3 Way Gibson Les Paul Shootout!

[@devinwilliams4038]

That slash LP pickup just sounds so much more aggressive and has more bottom end than the others. Definitely my favorite.

[@eyezik5743]

Agreed, not even close imo.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Yeah they are not covered!

[@SteveHatzman]

I was rooting for the Slash but I think the 50’s sounded the best in these examples.

[@sayanghosh-wc9uf]

the best comparison video explaining the difference between 50s, 60s and Slash model

[@MartyDadRiffs]

The set in the Slash model just gets it done. Plus uncovered pups in an LP are my preference. They just look cool. Great video!

[@TheStrykerProject]

I LOVED this shootout, Fluff! I actually liked the 50's sound the best on the clean and pushed amps. It sounded way clearer and still delivered the crunch. To my ears, the high gain amp just leveled the playing field, as they all sounded very similar. I was quite surprised to hear how different they really did sound (clean and pushed). I did have to trade my Gibson LP Custom in for an SG because of the neck. My sausages just can't wrap around those baseball bats they call necks!

[@carvin7lust]

he is dead on with this review. Have had all three. His review is clear concise and precise!

[@christopheranderson2158]

This video should be named “The Baller Shootout”. Three killer Pauls, Mesa Mark IV, Marshall Plexi, and Soldano SLO!!!! Now THATS a rig I can get behind! Good on you! Keep ‘em coming! 🤘🤘🤘

[@fredriksandegren1948]

Love that you use Foo Fighters songs in your demo. Totaly agree with the sound of them as you presented them...

[@tedjohnson5210]

Honestly couldn’t tell the difference between the 60’s and slash once the grit came in. Great video.

[@insearchoftone9602]

Definitely liked the slash better. Sure you could tell the pickups were hotter but they also seem more present, very articulate

[@m.ochminski]

Slash looks like nice compromise. Pickups got best bite - 50s and 60s still sounds killer but much less agressive than Slash model. Also Slash LP got best top cause AAA. I'm going buy new LP in on my birthday in September and now I'm pretty sure its worth to pay more to get Slash one.

[@thelemonademan6235]

My birthday is in September too man I’m planning a new Les Paul too for my birthday Slash Les Paul is it. !

[@m.ochminski]

@@thelemonademan6235 Unfortunatlly not this year :(

[@thelemonademan6235]

@@m.ochminski I’m not sure yet either myself, way too many bills. It may have to wait. For now I’ll wail on my American strat unless I win some coin !

[@m.ochminski]

@@thelemonademan6235 good luck man

[@Datimdavis2900]

Great video. I’ve a 2020 R9 and a 1997 1960s classics. Amongst mine and like yours, I prefer the 50s - sound, feel, neck, all of it.

[@BeroOgden]

50's for me was the sweet spot, followed by 60's. The slash sounded way too hot for my usual preferences. I think i also tried a 50's standard in the store once and also preferred the neck on it at the time. At least in my hand it had the "baseball bat" feel that i quite like usually on a LP.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

50s wins it for me. My inner dad connected with it and wanted to hear Joe Walsh riffs.

[@chrisday5341]

I have the same 50's model. I love it. Such a solid feeling and playing guitar! Loved the comparison man.

[@MercilessGuitar151]

Finish wise, I like the Slash the best. Tone wise, the 60's was my preffered.

[@jakemertz2660]

Took me three videos to find someone who puts em through high gain. Thanks for that! great video overall.

[@KevinNolin]

I tried out a bunch of Les Pauls recently. I was sure I wanted a 60s before I arrived at the store, but ended up going with a Slash model. It just sounded better to me and I’m a no-pickguard guy so not having one pre installed was a bonus.

[@slasher088]

I have a Slash (in Anaconda burst) and a 60s Unburst with a Seymour duncan SH-6 on the bridge and SH-1 for the neck. The Slash's just ridiculously incredible ! Incredibly versatile (I play metal stuffs, go check Echoes Of Nihil if you want a brief taste...), love everything on it, the sound, the finish, etc. And my 60s is my riff to go guitar, can't stop riffing & noodling with her !

[@MashaT22]

Hey Fluff! Can you you get Sweetwater to send you all three equivalent Epiphones to do the same video comparison- so we can hear the Epiphone differences. Then you can also compare the Gibsons to the Epiphones. Hope you can make that happen! Tyvm - great vid!

