The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Barklessdog on August 14, 2009, 04:27:49 AM

Title: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 14, 2009, 04:27:49 AM
Lets bring those Les Paul's out for the respect of the man himself. Post songs/ Youtube clips, using the bass as well

RIP
My song -
Sweet Mother Of Paulie- using just my LP Standard bass
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=578947&songID=5274850

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/MY%20BASSES/P1000683.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/MY%20BASSES/kimapaul.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/MY%20BASSES/birdseye.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/lespauldeluxebass.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/lespaulcustombb.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 14, 2009, 04:31:04 AM
The rarest LP Triumph bass?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/silvertp3.jpg)

Baslisk's fine bass

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/CHROMELP_CUJPG.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: SKATE RAT on August 14, 2009, 04:33:31 AM
here's my '92 three knob LPB-1
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x120/yrofrat/mojo008-Copy.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 14, 2009, 04:40:07 AM
Love those Ice Cream cup basses

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/DSC04815.jpg)

Hopefully Uwe will pull out his Epi Greenie
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Basvarken on August 14, 2009, 04:48:15 AM
My Les Paul family:

(http://www.superfloor.net/LesPaulBass.jpg)


(http://www.superfloor.net/triumph1.jpg)


(http://www.superfloor.net/prototype.jpg)


(http://b4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01423/40/74/1423224704_l.jpg)


and one bastard son

(http://www.superfloor.net/cbscopy.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: exiledarchangel on August 14, 2009, 05:32:14 AM
Can geetards join the game? Here's my Epi /w lipstics.

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k286/kwstas79/epi-lp/phot0173.jpg?t=1250252999)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 14, 2009, 06:02:44 AM
Wow that guitar looks great.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 14, 2009, 06:40:32 AM
A Standard with a scratch plate (pre-owner ordered it that way) plus T.M. Stevens' Custom Shop 8 string monster

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2484.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2481.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2477.jpg)

A passive LPB-1 to the left, a 5 string tiger stripe DeLuxe in the middle and a custom ordered brownish (should have been translucent black, but the maho turned it brown) fretless 4 string DeLuxe:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_0931.jpg)

Me live and the Signature, in my usual fretboard location:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/IMG_8625.jpg)

An Epi prototype, neck-thru and all maple, imagine an aggressive Ric with humbuckers and you know what it sounds like, real secret weapon:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/6b_12.jpg)

An apprentice at the Gibson Custom Shop built this for himself, the body is thinner and larger than a reg LP body which makes this a Les Paul-Ripper!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/IMG_10471.jpg)


The next two aren't mine:

An interesting mod on a Standard:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/100_1076.jpg)

A rare green fin DeLuxe 5 string:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/e6e3_1.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: ramone57 on August 14, 2009, 07:26:17 AM
love 'em all, but desperately need new pics...

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/blackchromegd9.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/bodyfrontud5.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/lpb1.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: OldManC on August 14, 2009, 11:27:26 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/72Triumph.jpg)

Here's mine. Rehabbed by the good Dr. Bassman.  ;)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on August 14, 2009, 01:38:09 PM
John, cool tune and cool tones as always.

That silverburst Triumph....  :o :o :o

This is certainly not my best performance, but it's OK. From about 3 years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/v/uhr_ZffNEr4&hl=en&fs=1&
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: pamlicojack on August 14, 2009, 07:37:54 PM
This was my '94 Heritage Cherry with Barts. I liked it despite a few on this board who aren't fans. Wound up trading it for an '86 Ric straight up...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/pamlicojack/DSC01487.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: drbassman on August 14, 2009, 09:25:23 PM
Here are my 2 LPs  (with a TB interloper in the middle!).

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Basses/mylps.jpg)

And one I sent to the Fatherland...........

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1896.jpg)

Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: drbassman on August 14, 2009, 09:28:14 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/72Triumph.jpg)

Here's mine. Rehabbed by the good Dr. Bassman.  ;)

Wow, she still looks great.  Super picture of her George.  They are great little basses.   8)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Highlander on August 15, 2009, 01:03:53 AM
My "illegitimate" child, now her father has gone, in proper mourning colours...

(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/SG/feb099.jpg)

RIP LP
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: ilan on August 16, 2009, 05:17:53 AM
My 1986 Les Paul Jr. '57 reissue with incorrect separate stop tailpiece and Tune-o-Matic bridge.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: chromium on August 16, 2009, 02:45:22 PM
Some beautiful stuff in here!  Starting to feel the LPS/JCS GAS coming on...  

I like that Sweet Mother of Pauly track too!  Great range of sounds you get out of that bass.


My only Les Paul is my '73 Gibson Triumph.  I bought this about a year ago from a gentleman that popped into Jules' forum wanting to sell it.  He purchased it new, used it in a Dallas-area (IIRC) bar band briefly, and then tucked it away for 30+ years after the band split up.  It was near mint when I got it, but I've been playing it enough to take care of that!  8)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0014a.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0015b.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0023a.jpg)



When the bass showed up here, it still had the original strings on it - some ancient flatwounds.  They still had a little life left in 'em, and I thought they delivered a nice "plonky" sound that inspired this track:

   http://www.hillscloud.com/music/Horizon.mp3

The bass part is the Triumph (thanks, Les!) recorded thru an Alembic F-2B preamp.  The melody is my Alembic Distillate (sorry, Les) run thru a Maestro W2 and Sola Sound wah, and the guitar at the end is an SG Special (really sorry, Les  ;)).

