Which do you think are the most important tonal qualities of a good Les Paul?

[renderit]

It has to be slightly chirpy but just enough to cut without being ice picky. It should have robust miss with Smokey, chocolate overtones, with a hints of fruit, lastly, it should not be fizzy and should maintain a warm organic presence when pushed. No ‘Tele on steroids” as I like my Les Paul to be GMO free.

This, my friends, is how all the “real musicians” I.e. obscure blooze players, rock stars from the 1970s, modern niche artists that nobody except for us weirdos on guitar forms, and “musicians” who bring $8000 of equipment to play for seven people at the local bar choose a LP.

I have no idea if you all are talking about guitars or some new age cafe with a fancy wine list.

Yo!

Excellent prescription!

I would probably like to go beer tasting with you!

But your comments left out...

Mouth Feel

And for me the finish must contain "The ability to deflect beer bottles without chippage".

 

[jimmi]

Yeah, I get it, but at the end of the day, it's silly. I'm guilty of buying too much stuff, but the adjectives and descriptions are a little too much for me sometimes.

I like to play guitar vs. chasing the tone, but I understand some people like swapping things and upgrading. I think most of my favorite guitar players use/used equipment that the stores sold. it's nice to have choices but these days I just don't have the time/energy.

I think most of the classic players did modify the instruments. Page, Allman, Beck from the old school..The 80s players for sure did.

 

[Guitar Magic]

This video pretty much sums up my original description what I want in a good LP. If there is heaven and the Big Boss plays guitar, I imagine he sounds like this.
Bell-like clarity when vol rolled down with absolutely no mud in the neck! Jingle-f'n-bells. Tele after the second shot of a hefty steroid dose he says... then he turns it up and the guitar explodes. Strong and clear low-end despite the cooking power tubes, no dead spots, violin-like sustain. I like them like this. If every Historic sounded like this one my life of the past 15 years of gear hunting would have been a hell of a lot easier...

Here's the other video where JD plays one of Ed King's '58, the guy's on fire and Ed says at the end that it sounds like a fat Tele.

 

[jimmi]

This video pretty much sums up my original description what I want in a good LP. If there is heaven and the Big Boss plays guitar, I imagine he sounds like this.
Bell-like clarity when vol rolled down with absolutely no mud in the neck! Jingle-f'n-bells. Tele after the second shot of a hefty steroid dose he says... then he turns it up and the guitar explodes. Strong and clear low-end despite the cooking power tubes, no dead spots, violin-like sustain. I like them like this. If every Historic sounded like this one my life of the past 15 years of gear hunting would have been a hell of a lot easier...

Here's the other video where JD plays one of Ed King's '58, the guy's on fire and Ed says at the end that it sounds like a fat Tele.

I’m played that guitar. I liked it a lot. Liked the look too.

 

[sgtones75]

I look for 3 things:
1) Clarity
2) Bloom/3D
3) Balanced EQ

A clear guitar will sound glassy and cut through a mix. A bit bright is fine as you have tone knobs.

Add some bloom to it and you get a nice woody, organic 3d sound. Too much bloom sounds amazing solo for bedroom players, but causes a loss of clarity and gets lost in a mix.

There is only so much output you can get, so a guitar with a lot of low end will cause the highs to suffer. I like them a bit scooped.

My 335 has all of these characteristics. If I had to change it, Id make it a smidge less bright and a bit more organic. It is almost perfect.

As for unplugged, it needs to ring and vibrate a bit as there are some LPs that are just dead acoustically and sound dead as a result, but it doesnt need to be overly loud or anything like that for me.

I stumble on these forums way too late. I agree with you on your option of what makes a great sounding Les Paul. Not all wood sounds the same between two identical guitars. And the clarity bit, there are some LP’s that no matter what you do to them. just don’t have clarity. It’s interesting. I’d also add, some LP’s have a more distinct LP tone than others. I look for that too.

 

[Tollywood]

I stumble on these forums way too late. I agree with you on your option of what makes a great sounding Les Paul. Not all wood sounds the same between two identical guitars. And the clarity bit, there are some LP’s that no matter what you do to them. just don’t have clarity. It’s interesting. I’d also add, some LP’s have a more distinct LP tone than others. I look for that too

If they all sounded the same we would all probably own just one. The thrill is the chase. Plus, they come in different colors.

 

[McCarthy]

From a les paul i just want OPEN a big open airy sound, i hate the mattress in front of the speaker tone some people LOVE.

Couldn't agree with this more. A great Les Paul has an open, airy sound and a nice bit of sweet honk in the midrange. Tight, not too boomy bass. A big, great Telecaster with a bit more heft and volume, essentially...

 

[Elmore]

1. Looks
2. Neck profile
3. Acoustic tone

For me, the amplified tone is just a different version of the acoustic tone.

 

[NickiC]

Crunchy lows
Creamy highs
8 1/2-9 1/2 lbs. Give or take.
Something I like to do when first picking up a guitar and plugging in is, plucking the D&G in unison. I look for a “plucky, bell like ring to the two strings. Good way to learn how the guitar resonates

 

[mdubya]

P-90 pickups.

It takes a very special set of humbuckers to even come close.

My off the self Original Collection Les Paul Special (8 lbs) goes from electrified acoustic like tones to fat LP lead tones and everything in between.

My P-90 Goldtop does the same with a slight twist on the tonal qualities.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I like some "dry and woody" as you mentioned, but I also like some "biters".

Bloom is huge.

I would add sustain sustain sustain. But when you hit "bloom" you can make it go for days.

Some of these are properties of the wood, some are electronics. Some can be "saved" with the right combo of pots, caps, and pickups.

Weight is nothing to me (though I usually post it) other than a comparison point. Mine are all over the place.

The "acoustic vs. amplified" I don't find to be necessarily be a killer. I have seen some deadish acoustical ones that will knock the breath out of you when amplified.

To sum up the woody vs bitey thing in my mind when I think LP Standard I think Jimmy Page, but when I think Les Paul Custom I think Randy Rhoads.