[@r3altalk28]

They all sound fantastic. I think the 60s model is the most well rounded … but that Slash one, well … that thing rips.

[@WilliamHaisch]

Thanks for the comparison! I liked the 61BB pickups in the 60’s Standard the best. The pickups in the Slash LP were hotter. You could say the Slash LP would “slash” through a thick mix. 😂

[@kbesner]

Thanks for the review! Love the 'clean' tone of the slash compared to the others. Overdrive sound, have to admit I can barely tell a difference between the 3. After trying a couple of slash models in store, I prefer the neck on them to both the 50's and 60's as well (can't stand the 60's...)... Cheers

[@Tognar]

Fluff says “Lez Paul” cracks me up every time.

[@ChrisEck13]

I have 3 humbucker equipped Les Pauls each with different versions of the Burstbuckers. BB1/BB2, 61BBs, and Tradbuckers. There are so many different sounds depending on pickup height with Gibson pickups. Right in the sweet spot where I set mine, the sound changes so much with the smallest movement of the pickup. All pickups can sound different depending on the height but with Gibson humbuckers (not counting the super hot ceramic stuff) I can always dial in what I what by adjusting the height. The Tradbuckers are probably my favorite though, and they're the least talked about.

[@stevep7657]

Great comparison thanks. It seems that the 50s has a slight mid emphasis, the 60s mid highs, and the Slash like an overwound 50s. I have a 60s, and I find the pickups were too peaky and a little hot, so I changed over to Tonerider Alnico 2 Classics and it sounds soo much better and sweeter. I would call the 60s neck "meaty slim", as I have had an ES 335 and two SGs from the early 60s, and their necks were much slimmer.

[@Fnnggjji]

Been watching you for a couple years and just realized I wasn’t subscribed? I could have swore I was getting notifications for your videos

[@martinclayton7260]

The differences could be heard on the clean section, but with gain, it's harder to hear any difference?

[@burtosu86guitar]

I like the slash pickups, and the 60 guitar. Great vid

[@IndyRockStar]

i was the guy that said my Les Paul Standard 60s w/ Bare Knuckle PAF was as good or better as any other Les Paul Standard, and people who pay for Custom Shop are just spending money. Then I bought a Gibson Custom LP R9 M2M. I can confidently say I was wrong. I don't know if I will buy anything but custom shop LP from now on.

[@jonm1544]

I’ve played all 3 pickups. My take for what its worth (not much)… 60’s BB pickups aren’t my fav. A bit too much treble and sound a bit thin. The Slash pickups are decent but for me a wee bit muddy and dark. The 50’s BBs would be my first choice of the 3.

[@reverb508]

It's amazing how the difference all but disappear once you add some gain. The 50's and 60's were pretty close. The Slash is obviously pushing the amp a little harder. They all sound nice, but I like the breakup you were getting with the Slash on the clean demo.

[@donbishop6994]

This is it, right here. All the tone snobs cry when you point out the differences between tones almost disappear when you go beyond medium gain. Put them in a mix and most people wouldn't be able to tell them apart. Clean and edge of breakup is a whole other story.

[@drichar14]

Genuinely useful info, thanks for posting this!

[@OnAirWithMikeD]

Couldn’t agree more with your opinion on swapping the P/Us in the 50’s Standard. I found mine had a certain Honk to them I wasn’t a fan off. Swapped my bridge to a uncovered SD JB and got way more clarity. Great Video as always!

[@garyjouvelakas2475]

Very nice review. I picked up the Slash LP in Appetite Burst, played it with the Slashbuckers then switched them out for the Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico II Pro. The SD pickups elevated the play on my guitar.

[@urgidover]

How can you describe the sound of the SD pick ups?

[@garyjouvelakas2475]

@@urgidover they have a very rich, full sound. Very crisp and clear and sound amazing whether you are playing them clean or dirty. Great hard rock sound out of them.

[@manonbassguitar]

@@garyjouvelakas2475the 50s has alnico II pickups too🤘🏼

[@edwinwise6751]

In a live mix you would never be able to tell the difference. The amp settings could override any tonal difference

[@juan666q]

Great reviews fluff. Slash all the way! I have an epiphone slash firebird with his Duncan’s in it and it sounds excellent

[@matcooke6338]

The 60’s pickups sound thin and brittle to me. I enjoy the extra boost on the slash, but the 50’s has a nice full sound too.