Shortly after this I slapped on my usual set of DAddario EXL170Ss, and its been a favorite ever since.  
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Freuds_Cat on August 16, 2009, 06:20:53 PM
Feeling very sadly left out of this thread. I came close to buying one last year but had it sold out from under me :/   
I love the tone and the feel of the necks on LPB's and I promise you all I will make amends for this shortcoming in my collection.

Great pics and sounds too BTW!
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 17, 2009, 08:06:16 AM
Some beautiful stuff in here!  Starting to feel the LPS/JCS GAS coming on...  

I like that Sweet Mother of Pauly track too!  Great range of sounds you get out of that bass.


My only Les Paul is my '73 Gibson Triumph.  I bought this about a year ago from a gentleman that popped into Jules' forum wanting to sell it.  He purchased it new, used it in a Dallas-area (IIRC) bar band briefly, and then tucked it away for 30+ years after the band split up.  It was near mint when I got it, but I've been playing it enough to take care of that!  8)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0014a.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0015b.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0023a.jpg)



When the bass showed up here, it still had the original strings on it - some ancient flatwounds.  They still had a little life left in 'em, and I thought they delivered a nice "plonky" sound that inspired this track:

   http://www.hillscloud.com/music/Horizon.mp3

The bass part is the Triumph (thanks, Les!) recorded thru an Alembic F-2B preamp.  The melody is my Alembic Distillate (sorry, Les) run thru a Maestro W2 and Sola Sound wah, and the guitar at the end is an SG Special (really sorry, Les  ;)).

Shortly after this I slapped on my usual set of DAddario EXL170Ss, and its been a favorite ever since.  


Great pics and great bass playing as usual. Love the bubbley bass sound and nice keyboard work. Really works well together.

Love Rob's overdriven/ neck bending antics on his little Hobbits as well.

Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: TBird1958 on August 17, 2009, 08:16:31 AM

 Beautiful bass and nice playing Joe!
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on August 17, 2009, 09:43:47 AM
Some from Saturday....

I don't know what I'm playing here, but it must have been something awesome! LOL!
(http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/88/l_34703349945748e5bcdaacf59352d6b4.jpg)

One with a pretty girl....
(http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/76/l_d908c7a4db3f4eaab2980fa5c2862359.jpg)

And one with a LP guitard...
(http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/101/l_f6d515e1d92f44388a177b3e5981bc73.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: drbassman on August 17, 2009, 10:28:52 AM
Cool pics everyone!  And again, some nice bass playing there too!!!   8)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: ramone57 on August 17, 2009, 11:10:27 AM
(http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/88/l_34703349945748e5bcdaacf59352d6b4.jpg)

best pic ever!   8)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on August 17, 2009, 11:35:00 AM
Beautiful bass and nice playing Joe!

+1! Cool, cool stuff, and the bass is a gem.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: doombass on August 17, 2009, 12:27:53 PM
My two LP basses. One old, one new:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/Triumph1-1.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/LP_Std_2.jpg)


Phil Jones prototypes:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/LPB3_prototype.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/LPB1_prototype.jpg)

Other:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/CustomLP1-1.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/Triumph_wht.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/96LPB3Amber1.jpg)


Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 17, 2009, 01:09:53 PM
That Honey burst LP is amazing Daniel.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: TBird1958 on August 17, 2009, 01:14:54 PM

Nice pics Tom!

 And that's a pretty nice looking venue too, where's that?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on August 17, 2009, 03:13:44 PM
Nice pics Tom!

 And that's a pretty nice looking venue too, where's that?

Festival in Bolingbrook, IL. Appeared to be a permanent structure behind the cop shop. They had two big video walls on each side of the stage and like 4 cameras. Big backdrop too with a bunch of moving light projections going when it got dark. And I figured out I was playing Helter Skelter in that top pic.  ;D
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 17, 2009, 04:19:00 PM
I thought you were only allowed to play Rics with her?  :-*
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Lightyear on August 17, 2009, 07:36:03 PM
I thought you were only allowed to play Rics with her?  :-*

Um, for her I'd play anything she wanted me to play  ;)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: SKATE RAT on August 17, 2009, 08:11:58 PM
where are those Phil Jones prototypes now?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 17, 2009, 08:25:03 PM
where are those Phil Jones prototypes now?

Uwe owns some of them.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: SKATE RAT on August 17, 2009, 08:31:28 PM
those 2 in the pic.?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 17, 2009, 08:34:34 PM
I think he owns the one on the right and the goldtop below the one on the left (note the neck pickup placement on all three). He also owns a fretless doublecut that's not shown.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 18, 2009, 01:14:01 AM
Too much honor, Dave. I have three one-offs/prototypes from Herr Jones, but they are the toothless Doublecut you mentioned, the Korinabird and the Super 400 Acoustic Bass Guitar. At that point in time I did not collect for pup location either!
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Bart! on August 18, 2009, 05:32:37 AM
My Lpsig

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a377/BartWitte/GibsonLesPaulSignaturebass.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 18, 2009, 05:53:47 AM
I wonder what role Les had in those basses?

Anyone know the story?

