. They have a fairly small mahogany centerblock

[mtown]

Cool color. I’ve always liked blue guitars. Especially with gold hardware.

[ptchristopher3]

I tried one this weekend. Even with nancy-boy strings on there it sounded more hollow to me than a 135 or an HR Fusion. Surprisingly good. Sloppy build in the Gibson style, but sounded really very good.

[Robertkoa]

In my experience they sound less like a solidbody than the ES-335. They have a fairly small mahogany centerblock

Recently I saw an Article ( I don't care about Luthiery much unless it helps me get Tones) about the Sadowsky Semi Hollow - it was an unofficial Blind Test for me because when I saw Jack Zucker's demo of it I was impressed knowing nothing about it - no reputation reviews etc.).

So it turns out that Sadowsky uses ( or directs Japan to use - don't care which ) Spruce Center Block
BUT there are openings in the Block so the air inside and the Guitar vibrates more as one piece - not in two halves like a 335 !

If true - it is amazing to me that no one ever thought of this before ¿?¿

It is also amazing that they are still making Strats and Teles to the same low design standards of the 50's...

A lot of Guitars don't seem to be designed for Tone primarily until you get to Hollows and Acoustics.

A lot of other Guitars are ' Vibe' like these Guitars with Bigsbys - the quivering Demos are annoying...
What kind of Music has Vibrato chords every other chord ...lol.

[Robertkoa]

I tried one this weekend. Even with nancy-boy strings on there it sounded more hollow to me than a 135 or an HR Fusion. Surprisingly good. Sloppy build in the Gibson style, but sounded really very good.

More Hollow than a 135 to me would be approaching
175 Phatness ..?

I found the 137 to be clearly more thick and Hollow sounding than a 335 which are close to Les Pauls ..

The LP I played that was Semi Hollow was only $1299 new at GC a few years ago ..

What model is This ?

[ptchristopher3]

More Hollow than a 135 to me would be approaching
175 Phatness ..?

I found the 137 to be clearly more thick and Hollow sounding than a 335 which are close to Les Pauls ..

The LP I played that was Semi Hollow was only $1299 new at GC a few years ago ..

What model is This ?

The model I played was the regular ES Les Paul, not the low cost special.

I was indeed surprised how much better it sounded to me than the balsa center block guitars (135 and HR Fusion).

I would not describe it as 175 like. Just far more character than I expected.

Mahogany has its serious benefits in my opinion. So the ES Les Paul had a mahogany neck and very small mahogany center block. A great alternative to something like the HR Fusion (not that there are many playing those).

[Robertkoa]

The model I played was the regular ES Les Paul, not the low cost special.

I was indeed surprised how much better it sounded to me than the balsa center block guitars (135 and HR Fusion).

I would not describe it as 175 like. Just far more character than I expected.

Mahogany has its serious benefits in my opinion. So the ES Les Paul had a mahogany neck and very small mahogany center block. A great alternative to something like the HR Fusion (not that there are many playing those).

Yes I played the lower budget Model -must be a big difference - I liked the unbound neck..but not the Tone...

Edit - I listened to the Musician's Friend Demo there
AND when he played the Jazzier stuff- it was getting close to where it could carry a Melody of a Tune..
up a string gauge or two ...

Will it go here...probably not...OR am I wrong...?

No not cloning anyone's Tones...nor copying ...just Ballpark of fatness without turning down the tone knob to dangerous levels (ha).

[GNAPPI]

Those damn CME deals had me get two. An archtop with MHS, and a Flat top Special II with 57's.

But, as usual, when or if Gibson does something right, it can't be "right enough" when a sub $800 semi hollow (the LP-ES special or Special II) with truly innovative design and construction gets poo poohed for lack of tone, I have to wonder what the expectation is? For that matter what the comparison was made against? A Gretsch? A Strat? an L6, 175, 335?

For comparison I have a 335 and other Gibson semis as well as some of their fully hollow selections and these LP-ES models are as good as anything I've played or owned from Gibson or anyone else for that matter. Maybe too good at too low a price. I'm beginning to believe expectations from the brand may have been elevated beyond Gibson's ability to please players. Played side by side with every Gibson I own the Special II I have is IMO the best bang for the buck on the planet and actually better than some of Gibson's own high end models costing a lot more.