'18 Gibson Les Paul Traditional | A Close Look Before I Start the Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

[@oldguy5381]

Very nice, a gorgeous new tool in the tool box. Happiness is a new Les Paul enjoy

[@lauramildon-clews7850]

Hi, I'm Laurajane and I own a 1955 Les Paul gold top. I bought this guitar in 1967. I am sixty-eight now and have played since I was twelve. I have a number of different types of guitars including Gretsch, Fenders, Gibson and Hoffner. I build lap steel guitars. And have a number of different types of these too. The oldest is eighty eight years old, it is a Gretsch. I live in New Zealand, guitars, especially lap steel guitars are very hard to come by, why I build them. I play lead guitar in a band and also solo gigs, mostly jazz. I am glad that I have come across your channel. You are a very clever person and I have learned a lot from you. Thank you, Laurajane from Taupo New Zealand

[@PsionicAudio]

Hi, Laurajane! Thanks so much and thanks for watching! I think I can speak for a lot of us - tell us more about your Gold Top and your lap steel builds!

[@lauramildon-clews7850]

@@PsionicAudio hi, my gold top is totally original apart from me rewinding the pickup coils. I have just looked after it all of the time I have owned it. It lives in its original case. All I do is clean it after every time I play it, which will be tonight. We have a gig at a private function. My lap steel guitars, to date I have built and sold four of them. They are six strings two single coil humbuckers, three way switch, volume and tone pots. I try to purchase my components from the US, but it is difficult to have things sent out to NZ. It is easier from the UK but they often don't quite have what I want. I make the finger board from a NZ hard wood called Rimu, similar to Mahogany. The body's cut from Douglas fir for its good resonance.I make my own bridges and intonation saddles myself. All of my hardware is either stainless steel or aluminum and I polish it all. I am currently working on number five lap steel,but this one is for me as it has a twenty six inch finger board. I hope to have this finished soon. I have got three amps two Vox and a Peavy. Because we are playing rockabilly tonight I will use a Vox AC15 and my Gretsch g1922t with my effects board. Should be a cool night. Kind regards from Laurajane

[@markkinney5030]

Cool man enjoy that Les Paul its looks great! I love my Les Paul I play it every day.

[@MyFirstGen]

I like your attitude. It’s yours you make it yours. In my opinion I think every guitar has it own personality. They have to feel like a part of you. With that proper combination, beautiful music is the result!

[@scottbee501]

I’ve got a 2012 tea burst traditional that I call the Bear because it can growl and howl. I gutted the electronics and made it 1950’s, patiently adjusted the pickups, put in a bone nut, sanded the neck carefully, lowered the action, did a good set up and strung 11 gauge strings. It’s a beautiful in tune beast. Good playing and enjoy.

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

Pretty Les Paul! I've had a 2016 Gibson Les Paul Traditional light burst since new and its been a fantastic guitar. I got mine for a steal too. I did replace all the pots. The Gibson pots wore out quick. I put VIP Pickups pots in and wired everything 50s style and upgraded the 3 way and put Seymour duncan antiquities into it. Happy camper

[@tedfloyd4203]

Just picked up a 9 year old Les Paul Traditional 3 days ago. I'm loving it. Have had several LPs over the years but was down to two Strats and needed a Paul to round out my sound. Played it onstage Sunday night and it's great! At 8 and 3/4 lbs it's a keeper. Will change the steel stop bar for an aluminum one but after a few adjustments it's working just fine. Congrats on yours!

[@paulcowart3174]

Yes nice weight When I found one under 9 lbs I snatched it up 8.4 lb 2019 Standard

[@tedfloyd4203]

@@paulcowart3174 Wow! That's nice!

[@michaelnewell3823]

Hi Kyle, I know this is a rather old video to comment on , but I was in the same situation. I bought a 2011 Gibson les paul traditional from a young guy on Ebay for $1600.00 USD. It actually was a steal buying my guitar. The kid was fit to be tied because he thought because the neck was like a 50's guitar, he hated it after buying it for $2600.00 USD at a local music store in Michigan. I scooped a Japanese Gretsch country gentleman guitar brand new from a music store in Nashville. It was the George Harrison model. I thought the kid was nuts getting rid of this les paul because of the baseball bat neck.this guitar has an incredible flame on it. I left the the pickups in it. Burstbucker pickups are just fine. Love the guitar and used to boot. The guitar was mint. I think you made a good buy on your guitar. I am also old 69 and love Gibson guitars. Thanks Michael Newell from Niagara falls, Ontario, Canada

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

I made the same decision a couple years ago. The Traditional had just about everything I wanted including a friendlier price tag. I played about 20 LPs before I committed. I've been happy with it every time I've picked it up.

