The Big Lie About These Gibson Guitars!

[@RileyNagle]

Hey if people want to crap on Norlins I say let them, itll keep the market prices down for us who want them!

[@JanisKlinnert]

Riley Nagle preach it! I don’t have one yet so I hope the prices stay low for a bit longer! :D

[@yestoES355]

Janis Klinnert they’re great. Late 70s (78/79) les Paul made in the Kalamazoo factory have a single piece non pancake and a traditional two piece top. Those are amazing. I’d really avoid any modern Gibson USA guitar unless it’s Gibson Custom.

[@RileyNagle]

@@JanisKlinnert The one LP I have kept the longest is a Norlin, 82 Standard. Its heavier than a brick and has the ugliest clownburst but man it just rips!

[@JanisKlinnert]

@@yestoES355 yeah I have a custom with a maple neck and that thing is just amazing. sounds and plays great (sound samples can be found on my channel, little bit of a shameless plug haha:D) but I think the 70s Gibsons have thing. Would love to try/own one!

[@JanisKlinnert]

@@RileyNagle I think its as Robert said there are some really special and awesome guitars from that era! and you seem to own one of them! :D

[@impulserhaltung]

The ratio of people that have actually played a 59 les paul to those who talk about it on the internet is that of humans to ants!

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

It's like Tigers in Normandy in WW2, only a couple of dozen ever fought there, against the Brits, but everybody who fought there somehow managed to come up against one.

[@melvynobrien6193]

I bought a Standard in 1970 used; I never paid much attention to dates back then, but I was told Standards hadn't been made since 1960;The binding on it was sloppy, the tuners were terrible, it was incredibly heavy, and it wouldn't stay in tune; needless to say, I got rid of it. Today, some fool is willing to pay big bucks for that LP.

[@lyell63]

I played one because a guy in my town had one and I asked him to try it. It was a good guitar, but nothing legendary. Seemed very similar to my LP. There is way too much mythical status given to them.

[@PicksPaints]

I've played a '59 LP Special. Not a Burst... but still was a '59 LP. I wasn't overly thrilled, didn't like the neck. No, the heavens didn't part, nor did the angels sing. But it was cool to hold a piece of history.

[@JollyRogerProductions]

@@melvynobrien6193 1 guitar doesn't mean anything.

[@mos6507]

Randy Rhoads did pretty well with a 70s Les Paul.

[@FelixIsMyName]

and Zakk Wylde!

[@michaellnbnj]

This!!!

[@duck_5150]

@@FelixIsMyName Zakk's was an '81 i believe..

[@samueljorge3171]

Legend has it that it was a chibson

[@daveyroque1070]

81 is still norlin era. When people are talking about 70's gibbies they really mean norlin era which was about thirteen years. I like fender and gibson best from 70-82 mainly because they started weight relief in 83 I believe. I like the feel of a heavy Gibson. Feels like I actually paid good money for a good guitar. Weight relief is not ideal for me, especially when all these "purists" insist that norlins guitars are junk because it changed Gibson and then go and get a 3000$ Les Paul with push pull pots and a blueberry burst finish. If that's your thing then oh well, you do you because I'm gonna do me either way, but yeah I believe a Les Paul is meant to weight at least ten pounds. Nothing better than all that resonance hittin your belly while you play with your buddies.

[@ash3sgaming812]

I had a 76 LP custom, with a TP-6 tail piece, Brass nut, and a phase shift switch. It was one of the BEST guitars I have EVER played. Not all norland era guitars were bad.

[@BarrySW19]

The one I thought sounded most "Les Paul" turned out to be the PRS.

[@jared305]

Same here!

[@rustynutzgarage5496]

Agreed

[@Um_im_ryan]

I thought that one sounded the worst, it sounded thin to me

[@minobu75]

Agreed with you.

[@AB-80X]

For some odd reason, people think of Les Pauls as dark sounding. In reality they aren't. Like that PRS, my 1999 Jackson SL2H sounds much meatier and darker than my 1996 Standard. Both feature TB-4 Pickups in the bridge. Les Pauls have a very "bloomy" midrange with some sibilance, and that's what many like about them.

[@sludds563]

Honestly, a good guitar is a good guitar. I don't care, how old a guitar is, or how much it cost, or even what brand it is.

[@mikedlc9766]

same here

[@padawan9127]

Dean Sludds it’s timber, strings and electronics. How hard can it be to get right. People create some sort of mystery around guitars, which I imagine the companies love.

[@franktomisich8982]

I could not tell the difference except at moment I thought 3 sounded a little fatter but maybe it's his playing technique l agree you can do wonders with a little electronics.

[@doukdouk2550]

AMEN

[@lescaster2179]

@Dean Sludds Amen to that!

[@sjk254]

The more people that think those 70s Gibson's are trash the more I get to own.

[@AB-80X]

Same. But after Gibson QC has gone properly down hill over the last two decades, and tanked over the last few years, people are looking everywhere for good Les Pauls.

[@dirtydanthesecretsauceman8519]

@@AB-80X I hate the 70s frets but you can always re-fret.

[@adrianwoodward6029]

If it was good enough for RR, then it's good enough for anyone, now and in the future.

