Left Handed Les Pauls?

[ch willie]

I haven't been on the forum in a bit, but I couldn't find a recent, similar thread.

This is my 2012 Traditional with 57s in it. It's hanging out with a couple of other planks.

The LP seems to have little if any weight relief. And although many of the 2012s had a synthetic fretboard, this one seems to be rosewood. And if it isn't rosewood, I don't care. It sounds and plays wonderfully.

 

[Big Al]

That is a very cool looking Les Paul. People get too hung up about weight relief and it seems to be poorly understood, in effect or practice. I know of no way to tell, by feel or tone, other than x ray. Owning several with and without, I can say that I cannot hear any difference in tone. It does allow Gibson to use excellent mahogany that would be too heavy otherwise and imo, that's a good thing.

Chambering on the other hand is very noticeable, by it's lighter weight and different overall tone. You know it, you feel it and hear it. But back to your post....

WHAT A GREAT GROUP OF GUITARS, BROTHER!!!!!! Very cool with the sunburst theme!! Love the Ric. I suffer a similar affliction and how cool is it to go from one to the other, exploring the unique tones, feel and vibe that each delivers. It matters, and it ain't easy for Southpaws to do. I have a lefty pal, Bob, who has put together a real sweet collection of guitars, some custom made like a Korina Explorer and Flying V. I know how hard it is for the left handed brothers who are so under served by guitar companies. BUT YOU'VE PUT TOGETHER A WELL THOUGHT GROUP OF BEAUTIES!!!!! That Standard, stands out!!! I like the vibe. The overall classic look of a 50's Les Paul. I like the color and figure. Is it what you were after? Did it matter, or did you just get lucky and that's what ya got?

I ask because I've seen Bob get frustrated when looking for a guitar that would suit his needs and have a look that he wanted. But hey, however you did it, you did well.

 

[ch willie]

Hey, Big Al, good to "see" you. I've loved that sunburst on a Paul since I saw a player with one on TV in 1976, playing slide for Eric Carmen. And George's Ric 12 str influenced my taste in the Ric. I like 3 tone sunbursts from Fender. They look good when you're in jeans or when you wear an elegant jacket. They all sound fantastic and play well. I'm lucky because I had no chance to try out any of them. I bought them in a leap of faith, and I snagged winners each time. My latest score is an 83 Ibanez Artist. I bought one new in 1981, got stupid and sold it. Found the 83. It's in the shop for wiring and pot issues. But it's a beautiful.....cherry sunburst of course. About half of my modest collection is a sunburst of some sort.

 

[Wilko]

Great pile of wood, to be sure!

I've got 2012 Traditional and I love it (well, i did strip and re-carve the top as well as changing most of the hardware and plastic). The wood is great looking and sounding. I've been through a lot of guitars. The 2012 Traditional holds up.

Here's a thread about it: https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/more-on-my-traditional-makeover.205381/

 

[Big Al]

Hey, Big Al, good to "see" you. I've loved that sunburst on a Paul since I saw a player with one on TV in 1976, playing slide for Eric Carmen. And George's Ric 12 str influenced my taste in the Ric. I like 3 tone sunbursts from Fender. They look good when you're in jeans or when you wear an elegant jacket. They all sound fantastic and play well. I'm lucky because I had no chance to try out any of them. I bought them in a leap of faith, and I snagged winners each time. My latest score is an 83 Ibanez Artist. I bought one new in 19, got stupid and sold it. Found the 83. It's in the shop for wiring and pot issues. But it's a beautiful.....cherry sunburst of course. About half of my modest collection is a sunburst of some sort.

Oh man! those Artist are great guitars, GREAT!!!!! I had a late 70's in that Violin Sunburst with abolone and pearl with the active eq. I loved that guitar.

 

[ch willie]

Great pile of wood, to be sure!