Jules?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Iome on August 18, 2009, 05:56:55 AM
Have those Phil jones different pickups or are they only placed different from a standard? Ae there much difference in the sound?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 18, 2009, 06:38:08 AM
Same pups, different neck position. Curiously, before Gibson deleted the nineties LP long scale bass sereis for good, they brought out Special Faded models in walnut and cherry which had the neck pup farther up the neck than on any other modern LP bass before. Do those sound different than their predecessors? Not really. Playing a 92 LPB-1 and one of those 2005/6 Special Faded side by side, the older model with the pup closer to the bridge even sounded a little bassier.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 18, 2009, 07:26:04 AM
Oops, I'm sorry, I thought you had bought more from that first group he had put up for sale at Gruhn's.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on August 18, 2009, 08:28:37 AM
Um, for her I'd play anything she wanted me to play  ;)


She doesn't care about the bass. As long as I'm the player.  ;D
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: chromium on August 18, 2009, 10:46:27 AM
Thanks all for the comments on my track.

I forgot about that subtle treatment you gave the LPB-1.  The pickup rings, reflector caps, and other shiny bits really set that thing off!  Gives it a modern-day-Triumph vibe.  Great action shots!


My Lpsig

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/smilies/hc_love-1.gif)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on August 18, 2009, 11:36:42 AM
I forgot about that subtle treatment you gave the LPB-1.  The pickup rings, reflector caps, and other shiny bits really set that thing off!  Gives it a modern-day-Triumph vibe.

That's exactly what I was going for.  ;D
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: barend on August 18, 2009, 12:14:05 PM
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0014a.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0015b.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/triumph/DSCF0023a.jpg)

Man, these pictures are nice! My GAS for a Triumph is all back now. Somehow I like the Triumph better than the 'Recording' bass. I like the orange colour and the block inlays.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 18, 2009, 12:14:49 PM
I wonder what role Les had in those basses?

Anyone know the story?

Jules?

I don't think he had any role in the 90s basses, if that's what you're asking.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 18, 2009, 01:01:30 PM
I meant the LP Signiture, was that not a 70's bass?


Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: hieronymous on August 18, 2009, 01:25:34 PM
A few shots of my Triumph:

(http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5500/bodyanglemedwj3.jpg)

(http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3381/ncdcncbwadetew5.jpg)

(http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/3506/mmlpua7.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Pilgrim on August 18, 2009, 04:02:26 PM
My Lpsig

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a377/BartWitte/GibsonLesPaulSignaturebass.jpg)

Isn't that the version they called the Les Paul before that name was assigned to the famous solid body?

I'm not sure how much of that instrument's DNA is in the Casady bass, but I suspect there's a lot of it. The layout, switches and cosmetics are nearly identical.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 18, 2009, 09:05:17 PM
I meant the LP Signiture, was that not a 70's bass?


Yes, it came out in the early 70s. I don't think Les had anything to do with the styling but it does have a low impedance pickup and he's responsible for that design although he may not have done that particular version.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 18, 2009, 09:11:42 PM
Isn't that the version they called the Les Paul before that name was assigned to the famous solid body?

I'm not sure how much of that instrument's DNA is in the Casady bass, but I suspect there's a lot of it. The layout, switches and cosmetics are nearly identical.

I'm not quite sure what your first sentence means. It's a 70s bass (came out in 1973 IIRC) and was always called the Les Paul Signature. The solid body Les Paul Bass "hobbits" you see in this thread first came out in 1969.

The Casady is an Epi reissue version of the LP Signature.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 19, 2009, 03:38:14 AM
I've read that the late Les was involved in both concepts Recording/Triumph and Signature. In an interview in connection with the Signature he said that he was unhappy about the Recording/Triumph being shortscale (hence the nickname "hobbits" here), but that that was a Gibson business decision, not his. And that the LP Sig was to make belatedly good on that. Les was a fan of the P Bass and sound and wanted a bass that could replicate a P sound (which an LP Sig can do better than an Epi JC) "and do other sounds as well". And he wanted it to be hollowbody to discern it from the Fender P and also for the acoustic tinge it gave the sound.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Highlander on August 19, 2009, 04:52:48 AM
What are the three pots on the LP Sig for...?

Nice looking bass... what do they go for, or are they rockin horse doins'...?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 19, 2009, 05:28:04 AM
Vol, tone and chicken head "level controller" with pos 50, 200 and 500. Plus an extra jack at the side for a really low signal for studio work straight into the board.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Basvarken on August 19, 2009, 05:50:08 AM
And he wanted it to be hollowbody to discern it from the Fender P and also for the acoustic tinge it gave the sound.

That is kinda funny, because he invented first solid body (the log) to avoid the semi-acoustic related characteristics.



Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 19, 2009, 06:24:00 AM
Quote
In an interview in connection with the Signature he said that he was unhappy about the Recording/Triumph being shortscale (hence the nickname "hobbits" here), but that that was a Gibson business decision, not his. And that the LP Sig was to make belatedly good on that. Les was a fan of the P Bass and sound and wanted a bass that could replicate a P sound

When I met him back stage I ask him about Truimph basses. He told me the same story, but added what great basses they are.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 19, 2009, 06:36:52 AM
That is kinda funny, because he invented first solid body (the log) to avoid the semi-acoustic related characteristics.