[@waynewagner395]

Would love to see an update on changes to your LP. I have a 2017 LP Traditional also and the specs seem very close. Thanks for the great videos!

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

Gorgeous Les Paul. I bought my first a few months ago, a 21 50’s Goldtop with P-90’s. Can’t put it down. Wish I hadn’t been so Strat addicted most of my life. While it’s heavy, it’s quite easier to play and the sound - my god the sound …..

[@paulcowart3174]

My 2019 HCS Standard was 8.4 lbs and was the clincher and luckily the rest ended up damn near perfect

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

@@paulcowart3174 mine is heavy for me. About 9.5. I never wanted a heavy guitar - but didn’t think I’d do much better than that on Standard series. All my other guitars are much lighter (except for a National resonator) What I learned however, is a good very wide leather strap works miracles. I have a 3.25 “ wide Levy, padded strap I bought in the 90’s and I gigged with it a lot. It’s still in good shape. I was really worried about the weight - I’m 5’8” and 63 years old. I feel I could gig 3-4 hours with it. It plays and sounds so great.

[@lucyfuir6386]

My first and only paul is a 1995 studio I bought brand new in 1996 for 650. Guitar center had an overstock sale.

[@jasonstone1046]

She's a beauty mate. Very reminiscent of my R8 with the subtle flame. Awesome stuff.

[@PhoenixGuitars]

That’s a beauty! I think the Traditional LP’s are fantastic.

[@guitarsofold100]

You might consider using two washers used on out put jacks for the bottom of your tail piece studs to reduce the gap just by using pliers to open cut a sot in the circumference then bend them open to fit around the studs... they will stay in place..... stunning guitar !

[@lescaster2179]

This level of flame, both in quantity and size, is about my favorite place to be on an LP. Classic look that neatly splits the difference between a great plain top and an amply flamed top. I have a 2014 R8 in Tobacco Burst that's very similar and strikes a similar balance. Never thought I liked Tobacco Burst, but it's really nice in-person and it had the level of flame I preferred, as an added bonus.

[@paulsadoff3661]

I have a 2016 tradtional plus. Great guitar- only things that are a minus are the two-piece body , the bigger headstock and the thicker finish. Other than that, the playability , tone and quality are top-notch. It is an undervalued guitar for sure.

[@Medicated1]

I tried top wrap, you're right it's just a personal taste thing. I have gold hardware on my studio, and it was scratching off the very thin gold coating, so I went back to under. That's a gorgeous Les Paul example!

[@lowdownfender]

Very pretty Lyle. Enjoy & the changes will make you very happy. I resisted certain mods on my 74 PBass, everything is stock except the unbleached bone nut (previous owner had a brass nut as he played in a punk band in Chicago in the 80’s. Some saddles / screws were frozen in time, not worth the effort as I’m a keepin her, not selling it. Original pick ups were rewound, but found some Kloppmann pick ups (63’wind) that are fabulous. My other basses, D’angelico, B&G, & Sadowsky, are as is, strings be the only mod that I need. Look forward to seeing an update on the LP.

[@michaelweiss9219]

I installed the Mojotone pots on my 2013 LP Custom, I found they had a rattle, like the shafts were loose inside the housing. Mojo sent me some replacements but they were the same...

[@matthewf1979]

I would label that top an AA+. Tight bookmatch, high chatoyance, high figuring to grain contrast and a good figuring coverage. If you do get an itch to swap the pickups, Those Mojotone 59 Clones are fantastic. the low wind version might be right up your alley.

[@PsionicAudio]

I dunno, I haven't A4 as much as A2 in the past. I've got some of their Quiet Coil '67s coming though.

[@paulcowart3174]

I prefer the wider flame structure

[@JP-jy7sk]

Congratulations on the killer Les Paul. Traditionals are indeed fantastic guitars. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out when you get in back from the shop.

