"Fixing" The Les Paul Design | 1988 Gibson Les Paul Custom Lite Review + Demo

[@Trog]

Did you know about this model before today? 🟢Buy on My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🔴View on Reverb: reverb.com/shop/troglys?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/

[@MellowGhetto]

I was literally JUST thinking about this exact guitar! We are definitely living inside of a simulation... Weird.

[@georgeprice4212]

Yeah. I also remember that there was also a Pink finish one as well.

[@JokersWild70]

I knew about them, but I didn't know that they were so thin. So, I did learn something new today

[@clarkbabin9799]

My Greenburst Studio that I saw on your show as an offering through Reverb is at 10 and half pounds. It is a bit heavier than most of the 18 or so guitars I own including my American Special Telecaster. But it was worth the purchase for its attributes. I've got to wonder if the Epiphone case isn't camouflage .

[@EddieOakes]

Owning one of these guitars in the exact same finish would be a dream come true for me!❤

[@mikestrowbridge]

2011 Melody maker is made of a maple slab so they had to be thin too.

[@weedian710]

Sounds interesting, might have to get one to mod.

[@y2ksierra]

Happy to see this review. I’ve owned an 88 custom lite in pretty rough shape for about 25 years now. It was gigged heavily buy a country artist when I picked it up and has lived a pretty easy life every since.

[@thedude7726]

Those are the best guitars

[@frankwebster9110]

I love the thinness of an SG so,I know I would love the custom lights. I think they're great!

[@TommySG1]

Same 🤙

[@uv77mc85]

They are very different to SG's. The sound is very similar to LP custom but easier to play up high

[@musicauthority674]

Les Paul and Paul McCartney together is quite a picture. Les Paul was very good friends with a lot of great Rock and Roll musicians. Les Paul was the man for sure.

[@ProCoRat]

Speaking of fixing the LP, they sorta fixed the LP design back in like 61. It was eventually called the SG. It really was like they took every complaint about the LP and directly addressed it. Heavy? SG is light. Thick? SG is thin. Poor upper fret access? SG has full access. Uncomfortable? SG has belly cut. Side mounted jack uncomfortable, especially for seated players? Jack is on the front. Toggle switch placement too cumbersome? Switch is 3x closer and out of the way of picking arm. But... Les Pauls are magic. Can't explain it.

[@boxerfencer]

Yeah, makes sense. My take, and I'm not alone, is that the SG is a prototype and half baked at that, as it has issues that plague it to this very day, ie., Mainly tuning issues, and neck dive, and some might say no body sound wise. The tuning stability supposedly was solved with a longer tenon decades ago, but I've still seen people complain about it in the last decade. The head dive has never been solved, although all that is needed is to move the upper horn closer to the head stock, although I gather installing a Bigsby might circumvent that, at the cost of introducing more tuning issues and increasing the weight. At any rate, that doesn't solve the head dive while seated. Then there's the issue of the cursed headstock angle which both affects tuning stability and breakage, which was addressed at one point by decreasing it and I think introducing volutes, but I'm not up to date on these details and what they're doing now a days, but these issues are certainly not SG specific. Still and having said all that, I'd take a good SG over a Les Paul any day, due to overall comfort, weight and contours. I'd make sure it had a long tenon and kept in tune at the very least, though. But I'd probably take a reverse explorer over both. Personally I don't think there's a more comfortable body than the Strat. I just not used to their necks, nor their knob volume and switch placement. I also like sound of the tunomatic/stop bar bridges, so I'll probably design my own down the road or just alter a Jaguar, which happens to use the shorter scale length and has the controls out of the way.

[@ericbgordon1575]

As of 2023, I still don't believe Gibson and Epiphone have figured out how to create a coil-splitting system that sounds like you're playing a guitar with real single coil pickups when you activate it. There is something other manufacturers are doing which far exceeds Gibson's achievements up to now that they could stand to learn about.