I've got 2012 Traditional and I love it (well, i did strip and re-carve the top as well as changing most of the hardware and plastic). The wood is great looking and sounding. I've been through a lot of guitars. The 2012 Traditional holds up.

Here's a thread about it: https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/more-on-my-traditional-makeover.205381/

Hey, Wilco. I remember you from the old days. I looked at that thread. All I can say is WHOA! Excellent, man. The guitar looks fantastic, and the thread was a joy to read.

Occasionally, I'll think of selling the Les Paul Trad. I'll plug it in and play it and then tell myself to shut up and play it.

 

[ch willie]

Oh man! those Artist are great guitars, GREAT!!!!! I had a late 70's in that Violin Sunburst with abolone and pearl with the active eq. I loved that guitar.

I worked at a convenience store in 81 and saved money. Ordered a lefty, and it took months and months to get it. 2 years later, I had to sell it, and it's always been THE one that got away. It's in the shop now getting some work done that was beyond my abilities. I'm dying to get it back.

I love the Artist's symetrical cutaway, and I'd been looking lately for a substitute--not easy to find in lefty. So when I saw this beautiful artist, I snagged it. I'm excited about it.

 

[jb_abides]

Great bunch, Ch Willie!

I have a lefty herd which includes similar species:
- Fender 57 AVRI Strat
- Fender 62 AVRI Tele
- 80 or 81 Ibanez Artist, including that green fur case
- Ric 360 12-string in MapleGlo

...plus a bevy of Lesters and other guitars.

Sorry no pix, I am behind on the catalog.

Glad to see a fellow lefty with similar tastes. Big Al already nailed the affliction and apt descriptors: vibe, feel, and tonal palette... varied pleasures!

Enjoy in good health and peace, cheers.

Bummed my favorite smiley raising a glass is missing from the new board SW, so here's a ?

 

[mjross]

lefties rule! Have not been on this forum for a while but thought I’d see what’s going on. Glad to see other lefties. Here‘s a pic of a few I’m rotating through today.

Left to right: Gibson ”56”, Corsa Manalishi, 1997 Gibson ”57” Gold Top converted to a “59” by RS Guitar Works.

 

[ch willie]

Whoaaaaaa those Les Pauls are beautiful, mjross.

I was so sleepy when I read the messages, I didn't catch the drift. Yes, I have purposely gone after a wide range of guitars. I've quit playing gigs and am only into recording. Reckon I've got most anything that a song will need.

2012 Les Paul Trad
2008 Fender AmStd Strat
2011 Fender AmStd Tele
2020 Rickenbacker 330
2018 Epi Casino
1993 AmStd Strat neck on an MIM body, Seymour Duncan SSL-5s
1983 Ibanez Artist
1996 Martin HD-28VL
2020 Martin MIM 12 String.

And basses:

2012 Fender AmStd Jazz Bass (now fretless)
2018 Fender AmPro Precision
1978 Rickenbacker 4001
201? Hofner Euroburst 500/1
2018 Epi SG long scale righty converted
2020 G&L JB5
2016 Fender AmPro body with a Fender AmPro converted righty neck.

 

[mjross]

Whoaaaaaa those Les Pauls are beautiful, mjross.

I was so sleepy when I read the messages, I didn't catch the drift. Yes, I have purposely gone after a wide range of guitars. I've quit playing gigs and am only into recording. Reckon I've got most anything that a song will need.

2012 Les Paul Trad
2008 Fender AmStd Strat
2011 Fender AmStd Tele
2020 Rickenbacker 330
2018 Epi Casino
1993 AmStd Strat neck on an MIM body, Seymour Duncan SSL-5s
1983 Ibanez Artist
1996 Martin HD-28VL
2020 Martin MIM 12 String.

And basses:

2012 Fender AmStd Jazz Bass (now fretless)
2018 Fender AmPro Precision
1978 Rickenbacker 4001
201? Hofner Euroburst 500/1
2018 Epi SG long scale righty converted
2020 G&L JB5
2016 Fender AmPro body with a Fender AmPro converted righty neck.