But the Sig was intended (also) as a studio bass where feedback isn't an issue.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Basvarken on August 19, 2009, 07:25:21 AM
Yeah I know. But I meant that the one aspect that made a his design unique was the fact that it was solid body. Gibson gave their solid bodied guitar his name.
It is kinda awkward that the very bass (and six string guitar) they named the Les Paul Signature wasn't a solid body...
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 19, 2009, 07:45:22 AM
I agree. And no offense to Les but I'd like to see some confirmation from Gibson that he was involved in the Signature series. His memory sometimes was inaccurate.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: chromium on August 19, 2009, 08:08:19 AM
There's an anecdote from Les in the Wheeler book relating to the re-introduction of the Les Paul in the late 60s, where he stated that Gibson was planning to phase out their solid body guitars altogether, and he convinced them otherwise - that rock players were clamoring to find old Les Pauls, and that they were the "hottest thing for rock".  That might lead one to believe that the Sig semis were a Gibson-born idea, but can't say for sure.  I still have never seen anything about the origins of the Signature series.

Then again, if he was so adamant about having his name pulled off the SG you'd think he'd have done the same with the Sig if he wasn't at least partly responsible for it.

Ah the glorious mysteries and contradictions!
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 19, 2009, 08:31:50 AM
There's an anecdote from Les in the Wheeler book relating to the re-introduction of the Les Paul in the late 60s, where he stated that Gibson was planning to phase out their solid body guitars altogether, and he convinced them otherwise - that rock players were clamoring to find old Les Pauls, and that they were the "hottest thing for rock".  That might lead one to believe that the Sig semis were a Gibson-born idea, but can't say for sure.  I still have never seen anything about the origins of the Signature series.

Then again, if he was so adamant about having his name pulled off the SG you'd think he'd have done the same with the Sig if he wasn't at least partly responsible for it.

Ah the glorious mysteries and contradictions!

I take all that with a big grain of salt. After all, Wheeler is one of the sources for the false claim that Les and Mary had a network TV show that ran from 1953 to 1959. In fact, their "show" was a Listerine commercial consisting of two songs sandwiched between three Listerine blurbs, and it ran for something like 18 months in 1953-55. And Wheeler further claimed that the "show" was the real reason behind the Les Paul TV Model.  :rolleyes:

Les said that he wanted his name off the SG version because he didn't like what they did with it. Maybe so, but the original LP wasn't his design and the SG version far outsold the original, hard to see why he would want out of a successful model. Besides, he later said that it was because of his divorce proceedings. That seems more likely to me.

I don't believe for a minute that Gibson was planning to phase out solidbodies.

Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: chromium on August 19, 2009, 08:37:44 AM
Man, these pictures are nice! My GAS for a Triumph is all back now. Somehow I like the Triumph better than the 'Recording' bass. I like the orange colour and the block inlays.

Thanks, Barend.  Didn't you have a Les Paul Bass for a while?  I don't know how the sound compares to the LPB (haven't played one), but compared to the EBs (which I know you've had) the Triumph has a lot tighter low end, more even response across the strings and up the neck, and it can be very clear and articulate when you want it to.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Basvarken on August 19, 2009, 10:49:12 AM
I favour the Les Paul -often referred to as Recording- Bass over a Triumph.
It feels more substantial. (for example: the large control plate on the Triumph is very vulnerable/delicate)

The body is 5 mm thicker and to my ears that gives it a deeper and tighter tone.
The neck of the Triumph is a wee bit thinner.

If the Les Paul Bass doesn't speak to you Barend, the Triumph will most likely not speak to you either.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 19, 2009, 11:49:24 AM
I'm with the man speaking the medieval Middle German dialect: I prefer the LP/original Recording to the Triumph too. The neck on the Triumph  is indeed suspiciously thin and the scratchplate just waiting for the bass' less than robust guts to spill out. The LP looks better (more organic) too and is able to do everything the Triumph offers (except for the redundnat higher output option).
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Pilgrim on August 19, 2009, 12:55:16 PM
Vol, tone and chicken head "level controller" with pos 50, 200 and 500. Plus an extra jack at the side for a really low signal for studio work straight into the board.

Does anyone know what "50, 200 and 500" actually mean?  I know the sound changes with the position, but 50, 200 and 500 - WHAT?  Ohms of resistance?  Frequency rolloff point?  Frequency boost point?

Inquiring minds wanna know.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Basvarken on August 19, 2009, 01:17:49 PM
With the rotary switch you choose the impedance.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: barend on August 19, 2009, 02:34:00 PM
Thanks, Barend.  Didn't you have a Les Paul Bass for a while?  I don't know how the sound compares to the LPB (haven't played one), but compared to the EBs (which I know you've had) the Triumph has a lot tighter low end, more even response across the strings and up the neck, and it can be very clear and articulate when you want it to.

Yes, I had a LP bass for a week at my home just to try it out. But it had some problems with the electronics so it was hard to judge the full potential of the sound and also it was a little bit too heavy for my taste.
So in the end I didn't buy it although I liked what I heard. Maybe if it was in perfect working order (soundwise) I would have bought it.

