Maybach Lester '54 Black Velvet Custom - An Authentic and Obtainable Alternative? - Guitar Review

[@davo_7486]

I’m new to guitar at 50yrs. Here in Australia I go to the gym early Saturday morning after a week of madness in the Force then kick back and recover with a cuppa and your video is waiting. The waffling on is both comforting and educational. F@%king love it all Col.

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man that’s appreciated! 😁👍

[@clarkbaker8691]

The GAS is kicking in hard, specifically the Maybach variety 😅😆 What a beautiful guitar! Excellent review as always!

[@danottley2627]

Thanks for another quality video Colin. Appreciated! I have a Maybach Lester 59, stunning guitar, first thing I did was to pull its loom out and install a Monty’s 50’s loom. The cap’s they come with are not at the same level as the rest of the instrument. That black velvet really looks the part, and nice playing!

[@festushansen2362]

Wow. Over and Over Again in the intro. From my favourite album ever, Ragged Glory. Neils songs suits your style so damn good!!

[@frankcarter6427]

the 54 custom with Bigsby and p90/alnico staple is the best looking guitar ever made in my 'umble opinion - good to see you back

[@toledo2983]

only with creme p90 cover!

[@ces69]

⁠Cream on a Black Custom? Sorry, no way!

[@baabaabaa-yp2jh]

The Staple p90s are great for slide!;

[@explorervango880]

This was on my list of guitars to buy. Thomann seems to have stopped carrying them. That would have been the easiest was to get one to the USA.

[@RobertMillard-v4h]

Thanks for telling us the story and inspiration behind this one Col - couldnt resist a few Neil young tracks and jam myself after this!

[@jimshomestudio4669]

Gibson tends to have friction in the nut, so wanted to see this Bigsby used and see if it stays in tune. With a little help, the nut isn’t really a problem. Really nice sounding neck pickup. Probably some good tones in there with a paired pickup setup where you roll back the neck volume. Best, Cole.

[@raylachance6874]

Thank you for what you do! Missed you.

[@poodleguiderpeyes7388]

Nice review!, Colin. - enjoyed it.

[@kevinrogers5534]

Great looking guitar. The only quibble I have is that the binding seems a smidge too thick from the side views. But that’s a purely cosmetic criticism.

[@stevegroves]

Beautiful professional instrument. Not sold on any relic stuff TBH but thats just me, but wow what a beautiful guitar. Quality, playability and performance, it has it all. Agree that any Gibson like for like would be eye watering cost wise, and although not cheap you are getting a superb instrument. Great vid mate and loved the playing as always, thanks for the channel and the reviews Colin its what us nerds need mate :)

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers mate! 😁👍

[@deanmccaskill5495]

So I know it will be a while but I want 1st crack at that when you flip it for the channel! Dibs?

[@deanmccaskill5495]

Oh I guess someone already called dibs. 2nd dibs?

[@theguitaristas]

Yes I have promised some else first dibs... but you're second if it ever happens 😁👍

[@Sound-Lord]

Solid.

[@LGuitarB]

I really hate the 'relic' thing. If I buy a new guitar I want it to look new. Hell, my 40+ year-old Ibanez Musician still looks the part. Anyone having their guitars get to look that worn is an idiot in my humble opinion 😀

[@theguitaristas]

I like it but then I am an idiot! 😂👍

[@Brykk]

Thanks for the video. This guitar would be a pass for me.

[@shamrockd19]

$2k and plays like a squire with those pots. Smh What are these companies doing lol

[@shamrockd19]

I play a squire no disrespect meant just different price range

[@timaves1504]

Maybach are making some great guitars. My lad Owen toured two Corvairs (the elongated Les Paul shape with the slotted headstock) all last year with the (Dixie) Chicks and loved them to bits. He has a gorgeous tangerine one and a black one with a Bigsby, which l got to play when l was with him in Nashville last week. They’re really both wonderful. When l l was jonesing for a Les Paul last year, l very nearly bought a Lester before finding the 2005 Honeyburst standard that l ended up falling in love with. Still quite fancy one of their Juniors actually. :) My only specific comment about the aging on your review guitar, Colin, is that the binding all looks very clean and white. Surely, on a guitar with that much “wear and tear” it would’ve been more yellowy. Cream binding might’ve been a better choice…

[@paulocosta3007]

Old black! That is exactly what i thought and you did too! God... subscribing this channel made all the sense in the world

[@johngibson911]

It is gorgeous but I just wish Maybach did non-aged options from stock as I’m not a fan of relics. Glad you’re enjoying your new guitar day - they’re the best 🎸

[@jamesseverin]

You can buy Maybach Lesters that are not aged(new finish) I think theres a couple on reverb right now

[@Arthur.in.the.Fridge]

I'm with you on that. To me it's deliberate damage. And people pay more for it. The mind boggles.

