Companion Guitar in 24.75" Scale:

[Inspector #20]

I am beyond happy with my custom Von Herndon double neck, but I am realizing that moving the bridge pickup forward really fattened up my leads, but at the expense of my rhythm tone. So, I am looking for a 24.75" scale back-up guitar. I enjoy my Ibanez Destroyer DT555, but it really strikes me as a "kid's guitar" more than anything else. My 2016 Gibson SG is a great guitar - and it is in constant use by students - but it lacks that certain "punch" that I am after.

This weekend, I spent a lot of time playing Les Paul's - Mom's 1979 Gibson Les Paul Custom - a couple of 1970;s er Standards, a few 2015 Standards and Mom's Hand Made LPC Replica. While the 1979 did sound pretty good, I do not like the razor thin neck. Her LPC replica is also a great playing and sounding guitar, but again, the thin neck is a deal breaker, so I need to keep looking.

I considered building another custom. However, my Von Herndon Double Neck cost me about the same as a 2018 Gibson Les Paul Traditional, (but far less than the $7,099.00 retail price of a new EDS-1275) and a single neck custom (from scratch) would cost me about half of that amount. In consideration of these facts, looking for a production model isn't very expensive, and in fact, in this case, I can buy a new Gibson for even less...if I can find a good one.

So, I am shopping and playing and evaluating some of the 2016/2017/2018 models in hopes that i find something that will serve as a live companion to the Double Neck, and a lighter guitar to take to practice sessions.

I will update this post as we go along this journey...

 

[gball]

I'm with ya man. There is something about the feel of the 24.75" scale that is just perfect, and the harmonics sit in exactly the right place.

 

[Inspector #20]

I'm with ya man. There is something about the feel of the 24.75" scale that is just perfect, and the harmonics sit in exactly the right place.

It feels like going home...

 

[Inspector #20]

I really loved how the 2017 Gibson Studio T Series looked in Black Cherry Burst:



However, I don't like the narrow/thin neck on this model - I played one and confirmed it. I also do not like the oval tuners.

I have always loved - and preferred - the Gibson "Green Keys," so that was something I wanted. I also wanted as big a neck as I could possibly find, so that really limited my choices!!!

After playing a few new 2017 and 2018 Gibson's, I had the opportunity to play a 2016 Gibson Studio T Series. Despite what Gibson posted on their website, this model has a fuller neck than both the 2017 and 2018 Les Paul's. It also has vintage tuners, which I liked very much.

I don't know much about Gibson's modern pickups, but this model has a 490R/498T combination. The 498T has a DC resistance of 13.82kΩ and the 490R has a DC resistance of 7.77kΩ respectively. That certainly seems like a step in the right direction, since i like a bit more output in the bridge. I had a set of Gibson 57 Classisics and I didn't like them. For comparison, the 57 Classics spec'd out at around 8.0kΩ. I do not like single coils, but this model has coil splitting capability, so this can be useful in a studio environment to achieve different sounds. This model is also "Plekked" (sp?) which appealed to me as I am tired of doing levels and crowns on every guitar.

So, after taking all of these things into consideration, and the fact the 2016's are now on closeout (about $1,200.00) I can buy one for much less than I can build one of my replicas. Using all B.Hefner, Musikraft and Warmoth parts, and adding a set of Thro-Bak Humbuckers, my Les Paul Replica would cost me about $1,600.00 to produce.

While i would like to have the "clubbier" 1950's Tribute neck, this neck falls into the middle somewhere - it's a little thinner than the 1957, a little thicker than the 1958 - but it feels really good.

So, after kicking this around yesterday, and with some encouragement from Gball and Chilipeppermaniac, I went ahead and bought this one:



It looks good to my eye. I actually like the absence of the binding on this model, which surprised me. I think it would look better with witch hats and I happen to have a brand new black-white-black pickguard still in the package, which I think would be a nice touch.

I also keep the MojoAxe #8 screws (with reduced heads) in stock so installing my Dunlop straplocks is no big deal:



So the goal here is to play it without modifications and I am hoping everything will just click into place.

I will keep you posted....

 

[Session 5]

Very nice, I will give you early Congrats!!!! She's a Beauty Rob!!!

 

[gball]

I also keep the MojoAxe #8 screws (with reduced heads) in stock so installing my Dunlop straplocks is no big deal:

View attachment 13496

So the goal here is to play it without modifications and I am hoping everything will just click into place.

I will keep you posted....

Robert, these come with the new-stye, super-huge Gibson strap buttons. Trust me, you don't need any of that nonsense.

 

[Inspector #20]

I got a new, Brown HSC with pink lining and the guitar, for about $1,200.00/OTD

 

[BlackSG91]

Is your guitar chambered Rockin' Robby Von Herndon?


;>)/

 

[Inspector #20]

Is your guitar chambered Rockin' Robby Von Herndon?


;>)/

The new Les Paul Studio??? "Weight Relieved" or "Swiss Cheese" I think????

 

[RVA]

Congrats! I love 24.75 scale length, even on a Strat type guitar

 

[gball]

The new Les Paul Studio??? "Weight Relieved" or "Swiss Cheese" I think????

It's got "modern" weight relief. The swiss cheese is the older "traditional" weight relief

One benefit of the modern over weight relief is the long neck tenon.

 

[Session 5]

I got a new, Brown HSC with pink lining and the guitar, for about $1,200.00/OTD

Pink lining you say?

 

[Inspector #20]

Pink lining you say?

Yes...

 

[Inspector #20]

It's got "modern" weight relief. The swiss cheese is the older "traditional" weight relief

One benefit of the modern over weight relief is the long neck tenon.

Wow....

 

[smitty_p]

This is how my LP Studio is chambered.

This isn't my guitar, but I've mapped mine out with a stud finder, and it's very close, if not identical to this.

My LP studio is essentially a closed-top, semi-hollow guitar!

 

[smitty_p]

It's got "modern" weight relief. The swiss cheese is the older "traditional" weight relief

One benefit of the modern over weight relief is the long neck tenon.

Sometimes, the traditional, "Swiss Cheese" weight relief will be called the, "Cloud Nine" weight relief because of the nine holes used to do it.

 

[Inspector #20]

This is how my LP Studio is chambered.

This isn't my guitar, but I've mapped mine out with a stud finder, and it's very close, if not identical to this.

My LP studio is essentially a closed-top, semi-hollow guitar!

Wow, that's cool, Man!!!!

What year is your studio????

 

[Inspector #20]

It's got "modern" weight relief. The swiss cheese is the older "traditional" weight relief

One benefit of the modern over weight relief is the long neck tenon.

You are correct. That long tenon makes it fantastic!!!

 

[smitty_p]

Wow, that's cool, Man!!!!

What year is your studio????

It's a 2007.

 

[Inspector #20]

So it's gonna be a while before I have time to seriously evaluate this new Les Paul. I have a pretty full dance card this week.

So the build quality looks good and the nitro finish is nice and glossy.

I likely won't create a NGD post for this, as I am certain you all are weary of reading all my rants....