And Rob: you are probably right. But they look so beautiful! Also I don't really need it but I always had GAS
for a Triumph. Chromiums Triumph is the best looking Triumph I ever saw. It looks like a photoshoot for a magazine or so (must be a very good camera)...why did you post those pictures?..haha
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: slinkp on August 19, 2009, 06:00:22 PM
I've seen a few LPB-1s in this thread but I don't think I've seen one in the black/yellow sunburst finish yet, so here's mine, alongside my bandmate's LP guitar:

(http://slinkp.com/~paul/paul_steve_union_hall_april_2009.jpeg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Pilgrim on August 19, 2009, 06:40:33 PM
With the rotary switch you choose the impedance.

Thanks! 
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on August 20, 2009, 08:08:12 AM
I've seen a few LPB-1s in this thread but I don't think I've seen one in the black/yellow sunburst finish yet, so here's mine, alongside my bandmate's LP guitar:

Cool 3 knobber! Real Junior vibe on that one.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 20, 2009, 09:00:37 AM
From the future, slated for Limited Run release:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/000_BFGBass.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 20, 2009, 09:05:50 AM
You've been to the future?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/davepix/humor/docbrown.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: barend on August 20, 2009, 09:06:40 AM
wow! an LP3  :)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Highlander on August 20, 2009, 04:14:12 PM
Thanks Dave...  8)

Oh... you didn't mean me...  :sad:

I think I saw a psychedelic megalomaniac image on this page to rival the "Tequilabird"...!!!

Stand up  and claim your crown, Paul (SlinkP, with the "Blazer") ...!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 20, 2009, 04:46:13 PM
Whether I've been to the future, Dave? That is a question of great philosophical implications, nevertheless I will attempt an explanation for you. The great learned English philosophers Ozzy O. And Geezer B. once quite rightly observed "that today is yesterday's tomorrow". Think about it. What it means is that while no-one of us will ever have been to the future - it escapes day after day as it metamorphoses into the present only to then decay into the past -, all of us are constantly going towards it. And the journey is more important than the destination.

I really should be writing liner notes for prog albums ...
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Highlander on August 20, 2009, 05:02:26 PM
A car/train/plane/etc is a time-machine... (car - literally, in "that" movie) - if you walked the distance, how long would it take...?

and did you know that you hear the "sound" of lightning in reverse, in most cases... think about it... light/electricity travels considerably faster than sound, so the point where the "arc" is formed is the point of "creation of the sound", but as it strikes the ground (in many cases) faster than the sound from the creation point, and this could have been miles up, you hear the strike point first...

"I was here at the dawn of time, and I will be here at the end of time, but not in this form..." - the philosophy of Kennneth Stewart, circa 1981

"Time is relative, lunch time doubly so..." - Douglas Adams (rip)

I really should be sectioned, under the Mental Health Act...
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Freuds_Cat on August 20, 2009, 06:26:25 PM


I really should be sectioned, under the Mental Health Act...

Where would the fun in that be?  ;)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: SKATE RAT on August 20, 2009, 07:03:24 PM
it's not about the distance.you need to reach 88 mph for the "Flux capacitor" to kick in.
also i've seen the future of RocknRoll and Radiohead has nothing to do with it.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Lightyear on August 20, 2009, 08:09:54 PM
Cool 3 knobber! Real Junior vibe on that one.

"3 knobber"   ;D Maybe it's just that I'm dead tired and really mentally burnt but "3 knobber" just strikes me as the title of an alternative porn flick :o

Man, I need a vacation, maybe some physch help.....
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 20, 2009, 09:06:16 PM
...
also i've seen the future of RocknRoll and Radiohead has nothing to do with it.

That's because Radiohead can be found in the painfully slow plodding songs section of the future. Just like the present!
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Highlander on August 21, 2009, 03:00:05 AM
Ah, Bret... I'm stuck within "dimension 22"...

I know I should be sectioned, because I know it's nuts to write the gibberish I do, but because I know it's nuts to write this stuff, I know they'll never section me, QED... because I write it I must be nuts...!

I'm crazy, because I am, therefore I must exist, because to deny my existence would be to deny the existance of anyone, or anything, else; reality is what we perceive, and nothing more, also nothing less, and if only I could remember where I parked the "Mother-ship"...  8)

It's round here somewhere... I know it... BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY, DAMN-IT; BEAM ME UP, PLEASE...!

er... did I wander off thread...

Damn it Dave...! why'd ya have to post that pic... now, in my state of whisky induced delerium, I've revealed the existance of alternate realities and dimensions... They'll... they'll be... coming for me...
:o          :o          :o          :o          :o           :o           :o          :o           :o           :o           :mrgreen:        :o           :o           :mrgreen:          :o          :mrgreen:           :mrgreen:           :mrgreen:           :mrgreen:           :popcorn:
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: SKATE RAT on August 21, 2009, 05:14:13 AM
dude.,you need to switch to Decaf.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: nofi on August 21, 2009, 06:18:14 AM
uwe, i think the lyric you gave sabbath credit for is actually a uriah heep/dave byron song. not to be picky or anything. ;)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on August 21, 2009, 07:58:19 AM
Someone pass me the bong.  8)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on August 21, 2009, 08:04:50 AM
Heep had "Circle of Hands" I think which featured a similar lyric with Byron crooning "to-mo-or-row" towards the end of it. You're right, that song preceded the Sabbath song I was thinking of which I believe to be from Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. I think it went something like "today is tomorrow's yesterday".
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 21, 2009, 08:07:49 AM
I believe in yesterday.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on August 21, 2009, 08:09:47 AM
Les is rolling around in his coffin or urn about now reading this fred
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: nofi on August 21, 2009, 08:27:49 AM
i am fully prepared to beat a dead horse . the heep lyric was 'today is only yesterday's tommorrow.' back in the day i thought that quite profound. ??? :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Highlander on August 21, 2009, 02:33:12 PM
John... as long as everybody is having a good time, Les would be wearing a smile of contentment, especially knowing how much he influenced all of our lives...  ;)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: doombass on August 22, 2009, 01:53:51 PM
The Sabbath lyrics are: "all tomorrow's become yesterday".
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on August 22, 2009, 04:01:59 PM
Three days I dread to see arrive
Three days that I hate to be alive
Three days filled with tears and sorrow
Yesterday today and tomorrow