[@johngibson911]

@@jamesseverin Thanks James, it’s really hard to find a new look finish on Maybach’s own website but I can see a black velvet one in Spain on Reverb - perfect. Sounds like an excuse to go and visit my brother in his annoyingly fabulous villa on the costa 😎

[@jamesseverin]

@@johngibson911 No problem my friend! Glad i could help... Love Maybach Lesters!

[@iMusicnetworkTV]

Every Maybach Guitar can be purchased in new-look. There is an option written down in the speclist :)

[@oldguy5381]

Good morning sir, appreciate your time. Down the bayou in Louisiana. Coffee in the AM

[@eearts]

Wish we could get one here in USA easy and cheaply. Love the vibe

[@benlyford4112]

Definitely little Barrie vibes. Looks like a fantastic guitar. I managed to track down one of the epi 1955 with p90s. Whacked a cheap staple in the neck and a bigsby with a Vibramate. Love that guitar so much

[@robanderson5720]

I’m really hoping you do a shootout between this Maybach, the Eastman, the Tokai, and your Les Paul standard🙏

[@jamesseverin]

Awesome Video! Maybach Lesters friggen rule! Awesome awesome guitars!

[@richardlynch5632]

This Maybach made me put Neils LeNoise on and turn up the volume😃👍👍 Perfect😉👍👍 You did good Colin 😎👍👍 😎✌👍❤🖖 Love Brother

[@Maart-o5k]

Without the Bixby it reminds me of Frank “Franny“ Beecher of Bill Haley‘s Comets fame, who played a Gibson Les Paul Custom Ebony which was part of an endorsement deal by Gibson (Bill Haley got an Ebony ES 300 or else) back in the day when Rock‘n‘Roll hit us all forever and a day. Great job by Maybach once again. Fanx, Colin!

[@victoresarey4036]

Man I wish maybach would open a USA store lol

[@johnelrick8945]

Les Pauls with Bigsbys and P-90's are automatically cool. She's a beauty and very desirable. I'd have one if I had the cash and space...

[@brianrobinson1259]

Absolutely!!

[@charlesflint9048]

Me too!.

[@jltrem]

My my, hey hey, the black Maybach is here to stay.

[@davelewis4215]

Colin I want one 👍Lovely guitar 👌Keep on rocking in the free world 🤘

[@TheWelhaven]

My search is over! I recently bought a Collings 290 in tobacco sunburst with parallelogram inlays. Changed the pickups to Amber P90s, like in my Maybach Albatroz Junior. Ever tried a Collings? Brilliant guitars.

[@ces69]

Burny do a P90 Black Beauty Les Paul Custom that unfortunately doesn’t have a Bigsby but it’s only £549, so even with professional installation it would come out probably less than £1000! As good as it appears to be, I’m just not comfortable paying £2000 for what is essentially a copy. I’d be worried that after a few years of ownership it would be worth “Copy” money!

[@paulocosta3007]

What if you turned it into an actual old black? You could switch the tone knobs and install a mini humbucker in the bridge! You could also look into pedals that can get you that tweed sound like catalinbread formula 55, like the falcon and others... It would make a great guitaristas "Neil Young Series". I would click the hell out of that ahah

[@roberts6053]

Don't Les Paul Customs have a solid mahogany body, without the maple cap that Standards have? The '54 Black Beauty I think is the nicest Les Paul of all - I'm thinking 1969 King Crimson.

[@LaurentBertin-jb5xd]

Good to see you back in action with a lovely one in hands. Wishing you the best for your personal business.

