Les Paul experts, I need some info

[noname]

Ok dear guitar friends, I decided that my next guitar is going to be an LP.

Now, my dilemma is how close to the LP sound I am going to get with Warmoth. I don't have any issues with W being bolt on and esthetic differences(pups a bit differently placed comparing to Giby?), but I am wandering if that is going to result with difference in sound comparing to the original LP? You know, the classic ingredients, mahog body, mahog neck rosewood fret etc.

I know, some of you will say, who cares, it is better that guitar has something unique, it's own vibe, but still how close sound wise can I get?

I really don't want to pay the money that certain company charges for LP, especially when comparing to W and choices one gets . . .

Thanks much.

 

[slashgnr88]

I have a Warmoth carved top Les Paul double cut. Non chambered Mahog body/flame maple top with cont heal. Wenge/Ziricote neck (these woods are very close tone wise to Mahog/rosewood...just more exotic and better looking IMHO) standard thin. 12in radius Gibson Scale (Warmoth conversion neck). Rio Grande pups with a Gotoh 510 bridge. Std les paul wiring.


I cant tell a difference between mine and my buddies Gibson. we have plugged them in to the same Egnator Rebel 20 amp back to back and it is VERY VERY VERY close.

the real difference is mine plays better and is more unique and exotic looking. and of course his Gibson was quite a bit more price wise as well.


hope this helped.

 

[Tipperman]

You'll get the sound. The differences will be, in my opinion: Better quality, hands down. Bolt on, much tighter fit in neck pocket than a set-in Gibson (goes hand in hand with quality). The option to choose whatever the hell you want for it finish wise, and parts wise.

Orpheo will probably be here at some point. He's kind of the resident LP-obsessed LP building maniac.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

There has been a lot of back and forth on this subject.  One of the factors that does seem to make it sound more Gibson-y is the 24 3/4 neck length.  Then, I think the pickups are probably next.  The woods are important, but with those two factors you will be quite close. 

The other difficulty, that you can show yourself, is take a number of Gibson's and play them through the same rig with the same settings at a Guitar Center and see how much variation there is.  I have never done it, but I am guessing that you'll be able to find one that sounds better than the rest.  Same is true of most guitar builds, natural products take on their own individual characteristics.

All of that being said, avoid a bright wood for the neck, use the conversion scale, and get some pickups that are designed for the style you like.  I'd say you'll be just fine.
Patrick

 

[noname]

thank you all very much. I agree Patrick, plenty of LP's around that sound different. I am actually planning to make one as I (and you, of course) mentioned with "conservative" specs. Gold top, like Bonamassa. Pups I already have, Dimarzio 36th PAF, so that is settled.

How much of a role plays the maple top?

 

[Orpheo]

The scale is important,agreed.

The whole bolt on is a non issue, imho, for the already given reasons.

The cap is important, but not as much as one might think. I have 9 les pauks without mahogany or maple, but sound on par,if not better, than gibson les pauls. The thickness and average density seem to be more important.

 

[noname]

The scale is important,agreed.

The whole bolt on is a non issue, imho, for the already given reasons.

The cap is important, but not as much as one might think. I have 9 les pauks without mahogany or maple, but sound on par,if not better, than gibson les pauls. The thickness and average density seem to be more important.

Thanks Orpheo. Yep, the set neck vs the world is a non-issue IMO also, unless somebody is making serious dough on these beliefs.

9 Lp's?  Cheers man, hope they all have enough attention :guitaristgif:. . .

 

[Tipperman]

The scale is important,agreed.

The whole bolt on is a non issue, imho, for the already given reasons.

The cap is important, but not as much as one might think. I have 9 les pauks without mahogany or maple, but sound on par,if not better, than gibson les pauls. The thickness and average density seem to be more important.

Thanks Orpheo. Yep, the set neck vs the world is a non-issue IMO also, unless somebody is making serious dough on these beliefs.

9 Lp's?  Cheers man, hope they all have enough attention :guitaristgif:. . .

He has more than 9. Those are just ones without mahogany or maple!  :laughing7:

 

[Orpheo]

The scale is important,agreed.

The whole bolt on is a non issue, imho, for the already given reasons.

The cap is important, but not as much as one might think. I have 9 les pauks without mahogany or maple, but sound on par,if not better, than gibson les pauls. The thickness and average density seem to be more important.

Thanks Orpheo. Yep, the set neck vs the world is a non-issue IMO also, unless somebody is making serious dough on these beliefs.

9 Lp's?  Cheers man, hope they all have enough attention :guitaristgif:. . .

yeah man, i have 25 les pauls. 9 without maple or mahogany,and 10 if i count a mahogany back+different top than maple along for the ride.

He has more than 9. Those are just ones without mahogany or maple!  :laughing7:

 

[mgaut051]

The scale is important,agreed.

The whole bolt on is a non issue, imho, for the already given reasons.

The cap is important, but not as much as one might think. I have 9 les pauks without mahogany or maple, but sound on par,if not better, than gibson les pauls. The thickness and average density seem to be more important.

Thanks Orpheo. Yep, the set neck vs the world is a non-issue IMO also, unless somebody is making serious dough on these beliefs.

9 Lp's?  Cheers man, hope they all have enough attention :guitaristgif:. . .

He has more than 9. Those are just ones without mahogany or maple!  :laughing7:

:icon_biggrin: :icon_jokercolor: ccasion14: