Why Play A Les Paul? ASK ZAC 39

You cannot change string tension in the way you suggested. String tension is totally determined by scale length, tuned frequency, and string mass per unit length (gauge). What you are changing is string stiffness. That's what you are feeling.

I am a believer in the right tool for the right purpose. A Tele has a sound, use that for what it is. A strat... same thing, it has it's own sound. A Les Paul is different yet. It has that mid-ey nasal sound that works so well with a Marshall type amp. Get the guitar that does the job you need. Love my Les Paul, but I will remain a Fender player primarily.

That deluxe reverb makes every guitar sound good. Everyone should own one.

Through the years I’ve played Standards, Juniors and Customs, but for me the best sounding Les Paul has been the Special TV Yellow, the ugly slab with two P90 and wraparound bridge.

Hi Zac, I just retired from my job here after 34 years and I decided to treat myself to my first Les Paul. I couldn’t justify buying an R-9 or any custom shop for that matter so I went with a 60’s Standard in the Sweetwater exclusive Heritage Cherry ( similar to yours ) and I snatched one up with a brilliant top as soon as it was listed on Sweetwater. Anyhow, it looks and plays great but I have to mention that my SG’s are still the one I grab for more often. Anyway, great show Zac, I had to come back to this older video you had posted about them 😊

After 50+ years of playing single-coils, I just snagged a near-mint '81 LP Custom, and it's a lot of fun to explore this jewel. Has the odd speed-winder tuners, diamond-shaped strap buttons, and especially the Tim Shaw "PAF" humbuckers. And when I'm tired of playing it, there's a ton to read about them. Keeps me happily indoors during this weirdness. Nice episode, Zac!!!

Geek alert! As for the weight issue, here’s a trick I learned: If you hold a Les Paul vertical by the neck, judge how heavy it feels, then turn it horizontal, hold it by the strap button and the lower bout. If it feels lighter then you’ve got an LP with a heavy neck and when you’re playing it standing up is it’s surprisingly less fatiguing. You did get a geek warning!

Why play a Les Paul? Because sometimes you don't have time for weightlifting and guitar-playing, so Gibson found a way to let you do both at the same time :-)

Great playing and great sounding Les Paul on the intro. Exactly the type of LP I'm looking for. Thanks for outlining all the changes you've made and why.

Well, you did it again. I am going to dig out the ol' LP that hasn't seen the light of day in a while. Good call - thanks for the inspiration.

I usually am a Gibson guy and mostly use a '76 Explorer. But I've also got a 2016 LP Traditional that I love and tend to use even more nowadays. I tried several of them and this one just felt "right". It sounds great, however I find myself using my Tele the most since I've really gotten into Country music two years ago and I just love playing that. Great content as always! Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Greetings from Germany

I've always had a tender place in my heart for a vintage humbucker. The note bloom is so much different than Fenders and it's always such a fun time changing it up!

Next Shirt: "Even though I am a Tele-Guy, there are times where you just need a Les Paul."

You have a pefect demeanor for a neurosurgeon or an Explosive Ordinance Disposal expert -- laid back, detailed and not high strung.

As usual, great content and information. Always a pleasure to watch your videos Sir :)

Les Paul's do not get near enough credit for being a great sounding "clean" guitar. They sound so good over driven, folks forget they were designed to play clean.

Beautiful guitar and playing, Zac! I have a 2010 R7 that was my keeper LP out of several that I owned recently. Everyone needs a good LP!

It's not often, once I've watched an entire episode of something that I will go back and watch it again. That being said I've watched most of these episodes 2-3 times each... Keep up the great footage!

Awesome video I got a Les Paul a long time after I started playing and your right the knob controls are sweet. I love it for the middle position you can get so many different sounds adjusting the 2 volumes. The model I have has the Jimmy Page split coils option and this adds even more sounds in the middle too. Its the Epiphone Modern model it has the out of phase Peter Green thing.

Gorgeous sound, versatility, appearance, modifications, story and playing. Makes me wish I had my own Les Paul right now. This video alone may help bump up Gibson's sales. Thanks Zac.