[@baabaabaa-yp2jh]

I luv Customs, but with p90s and nickel hardware!! Edit: Australia can get em for the price of an Eastman. Not a fan of gold hardware....that thing is the duck guts Col!! What's the bets you cant get em in Australia!?! Gorgeous guitar mate!

[@matthewalexa2211]

I purchased a Gibson from Sweet Water for 2K and it was pretty terrible. I found a Maybach on Reverb used for 1100. The Gibson was returned and years later I still love my Lester.

[@ButchKidd-dq5ck]

I bought a joe bonamassa les paul epiphone not long ago an i was so impressed.... Just saying mate it may be worth the look. I do believe its a kinda remake of a 58 mabey? Gots the 3 pick up's, fine black beauty finnish. Im kinda fond of the epiphone pro pick-ups reminds me that im saving 3,000 to sound like a gibson 🤣

[@poodleguiderpeyes7388]

Good episode; you're last several ones didn't seem to catch my interest. 😕

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers 👍 may I ask why?

[@poodleguiderpeyes7388]

@@theguitaristas The 2 guitars you reviewed didn't interest me. I enjoy your reviews of more mainstream guitars available in the USA (Fenders or S & T types, , PRS's, Epi's & Giby types ect) . Your review of the Epi IBG 59 Standard was my favorite review - after watching, I bought one addes your tweaks & dig that LP. Thank you for asking, 🙂👍

[@zedwarddogg]

I wonder if they got the volume and tone pots mixed up? I prefer audio taper pots all round (for rolling off), but I think most guitars still use logarithm pots for volume. I've been tempted by Maybach for a while, so good to know they're decent quality. Top video, as per, bud.

[@peterprice5896]

I got rid of my 2023 60s std as I got back into shooting which is a very expensive sport but I missed my guitar so much that I’ve bought a 2023 50s std in tobacco burst and I pick it up from the great guys at coda music stevenage on the 11th of June and I can’t wait.

[@martinclayton7260]

I'd buy that over a Gibson any day of the week! It looks fantastic. I would like the staple neck pickup though!

[@snapfinger1]

Your speaking voice is indistinguishable from Clapton’s if not your playing. ‘54 black beauty/ox blood is a religion.

[@ליהואזיסברג]

Love your reviews. This guitar? Not so much. I find the concept of a high end brand based almost exclusively on other companies' tried and true classic designs objectionable. Also the concept of relic'ing is something I dont get. I prefer to get a perfectly pristine guitar and with use and years give it my very own dimples and scars.

[@Corstorphinelad]

Hi Col sounded pretty good, real shame about the Tone knobs/pots and fret finish..for the thick side of 2k that shouldn't happen, I wud send it back at their expense,,😮 see you soon Col 😀

[@65Lynchy]

Yeah nice enough but...two grand? Guitars are crazy now, thankfully I've kicked the need for more than one 😂

[@JohnWayneCheeseburger]

3751.51 canadian before it even ships from Europe 😢 and that's with out any relicing

[@birdman316]

sweet one brotha!! the "58" lester will be bang on i bet! cant wait to see the SG special and the LP special comparison as well...i know thats gonna be a banger too!

[@chrisjeneson3763]

It certainly has the anticipated tones, shame about the pots. Good to see you back 😊

[@buddhamus]

I agree with you about the tone controls. However, I'm not sure whether the issue lies with the tone pots or the capacitors that were used. I'm not very knowledgeable about these things, so I get a little confused when someone criticizes the controls. If you change the capacitors but leave the pots, would you get similar results?

[@MrGuitarDad]

Looks cool but the problem with these type of jobs is resale. Maybe worth 2000 to you but when you try and sell them you will be lucky with half back. I’ve been there before 😅

[@spencerfreed6947]

Wonder if the tone pots are audio vs linear taper? The way they rolled off all of the sudden sounds like audio taper but i could be off. Easy swap but odd choice for Maybach

[@kevinnsevinn799]

lol…imma gain weight watching this channel…eating all these nibbles and sammiches my friend…while watching your show 😂😂😂

[@andrewfrancis3591]

Thought they was an awesome set of PU's. Fancied putting them in one of mine. Pricey.