[@aquilarossa5191]

What do you think of the results from PLEK? The Les Paul Traditional I had was quite impressive in that respect. Super level and they polished up nice with Autosol (have to mask them off if using that stuff). I was able to get a mostly buzz free action much lower than I would want it. I preferred the sound of my SG Standard, but the LP was so nice to play it was the guitar I tended to reach for. I sold both, plus all my amps and pedals et cetera to fly from NZ to the USA a second time to hook up with a Michigan lady I had met online and got engaged to. It was a disaster and I got home to NZ divorced with no guitars etc. Doh. Lol. I am not a fan of the little frets Gibson insists on using though. I bought a 2021 SG Standard about a year ago. I nearly returned it. The neck would not stay put, so I had to keep adjusting the truss rod for a few weeks. It settled down eventually and now I really like it apart from those little frets (I do not like the very loose fit of the faux ABR posts though). The neck was acclimatizing to NZ's humidity I guess. I like the wide skinny neck. I do not like Ibanez super skinny Wizard necks, but the SG is just right for me. Lots of fun. P.S. I find the bridge Burstbucker '61 shrill too. Neck pup is muddy and a bit nasal too, almost like a cocked wah. I put a Super Distortion and 36th Anniversary PAF in my LP, so the Whole Lotta Humbucker set that was in it will go in the SG. Problem solved I think. I really like those pups. Edit. ABR running out of intonation is a problem on mine too. Top wrap? I do it to reduce break angle, so i can screw the tail piece right down. Why? I do not like it being up in the air -- that would trigger me lol.

[@rockitflash]

Nice!!! (I just sold my black/gold 1980 Les Paul Custom)

[@mikebarnard2689]

Just saw this, lovely example. I ended up with a fossilized Mammoth bone nut ( ultra aged !!) and tweaked pots and caps. Results are close to perfect for me but pots are still a bit stiff !!

[@halhawkins7641]

Great. Now I want a les Paul again…..

[@johnthornburg4049]

Nice LP Traditional! I have a 90s LP Standard, but it is remarkably similar. Mine has a faber bridge and vintage style aluminum lightweight tail, and it has a Duncan antiquity and a seth lover with the neck slightly dewound to be near that 7.5K mark. It still has the gibson branded pots, but they are broken in a bit and are a bit looser than yours. It has paper in oil caps in it, russian I recall, and they are fine. I got mine from a super picky tweaker, that gigged it in clubs for years. It has some fine checking from the dry climate of the previous owner back west, but it is not very noticeable unless looking at the correct angle in the light - but it is likely a good pieces of dry maple and mahogany. I built the guy an amp for it. Mine is a "plus" model according to the marking in the pickup cavity. I like larger sized necks like the 50s, this one isn't really large but not a small 60s neck - I like it. I also bought a more recent (2016?) LP Gold top 50s tribute model, and converted to ABR, light weight tail, mojotone pots, and Sheptone pickups (you'd likely approve). So Nice guitar - hope you enjoy it for a long time. My SG has those 61 Burstbuckers you didn't care for - but in mine they didn't sound bright or harsh - I liked them in that particular guitar. I put an ABR on that one and a light weight tail. It is an SGJ model. I put covers on the pickups, put a smaller pickguard on it (that model had none), and it has that thin open pore finish on it. I took it in on a trade and didn't plan on keeping it, but it played and sounded so nice I kept it. It is an anniversary model (whatever year that is) so that would make it a 14? I don't really care too much - I judge each guitar on its own merits. I changed out the goofy knobs on that model with more traditional dish knobs. It looks like a conventional SG now (with a pickguard) but has 24 frets instead of 22 and it has dot inlays. I normally like 22 fret guitars, but the pickup placement is different on an SG so the extra 2 frets don't matter in this case to me. Like I said, I was just going to flip it, but it was a joy to play so I didn't - and that is a good thing.

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

Lyle - just finished watching the entire video now - I hope you can get the time to do a follow up video after you get the instrument back from Bobby. I’d really like to see the new nut and hear how you like it. So much in the video I hadn’t thought about. I pride myself on setting up my own instruments for decades (well except for 1 fret leveling 20 years ago). I’m probably too stubborn for my own good. I probably should take mine in to a good luthier. It’s not like we don’t have them in this town.

[@rknprs]

I loving this content. I gave up on Les Pauls in favor of the PRS DGT for many reasons. Not saying Les Pauls “suck”, just personal preference. I can totally identify with wanting to be as happy as possible with an instrument and often that results in sweating the details. Keep up the good work! BTW, I get my PRSi from Martin Music. Eric is good people!

[@davidtreaster4397]

That’s a beauty. I personally like a heavy Les Paul.

[@paulcowart3174]

I would try shielding paint instead of foil maybe I did up an SG Jr and ended up using a lot more foil than I wanted too Although it was my first time trying so if you have a method for the foil Any insight on that would be appreciated Killer looking guitar Also wondering if you prefer the 57 Classic to the BB's Only thing I might consider is PU upgrade maybe unpotted ??

