• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

'56 goldie vs '99 r9

Tim

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,860
I just wanted to post my observations about the unpluged sound of my 56 and my 99 r9. I have spent alot of time just listening to the 2 guitars unpluged mainly because one has p90's and the other humbuckers.

The 56 sounds very clean with a meaty bottom and bell like highs. It is very resonate and has alot of sustain. The r9 just didn't have that meaty/thick sound - that is until I tried a couple of things. The first thing that I did was put the original heavy stop tailpiece back on. This made a big improvement in the low end and the thickness of the high end and sustain. It definatley got things alot closer to the 56.

Then I measured the distance from the top of the G string saddle on the bridge to the nut on both guitars when tuned to pitch and with no tension. The 56 moved a 1/16". The r9 moved a only a c hair. I had the truss rod in it pretty tight for great action, so I loosened it a little so that the wood could carry more of the load. And again I could hear more bass and thickness to the notes.

I can still hear a little difference in them, but it is now only very, very slight. They almost sound like the same guitar, unlike before when there was a night and day difference. The r9 still sounds open, though, due to the light wood. I was really surprised how close they now come.

So anyway, I just wanted to pass my findings on. Since the newer guitars tend to be brighter than the older ones, the heavier tailpiece may the ticket. The light tail tends to shift everything brighter, and was too bright on my r9. Just another reason to keep my '99...
 
Last edited:

Luke Gibson

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,324
If it's the same R9 you had when I met you in Huntsville, it's great looking also!
 

Tim

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,860
Thanks Eddie. Yea, it's the same one. I liked yours better than mine though!
 
Top