[@GearGasms]

People just parrot what they read on The Gear Page. They’ve never seen nor played a Norlin era Gibson and are thusly full of sh!t. 🎸🤓🤘🏻

[@robvoyles]

Well said, all the gear page crap are a buncha guys sitting around talking about there gear when they would be better served playing it.

[@Livelaughlimpbizkit]

GearGasms 100% and parrot is the perfect t word

[@skiptracer2988]

TGP is full of boomers who make jokes about their wives all day. Most are probably terrible musicians.

[@allanwhittick2930]

Amen geargasms

[@jkauffman58]

I did. For many years. But I could see the problems that Norlin era had. And it was all cost of production costs. Lessen the cost, maximize profit. The quality didn't return until after the selling of Gibson.

[@ChrisBrown-oo4bf]

being rather ancient myself, I have a 77 black custom as an original owner. Still love the guitar. wouldn't give it away or sell it for any price.

[@orenalbertmeisel3127]

I recently tried out the Gibson 2019 SG special pelham blue at two different stores. I was absolutely blown away by it at one of them, but at the other store the neck didn’t feel as good and I just didn’t like it, although it was the same model You never know if you’re going to enjoy the guitar before you start playing it, then you know

[@jamlemon]

Oren Albert Meisel did the same before buying my Baja Tele. Played one and fell in love, tried another in another store (which was actually cheaper) and the neck wasn’t as good so went back and bought the first one.

[@PicksPaints]

Oren Albert Meisel - Guitars are just as personal to us as players as our sense of smell and taste. We all feel, see, and sense things differently. Not all guitars that roll off the assembly lines are the same.. as long as human hands work on them, each will be unique. Each will feel a little different and play a little different. No shock that one spoke to you and the other didn't. It's just the way it is! Good advice to keep on trying them, eventually you will find the right one.

[@skylerspringsteen5730]

Oren Albert Meisel that’s the thing about all guitars that some people don’t get, some are bad some are absolutely amazing. Hell there’s some bursts out there that are even considered junk

[@stonedterror1]

every guitar is unique...but some of the guitars aren't set up well.

[@triumph9044]

Exactly. I played 3 Explorers before I bought the one I still own. They all had finish flaws. But the one I bought played nice the other 2 I realized there was no fixing an improperly set neck. The when I took it out to practice the pickups showed their ugly squeal. So I ended up having to replace them. I will never buy another Gibson. The 2 I have play fine but, with that said I did buy an LTD EC-1000 and at less than 1/2 Price of. Les Paul. It is a better guitar down to the perfect finish and excellent quality build.

[@JendellOverland]

the first Les Paul I ever owned was a 79 KM model, just like yours, but mine had 2 screw holes below the bridge, as a name plate was there from the factory. How does yours not have that? Man, I miss that guitar!

[@jltrem]

And on the other side of the coin....Hendrix played CBS strats.

[@nickn2794]

Yep lol. He had a custom gibson sg though and I think he had other gibsons as well. The Hardrock cafè owns some. He didn't play just the strat.

[@Cohibareal]

He burned the strats

[@dunemetal67]

Blackmore and Beck played a lot of Fender CBS era Strats, too.

[@Um_im_ryan]

nick n yeah he also had a Flying V and I’ve seen picture of him with a les Paul jr (I think it was a jr. I don’t remember)

[@AB-80X]

Here's a fun story. When i was 19 years old, I worked in a guitar shop in Copenhagen. For about two months we had a Hendrix original that was never used. One day a lady who was very well to do, showed up and purchased it as a birthday present for her husband. I got the task to take it to a nearby luthere for a pre-delivery tune-up. When we got to take a closer look, we both agreed it was a properly poorly built guitar. Apparently Jim wasn't shielded from poor CBS era guitars either lol. It was a really bad rush job.

[@paulvontyrant3120]

John Sykes main guitar that he recorded and toured Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Blue Murder with was a 1978 Gibson Les Paul.

[@gussywellz9714]

scott gorham&brian robertson also played 1973 les paul deluxe!

[@chadmorral1326]

My Grandfather has a 1973 ES-335. I love it and one day it will be mine.

[@1mespud]

I still have my old '73 cherry red ES 335TD I bought from a pawn shop in '82. No complaints..

[@stevep2430]

I hope you have been a good boy.

[@fkcamry88]

RIP Pops

[@PinetopJackson]

To ensure it will become yours,you need to go about this matter Game of Thrones style!

[@chadmorral1326]

@@PinetopJackson I did have to do a little 'little fingering" to ensure it. Thankfully im the only grandchild who can play it. Im going to get a few nice things when all is said and done. A 73 silverface twin reverb, a martin acoustic, a fender acoustic. Lol

[@robvoyles]

I have 18 guitars and many more through the years, the absolute hands down best guitar I've ever had is my 1974 Les Paul custom. And it's not even close.

[@mattaffliction]

I've got a 1977 LP custom, "Blond Beauty", and its amazing. It's always strange to see a maple fretboard on an LP but i love it.

[@guitarnist]

I could not tell the difference in the Humbucker equipped guitars, but I could tell the difference in the P-90 equipped Gold Top.