[@rrapeez]

Looking forward to Les Paul through Fender amp videos! Do you have any opinion on Torres amp mods or the Ice Cube Sustain Coupler?

[@PsionicAudio]

Yes I do. Both are junk.

[@paulcowart3174]

I got very lucky with a 2019 50's HCS Standard Flamewise kinda subtle but a nice wide flame which I prefer 8.4 lbs too that was the clincher Fit and finish actually perfect Only thing is the plastic input jack plate screw holes cracked very easy when I was tightening it up But sounds plays and feels fantastic Feel very lucky As good as a 97 R9 Historic I bought brand new 4400 bucks 22 for the 2019 Only real difference is the flame on the 97 was some of the best lve seen but very happy with the new Standard

[@AndyK.23]

Nice one! You think THAT's binding bleed? You should see my R8's pink binding! Bet that would sound awesome into that 2210!

[@Satchmoeddie]

Greco, Tokai, Burny, ESP Navigator and if you can do a double cut the Yamaha SG series. I love my new Tokai and Grecos. One is a 1950s long tenon copy with a tomato soup figured top, the other is a Les Paul Deluxe gold top with the double beauty rings, and these companies did fantastic jobs of copying pickups, caps, and even the pot tapers.

[@Satchmoeddie]

I worked with aniline dyes, ketones, trichloroethane and other fun stuff all the time, plus I also smoked for about 15 years and I am going in to be checked out for bladder cancer. Wish me luck! I am mid mandolin rebuild right now, so acoustic repairs instead of amp repairs, but I do have a house call to go rewire a MIM Fender Telecaster with USA pickups, properly shield it and change out the pickguard.

[@efsglass]

Nice guitar Lyle!!

[@chilloutbroseph]

Late to the party here, but I will note the Heritage H-150s have the long neck tenon and are a little bit less at MSRP than the Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditional. I’m not sure that hide glue is used.

[@TheSizzlingBadger]

The tailpiece screws are supposed to have a "slack" fit, so that you can adjust the height of the tailpiece to different levels at each end.

[@samright4661]

I have a 08 Traditional iced tea. It doesn’t have the ABR bridge I don’t think it’s weight relieved and it’s wired different

[@tomburdett5199]

If you haven't ordered new pots I HIGHLY recommend VIPots - I've put these in all my guitars and made as much of a difference to my '07 R8 as changing to 50's wiring and adding Monty PAF pickups. I've put them in my 61 SG (a purchase inspired after following your upgrades last year - thanks for the GAS there!!).

[@PsionicAudio]

Hmm, $20 a pot... Look like Bourns... I'd be less skeptical if that company didn't sell PIO caps. Which are a bad joke. I know where the oil comes from.

[@tomburdett5199]

@@PsionicAudio They sell sets of 4 on reverb for under $40 (not sure about tax for you - I'm based in the UK). I can confirm that the resistance is like you described - faster than the stock Gibsons and some CRL - but not loose. Cheers for the great channel - love your content! Looking forward to seeing this series progress.

[@PsionicAudio]

$40 is muuuch better. I'll try them at some point, already have the Mojotone CTS here.

[@rickycompton2610]

Great looking Les Paul Lyle I have the same guitar I think for the money the Traditional is the way to go it has the fatter neck closer to a 50s profile for less money and no weight relief.

[@efsglass]

What’s your thought on 1500-10000pf caps vs .015-.047uf caps? Also curios your thoughts on the freeway switches?

[@PsionicAudio]

The tone cap value someone will like depends on the resonant peak of the pickup and the player's preference. Do you want a fake Jim Hall sound? Woman tone? Just a little off the top, Floyd? 15nF-33nF is my usual preferred range, with the 22nF being the most common value for good reasons. The freeway switch sounds like a great idea but would be almost impossible live. Has anyone actually seen Page use one of those on stage?

[@wrekkingcru]

Lyle - What do you recommend for fretboard oil. I have an SG and am going to clean and oil the fretboard when I change strings in the near future.

[@PsionicAudio]

Lots of good stuff out there. I just got some MusicNomad F-one oil I've heard good things about - I think Puisheen uses it (great channel). Before that I used Stew Mac lemon oil

[@wrekkingcru]

@@PsionicAudio - Cool. I have been using F-one as well when I restring. Just wanted to make sure you didn't have some new, whiz-bang oil option I should be aware of :)

[@PsionicAudio]

I hope you don't mean every time you restring. Should only need it maybe twice a year.