[@garretazonsa]

Wow! Was disappointed about the non-upload last week. This surely made up for it! One of the most gorgeous guitars i have ever seen. Wow. (in Owen Wilson's voice)

[@S-T-E-V-E]

Why do these Guitar Brands like Duesenberg and Maybach use the names of old luxury Car Brands? It smacks of a kind of stolen valour if you know what I mean? They seem like great guitars though!

[@stavrosstavrakis]

Hey Colin, another great review! Eastman actually made a similar guitar (without the Bigsby) called the SB54 in black in antique varnish with the P90s, though I think it was a limited edition

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers, yes that was limited to 40 worldwide which is the probably only reason I don't have one! 😆

[@stavrosstavrakis]

@@theguitaristas haha.. yes, that's right! Though I did see one being sold in Reverb last year!

[@juliangaudreau]

I think just changing the caps would be enough for the tone problem

[@nicolasbeaudry6158]

I’ve seen them , very desirable axe …❤that’s a keeper for 👍🏻 sure

[@billdehey1300]

Have you ever tried a Momose? They popped up on my search for Maybach's.

[@davidhamilton7780]

The guitar is excellent. And it is quite OK for your mojo to take a Spanish beach holiday occasionally. Well done, Colin.

[@SG710]

Seems to me the tone controls are linear taper. Had guitars with that and changed them to audio taper. Not really "rubbish", just not the right tool for the job in that specific case.

[@baabaabaa-yp2jh]

Pretty sure Vigier used Amber pickups in their French guitars..

[@Michel-r6m]

I do not want to pay for this guitar but as a given it would be a keeper. Cool guitar 🤠

[@JoseFGonzalezPerez]

Drinking game: Drink every time you say "authentic".

[@chickenlickin3820]

Pure unobtanium.. very nice though Colin.

[@kenthhamner2641]

500k pots are usually for hum buckets afaik.

[@Peonshoes]

Thomann carry Maybach, but a lot are out of stock.

[@bigmikeyz0071]

I wanted one of these so badly but they aren’t available in the stats’s. Luckily at the time Eastman had the very limited sb54/vLTD so I got one of those and love it. The Duncan custom P90 and Staple sound incredible. I literally called every dealer until I found one. I do hope to get a Lester 56’ in blue someday. Hey Collin a Maybach vs Eastman shootout would make some good content.

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one with that sb54 Mikey! 🔥👍

[@Bertyification]

Hi Colin - great vid as always - tasty looking guitar and sounds great! On the matter about the tone pots - did you clock whether they where A or B type? I recently re-wired a 335 semi hollow and had a play around with different pots (& capacitors) and the difference was quite remarkable! A quick google gives you this explanation: "A" would denote an audio taper pot, and the "B" suffix would denote a linear taper pot. The only difference is the taper of the pot, or "how gradually it rolls off". Most manufacturers use either (2) audio taper pots for volume + tone or would use audio taper for volume, and linear taper for tone. You have a brilliant YT Channel - keep you the good work :0)

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers that's appreciated 😁👍... my guess is linear.

[@jordanpratt3821]

Perfect timing. Im going to see Neil Young tomorrow. Been a huge fan of his and that guitar for as long as I can remember.

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one! 😁👍

[@linvesel]

Too expensive for a European handmade instrument. 2000 and above is what I’d pay ONLY for an instrument made in PRC in a moped tyre shop or in a facility that manufactures ibuprofen.

[@theguitaristas]

😆👍

[@graemero5532]

No offence Col, but I thought it did look and sound like just another knock off, and the relicing was naff. Although I 'm no fan of relicing it really boils my piss when it's done badly. The even wear all the way round the body just looks mega contrived. Those of us post fifty year olds know thats not how it happens in reality. 🙄

[@theguitaristas]

Fair enough but I've had a couple of Gibson relic jobs and this is the most authentic of them all.

[@seanzinger]

No freaking way. I literally have one of these on my Reverb watch list right now. It’s so good looking, but I might have to pass. The tone pots leave a little to be desired. Also the fret ends. I do have good experience with Plek’d guitars though.

[@theguitaristas]

I'd go for it... pots are very easy to change and it's really a killer guitar imho.

[@michaelmcneal436]

Just dicovered your channel a few weeks ago and really appreciate the content. Well done. Was wondering if you have any intentions of reviewing a harley benton les paul copy? They have some really nice looking les paul copies and was wondering how they compare to the "real thing". Keep up the good work.