[@Jeffy2n]

Ryan, very well done fair shootout here. To my way of playing (More an edge of breakup tone) The slash was just too much overpowering the harmonics. I would have like to have heard an edge of breakup, but I understand that is not your type of tone, and that is fair. The 50's and the slash seemed close, and the 60's seemed more mid focused. In the clean test I think the 50's one was my favorite, but the slash won the overdriven tones hands down.

[@garygary6032]

from tests that i've seen on youtube about different pickups (mainly glenn from spectresoundstudios' tests), the differences between pickups becomes more and more minimal once you start adding more gain to the signal. i have found from listening that a bigger factor in pickup differences is uncovered vs covered humbuckers. covering a humbucker usually makes it have less output than uncovered and also makes it just a little bit darker and more muffled. if you compared 3 different uncovered humbuckers in a high gain setting then they would sound even more similar. personally i dont care too much about different tones that different pickups have because i play extreme metal genres, i only look at the output numbers because more output = more chug and more clarity in extreme high gain settings (and before anyone says it: no, clarity and output differences is not tone.)

[@MADCOWVT]

That Slash LP sounded 🔥

[@ThisOldGuy3]

I have 2 58 Reissue R8's one with Custombucker's one with Burstbucker 2's, a Slash Anaconda and a 1993 Classic 1960's reissue. I definitely like the feel of Slash and the R8's and the Slash definitely sounds bests for 80's Rock where the R8 with Custombucker's is great for the classic LP blues/rock tones the R8 with Burstbucker 2's gets a good 70's/80's rock crunch as well. As for my 1993 Classic I just can't bond with the slim neck or the stock pickups in it. Both R8's and the Slash are from the Gibson Mod/Demo Shop which is why one of the R8's has Burstbucker 2's. They are all between 8.5-9lbs except for the 1993 Classic which is about 9.75lbs you can definitely feel that extra pound in the body. Great Demo...🤘🎸😎🏍

[@luissantiago7525]

Very good shootout I own a 2022 LP 60's Standard @ 10 pounds,I swap out the pups and put a Dimarzio Super Distortion in da bridge and 36th anniversary PAF in da neck. Sounds great I like the Slash model but I like the neck on 60's model .

[@kurdtjohn]

That Slash Les Paul was the loudest of the three. However, I like the 50s Standard the best.

[@pfeliks86]

nice comparison! what i hear most is that the slash les paul has that extra bite... it would be interesting to hear that slash les paul with PU-Covers and the 50s and 60s without the PU-Covers. when i uncovered my Pickups in my 2016 Gibson Les Paul Studio i was surprised how different the sound was before and after;)

[@juanmacaceres2702]

I have a 60's Custom Shop standard, limited edition plain top. Looks like a '58, but plays like a dream because of the thin 60s neck

[@frankenstein4106]

I prefer the 50's LP. I like a chunkier neck and the Burst Buckers are perfect for blues and classic rock. The Slash pickups are definitely designed for higher gain.

[@thelemonademan6235]

Ive been playing guitar since 78’ I absolutely agree with this video. I think the Slash Les Paul was the best sounding, as well as best balanced, mid neck size, between the 50s/60. And less weight to carry around then then 50s 1 Slash Les Paul 2 50s 3 60s

[@guitarrise4523]

Man I got the gold top Victoria slash version and now that I see that November burst I think I might have made a mistake lol 😂 that November burst is beautiful.

[@Compass2101]

Great review. Cheers

[@ei08465]

Awesome comparison. I don't have the greatest ear but, on the cleans, it was clear that the Slash had higher output. On the crush demo, I could still hear the difference, but on the high gain, it all sounded the same to me.

[@bridge500t]

You should try a set of Bare Knuckle Rebel Yells in one of them. They v sound killer in a Les Paul. I've got a 60's standard with them in and the guitar is perfect they way.

[@ERiCtheBuLL]

I have a 60s Standard Les Paul from the Mod Collection that came with 70s tribute pickups in the neck and bridge. Those things absolutely scream. Perfect for high gain IMO. I would definitely recommend those if you're going to change pickups in that 50s Standard for something hotter.

