My first encounter with a 59 CS

[vicshere]

Visited local store today intending to buy a 59 ES-335 but also mentioned I liked their 59 CS Les Paul in Cherry Teaburst. Hoping to trade a 2004 LP Standard as it’s killing me at over 10 lb.
Couldn’t get the 335 to stay in tune (strung badly) though it did sound nice and the neck, finish, etc were lovely. Then I played a chord on the 59 LP and my mind was made up. Perfect weight, guessing 8.5 lb, looked sensational, felt like I’d been playing it for years. Stunning quality though yes, it ain’t cheap. Going back with my trade-in to collect it tomorrow.
It’s a dream guitar, and I won’t be able to put it down. Clear that you can get endless tones and amounts of clean to dirt with it, and it just feels inspiring to play.
Anyhoo, I have a question - has anyone here used one through a Tone King Gremlin? I really fancy one for home recording and doodling. Recommended, or are they best for single coil guitars?

 

[DutchRay]

I have no idea about the Tone King, everything I've used from them was very good so big chance this one will do the job intended.

And congrats on the new Les Paul, play it as often as you can, it'll only get better!
oh and pics when you have it in hand!!

 

[Any Name You Wish]

When I was shopping for my R9 I played through a Tone King combo, forget what model but it had 6L6 tubes and probably a single 12=15" speaker. It sounded somewhere in between a small tweed fender and a blackface fender amp. I did not like it, but that's a personal opinion. It may have been a better match for a single coil guitar. For my Gibson's I find that (other than a Marshall) my '59 Fender Bassman RI is great, my little Victoria 5112 also good, and a Bogner Shiva combo with 6L6 tubes sounded great. These amps bring out that Les Paul deep, rich low that hits you in the chest. Using a 6L6 based amp like a Fender Bassman with a Les Paul may not be typical, but it works great for me as I don't like my tone to be too compressed like an overdrive EL84/34 closed back amp/cab provides. I drool over boutique amps and then I go try one and often say WTF? It is the weirdest thing.

 

[corpse]

First congrats on your find. Coming across one in that circumstance is very cool indeed.
I don't understand someone going out and buying a bunch of new gear all at once. I have to mess with a guitar (yes some are not going to get played for a bit) and run it thru its paces before I can say what it will or won't do.
BTW I did that once and missed the honeymoon- if for no other reason than that.

 

[vicshere]

When I was shopping for my R9 I played through a Tone King combo, forget what model but it had 6L6 tubes and probably a single 12=15" speaker. It sounded somewhere in between a small tweed fender and a blackface fender amp. I did not like it, but that's a personal opinion. It may have been a better match for a single coil guitar. For my Gibson's I find that (other than a Marshall) my '59 Fender Bassman RI is great, my little Victoria 5112 also good, and a Bogner Shiva combo with 6L6 tubes sounded great. These amps bring out that Les Paul deep, rich low that hits you in the chest. Using a 6L6 based amp like a Fender Bassman with a Les Paul may not be typical, but it works great for me as I don't like my tone to be too compressed like an overdrive EL84/34 closed back amp/cab provides. I drool over boutique amps and then I go try one and often say WTF? It is the weirdest thing.

Thanks for that - yes, I get the impression they’re great little amps but more suited to single-coils. At the moment I’m sitting staring at the guitar, then playing it unplugged (sounds glorious), and then just staring at it again. I’ve had a Martin D28 for 17 years and absolutely love it, and the 59 is right up there, a lifer! I’ll look into the Bassman idea, sounds intriguing.

 

[vicshere]

First congrats on your find. Coming across one in that circumstance is very cool indeed.
I don't understand someone going out and buying a bunch of new gear all at once. I have to mess with a guitar (yes some are not going to get played for a bit) and run it thru its paces before I can say what it will or won't do.
BTW I did that once and missed the honeymoon- if for no other reason than that.

Think I’ll get back in the store (when I’ve saved some more cash) and try it through all sorts of amps. I just love the idea of the Tone King getting good sounds without annoying the neighbours, with their Iron Man attenuator.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

Thanks for that - yes, I get the impression they’re great little amps but more suited to single-coils. At the moment I’m sitting staring at the guitar, then playing it unplugged (sounds glorious), and then just staring at it again. I’ve had a Martin D28 for 17 years and absolutely love it, and the 59 is right up there, a lifer! I’ll look into the Bassman idea, sounds intriguing.