-- Faron Young/Willie Nelson, 1962

So there.  :P
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: SKATE RAT on August 22, 2009, 08:44:55 PM
for Lester........
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x120/yrofrat/3826438846_9651c83ae3.jpg)(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x120/yrofrat/3826521152_080d58f3f6.jpg)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x120/yrofrat/028.jpg)(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x120/yrofrat/3825698221_9621ffcb48.jpg)(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x120/yrofrat/3825672703_1e2302856a.jpg)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Highlander on August 23, 2009, 11:00:15 AM
Yep... having a "rockin' gud tahm..."  8)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: ramone57 on August 23, 2009, 01:37:21 PM
looks like a good time, rat! 
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: slinkp on August 27, 2009, 06:35:31 PM
Cool 3 knobber! Real Junior vibe on that one.

Yeah, I dunno why, I had no great interest in the LP basses until I saw that particular one pop on Ebay and I just lost my mind.

I don't actually play it out that often because it's my heaviest and hardest to play bass, the neck feels about three miles long and half a mile thick :)
But goddamn it sounds good.  I looove the combination of mahogany and ebony.  The Genz-Benz shuttle 6.0 head I got recently doesn't hurt either.  Really rocking combination... crank the input gain on the amp and it just roars.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Grog on September 20, 2009, 07:45:39 PM
My collection of Low Impedance Guitar & Bass pairs.........
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: OldManC on September 20, 2009, 08:38:46 PM
OK Grog, you definitely belong here. Welcome to the club!  ;D
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Freuds_Cat on September 20, 2009, 09:40:24 PM
Very nice collection. and Hi.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Nocturnal on September 20, 2009, 09:43:30 PM
Welcome aboard, and GREAT collection!!
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: TBird1958 on September 20, 2009, 10:30:23 PM

Beautiful basses!

Welcome here  :)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Basvarken on September 20, 2009, 10:46:14 PM
Welcome Grog.
And Wow, those are three awesome pairs!

Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on September 20, 2009, 10:54:28 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b300/Squidley/NightSquid/0024.gif) Grog!

Gorgeous sets of axes!! !! !!  8)
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on September 21, 2009, 04:41:49 AM
Nice Grog & welcome. When I saw Les a few years back he played his low impedance Paul the whole show.

Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on September 21, 2009, 08:15:11 AM
Perfect sets of twins! How long did it take you getting them together?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Grog on September 21, 2009, 02:40:07 PM
Thanks for the welcome! One of the things I regret putting off until it was too late was meeting Les Paul before he passed away. I would have enjoyed talking to him about Low Impedance Guitars & Basses. I have been collecting Gibson Basses & matching guitars for about 20 years. It took about five years to collect the three sets in the picture, I've had them for close to ten years. I submitted this picture to the VG Readers Gallery shortly after I acquired the LP-12 amp two years ago. It was published 3 weeks after I sent it, Aug 07.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: barend on September 21, 2009, 03:20:17 PM
What is the story behind the diagonal pickups on the Triumph and 'Recording' bass? Never saw that before.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Grog on September 21, 2009, 03:38:38 PM
The diagonal pickups are only on the guitars, Les Paul Professional & Recording.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: barend on September 21, 2009, 03:44:14 PM
ok, I was assuming these were all basses. So I didn't look at the number of strings.

Well it is late and time to go to bed.

But anyway, why are the pickups diagonal on the guitar versions?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Grog on September 21, 2009, 03:54:12 PM
Good question............I think it was just for looks. The earliest Les Paul Signatures had the same pickups, only in cream color. They were straight on that model. Also the Les Paul Jumbo pickup was mounted straight.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: barend on September 21, 2009, 11:40:01 PM
It looks a bit weird and not in balance with the rest of the design to me. But it can also be that I'm so used to the bass version.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on September 22, 2009, 02:56:06 AM
Diagonal/slanted pups are nothing new even on basses (Victory) and if the state of boutique basses is anything to go by (Ritter, Sandberg, some Warwicks) the they are becoming more popular if anything. It comes from the realization that each individual string of a bass or guitar has a different sweet spot and that slanting is the way to accomodate the utmost. The look is an acquired taste, I like it on the Victory and the LP Recording and Professional guitars (where there is some symmetry), but on these here, I have the immediate temptation to "put the pup straight", obviously my German heritage at work:

(http://www.ritter-basses.com/ritter-basses---bilder/ritter-basses-basses/ritter-basses-roya/ritter-basses-4ll.jpg)