[@billyfigueredo]

Because of the higher output, I like the Slash the most, followed by the 50's, then 60's. But wildly, when you go to the high gain, the 60's sounded better imo. Crazy

[@pa-james9220]

Where's Glenn Fricker to say they all sound the same? :D I love the 60s sound for rhythm for this song in particular and Slash for leads with just a little more pronounced bottom end; something that can definitely be adjusted in speaker choice/eq. I'm one of the few that feel best with the 50s neck though.

[@kq6878]

the 50's have the best of both worlds. They have the aggresive push like the slash in the gain stages but retain a better amount of clarity and higher end like the 60's. All are excellent sounding.

[@pilummurialis6490]

I listen to the sounds without looking at the video, there is pretty much 0 difference in the tones, the only difference is the amp speakers and mics used to record it, especially with the gain added, the Clean tones are pretty much exactly the same too

[@terrydone6572]

Great video, I would like to see a comparison between the november burst and an R9, I feel like they are very similar!

[@thmmke6926]

The 57 classic set will sound great if you put them in the 50s les Paul,

[@denverrandy7143]

I was just going to comment saying the "Slash" guitar top was awesome. But,they are all Gorgeous flame tops!!!*chef's kiss* muahhh!!! Awesome job Gibson.

[@FlavioAlbuquerque-q8y]

Nice!! 50’s was my choice

[@fanchmichel6170]

Great review, I also own a slash but had to change the bridge pickup. High gain palm muting doesn t sound good with alnico 2. To me they sound better with open chords driven sound. I put a suhr doug at the bridge and now it s a killer les paul for rock and metal shredding stuff.

[@andrewbecker3700]

Hear soo many people say they don't care for Burstbuckers. That's a very broad statement. In what guitar, in what position, and which BB model? Personally, I'd switch the BB2 to the neck, and go with a BB3 in the bridge to pep that 50's standard up.

[@PuttinOnTheRiffs]

The slash guitar all day. The pickups are so good. I have some custom buckers too and it’s thee tone

[@stug5041]

I think I’d be grabbing a 60s for that slim taper neck, and then swapping the bridge pup for the slash model - best of both worlds (for my tastes)

[@brianmurdock7428]

Dude you rock! Love all your videos! Let’s have a beer!!

[@magicman12b]

Clean tone: tie between the 50’S and Slash LP Crunch Tone: Favorite was the Slash LP, second place 50’s LP but the 60’s cuts through well High Gain: Favorite was the Slash LP, second place 50’s LP but the 60’s cuts through well I agree that the 50’s LP falls right in between the 60’s LP and the Slash LP

[@cliffmerrill8525]

Cool vid! Nice compare. Hard to find these kinda vids that aren’t from the mfg cuz of price

[@juzzie]

All are awesome .. no complaints

[@jjgson69]

All I can say is I never met a Les Paul I didn't like.

[@PigglyWigglyDeluxe]

If you were honest with yourself and played other stuff you’d think they were overpriced trash like the rest of us

[@denverrandy7143]

Jjgson69 Werd lol.🤘😀👍

[@ChuckNicholsonTRM]

These guitars could definitely be set up to sound almost the same by adjusting the pickup heights, especially if the covers were taken off of the 50s and 60s versions. Were these all set up the same to the same specs? I'm betting they weren't.

[@manelalentorn]

Amazing video!!

[@jonscudder759]

100% agree that the slash model is something just a little different. I have goldtop, custom and slash model. All have something a little different from each other and love them all. I also swapped out burstbuckers on the goldtop for SD double cream Seth lover neck and George Lynch Bridge pickups. Way better!

[@retrocny5625]

I couldn't discern any difference at all between the 50s and 60s burstbuckers. Seems like the exact same pickup to me, just with a different name or maybe slightly different output. EQ wise they're so close that I can't discern any difference like I said. Slash pickups are definitely hotter. Tonally they sound near identical, just hotter so a bit more gain. Maybe slightly more low end but that's really stretching my ear's ability to perceive a difference. They all sound pretty good here, despite the fact I've never been a fan of BurstBuckers.

[@jasonleo11]

Great case study in how gear reacts together. To me, the 50’s sounded best clean, the slash sounded best with the Marshall and the 60’s sounded best with the soldano. 50’s brighter than 60’s and slash balanced but extra crunchy

[@HOUSEOFHIXON]

🤘💪⚡️ Good stuff brother

[@manonbassguitar]

How much was the slash November burst? It looks just like a Bourbon burst. I’m guessing they slapped a high price along with his name.