[@JohnSmith-cw2wd]

Same here

[@shook9042]

Dude! I have a 1971 Les Paul that kills. Best playing guitar by far. Nothing wrong with Norlin era. They're are a lot of really nice examples from that time

[@gregbaker6215]

I had a 1974 black Les Paul standard back in the mid / late 80's. It played and sounded like a dream... I was in a country band back then and wanted a telecaster. So back then I bought that Gibson for $500.00... So I sold it for $500.00... Bought me a telecaster and ( nothing against telecasters) have regretted that error in my life ever sense... WHAT WAS I THINKING??? I know, I wasn't thinking at all... Anyway, you always somehow bring up these memories, bad memories, mind you, from my past... Darn it... Love and light... 🎸🙄🎸🇺🇸☮

[@TheseusTitan]

I have owned several Gibsons made in the 70s and they are fantastic guitars filled with beautiful tone. Gibson has always been rich in tone. I have a double cutaway LP (Les Paul) made in 2000 that I rewired and it’s really unique with a wide variety of great tone.

[@dannyv.6358]

Love my dc studio lp from '98. Pearly gates in the bridge and custom custom in the neck. Bought second hand that way and have been happy with it since day one. Absolutely a rock mochine.

[@georgeperillo6421]

I agree with you 100%. Having owned a 1974 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty that I bought new and regret letting go in the mid 90's. Currently I own a 1975-1974 cherry burst Les Paul Deluxe that someone converted to Humbucker's before I got it 25 years ago The only thing I had to do was fix the dreaded 12 fret hump and I had it re-fretted with stainless steel frets. It is a bad mo fo...I would not sell or trade it for anything.

[@longguitarlad4222]

Play what you like, if somebody else dosent like it that's not your problem

[@chrisggoodwin777]

When I got my PRS, I was immediately labeled as a fanboy by the "traditional" fans. I went to my favorite store, and the PRS just felt and sounded best to my ear. It Also didn't hurt that it looked the best 😉

[@richj4305]

Quality control at PRS is far superior to Gibson.

[@rccarsandmusic2641]

Love my 2 PRS Custom 24 SE, immaculate

[@fedboy21]

Prs is just too good bro, but gibson still the legend 🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@marcdepalma9521]

I've owned fenders and gibsons. Only my custom 24 remains.

[@YesuAiNimen]

PRS also have one of the best truss rods in production. Great stability too!

[@terrydactyl4851]

I can’t believe it, I thought the PRS sounded more like a Les Paul than any of the others, maybe I need some new speakers, or new ears 😁

[@danpeabody5687]

my first guitar was a 1975 wine red les paul Standard. Wish i still had that guitar. It was not too heavy and really really resonate I picked it out of the whole Shop full of Les Paul's I just asked to bring me guitars I had my eyes closed and I just run them in the one that just resonated the most and felt the best of me was the one I chose I didn't even want to know what color it was until I had found it. if I could ever find that guitar again I would buy it in a second. all your les pauls are lovely

[@laryon]

I actually liked the sound of the PRS better. The LP came in second - I did like it.. All sounded like great guitars. Thanks for the comparison.

[@ianshortall3356]

PRS for me also

[@jamesw95]

@@ianshortall3356 I liked the PRS also, but what do I know, I have an EPI Les Paul but its not going into the trash

[@ianshortall3356]

@@jamesw95 I have a Gibson Les Paul standard and a PRS, but I really a Les Paul style that I built myself :) so it just depends on the player I think...

[@Cheeseiest1]

I didn't think I really liked prs guitars but I also rated it as the best...time to do some more serious research

[@drotto2524]

Was actually floored when I guessed them all correctly. I liked the PRS best, the LP with 90's, second, and the 70's LP third. But that was just my preference non sounded bad.

[@rsfields2009]

Only one I could pick was the P 90's. Could hear the 60 cycle hum.

[@donaldboyett7682]

So could I. I have a LP with P-90's and that sound is distinct when you play one.

[@martinclayton7260]

Most of the people who make those comments have never even played any Gibson!

[@howardcunniffe8738]

I have played a few Gibson's before. They are cool, but way over my price range.

[@chzzyg2698]

I've dabbled with one but I think the cost is overblown for a brand name. They make gorgeous finishes though.

[@GearGasms]

I agree - and most have never even seen a Norlin era Gibson.

[@dumbdickler670]

@@chzzyg2698 Gibson definitely makes the best looking guitars. At least from what I've seen

[@PicksPaints]

It's like Robert said... and it still rings true today. There are good and bad regardless of era and brand, even from one guitar to the next that roll out of the factories. Not every guitar is gonna be your or my holy grail. Some people go all fanboy over this or that. They're GUITARS!!! and are probably the most personal and subjective thing to any of us other than our sense of taste and smell.

[@wilhelmtheconquerer6214]

The best thing about 70s Gibsons is in fact that many people hate them. It keeps the prices down quite a bit considering that they are in fact vintage instruments (and in many cases really good ones)

[@JC-11111]

I agree about the "Norlin era sucks" snobs. 100%. I even came up with that same comparison. I bet no one could even tell if you didn't tell them which was which.

[@jerbear1601]

I have a 1979 "The Paul" all walnut and it plays and sounds better to me than the chambered new Standards! I haven't played a 2019 or 2020 yet but I will try one.

[@wildbill2122]

I had the '79 SG 'The SG' for 38 years, GREAT TONE......and thought I'd never sell it. Until I got a 2017 SG Standard that blew the strings off of the '79.