[@musicauthority674]

Holy shit an over 14 LB guitar!!!! I have a Charvel Charvette that weighs almost 12 LBS. and it's extremely heavy.

[@mvenuti1980]

I’d return that based on the condition they told it was. No where close. That weighs more than my ‘21 R8 but a lot less than my ‘85 Custom!

[@rexrathtar3893]

Trogly, nice episode and good info, but you must conjugate your verbs correctly... The market has not "went" up significantly since, it has _gone_ up. It went, but it has gone. Yours sincerely, the grammar police.

[@bikerjon8934]

freaking conjugate 4 cris sake

[@ashleyjohansson230]

My hot pink les paul is literally 11 pounds and I love it lol

[@sixstringer3783]

Now that's my kinda Les paul weight 👍

[@heavybrett-al4082]

Wow! That sounds like back surgery at my age 😂

[@bretspangler8717]

Thin and light is always good, my favorite SG is super light.

[@andye3684]

🥉

[@sgt.grinch3299]

You made the podium for today and earned a Bronze Medal

[@miahconnell23]

@Bret Spangler do you use unusually light or unusually heavy guage strings ? I’ve never owned an SG: I’ve always been apprehensive about the neck joint … but one of my guitar teacher’s other students played some clear and articulate jazz on an SG at a recital, and at the snack-table / punch-bowl afterwards, the kid told me “that SG is good for EVERYTHING.” 😳

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

I remember the first time I picked up a LP. I had been playing strats for about a year or so. Damn near dropped the thing. Didn’t expect so much weight.

[@frankwebster9110]

Same here. Played a strat since the beginning and got an LP several years ago. I love my SG best out of the Gibsons but, I really think I could love a custom light.

[@joermnyc]

Started playing in the mid-90s, and everyone that came into the shop where I got guitar lessons would always try one of the Gibson Les Pauls and then complain about how heavy it was. “Hey Mike (owner’s son and repair tech), I didn’t know you were selling boat anchors.” 😂

[@gregsguitartone]

Are the inlays off center? They kind of look to be.

[@elamon51]

Woot woot Trogly's guitars 🎸 🙌

[@andye3684]

🥈

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Well done you earned a Silver Medal

[@TVsBen]

I love thin Les Pauls. 8 pounds is about all I want these days. I have a Zzounds / American Musical exclusive Les Paul Classic Lite and it's awesome.

[@bretspangler8717]

I would rewire to go out of phase, much better than coil splitting to get richer tones, when you coil split you lose a lot of the mids and lows.

[@Mr.Monster1313]

I wish epiphone would make these today...id want one..

[@danielrevollo3278]

As much as I love my Gibson one I'd love an Epiphone variant, especially with the new headstock I think it would look very nice.

[@whatisthis__95]

If you split the cols, you have to push the volume of the amp more to compensate, otherwise it will sound "thin"

[@uv77mc85]

Its supposed to sound thin, like a single coil.

[@zendrive794]

For some reason, it's hard to find a tech that knows how to wire these correctly. Mine was stock for decades and never sounded thin, and then a guitar tech recently monkeyed with it, and screwed up the wiring, and I'm struggling to find someone who knows how to wire the coil tap switch correctly. It shouldn't sound thin if wired correctly.

[@hifibrony]

It seems that there would be a continuing small but significant demand for these.

[@Spambots]

I have a black Classic Lite and I’ll never sell it. Perfect guitar for me.

[@jameslanclos568]

I don't like them. If I wanted a light Gibson, I'd get an SG. 1:08 - You don't have a caliper, or a ruler, tape measure? I'm curious how thick it is? Not that I'd buy one. I'd consider buying one if it were dirt cheap. I believe that I'd rather have a Chibson instead.

[@fonarte]

These look a lot like the Gibson Smart wood Studio les Paul of the late 00s. Thin and light. Which is why I love my SW Studio so much. It makes playing in a cramped recording environment much easier.