I’m not gigging any more either. Just playing and recording in my studio. I’m a lefty but I play upside down with my high “E” on top (see avatar). Nice selection you have there. I’d list my collection but it’s way too long. Been playing for over 50 years!

 

[mjross]

Here‘s a pick of one of my favorite “59’s”!

https://imgur.com/a/80SdD57

 

[mjross]

Here’s a ”58” CME Spec that is absolutely magical!

https://imgur.com/sSgH59q

 

[mjross]

Not Gibsons but hears a fine collection of USA Deans for you lefties out there. As many of you lefties may know, it took me years to pull this collection together. even though they may seem different in these pics, they are all the same finish.

https://imgur.com/a/LDomDba

 

[ch willie]

I’m not gigging any more either. Just playing and recording in my studio. I’m a lefty but I play upside down with my high “E” on top (see avatar). Nice selection you have there. I’d list my collection but it’s way too long. Been playing for over 50 years!

I'm almost 59 yrs old. Excepting the Martin and Ric 4001, most of my stuff is fairly new. I lived abroad for many years and just couldn't afford to have much of a collection there. So since moving back home, I've been lucky to pick up one here, one there. I'm pretty happy with what I've got. The only real miss is a 335, but I reckon I can get close enough for jazz when I'm recording.

 

[Lars Andreassen]

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[mjross]

But why play left handed guitars?. I´m a lefty myself. Actually I´m strongly left handed.
Back when I started playing almost 40 years ago, it was quite difficult to find left-handed guitars in Denmark, where I live.
So my first guitar was a right-handed cheap SG copy. I knocked the nut off, and turned it around, and strung the guitar left-handed. I soon found out, that it was not that easy to learn the guitar. I then turned the guitar around, and strung it right-handed. It was pretty much the same difficulty, but maybe it was actually slightly easier to play. I put that down to the fact, that my best hand was now on the fretboard.
Knowing that I would probaply want a better guitar sooner or later, and knowing that it would be much easier to find a decent right-handed guitar, I than decided just to play right-hand guitars.
Today I´m glad I made that choice. Not only have I owned a lot of guitars, it would be difficult if not impossible to find lefty versions of, but I still feel that it is a huge advantage having my best hand on the fretboard. Actually, I would make sense to me, if all leftys played righ-handed guitars, but ordinary right-handed folks played left-handed guitars.
So, serious question, why do most players not play the "wrong" way?

Wish I could answer your question! When I was young it was easier for me to learn upside down. Also, as a lead player, I like the capability to PULL my leads instead of pushing if you know what I mean. With the high E on top you can make some pretty mean high string pulls. Probably doesn’t make much sense but it worked for me. Played clubs for probably almost 50 years.

 

[mjross]

I'm almost 59 yrs old. Excepting the Martin and Ric 4001, most of my stuff is fairly new. I lived abroad for many years and just couldn't afford to have much of a collection there. So since moving back home, I've been lucky to pick up one here, one there. I'm pretty happy with what I've got. The only real miss is a 335, but I reckon I can get close enough for jazz when I'm recording.

I have several 335’s, great guitars. The collection you have will work for most everything. Keep on Rockin!

 

[Lars Andreassen]

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[mjross]

Being a huge Albert King fan, what you write makes total sense to me. But you apparent ly, switched and got left-handed guitars later?. Nice guitars btw. I play two 1980 Deans. A cherry E´lite and a Brazilia brust Z.

Nice Deans You have there. I’ve got a triple pickup USA Caddy to add but it not in the picture because it’s a righty. Love Dean guitars!

Yeah, I have some lefty guitars but they are strung righty. It’s too difficult for me to get to the higher register with any single cut righty. If you saw my collection you would understand. 75% right handed guitars.

Some of the lefty guitars pictured are pre sale pics before I had my tech restring them righty!