[@MisterTee]

As a guy who has played 50’s Les Pauls and ES 335 models I can say that I have encountered a few 50’s guitars that were not great. A 57 Goldtop that sucked. A58 burst that was only OK. A 61 ES 355 that was HORRENDOUS. This is true. However the vintage dealer I worked for had a good number of these come through and most were pretty great. There are great Norlin era guitars but the problem is that they got away from the specs and sound of the old ones. We did have guys come through with 70’s guitars who plugged in a late 50’s guitar and the reaction was usually ‘holy shit, this doesn’t sound or feel like my 76l. Norlin guitars have a certain sound that is unique and represents a moment in time so they are cool. But they don’t sound or feel like the 50’s and 60’s guitars.

[@rickb4806]

What make one great and another not good?

[@hheidrick]

I personally thought I would have never owned a Gibson, until I did a setup and cleaning of a 1978 Gibson Les Paul. I fell in love with it. I went on a quest to find one. Haven’t yet found one in my price range. I still bought 2 other Les Pauls.

[@matthewf1979]

4 was easy, the hum gave it away. I thought 1 was either the “Strat” or PRS. They all sounded good to me.

[@willdenham]

I have a 78' Custom Sunburst and it has been the envy of every guitarist who's played it since I bought it in 1989. Many of those guitarists are pros in working bands, one of them, the bandmate of my instructor played it for 5 min's and immediately offered to trade his 60's Strat for it. I've played it onstage, recorded with it, put a lot of miles on it and haven't thought of parting with it for a second. A singer/guitarist I've played in multiple bands with borrows it for recording all the time and sometimes an important show. Everytime he plays it he says to me 'Don't ever sell that, but if you do, I'm your first call.' My story is similar to Robert's, I longed for an LP, this was in the 80's, I was in high-school working as a dishwasher and was hunting for my first electric. This was before all the reissues and it took a figure out of my range to score a Les Paul. Everyone told me to give up the pipe dream and settle for a Kramer, Ibanez Roadstar, something along those lines. I never gave up the hunt and lucked out on finding 2 70's LP's in a run down consignment shop. One was purple and the other my future Sunburst, no listed price. The owner cut me an unbelievably good deal and I put half down. Not only had I found an LP but a classic burst.

[@teresathomley3703]

Jeff Beck played CBS Strats and was perfectly happy with them.

[@steviesynapse]

Great video Robert, it echoes what my friend and guitar teacher used to say, and that is, if they conducted ‘blind’ tests and hid the player and the guitars behind a curtain and asked players to identify the era or nuances between the sounds of different Strats or Les Paul ‘s, most players wouldn’t even be able to distinguish whether it was a Squier, MIM, MIJ or Fender custom shop, Epihone, or Gibson etc let alone the era. My favourites here were 1 then 3, which is interesting as I’m not usually drawn to PRS. I’ve been fortunate enough to play many vintage guitars over the years and own a few myself. Ironically, I never went near a Gibson for about 10 years after playing a 63 SG and a fabled 59 Les Paul that my friend owned back in the 80’s. I hated the necks on both guitars and this led me to think that Gibson’s just weren’t for me. However, I’ve played many great Gibson’s since but the best LP I’ve ever played is a black Japanese made1983 LP Custom by Burny that I bought for £500 10-years ago and still own. Best Strat I’ve ever played and owned was an all original 68 fiesta red with rosewood fretboard. To be honest over the years I’ve played original vintage Strats from the 50’s and 60’s that were not good guitars, I’ve played some great ones too though. There is definitely a lot of myths in the vintage guitar world, and I would agree with you Robert, I’ve played some great 70’s LP’s. At the end of the day if you’re buying a guitar to play (as opposed to buy to sell or invest in) then if you like it, the guitar is ‘good’.

[@jsr79-81]

I have a 1971 SG Special with P90s and it is one of the best guitars I have ever played. It's been a player throughout its life and been modded a bit, but the tuning stability is incredible and the P90s are terrific. I got it for under £1000 so let people hate that era and those that know better can pick up bargains for great vintage guitars....

[@winteroutside7014]

but the sg was never plywood like the norlins

[@nickspann89]

I borrowed a 70’s les paul custom from a guy to fix something on the guitar and was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounded. I would own one without hesitation if it sounded as good as his.

[@ahan2001]

It's 12:35 am here in India and I'm still here for you, Robert. Great playing, keep going my man!!

[@theishing1]

Same here bro 💯

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Thank you!!!

[@blg020]

I thought the other guitar with the gold pickup covers was the 70's guitar. Do you have 2.

[@InGratitudeIam]

Robert, they ALL sound bad. I'd better take them off your hands so you can avoid further embarrassment.

[@omithehomi8568]

There are a lot, I’ll take about half of them so you can worry less

[@passngas2733]

I used to think the same about the newer Les Pauls, played a few and didn't care for them much. Went to my local shop one day to pick up a few things and the owner was putting a new 2019 60's LP Standard in Bourbon Burst. Now I own a couple of LPs already but grabbed and started playing it, the owner who plays bass grabbed one and we started a small jam lol, put it up and went home, couldn't get the damn thing out my head. Went back the next day played for another hour and the owner laughed and asked if he should ring it then or wait another hour. After calling him a few choice words I now have another LP.🙄

[@bobross5580]

I have had 3 70's LP's and each of them was "The" one, period.. Weight is an issue these days because of my age but that anyone can say these NE guitars are bad.

