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1959 Burst VS 1959 Murphy Lab Les Paul

S. Weiger

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Nov 25, 2002
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1,744
For the sake of arguing how different an original and reproduction sound, I would think this could be settled fairly quickly.
Which original vs. which reproduction?
My point is, every Les Paul sound different. Using tech will only map the differences / similarities between those 2 specific examples used in your test..
 

Nifty

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Apr 28, 2021
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44
Which original vs. which reproduction?
My point is, every Les Paul sound different. Using tech will only map the differences / similarities between those 2 specific examples used in your test..
It doesn't matter. Anyone who says the reproduction sounds like the original, or any two are going to be compared, then rather than what someone hears, or thinks they hear, could be validated.
 

S. Weiger

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Nov 25, 2002
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It doesn't matter. Anyone who says the reproduction sounds like the original, or any two are going to be compared, then rather than what someone hears, or thinks they hear, could be validated.
Please elaborate. You lost me there. But I'm kinda old, so I'm excused.. šŸ˜Ž
 
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ourmaninthenorth

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Mar 28, 2009
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7,119
I've done this exercise personally a number of times, 'Burst and a Murphy.

My only meaningful end observation is I found myself in the company of really great guitars, and I mean really great.

That frankly will do me just fine.
 

Ken Fortunato

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Feb 26, 2006
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Well I know a guy who dropped his LP on the floor and it went...............krraang:oops:, he said it definitely had tone!!
I thought we all decided that tone essentially only exists in the hands of Jeff Beck... Which I completely agree with, by the way... :cool:
 

DoubleBoogie

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Jun 6, 2004
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4,800
there is technology that can map the sounds to the nth degree of precision. I wonder if someone has already done this.
I am fairly confident in saying that the sound can be "mapped" with incredible precision. The real problem lies in trying to understand what factors created that sound and how do you go about duplicating it.
 

Any Name You Wish

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Apr 15, 2021
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493
Paint and age
Yup, cosmetics only. To some worth the extra $$$$$$$$$. Who are we to judge?

If you play a half dozen ML's back-to-back they will all sound a little (or a lot) different, just like regular custom shop guitars. Probably the same thig will happen if you play a few real '59 vintage guitars, all of them a little different. I guess I just don't get the point of these video comparisons. It is futile.
 

sws1

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Dec 4, 2001
Messages
2,846
Yup, cosmetics only. To some worth the extra $$$$$$$$$. Who are we to judge?

If you play a half dozen ML's back-to-back they will all sound a little (or a lot) different, just like regular custom shop guitars. Probably the same thig will happen if you play a few real '59 vintage guitars, all of them a little different. I guess I just don't get the point of these video comparisons. It is futile.

You're overthinking it. The point of the video is to drive views on someone's YT channel. Period. The topic at hand doesn't have to have any merit.
 

AA00475Bassman

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Apr 26, 2016
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Enjoy your 59 Burst such a cool guitar , it IMO can not be duplicated - play it enjoy it .

ML are just beautiful , classy, vibe . a good place to land if the 59 is not in your future .

Most of the tones I equate with a Burst I will never achieve , Someone made the point the other day what a great sounding guitar the recently sold STP burst is ?

A statement IMO true if the likes of Ronnie Montrose is playing the guitar - flip side your entering Monkey with a machine gun in my hands .
 

Guitar Magic

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Apr 16, 2015
Messages
97
Not even close unfortunately. I wish they would because I may never own a Burst, but that's the truth nonetheless. Historics are always soft on the low end and muddy compared to a Burst. A Burst is always clear, bold, snappy and bright yet never thin sounding. Completely different league. There will never be that grade of mahogany, maple and rosewood available again. The wood used since then is inferior, period. I never believed that hide glue and the other fancy post-2013 stuff made any true difference. A Burst would sound like a Burst if it was glued with Tightbond or made with truss rod shielding.

Finding very old high-grade mahogany to master build a guitar is also a dead-end street because it can never be 100% guaranteed that what is advertised as 'old-growth' is really the same type that was used on 50s Les Pauls.
 

Guitar Magic

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Apr 16, 2015
Messages
97
As an example, here's a short homemade video of the Beast. Just a simple phone recording. You can tell that the strings are worn and Bernie is playing it on very low volume probably on some smaller combo amp. Still, the absolute tonal complexity, the incredible dynamics and that unique metallic-like sound going on with the low-end is instantly recognizable and it's something a Historic will never be able to do. Some of the Historics can sound good on their own, but their tone is soft, almost rubbery compared to the real deal.

 

goldtop0

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Aug 19, 2003
Messages
8,931
I thought we all decided that tone essentially only exists in the hands of Jeff Beck... Which I completely agree with, by the way... :cool:

You're right it was Jeff Beck and his garage floor.........solved it (y) :LOL:

not many people know that!!
 
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