(http://www.ritter-basses.com/ritter-basses---bilder/ritter-basses-basses/ritter-basses-seal/ritter-basses-7gold.jpg)

(http://www.warwick.de/tools/load.php?id=00000075766&width=760&bg=15141A)

(http://www.warwick.de/tools/load.php?id=00000075736&width=760&bg=15141A)


Not so bad on this Sandberg:

(http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/images/stories/customshop/c_bass/gregor_fries_musik_schmidt.jpg)

In a way the P split coil adopts that concept though with Fender it was initially by constructional necessity of creating a humbucker out of two single coils. However, remember how it became en vogue at one time to reverse split coils so the E and A would be picked up nearer to the bridge and the D and G closer to the neck, adding focus to the deeper strings and more fullness to the others?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Basvarken on September 22, 2009, 03:32:23 AM
Uwe! Will you stop polluting this nice an tidy Gibson corner with this amoeboid horror  :o

Please! My eyes are hurting.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Chris P. on September 22, 2009, 04:26:53 AM
And don't forget those nice Reverend basses!
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on September 22, 2009, 04:36:12 AM
Uwe! Will you stop polluting this nice an tidy Gibson corner with this amoeboid horror  :o

Please! My eyes are hurting.

Agreed!

It like someone crapped all over those fine Paulies.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on September 22, 2009, 05:13:56 AM
Uwe! Will you stop polluting this nice an tidy Gibson corner with this amoeboid horror  :o

Please! My eyes are hurting.

Just testing whether your immune system still works!  :mrgreen: For ze good of science and progress no sacrifice can be too dear ...




(http://www.bocadoinferno.com/romepeige/artigos/corn/7/tara1.jpg)

(http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://www.scifi-movies.com/images/t/tarantula1955film/image4.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGUfvqVD7iKi5HPzLGYnoBK8fAjBA)


(http://www.bocadoinferno.com/romepeige/artigos/corn/7/tara2.jpg)


Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Chris P. on September 22, 2009, 06:01:12 AM
BTW: talking about 'reversed' splitcoils: (D & G closer to neck): Warwick is using it again for the Streamer and more brands do that.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on September 22, 2009, 08:25:29 AM
I wonder how long any of those boutique monstrosities would last if a barroom brawl broke out.

That Sandberg needs some corticosteroids to treat its skin condition.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Highlander on September 22, 2009, 02:39:47 PM
ooooooohhhhhhhhh...... purdie......
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on September 23, 2009, 04:45:48 AM
remember "the claw" bass?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on September 23, 2009, 07:02:08 AM
I wonder how long any of those boutique monstrosities would last if a barroom brawl broke out.


Ritual bass shooting, widely prevalent in the US so I've grown to understand, is one of those things that just never caught on here in Europe. Must be triggered by dissatisfaction from piss-poor beer.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on September 23, 2009, 07:49:52 AM
Or piss-poor bands.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: gearHed289 on September 23, 2009, 08:00:17 AM
However, remember how it became en vogue at one time to reverse split coils so the E and A would be picked up nearer to the bridge and the D and G closer to the neck, adding focus to the deeper strings and more fullness to the others?

I always thought that was a good idea. I played a Guild Pilot for years set up like that, and Spector (later copied by Warwick) had that arrangement as well.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: chromium on September 23, 2009, 11:18:27 AM
remember "the claw" bass?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V2ylVXLgcQ
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Barklessdog on February 16, 2012, 12:46:36 PM
Saw this on Talkbass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/show-your-les-paul-style-bass-571332/index3.html

Looks like an LP Double cut or EB-0 copy thats in Flame Mahogany. Must be a custom bass?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/EB-OChucksTele002.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/EB-OChucksTele003.jpg)

Still a great looking bass.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on February 16, 2012, 01:03:00 PM
^^^ It's 100% counterfeit. No real Gibson parts. It was made from an import Hamer. Really sad that a guy who is in the guitar making business would pass this off as a real Gibson. And of course it's not a "classic" since there was never an EB-0 like this.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: stiles72 on February 16, 2012, 02:25:09 PM
Looks like a Chinese counterfeit. To the TB members credit, he didn't claim it was real - it was just posted in a thread about LP shaped basses. A friend of mine bought a Chinese fake Les Paul guitar from a pawn shop that was indistinguishable from an Epiphone Les Paul Custom, except for the headstock shape and logo. Good enough guitar for knocking around seedy bars on weekends, but definitely not a real Gibson.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on February 16, 2012, 07:33:43 PM
Looks like a Chinese counterfeit. To the TB members credit, he didn't claim it was real - it was just posted in a thread about LP shaped basses. A friend of mine bought a Chinese fake Les Paul guitar from a pawn shop that was indistinguishable from an Epiphone Les Paul Custom, except for the headstock shape and logo. Good enough guitar for knocking around seedy bars on weekends, but definitely not a real Gibson.