[@stringsnthings3416]

I have narrowed my collection of guitars to 6. Two are Gibsons, one Les Paul and a 1979 ES-347 which is my favorite electric purchased new and played consistently. A truly great instrument!

[@TraneFrancks]

"Strong opinions out there on the internet" -- Wait. That's a thing? 😳

[@MrJmannik]

I picked the Friedman "strat" out by sound, It had a tone I didn't like, but ive never been a huge fan of strat dirty tones. Having said that... I didn't really think about "this is trash or that is trash", I just listened to the tone and decided if I liked it or not, it doesnt matter what it looks like or who built it and when it was built... These are the things that matter: - Does it feel nice to play? - Does it sound good for what you want to play on it? - Do you like it? - Is it built well enough to play regularly? If the answer is yes to the above, then you have a winner.

[@billann8834]

The haters were just jealous of those sweat 70s LP you scored, that is all!

[@BobJones-bh9qz]

Bill Ann the sweat ones are my personal favorites

[@JohnMiller-td3up]

@@BobJones-bh9qz Sweat ? Sweet???

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

John Miller Sweat.

[@andrij.demianczuk]

Same thing can be said for CBS era Fenders too. I have a Y2 (1966) Fender Jaguar that's incredible. Like any year, there are 'Wednesday' guitars and 'Friday' guitars, and each and every one has their quirks which is why we love them so much!

[@CharliePutz]

There's an old video of George Gruhn on YT saying that 70's Les Pauls aren't great. Maybe the myth comes from there. I think that, though I'm not 100% sure, by in these times, Gibson had run out of the higher quality wood and started manufacturing guitars with lesser pieces of wood assembled together. The bad rep may have come from there. That being said, I think 70's LPs get shit simply because they're not late 50's/early 60's.

[@CharliePutz]

@u mama Damn right.

[@surfallday6583]

That era was a sad time for both major brands. I know first hand. It's no myth.

[@michaelbergman1708]

I used to have a '76 Gibson Custom Tobacco Sunburst. Except for the G string going out of tune, I loved that guitar. One of the easiest guitars I've ever played. So much goes into whether a guitar is good besides the tone. Is it reliable? Does the fretboard lift off the neck after a few months? Does the neck warp or break after a short period of time? Are the solder joints properly done? Are cheap components used for the electronics or the pickups so that they fail after a short period of time. Back in late 1980s I had bought two Ibanez solid body neck through guitars, really pretty and nice sounding guitars, and they both had twisted necks. I couldn't get them back into playing shape. You cannot get me back into Ibanez since then. I am sure they don't have that problem any more, but you still can't get me anywhere near them. It doesn't matter that they are endorsed by Steve Vai. It may be irrational; it may be bigoted; it doesn't matter. There are plenty of other good guitar makers out there.

[@skeetschuler1859]

If people don't want the 70"s Gibson send them to me.

[@carljohnson4691]

My 1977 Gibson Les Paul Custom with a maple neck and fretboard is the best playing guitar that I have ever played. And I have played everything from vintage D’Angelicos to Squiers. I worked for a music store that carried Guild, Gibson, Fender, Taylor, and Alvarez. I have played hundreds of guitars, and nothing has ever come close except my 2010 Les Paul Custom, and 2008 Epiphone Elitist Les Paul. My ‘77 was stolen and later recovered in pieces. I really miss it.

[@w.l.h.]

I really like Gibsons, but even if I didn't I wouldn't say that to someone who just bought one. jfc

[@joerobinson2538]

From what I recall, Randy Rhoads Cream Colored Les Paul Was a Norlin era Gibson (1973). I love my 76 Les Paul Custom.

[@2DclanSnipingTeam]

74

[@mattburch9873]

“Gibson guitars don’t stay in tune” - doesn’t really know how to setup their guitar, doesn’t wrap lock strings, doesn’t pre-stretch strings

[@minisurfbanana]

Cletus T. Kudrow I have 2 LPs and 2 Es335 and they all stay in tune😂

[@demokraatti]

Common tuning problems of a LP are poor intonation, too much angle at the headstock for the middle strings and often slack in the bridge mounting.

[@mattburch9873]

@ Mini Surf - Yeah my Les Paul stays in tune. Everyone I know who has one isn’t troubled by tuning. The only place I see people complain about Les Pauls is on the internet or is someone that got dropped off at guitar center after they finished their chores.

[@mattburch9873]

Mini Surf ikr

[@shaunw9270]

My only guitar for decades was a '78 Marauder. When I started playing all the Les Pauls I drooled over were Norlin. Older guys at the time used to moan how they're not made like the 50's ones , true enough, but much of their knowledge was actually pretty poor, because they hadn't actually played a 50's LP , especially when here in the UK ,there was a trade embargo on American made products after WW2 up to around 1959.

[@CopettiMusic]

I own a tele and a strat , and I can’t stand twang anymore, both #1 and #3 sounded amazing, the tone has a “full body”, in the other ones I felt like it was missing something, especially on the p90! I know this has nothing to do with the subject but I’m in desperately need of a full humbucker tone in my life!

[@wakjob961]

Seriously, grab a used LTD EC-256...great Les Paul type guitar that will get you by on the cheap.

[@jonathonrich8061]

I totally agree that 1 and 3 sounded Best.