[@zendrive794]

I've had my 1988 Gibson Les Paul Custom Light in the same Heritage Cherry finish since 1989 and played it to death, over 500 gigs, refretted, and it's still one of my favorite guitars I've ever played. It's such a beautiful instrument and has naturally relic'd very well. The original Burstbucker pickups sound fantastic. The ebony fretboard and neck profile is so comfortable. I've played traditional Les Pauls and could never ever bond with the added weight and thickness. If you like an SG, you'll love the feel of this guitar.

[@larrynoe6162]

Sounds week as puppy piss when split.

[@michaelpolston5240]

I owned the sunset metallic in that example photo for a while, that’s the pic from the listing that I bought it from. It was a gift to myself for quitting smoking, but it reeked of cigarette smoke so I struggled with that for a while. Sadly I had to move on because of that, so I offered to sell it to trogly and he said it wasn’t pristine enough. Which is fair, but hey, he could have reviewed that one at least, for the sake of documentation. Instead…here’s this one.

[@JokersWild70]

He's pretty picky about what he wants. I'd be interested in this one except for that massive gouging by the selector switch

[@danielrevollo3278]

I would've love to get it. I'm currently looking for a pink.

[@danielrevollo3278]

​@@JokersWild70that and the crazy price!

[@jeanlawson9133]

I have a SL with single coils and I love it..... I have heavily modified tuner's nut bridge Etc.... I love a Les Paul but these cheap Epiphone are awesome.... Cause you can modify them and not worry about destroying a Vintage instrument... Love your videos....

[@1000poundsguitar]

We need a full time issue from Gibson of these now!!! Also add a maple fretboard version. Epiphone also!!!

[@1000poundsguitar]

Custom lite greeny!!!

[@gabeblackburn8036]

there is a version of this guitar line that was painted pearl white had a Floyd rose and a body carve that was similar to an epiphone les pal ii I've only seen one and that was in 1989 anyone else ever heard of this?

[@mraycgz]

I’ve wanted one for a while. I have a few Les Pauls and now I’m older and they are heavy. I just can’t hold them up for more than an hour before my back is screaming.

[@thedude7726]

I feel you there 100%. I sit and play 80% of the time and when i stand up and play the guitars i choose to play changes

[@TommySG1]

I’m pretty certain I’d love one of these models, it also makes me want to look into the Access models hah! This show kills me and my wallet 🤣🤣🤣

[@mikecarbone828]

Salutations Austin! Interesting Les Paul Custom Lite! I personally think the illusion, that this is just a Les Paul Custom, would be more complete if it had four (4) knobs instead of a mini toggle switch, and I am not sure if there is enough clearance in the control route for a push-pull potentiometer or not, but there is enough room in some SG’s for those, so it may be possible to build these with the standard four (4) knobs. I reckon that this is a comfortable Les Paul to play, however it is a bit more costly than I could easily afford, if I could pick one up for a more reasonable amount I might want to add one of these to my collection someday. This one looks particularly nice from a distance, I cannot imagine how it was damaged in some places like it was around the pickup selector switch, I have not seen that before. Thank you for posting these videos! Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🎸

[@boseefusmacmurphy1156]

Weight relief.. the reason I'll probably never buy a newish Gibson. Well really it's that 60's taper neck everyone except me seems to love, Gonna fix a Les Paul start with the headstock! Lite ughh is it organic non GMO too? Xtreme or gothic? (Yeah they did that) I can hire someone to make 2 GOOD but not authentic Les pauls for the price of a new good one... Like the one slash had on appetite.. except 2 without headstocks that keep the guitar out of tune.

[@Verdillac2]

I *WANT* a 14 pound Les Paul! That's where the fvcking tone is!

[@somerandomdudelonelyAF]

Good afternoon

[@aluminati9918]

One of my best guitars. Plays fantastic. Mine is a 1987 with the 4 knob mod. Gibson need to make more LPs like this.