[@ookookook]

Fluff, have you ever used 9s on your LPs? If so, thoughts?

[@MarcusMoji]

Interesting to my ears the 60's sounded the middle between the 50's & Slash but maybe that's just me. I do prefer the 60s. Also the Slash has the correct scratch plate compared to the 50s & 60s ;)

[@Claimjumper55]

I'd rate them: Slash, 50's, 60's. The 50's neck wouldn't work for me though. I just dropped a set of the Slash pickups in a great playing Epi LP and they're amazing.

[@UncannyAdam]

60s has the kind of top end I like, so that's my winner

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Of course the SLASH pu's were the loudest they are uncovered! Put a set of covers on them or take off the covers of those others then test again. Both the Slash and the BB's on the 50's have a A2 magnet so if you covered the slash pu's or took the covers off the 50's my money say's they would be VERY similar in tone and output.. The cover reduces high end and output.

[@RiffsAndBeards]

My guy, pickup covers do not add or take away 6db of output lolololol

[@Lagwagon801]

Love the LP’s

[@idontgivea1769]

Just a matter of pickups after all is said and done. I don't know anyone who wouldn't swap the pickups on the 50s and 60s

[@bduff5004]

Great vid. Thanks

[@pz1792]

Slash said in some video on YT that he played really good and not very good sounding '59 les pauls. Different people says that having tried many les pauls the found some good sounding one and claiming that Gibson is not like PRS or Suhr that every guitar sounds great. Can somebody comment on that? Are all les paul standards sound similar or some are better or worse?

[@mikeblue385]

the slash and the 50s had better clarity than the 60's. nice.

[@rudybanegas204]

The 50’s sound more articulate

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

60s was the best sounding… to me. the slash pickups were my least favorite. Harsh high end. The 50s was a bit lackluster, but warm overall.

[@jeremy_p]

At no and low gain I can tell a difference in guitars. However at high gain the change is so minimal I would adjust the eq to compensate the difference if you were trying to get one guitar to sound like the other(s). IMO anyways.

[@guitarnerd_luke]

I know what I think.... I'll put some Foo Fighters on today and turn them up loud!

[@SirVicc]

I liked the 50s first, Slash second, and 60s third.

[@homegrownson]

Shame you aren't close to me in Florida or could have borrowed my Slash Victoria Goldtop for comparison, if ever around Gainesville you are welcome to drop in and Exercise it or my 83 Stratocaster Elite Some of First Run Slash Guitars have pickups labelled Slashbuckers, those are Rare Rare Rare, I think I have a set of Tim Shaw era Dirty Fingers for your 50's

[@sb632]

Slash is my over all favorite. My question is which Gibson Les Paul has the closest neck profile to the current Epiphone Les Paul custom neck which I think is a slim taper?

[@RiffsAndBeards]

Def 60s

[@deadpolevault]

I like heavy top light bottom. Wait are we still talking strings...

[@livius16]

Agree with the conclusions (also - think the 60s was the weakest sounding) That said - as Glenn (Spectre studios) showed also in his pickup comparison video - especially the higher the gain - differences are small and becoming smaller and smaller. In a mix it would be already borderline impossible in a blind test to pick which is which - and then it moves to playability and comfort. Honestly shows me more and more that changing pickups - unless moving from single to humbuckers or passive to active is borderline not worth it. (Those upgrades I mentioned are worth it and are considerable though) and then it goes down to playability preferences and quality of hardware overall. That’s at least my take and my experience.

[@saffel]

Wish they made a Gold Top 60's - with the thinner neck profile.. The Slash is thinner than the standard 50's? hmmm.. they make a Slash Gold Top -

[@joshuamessenger]

I listened to this video without watching- once you added gain, I couldn't even tell you were switching guitars.

[@brandonbladen4691]

Hey fluff. What pickups do you like for the 50’s LP. I have the gold top.

[@RiffsAndBeards]

Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special

[@brandonbladen4691]

@@RiffsAndBeards thanks Fluff! Appreciate you getting back on that. You’re the man!

[@davidjoel111]

I only hope they stay in tune