[@CopettiMusic]

Wak Job thanks for the suggestion, but I’m actually building a Les Paul with a customized Rickenbacker headstock, I think it will turn out great, with some burstbucker or probucker pickups, but with all this quarantine stuff, is taking a bit longer, which is driving me kind of insane!

[@CopettiMusic]

u mama I’m actually building a Les Paul with a custom Rickenbacker headstock, it’s always been a desire of mine, I’m planning in putting really good gear!

[@ShawnHeath]

@@CopettiMusic Atta boy! Don't bother with the hype, just build your own.

[@bigbubu75]

Back in the mid 90‘s I searched for a Les Paul, being a native Strat guy i wanted a beauty with humbuckers just for the sake of fun. Travelled many miles across the country to find something really good, and found out that for under 2k there was nothing potential. I tried over 40 Gibsons (yes it had to be a Gibson). I nearly gave up and then I accindentally found her after one year. An all original Tokai Les Paul goldtop from 79‘. Love on the first strum. Sound and playability never reached by new Gibsons of that era. I spent 800 bucks, average price for Tokais back in the day. Since than i put my DNA in that old lady, even took her on stage few times. She‘s now 41 and I wouldnt give her away for a fortune, even though i remained a Stratguy. And the brand bias on the headstock is long forgotten

[@embreesmith7613]

I have .. 1974 SG Custom 1971 LP Deluxe 1977 LP Special 1976 SG Std. 74/55 LP reissue love the 74/55, and the 77 Special but all Rock hard I hate the weight of the 5 pc body on the 71 LP, hate the flat frets on the SG Custom

[@bryanmannoia8410]

sweet!

[@markmarkovic6163]

Just do some curls😊

[@AaronAubreyPhoto]

The only one I got right was #4 and that was due to noticing your noise gate killing your sustain, which I figured you turned up for the P90 pups..

[@regg009]

The PRS ended up being my favorite tone, insane. I expected the gold top to win it for me.

[@Jimi_7-7-7]

Damn... I have a 1979 SG Exclusive and... what can I say... I just bought it because it was for selling beside another guitar I was interested in. And as a package... I got a good price on it. Damn... I came home... put new strings on it... and what happened? I sold the other guitar, what was the main reason I have been at the guy who was selling it. The SG has sooooo much soul! Woao! It makes me crazy! “I wanna play it” ... I love it ... it’s such a beautiful and great guitar! Damn! I love it !

[@rokinrandy]

If they suck I’m willing to buy Or trade

[@stricknine8623]

Yep, and I want that "they suck" price !

[@Gin132456]

my guitar instructor in high school walked in with a 70s gold top one day, p90 on the neck and duncan on the bridge, flat frets, man I loved the 2 minutes he let me play it. Led me to buy an epiphone today and i cant just not compare unfairly between the two!

[@ejsrandomadventures]

They're right, 70s Gibsons are terrible. You gotta send them all to me for proper disposal.

[@bubbasouth69]

Evan Johnson not if I can get ‘em first!

[@NHfiddle]

Back in the day, I had a 68 Gold Top Deluxe(my very first one)then a 71 "Black Beauty" w/three pickups(turned that into a Peter Frampton clone)then a 1976 Tobacco sunburst, plus numerous Fenders. But we're talking 70s Gibson, right? All of them were fantastic and played and sounded amazing. Now I'm 66 years old and I have a '13 SG and a '16 Les Paul Traditional plus a couple of Fenders thrown in for good measure. A bad guitar can be made to play good if you want to put the money into it, and a good guitar can turn bad in the blink of an eye.

[@Curtislow2]

JUST LIKE PEOPLE, THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN "GOOD ONES" AND "BAD ONES" IN EVERY ERA!

[@coaltrain4423]

Very well said !!👏

[@BobJones-bh9qz]

I KNOW RIGHT

[@WoodmanWorldwide]

The first Les Paul I ever played was a 77 custom, (not the prettiest with that 70s cherry sunburst). Heavy as sin, but oh man that tone... I was Too broke to buy it and it sold before I came up with the coin, but that tone stuck in my head for almost 2 decades. I played a bunch of 70s over the years searching for it, and after a ton that I didn’t like, I found a 79 (my birth year) that looks and sounds identical to that 77. Happy to be the proud owner of it now.

[@thenoobassassin]

Biggest Gibson lie: their quality sucks, salty bois just can’t afford um XD...

[@sixstringassassin9420]

That's exactly true lol I see it daily on social media 🤣 Every Gibson I've ever owned has been top notch in quality 👌

[@stricknine8623]

It becomes a "fad" and the mental lemmings "pile on" and a general falsehood becomes a reality. Perception = reality, even if it is a false perception. This is how the media is able to successfully control the thoughts and opinions of the average person. Very few people are wise enough to take pause and look beneath the surface.

[@mantashaft]

I think I’ve ran into enough anecdotal and visual evidence to suggest that quality control had become an issue with Gibson, and at their prices, it’s completely reasonable that they generated some angry customers and bad press. That being said, I have no idea how they’re doing now, I don’t really play any other than my ‘92 LP. I do know that people like to pile on and sound like they know what they’re talking about by parroting things they’ve read. As for 70’s era... I have no clue! I was born in ‘72, I’m not a rock star, work in the guitar industry where I would be exposed to many guitars, or have tons of money to collect enough to have an opinion.