[@danielrevollo3278]

What color is yours?

[@Fractal_blip]

​@@danielrevollo3278 +1

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

LOL my 2020 Standard is now if a rougher shape than this!

[@MichaelSmith-ig8bw]

Beautiful guitar, even with a few nicks and dings. Sounds real good with a little dirt.

[@muffinman1978]

My Cloud9 Gibson Custom Art Historic LP R6 Stanley Burst is 7.3lbs.

[@gabemanson8918]

Not a fan of this LPs.

[@booitsnick]

Dude my birth year. And the les Paul I’ve always wanted

[@leftyzappa]

I’m tripping out. I played a show today and a fellow from another band had a black beauty version of this. First time hearing about them - let alone seeing one!

[@Bbbbad724]

My Epiphone LesPaul Special 2 is a plank with a really thin bolt on neck. My hand is big enough to make my hand go numb with that skinny neck.

[@jwilder2251]

I would actually trust Paul McCartney to make improvements at Gibson

[@snapfinger1]

All Les Pauls should be more or less weight relieved to exactly 7.9 lbs. for consistency & comfort.

[@lacaz212]

Got a ‘98 emerald green LP Studio SL. My favourite. Absolutely love it.

[@zackamodeo-thomson8010]

Sorry I always think the color of cherry sunburst looks like Elmer's glue!😂

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Z is for late

[@clarkbabin9799]

Shame on you now im interested in one of those thin Les Pauls. The gold top interests me most . I kind of like the difference in the tones on this guitar.

[@waskerbasket9601]

Recently saw one that was dark tobacco burst

[@danielrevollo3278]

For sale? I'm in the market for one.

[@danielrevollo3278]

DEREK!!! Do you still have the grey one you bought in 2018? Hit me up even if you're not looking to sell it. I want keep in touch if you dont mind!

[@mikes9759]

My 76 is a beast!! I've never weighed it and I'm guessing it's 12-13 pounds. It is a 3 pickup model though. But when you're in your 20s it doesn't really wear on you!! Ha Ha Ha!

[@ivan_emege]

Got one but Goldtop P90 and infamous G-Force. Nice

[@shotgunrebels]

I’ve got a showcase gold top. Used to own the metallic sunset one. Great guitars imo.

[@danielrevollo3278]

If you're ever interested in selling it, let me know! I'm in the market for one.

[@ereimul1444]

Gibson should brings this back in the market. 36th anniversary for Gibson Lite. btw, i prefer the American Musical Supply Gibson lite spec. it's a Classic in lite.

[@youdropfirst]

First I owned the 2013 reissue. Nothing like the original, sold it. Now I own 88 black beauty lite and golden showcase edition. Stunning guitars that I will never sell.

[@bjdenil]

How exactly would you fix some of the best Electric Guitars ever? I agree the 80s LPs got a bit heavy. Hate that they got that mini toggle instead of the second tone knob. The belly bevel was cool but when I picked one up it just didn't feel quite right to me and the mini toggle drove me nuts.

[@wilhelmtheconquerer6214]

IMO the Gibson Nighthawk shape and the AXESS-spec's are the biggest "fixes" to the Les Paul design

[@lukecornett4874]

Audio clipping all over the place.

[@RoboSteave]

I really like this! Thin, I'm in (goes to the website) and... I'm out. Thought for sure that with all those scratches, it'd be under a thousand bucks...

[@plotnysoundrecords3568]

From side, I see it like PRS, not like SG

[@andye3684]

👍

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Greetings Andy

[@peterjones4621]

Back home from having surgery, couldn't miss my Trogly fix.

[@Trog]

speedy recovery!

[@hectormutton2542]

✌️

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Peace Peace Hector

[@jacqueslapidieux3182]

wow...those splits are whimpy!

[@bldallas]

Do they have major neck dive issues like my old SG?