There are the early 59 Bassman's with the Jensen Blue speakers, the later Bassman's have the "Special Design" Jensens made in Italy. There were some other changes too. Different sounding amps. I like the early version, but that's personal taste. The newer version is more chimey. They are plentiful used.

 

[renderit]

You might want to give a Carr Mercury V a spin.

They are fairly versatile in the tone department but EXCEEDINGLY versatile in the volume dept.

Not my absolute favorite amp, but you can get some really good shit outta it at low volume.

I will be keeping mine.

 

[vicshere]

There are the early 59 Bassman's with the Jensen Blue speakers, the later Bassman's have the "Special Design" Jensens made in Italy. There were some other changes too. Different sounding amps. I like the early version, but that's personal taste. The newer version is more chimey. They are plentiful used.

You might want to give a Carr Mercury V a spin.

They are fairly versatile in the tone department but EXCEEDINGLY versatile in the volume dept.

Not my absolute favorite amp, but you can get some really good shit outta it at low volume.

I will be keeping mine.

Thanks. Looks cool, too.

 

[jaydublin]

Thanks for that - yes, I get the impression they’re great little amps but more suited to single-coils. At the moment I’m sitting staring at the guitar, then playing it unplugged (sounds glorious), and then just staring at it again. I’ve had a Martin D28 for 17 years and absolutely love it, and the 59 is right up there, a lifer! I’ll look into the Bassman idea, sounds intriguing.

You and me, sir. I’ve got a 2002 D-28 and recently added at 2019 R9 I play through either my 57 Custom Champ or my 65 Twin Reissue. How the hell are we going to find something to complain about now?

 

[vicshere]

You and me, sir. I’ve got a 2002 D-28 and recently added at 2019 R9 I play through either my 57 Custom Champ or my 65 Twin Reissue. How the hell are we going to find something to complain about now?

The two greatest guitars of all time. There is literally nothing we need!

 

[Any Name You Wish]

You might want to give a Carr Mercury V a spin.

They are fairly versatile in the tone department but EXCEEDINGLY versatile in the volume dept.

Not my absolute favorite amp, but you can get some really good shit outta it at low volume.

I will be keeping mine.

That is gorgeous. Can we see the front? Reverb, high gain/boost., everything you need right there. Nice.

 

[renderit]

That is gorgeous. Can we see the front? Reverb, high gain/boost., everything you need right there. Nice.

The ugly side...
They do the power with a switch that is 0-4watt on one side that uses the dial for how much output power, then for clubbing you flip it to the 16 watt side.
It really does it amazingly well.
Much better than an attenuator.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

The ugly side...
They do the power with a switch that is 0-4watt on one side that uses the dial for how much output power, then for clubbing you flip it to the 16 watt side.
It really does it amazingly well.
Much better than an attenuator.

Looked great from behind, and then she turned around.

 

[vicshere]

I went for the Tone King Gremlin as my home recording amp, though from what I’m hearing I will be able to use this in smaller gigs, too, no problem. It sounds fantastic with the Les Paul and all my pedals play well with it, too. Will try my Tele through it tomorrow. Glorious tones at neighbour-friendly volume, perfect! Liking what I hear of Mesa Boogie Fillmore 25 for bigger gigs. For now, smitten by this little wonder.

 

[renderit]

I don't think you will ever be unhappy with a Tone King.

 

[59Vampire]

Sounds like you found a keeper in the guitar area. Amps? Well that there is a dang different rodeo. I personally dig an EL84 beast of an 18 watt TMB, Vicky Double Deluxe 6L6 with a Smooth n slim, and for the trifecta a Tech 21 T30 ( formerly a T10). Each one a match made in heaven for a pair of buckers and a lester.

 

[vicshere]

Tone King, so far, with these is proving great for recording and home doodling: Diamond Vibrato, Diamond Tremolo, Diamond Memory Lane Jr, J Rockett Archer, Mesa Boogie Dynaplex, Keeley-modded Tubescreamer, Effectrode PC-2A, Neunaber Immerse, Boss chorus, MXR 90 phase. Preferring most through the Rhythm channel. Never had an LP, however, where I could get so much variety out of volume, tone and using the neck and middle pick-ups, not just bridge. Greatest electric guitar I’ve ever had, worth every penny, worrying how often I have kissed it . . . God Bless Gibson Custom Shop.