Just because he didn't directly claim it was real doesn't excuse him, IMO. He posted a pic of a bass with a Gibson logo and a TRC made to look like a Gibson, and he didn't make it clear that it's not. That's intentionally misleading.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Iome on February 17, 2012, 12:43:01 AM
I remember seing those pics in a tread about Hamer slammer basses. The guy (dont know who he is) showed how he made it looks like a Gibby by changing the headstock profile and changed the bolt on neck to a set in. In that case he clearly showed the before and after pics and sure didn't clame it to be original. I don't know if it's the sema guy though. Nice job anyway.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on February 17, 2012, 04:07:55 PM
It is the same guy. I saw the construction thread at another forum, and he didn't hide what it was back when he was building it. But that still doesn't excuse him from giving the impression later that it's a real Gibson by failing to tell the truth about it.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Iome on February 18, 2012, 01:37:16 AM
Your absolute right in that, not cool to just show pics of the bass and the gibby headstock without specs.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: clankenstein on February 19, 2012, 12:05:04 AM
it makes you wonder why gibson are not building this.its not like they would have to create the bridge or pickups from scratch.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Pilgrim on February 19, 2012, 07:58:47 AM
...and this Hamer/Gibby situation is the reason that I and many others don't approve of people removing Squier decals and replacing them with Fender decals.

- First, it's at best easily confusing, at worst dishonest.
- Second, it implies status-climbing on the part of the doer (even if only in their own mind)
- Third, even if the current owner is honest about it, what happens when it's sold?
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: nofi on February 19, 2012, 08:10:24 AM
i don't like the decal change either. who cares what it says on the headstock.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on February 19, 2012, 10:24:59 AM
...and this Hamer/Gibby situation is the reason that I and many others don't approve of people removing Squier decals and replacing them with Fender decals.

- First, it's at best easily confusing, at worst dishonest.
- Second, it implies status-climbing on the part of the doer (even if only in their own mind)
- Third, even if the current owner is honest about it, what happens when it's sold?

i don't like the decal change either. who cares what it says on the headstock.  :rolleyes:

Agreed and agreed. Of course plenty of people will disclose the truth when they sell, but there are many undisclosed fakes out there.

Aside from that, the problem is that the TB thread is a Les Paul thread. True, it says show your Les Paul style bass, but Les Paul is a Gibson trademark. When you show a fake that's a clone of a Gibson body style, with Gibson logos, in a thread about a Gibson trademarked product name, then you're intending to mislead everyone if you don't tell the whole story.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: stiles72 on February 19, 2012, 12:17:56 PM
Just like Jello is a brand name and so is Kleenex.  :-\    If the person posting that photo was selling it and not disclosing it, that's one thing. But they were just showing a pic of their bass.  That's all.  Not any different than the many Bach or Epiphone Thunderbird owners who have pimped or modded their birds to look like Gibsons and have posted photos of them on the internet without a list of disclosures and caveats.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on February 19, 2012, 09:30:53 PM
Just like Jello is a brand name and so is Kleenex.  :-\    If the person posting that photo was selling it and not disclosing it, that's one thing. But they were just showing a pic of their bass.  That's all.  Not any different than the many Bach or Epiphone Thunderbird owners who have pimped or modded their birds to look like Gibsons and have posted photos of them on the internet without a list of disclosures and caveats.

I don't think your analogy holds. Jello is used to mean gelatin, Kleenex for tissue, but "Les Paul" is not a substitute term for guitar. On the flip side, when someone says Kleenex, you don't think of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, but when someone says Les Paul, that name is identified with Gibson and vice versa.

I've seen guys post pics of their modded Bachbirds without saying that it's not a real Gibson, but only in Bachbird-related threads, not elsewhere. I haven't seen anyone trying to mislead anyone about it.

It has nothing to do with whether or not you're selling. It's a matter of being ethical, and IMHO by saying nothing, this guy isn't.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on February 20, 2012, 11:02:46 AM
I find decal and brand name swaps embarrassing. I proudly play my Epiphones - and I have a few - because they sound well, no need to insinuate that they are Gibsons. And I rather own a well-sounding Squier or Epi than a fake Gibson or Fender that in the end doesn't hold up.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: stiles72 on February 22, 2012, 12:55:54 PM
The term "Les Paul" isn't interchangeable with "guitar", but it has come to represent a certain design or body shape.  Same as "Tele", "Strat", "Thunderbird", "Explorer", etc...   Whether other companies actually call a rounded body with a single cutaway a "Les Paul" or an "LP" or some other variation- people generally accept it as a "Les Paul" shaped guitar.

http://www.warmoth.com/Bass/VintageShapes/LPBass.aspx

Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: Dave W on February 22, 2012, 08:46:27 PM
The term "Les Paul" isn't interchangeable with "guitar", but it has come to represent a certain design or body shape.  Same as "Tele", "Strat", "Thunderbird", "Explorer", etc...   Whether other companies actually call a rounded body with a single cutaway a "Les Paul" or an "LP" or some other variation- people generally accept it as a "Les Paul" shaped guitar.


Yes, no doubt about that, the thread title over there says "show your Les Paul style bass." And when the Les Paul style bass you show has a Gibson logo and truss rod cover, but you fail to say that it's not a Gibson, then you're trying to mislead people into thinking it is.

And when you're in the guitar-making business (which he is) and do this, that makes you a counterfeiter, even if you claim it's for your personal use.

I'm all for drastically narrowing trademark law, but counterfeiting will never be okay.
Title: Re: Les Paul Mega thread
Post by: uwe on February 23, 2012, 11:16:12 AM
True. If it's not what it professes to be, then don't say it is.