[@danielrevollo3278]

Not in my experience, and I've held 5 different ones. But there's probably some out there that could suffer from it. I recommend you to look into a brand new Les Paul classic lite. Same body of the guitar but it's still into production and you can easily get one for around 2k. Plus it's got a 60s neck profile which minimizes the chance of having one with neck dive.

[@johnevered9640]

I literally am about to sell my sunset metallic 88 custom Lite so this video will be super useful!!!

[@danielrevollo3278]

Hey I'm interested. Do you have pic and a price in mind?

[@jameshughes6049]

How do everyone!!

[@dandiem3875]

why isnt it tuesday yet!!!!!

[@wesleyalan9179]

There's a dumb joke here... "I like my les paul guitars the same way I like my women...light and thin and can do splits at the flip of a switch, and even beautiful when old😅 Ok, I'll see myself out now🖐

[@randb4865]

Got me with the thumbnail!

[@RUSTY-A-L]

Love the sound saw one on Reverb for $5500!

[@bukwok]

8:11 do you know you can buy x ray machine , i think 10 inch one around $3k -$5k us dollars .

[@robertwood3917]

You forgot the “Paul” ii

[@steventheo69]

I had a Les Paul gold top that weighed 15 pounds. It was heavy , but the tone was awesome!!!!

[@rondobondo6600]

Wallmart

[@orbitaljellyfish808]

14lbs!?!?!?!?!?!?!?🤯

[@dananthony6258]

I love a heavy les paul.

[@worstxb1playertylerteehc635]

I like the slim

[@papasmamas1]

Always LOVED how cool this things look. One in Wine Red, such a dream guitar.

[@thefilthygringo9228]

I have a 10 1/2 lb gold top and a 7 lb CM. I prefer my gold too to play all day. The CM feels like a toy and my gold top is beefy and sustains all day long. I’m 51 and I’d never not use my gold top all day long

[@sixstringer3783]

I remember when these first came out they went over like a lead brick they received a ton of hate especially the pink one everybody hated that thing funny how things change or older guys with bad backs 🤔

[@uv77mc85]

I had the pink one. Best Les Paul I have owned and Ive owned 100+

[@rudiyantohalim736]

It sound so good, and the split coil sounds "ok"

[@karmicselling4252]

Great video Trogly. I imagine that in several parallel universes, the Custom Lite was released in their early 1970s. As a result, the Angus Youngs of those universes preferred it over the SG .... Hmmm ... Perhaps not! And always remember ... "It's a long way to the top if you want a sausage roll!". Cheers from the Land Down Under.

[@paultrombetta]

Tones are an instant Yes Edit: except Dirt.

[@djencode]

Great sounding guitar for being skinny!

[@jacobbockover1628]

Mmm like an esp or i guess that new eart. I like it

[@adriancarroll6995]

I wish I could have one of those

[@jerryk3280]

Start saving up, LP's are worth it 😀

[@wadeguidry6675]

A gold tp6 would look good on it.

[@Steve.Cutler]

These just feel weird to me on a strap.

[@l5e2n9]

The heal is the worst

[@rexrathtar3893]

Better than an open wound.

[@joermnyc]

Curious if it’s the same thickness as a Special or Junior. 🤔

[@corneliuscrewe8165]

Thinner. Much closer to an SG.

[@scottbogfoot]

Have you ever seen a les Paul with bound back control cavities?

[@jaredcoderre3062]

I really like this kind of content

[@TarnishedViking.]

🤘

[@zeusapollo8688]

Is that as thin as a smart Wood?

[@marions.120]

Yep, love them!

[@adriancarroll6995]

The coil split is probably nice if you can play a verity of soloing

[@edsmith238]

My old custom lite seems to have a coil tap, not a split. Ymmv.

[@verystrange2465]

Sounds right.

[@leahcaudill6559]

Thanks, Trogly.