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks Michael, yes will definitely be getting an HB SC in to review 👍

[@Paul-D]

Oooh that is beautiful to look at haha. Now to watch the video

[@camerongibson6797]

You need to swap out the resisters on the Tone CTS pots for paper & oil or “Bumblebee”’s CTS pots are great - Logarithmic & Linear

[@camerongibson6797]

500k pots for p90’s

[@ReValveiT_01]

Looks like the tone pots are linear taper rather than audio taper.

[@GypsyLane]

Hey Colin! Check out a Guitar Center exclusive, Epiphone Les Paul Custom w/ P-90s gold hardware, of course no Bigsby or relic job, but quite cool anyway. $799 usd… I picked one up during the first week of the release for $599! It’s great! Not a cool as yours, though…I’d send you a pic if I could.

[@theguitaristas]

Sounds very cool but I can't get that here in the UK 🙁

[@aladolfsenjustanoldguy2045]

Check whether the tone pots are audio vs linear

[@jayp.2313]

Awesome Axe, I want one. Can I get one in the U.S.A. ??

[@billcrabtree8700]

Your videos have provided me with hours of enjoyment and edification, so thanks for what you do.

[@jimmywalker4884]

Hello from across the pond in the land of Indian Territory.

[@theokidokis]

Authentic? As in authentic copy?

[@alanwilson1724]

That knob-related word you were struggling to find, was it "stiffness"?

[@theguitaristas]

😆👍

[@florisvanlingen]

My maybach lester will arrive here tomorrow, the wait is killing me

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one! 😁👍

[@davelewis4215]

Wagner frets are stainless steel according to Alexa 👍

[@juzzybassgrove4354]

It’s a geeza talking guitars

[@joehahn8817]

That's a nice looking guitar for sure!!! I'm having a hard time with a maple cap on a '54 Black Beauty though... definitely not original spec. 🤔 Those P-90s sound nice but I think an all mahogany body would have done them a bit more justice. I guess all that doesn't really matter though because you didn't buy it for me, you bought it for you!!! Thanks for doing what you do man, have a great weekend!!!

[@largeeng]

I wasn't about to rush out and buy one, but yes this detail is annoying. I was slightly interested in the new Epiphone LPC, but they suffer the same anomaly, in fact even Gibson don't make their LPC's without a maple cap now (Custom shop reissues aside). I understand the production reasons for doing it but.......Hmmmmmm. I feel I can say with some qualification that it makes a difference, having owned a 59 LPC in the past, and that was without doubt the best sounding guitar I have ever owned (and I have had a few!!!) Aside from that this looks a really nice guitar.

[@jamesteddy1379]

Nice Neil Young playin !

[@davidthorton1068]

One question I have you don’t address is the action on the guitar and how well it internates down thru the frets That one of the biggest deferents between a cheap guitar and a high in guitar

[@theguitaristas]

I did mention that it plays well all over 👍

[@michaelkitzmuller1479]

G'Deve Colin, in German we say "Myboch" beautiful guitar. I've me eyes on the 59 Midnight Sunset with Amber (Deutcher Pickup Hersteller) Spirit of 59 in the neck and bridge

[@michaelkitzmuller1479]

@@cataclysmicconverter phonetisch the A is said like the O in Pot

[@michaelkitzmuller1479]

Gell? Mach's jut mi lieben Leute

[@jefftucker201]

A lovely guitar Collin mate, great film!

[@Case_]

The tone pot thing is what happens if you use linear pots instead of logarithmic for tone controls - you get a much more pronounced change between say 0 and 3 and then only a slight change as you get from say 3 or so to 10. Since this is inspired by a vintage guitar, it might even be intentional in this case, as the original guitar might've used linear pots on tone for one reason or another as well.

[@robinfawcett7973]

Could you feel that the neck had been plecked? sounded nice...

[@theguitaristas]

Yes it felt like it needed a human touch to round it all off properly

[@Matt_Barkley]

Welcome back.

[@Oggi7777]

Eggs and sauerkraut

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

loved the vid mt, axe not 2 bad , just a pity about the pleck finish , have a good weekend m.

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

loved it mt carry on the good work.

[@tireeautomatik4537]

Over and over again