Best LP 'copy'

kswilson89

I'm considering buying a Les Paul style guitar and was wondering what's the best out there in your opinion? Nik Huber? James Trussart? Collings? Do any of these builders address the weakness that LPs tend to have between the neck and headstock?

stimpsonslostson

Feline. I'd love to have one.

stimpsonslostson

Just look at it!!! 
http://www.felineguitars.com/images/Guitars/lion/Lion 25th Anniversary/archtop/25A1/25th Lion A1.jpg

Arjailer

That is absolutely friggin' gorgeous!



I just looked up the price though ... gulp!   

stimpsonslostson

Arjailer said:

That is absolutely friggin' gorgeous!



I just looked up the price though ... gulp!   

The question WAS "best"!
 I've yet to read a bad word about any Feline guitar. 
Compare the price to a Gibson Custom Shop & I know which I'd rather drop £4k on.

Adamski

Honestly, I know that Luthier made guitars will be objectively 'better' but to me if you're after a Les Paul, there's only one answer. 

I've tried loads - a Huber, Knaggs, Feline etc and they are all brilliant. They are very much modern takes on the single cut design and whilst their intonation is superior, the build is superior and the sound is more even across the strings, they just don't sound like a Gibson Les Paul. 

Check out Peach Guitars latest video on Singlecuts - This I think proves my point. The '59 to me is by far the best sounding. I will say that the closest I've found is a Knaggs Kenai. 

tsj93

Would take a look at Daniels guitars (who is @customkits on here) for sure

Sporky

Parker Singlecut. 

Danielsguitars

If you're after something that addresses the inherent Lp shortcomings then a Lp isn't really for you imo, what you want is a modern build which isn't the same 

There's no right or wrong just opinions and perspectives, i don't like a steep neck angle with a bridge stuck right up in the air also i make sure my traditional truss rod channel is just deep enough no more, it's probably one reason why gibson necks break so easily because it's cut too deep which makes it weak to start with

Also the tones are subjective as most peoples opinions are probably different to mine, the vintage stuff that I've played always sounds jangly and lively almost fat tele like, they are bright with no mud whatsoever

OilCityPickups

Adamski said:

Honestly, I know that Luthier made guitars will be objectively 'better' but to me if you're after a Les Paul, there's only one answer. 

I've tried loads - a Huber, Knaggs, Feline etc and they are all brilliant. They are very much modern takes on the single cut design and whilst their intonation is superior, the build is superior and the sound is more even across the strings, they just don't sound like a Gibson Les Paul. 

Check out Peach Guitars latest video on Singlecuts - This I think proves my point. The '59 to me is by far the best sounding. I will say that the closest I've found is a Knaggs Kenai. 

You have to remember, there is no one 'Les Paul sound', rather, a group of sounds we associate with the Les Paul. Those are hugely dependant on the amplification, the recording (if we are talking classic LP tones from the past) and yes, the fingers of the player. As @customkits says, tones are subjective. One man's 'rounded and meaty' is another man's 'overly plummy'!

I would tend to say that there are many Gibson Les Pauls out there that 'don't sound like Gibson Les Pauls either ... at least to some players expectations.

poopot

+1 for @customkits and Daniels Guitars...

look at them! Porn, just pure porn! The play and sound better than they look as well
http://www.danielsguitars.co.uk/

ICBM

Gibson Les Paul Custom, 1975-1981.

With a maple neck. They don’t break even if you drop them directly onto the back of the head... I have tested it .

They have the slight disadvantages of usually weighing about half a ton, most have a rather ugly sharper cutaway horn shape and flatter top, and you need the Custom because they made the headstock on all of them the same large size which only looks right with the binding...

But they are also some of the ones that don’t sound exactly like a lot of people expect a Les Paul to, as TheGuitarWeasel said - although for me they're some of the very best.

John_A

You could alway try not dropping it.  My Les Paul has made it to the age of 37 without breaking.  

OilCityPickups

John_A said:

You could alway try not dropping it.  My Les Paul has made it to the age of 37 without breaking.  

It's not always dropping ... I've seen plenty of LPs that have 'lost their heads' simply due to their case falling forward with the guitar 'safely' inside. 

SteveRobinson

In my experience they are almost always the ones with Grovers. 

ICBM

John_A said:

You could alway try not dropping it.  My Les Paul has made it to the age of 37 without breaking.  

So it’s an ‘81? Mahogany or maple neck?

(Just out of curiosity... plenty of mahogany ones don’t break either.)

OilCityPickups

SteveRobinson said:

In my experience they are almost always the ones with Grovers. 

Yep ... added mass and the whiplash effect (fnar fnar)

kswilson89

TheGuitarWeasel said:

SteveRobinson said:

In my experience they are almost always the ones with Grovers. 

Yep ... added mass and the whiplash effect (fnar fnar)

Yeah it happened with my LP Jr that had mini Grovers!

OilCityPickups

kswilson89 said:

TheGuitarWeasel said:

SteveRobinson said:

In my experience they are almost always the ones with Grovers. 

Yep ... added mass and the whiplash effect (fnar fnar)

Yeah it happened with my LP Jr that had mini Grovers!

Happened to my old 70s Special that someone had retro fitted Grovers to. 

John_A

ICBM said:

John_A said:

You could alway try not dropping it.  My Les Paul has made it to the age of 37 without breaking.  

So it’s an ‘81? Mahogany or maple neck?

(Just out of curiosity... plenty of mahogany ones don’t break either.)

Mahogany. It’s a Tokai

Alnico

stimpsonslostson said:

Arjailer said:

That is absolutely friggin' gorgeous!



I just looked up the price though ... gulp!   

The question WAS "best"!
 I've yet to read a bad word about any Feline guitar. 
Compare the price to a Gibson Custom Shop & I know which I'd rather drop £4k on.

Try playing one.

You'll never want any other LP type after that.