[@BillMcGirr]

I can remember trying out a brand new Les Paul in the mid 90’s... When I slid my hand up the neck I ACTUALLY thought it sliced the skin on my fret hand. It was probably wasn’t indicative of all their instruments... But considering is was 3 TIMES as much as a brand new Strat... They sure didn’t win me over.

[@markmilner842]

I had the strat as #2 & the gold top as #4, but I couldn’t decide the other two. Both had humbuckers & both sounded good.

[@opengee]

A substantial amount of "guitar tone" comes from the ability and technique of the guitar PLAYER.

[@AB-80X]

Yeah, well, I have a 1999 SL2H and a 1996 LP Standard with identical pickups that disagrees with you. They sound NOTHING alike - just like the PRS and LP here does not sound alike.

[@chrissayre2124]

My white 71 custom I would give anything to have back. Gold hardware, heavy with a capital H,but ohhhh,the sustain!!

[@paristhalheimer]

The 70s Les Paul had a slightly thicker sound. By the way, I owned several 70s era Strats. One of the best 70s Strats I ever played was my 75.

[@chrisjeneson5091]

They all sounded good to me. I love my 1979 The Les Paul, T tops, all Walnut with slinky Ebony board, what´s not to like?

[@darkestfugue]

i have an 1980 les paul deluxe i acquired in 1988, it has a 3 piece maple top and a 3 piece maple neck, after its initial set up it has never needed anything, nothing on it has ever gone wrong, ive been tempted to change the minis to p90s but theres really nothing wrong with them, sweet sound and a tank of a guitar, i played a 2015 standard recently and it wasnt a patch on my old baby

[@hughmoss9884]

I got them all correct ! I used headphones, but I wrote them, in order, the PRS, the green strat wannabe, the brown LP, and then the gold top, and as a second choice for 4, in case you tried to fool us, I was going to say 4 could have been the PRS again. But, I got them right ! Yay ! But then again, I have an 84 LP ( norlin, right ? ) and a 79 SG, a 99 SG, and have had a 90 SG, a 67 SG, and a 73 LP deluxe, which was a whole nother level....so, what do I win ? Keep the videos coming !

[@sddfdfsefwfewgrht291]

I thing the hate came from changing factory from Kalamazoo to Naschville Btw my favorite LP is from 70's! (LP deluxe Blue sparkle)

[@roybrooks268]

John Rainey Adkins was a guitar player from Dothan, Alabama who played with Bobby Goldsboro, the Candymen with and without Roy Orbison, B J Thomas, and Beaverteeth. He also played with bands around Dothan. And in the 1980s, when I knew him and found out he was that guy, he was working at Art's Music Shop. A couple times when I saw him play with bands around Dothan he was playing a blue sparkle Les Paul Deluxe. Another guitar player playing in clubs around southeast Alabama had a red sparkle Les Paul Deluxe.

[@narbonneguitars9331]

i agree whole heartly on this subject as you do...my only question was there was only one norlin era guitar an the others were not even 70"s 's gibsons

[@MrDbeyer1]

I played a 70's Norlin-era Les Paul Custom with a maple top at a guitar shop on a visit to NYC a few years ago. I looked gorgeous, and played like melted butter. To this day, I regret not buying it!

[@GrindCityGuitars]

Robert, what is the year and model of your Gold Top? Nothing wrong with Norlin era! My ‘never sell’ guitar is my 1978 SG Standard Walnut. Purchased in 1993 for $350 if you can believe it. She’s been with me ever since!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Walnut guitars are fantastic. My GT is an 89.

[@BB2009LZ]

I listened on my phone, but I thought No. 3 was the P90 guitar due to the brighter tone. Beyond that, they all sounded great!

[@jeffh7354]

I was able to distinguish the single Coil P90 from the pack but the humbuckers sounded pretty much the same to me.

[@Gratefulman1965]

I chose number 4! Those P90’s in the gold top sounded the weakest to me. Number 3 sounded great to my ears. I’d love to see a comparison with a Norlin era acoustic. I own a 73 J-50 custom order (rosewood back, think Gibson heritage custom) I paid 750.00 for it when I bought it. Anyway it’s been played a ton and it shows ( Mojo) it was owned by a touring musician for years before my purchase, it’s had a broken headstock, re fret, neck re set, new bone nut and saddle, top crack bass side forward of bridge, new bridge, new bridge plate and LR. Baggs anthem installed. All repairs professionally performed as well. I am proud to own it and it sounds very good. I grew up in the 70’s so I know Norlin guitars just a little. Anyway a comparison with acoustics would be super!

[@stevestewart-sturges2159]

I bought a walnut 335 new in 1973, it was a impulse buy and to be honest, I didn't like it much, it played okay.... but with the trapeze tailpiece, the sound sucked really.. I had come off a string of 2-3 60's SG's, so I still had that vibe in my head. I mentioned how much I didn't care for the 335 to a luthier friend a couple of years after I got it and he said give it to me... When I got it back, he had put in a stud tailpiece, changed the bridge and refretted it with Seymour Duncan 44 fret wire then set it up, the difference was blinding... and still is, a wonderful guitar full of sound.