[@wrekkingcru]

@@PsionicAudio - Yeah, I've only done it once or twice per guitar - or in some cases "nonce" per guitar...lol - so it's more in the opposite direction, where I need to start doing that at least once per year.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

That guitar is a perfect example of a nice guitar that with just a few easy personal touches will make it ABSOLUTELY perfect! As far as the tuners go, if you put on the tuners that Gibson came out with that was an absolute game changing innovation and a great example of them having their finger on the pulse of players everywhere, those breakthrough Robotuners, that guitar will be great! 🙄

[@PsionicAudio]

I was really torn between this and the Firebird X...

[@TheAxe4Ever]

@@PsionicAudio 😂😂 You made the way better choice for sure. Of course my comment was tongue in cheek. But seriously, that is a beautiful guitar you got there and with your own personal touches, I’m sure it will bring you lots of playing joy for years to come. No one is cheering harder for Gibson to return to their former glory than myself.

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Uhhhh, nice guitar! What personal amps do you have??

[@PsionicAudio]

I don't own any amps right now. Constantly surrounded by something interesting to plug into. Going to make myself an Excalibre 15 soon.

[@russellesimonetta3835]

@@PsionicAudio that,s for sure. Uhhh I'm retired now but I was a working drummer with my first paying gig at 13 years old. That was 1966! Just think, all the eguipment people lust over now was brand new or used then. But I digress,,,, uhhh, I live in Japan and I went to guitar street in Ochanomizu ,means tea water, in Tokyo. Four city blocks of nothing but guitar stores!! Sensory overload!!! One store had a floor dedicated to 50's Les Paul 's . There were like sixty or more guitars on display!! Each the price of a house!! People lament the lack of vintage vintage guitars in the U.S.. Japan is where many of them went!!!!! Personally,, I love fender amp's but remember hating the silverfaces when they came out.

[@lucyfuir6386]

My friend bought a 2016 (I think. It was a used one bought in 2018) traditional tobacco burst it It took him 2 years to realize it had push pulls.

[@jacobbockover1628]

I have 2 low end gibsons (a lp special and a lp jr) the special feels like a good guitar not just that it has no finish flaws it just feels nice. I do not like the very square "rounded neck" the jr had poorly done fret ends a much thinner feeling finish (both satin) and even after settup n fret end dressing it just feels cheep but i like the sound and neck carve of the jr one is 2019 the other a 2021. It makes me think qc cannot be taken for granted. I reach for my prs more than the gibsons just cause i probly wont have to tune its more consistant

[@cvdevol]

My mouth is watering. :-)

[@mfam1306]

I think it's worth considering the ABR-1 bridge placement on an SG or other Gibson models (post-2019 era) is accurate, but the problem is that no one uses wound 3rds as they would've originally used (and were designed for).

[@PsionicAudio]

The LP was also designed for a wound G but this one has room to intonate. The one on my SG was just put in the wrong spot.

[@mfam1306]

I’m fairly certain SGs have their bridge pickups closer to the bridge than Les Pauls by design. The neck pickup on an SG is also closer to the bridge, and not as close to the neck as on a Les Paul.

[@paulcowart3174]

After listening to many demo's about 50's hardware compared to new stock I feel bridge saddles were the biggest contributers to the over all tone Tail pieces and saddle cradle not so much Nut....saddles.. pup's are top suspects

[@jan-michaelnelson6571]

Applause!!!!

[@chokkan7]

Throbaks...suck it up and buy a pair. You'll be glad you did... That said, your appraisal and outlook for this instrument are extremely utilitarian. 'Collector value' aside, you've found a solid chassis upon which to base your notion of a superlative instrument. Tuners, nut, knobs, wiring, bridge and tailpiece...all modular elements in the mix, to be upgraded as you see fit, until it finally sings to your satisfaction. I'm sure it will turn out to be a fire-breathing dragon...

[@PsionicAudio]

I think I need more metronome time (and to get these kids through college) before I can drop a grand on pickups. If I did it now, you'd just hear vintage correct mistakes...

[@Relayer6a]

The stain bleeding into the binding isn't really a flaw. It's just what happens.

[@ernestschultz5065]

Most of the original bursts had mostly plain tops... mostly...

[@PsionicAudio]

I know! But to get a plain top now you either have to get a Classic or an R8. I love a good plain top, and chose this one over some much fancier looking tops.

[@paulcowart3174]

Subtle wide🔥for me please and my standard delivered

[@tedmich]

Stable neck? Most Gibson necks break if you look at them cross eyed!