[@MrJewyHendrix]

I picked #3 i'm in my late 50's ( I started out playing in 1973) My first good guitar was a 77 Wine Les Paul deluxe. I LOVED IT!!! I Unfortunately in trying to make mine look like Ace Freddy's took the mini humbucker covers off, killing g them! But...that's how I got my 1st set of DiMarzio's ! The guitar was stolen something i still miss. Then I had another Deluxe sunburst Beautiful Guitar. ( stolen) Then I got what believe you were playing Robert......a 1978 Les Paul KALAMAZO limited run from the old Michigan Factory. Gorgeous Guitar Fabulous! And not stolen, traded it for a 1963 SG special ( my birth year) since then I've owned an early 90's Les Paul lite. And my current baby 2000 Gary Moore LP the prettiest of them all. (Why it's NOT called a Peter Green??????) Anyway I've owned and played the 70's Norlin era Paul's and THEY WERE FINE! They were worse in the 80's & 90's Currently to own the same level of guitar, we players (not Rock Stars or Doctors) have to play the tribute series. A VOS 50`s 60's model are pretty pricey. My latest acquisition is actually an Epiphone Les Paul Junior it plays better than the Gibson! What I do know is that Gibson is on its way to returning to its past glory! I currently own 13 guitars and I've been playing 47 years so I'm allowed to really weigh in on this! If you weren't there shut up noobs !

[@comment.highlighted]

Ummm… That intro sold me. Gibson is about that soul you connect with. My Les Paul Standard was my daily workhorse that I reluctantly bonded with and now it feels like home. I would be so upset if it got wrecked 😭

[@gerryattrik4410]

What’s the difference between a cheap guitar and expensive? If they both play ok, does it come down to aesthetics and amp?

[@mikedwiles]

Had a 70's Goldtop in the 70's. It was one of the best guitars I've owned. The one I thought sounded the most like expected was #3. However, I pegged that sound as the PRS. I did get the P90s right though.

[@russellesimonetta3835]

I quessed the gibson right but wasn,t sure about the strat and the prs for the first one.

[@danielsawdyjr.3642]

I guessed them all correctly. Is it supposed to be difficult to discern a strat from an LP and Humbuckers from p-90's?

[@jerrysparks8781]

Before I could afford a guitar of my own I took my first lessons with a ‘76 Les Paul Custom in ebony with a headstock repair. Slash’s tech bought the thing and he smashed it on stage when the played the local arena. Shame...I really loved that guitar even though could never have afforded it.

[@bipbipletucha]

What bothers me is the amount of people that claim Gibson's "quality control is trash" or "they're so overpriced". As a primarily used/vintage buyer, it always bothers me that people will send a guitar back because of a few tiny imperfections, even though they'll most likely give a guitar 3 or 4 times that many imperfections by just playing it.

[@itchyvinyl]

Beepbeep Lettuce I actually don't like minty guitars, cuz I don't want to "baby" an instrument, I wanna manhandle it. The mint ones just sit in the case and then get sold cuz I never play em.

[@stevel3980]

I have beautiful wine red Les Paul Deluxe which I bought in 75 I searched for 2 years before I bought. People always ask me why is it so easy to play? Love this guitar

[@sfcmp7005]

I got the right one by a process of elimination. Not because the sound jumped out at me. The P90 LP was easy to pick out. Then the two middle guitars, the PRS, and the Friedman, sounded very close to each other. The Tobacco Burst had a slightly different sound than the other two that didn't have P90's, so I figured it had to be that one. That being said, It didn't sound bad to me.

[@davidburke2132]

I correctly picked out your KM and the Friedman and weirdly would have got the PRS and Goldtop the wrong way round. The Goldtop sounded thinner than I was expecting, even considering the P90s. I didn’t pick out the KM because it sounded “bad” though, quite the contrary... I know that’s a great sounding guitar from your other videos and it just sounded like a “proper” Les Paul. The Friedman did sound overly thin for these tones to my ears, but that’s part of my bias against S style guitars coming through (even with humbuckers) and I’m sure many other people think it sounds great.

[@5688gamble]

I am happy just with my epiphone les paul custom prophect plus that my uncle has put his own pickups on, chrome dials and locking tuners, I have went days playing heavily, bending the strings and barely had to touch the tuners, often I'll pick it up expecting to have to tune it like my first guitar, cheap strat copy, to find it's perfect. And it's the guitar that has inspired me to put the effort in and that I have first found real joy in playing till my fingers ache! Because he spent £1000 getting it set up just the way he likes or because he liked it so much he decided not to get a Gibson or because he gave me one of his favourite guitars and I don't want to disappoint? No I just love the way it sounds, looks and makes me feel, he is also a luthier and wants to teavh me how to build, repair, setup, customise and maintain my own guitars, also thinking of giving me his SG, hope he's not dying! But I just love my guitar!

[@Bill628]

I had the PRS and Friedman flipped but had the Les Pauls correct. I have a 73 Les Paul. I think some of the construction methods are why they get shade, at least the body construction. I would argue the neck with the 3 pieces and Les angle on headstock is a much better design. I don’t like the flat fret years but refrets solve and guitars that old need refrets usually. Randy Rhoads played a 74, and many others that are known to play Gibsons played 70’s versions.

[@troymeyers5075]

I picked #3 , but I thought it sounded the best. Deep thick rich. That’s a winner