I also have a 2007 LP STD. Chambered. Heritage Cherry burst. I have owned quite a few LPs and when I played this one in 2007 it just felt alive in my hands.. I knew it was the one. It's funny because now people are realizing how great they are. I had a few 1981s Customs and a standard too. Great guitarist and SUPER heavy. The chambered LP will do all they did and more. It's hard to explain till you get on a stage with a band.
I grew up on the Norlin era Les Pauls, those thing had a serious growl to them. They were also tanks. They also had a serious range and still delivered a clean crisp sound.
I'll be honest and say that I didn't know what 'Norlin era' meant, had to look it up! Seems like pretty divided opinions on them in some forums, usually around consistency. It seems like you had/have some good ones though. I think with a nice wide strap, you'd probably forgive the weight if you were getting the tone you wanted.
@@BenFletcherGuitarthose people that are fighting over those are the ones that played the kalamzoo les pauls saying that the one after the factory closed, they pretty much sucked. The thing is a real 59 wouldn't impress too many people these days, the sound on that thing is so era specific it's sick. The tone is the same, but the sound is very distinct.
You are right on the money. Fender faces the same issues with new features on the more modern Fenders being considered “ not the real thing”. I’ve been playing for over 25 years now - buying and selling as well. The best Les Paul I’ve ever played is my 2007 Gibson Chambered standard plus. Its touch responsive and very comfortable. They don’t make them like they used to has become an ironic statement.
Thanks, man. You're right, it seems the big name companies are somewhat locked in to making the same specs for the rest of time. Do you think in 50 years they'll be selling chambered 2007's as super rare and desirable?! I can see something daft like that happening, it wouldn't be the 1st time something became cool on the 2nd time around.
I have 3 les pauls, one of each weight wise, 9 hole swiss cheese, full fat solid and a 2010 chambererd, the chambered is my fav, sounds fantastic as do the others but the chambered lp is my favourite.
Nice collection you have there! The chambered ones are great and this one is still my main guitar. Do you ever get feedback at very high volume? I mean you gotta be chucking a lot of volume out there, but occasionally mine can squeal a bit.
I‘ve got a chambered 2008 LP Standard (the thick 50s neck) and the funny thing is: I played around 10 LPs at the local music shop. There was a 59 reissue (custom shop) that really felt good BUT there was annoing ‚microphonic‘ tones coming from touching the bridge (or strumming the bridge saddles with the pick). Then I played the Standard and was really conviced by the tone AND the light weight. And I‘ve played it on many gigs and was always very happy with the more ‚open‘ sound (with a little touch of a 335 as you said). BTW: I don’t play heavy metal but more jazzy, souly and bluesy things. Awesome for blues! Thanks for your thoughts that I can absolutely confirm.
Thanks for the comment. You nailed it. If you just go by ear, it really doesn't matter. Mine has become my main guitar, I use it for just about everything I play. I guess if it sounds good, it is good. That 50's neck is the same as the one on my 05 SG and my Les Paul, really comfortable for me. Sounds like a nice guitar you've got there. Cheers, Ben.
I have a 2016 chambered historic Custom shop CR9 7 pounds 5 oz Best sounding And playing Les Paul I have ever played. I purchased 2011 chambered studio 6.87 pounds i liked it so much I bought another one exactly like it Only a few ounces heavier then i Went custom shop CR9 And Sold my 10 pound Les Paul no regrets. Some people say it don't sound like a Les Paul I say They are 100% Wrong It does Everything I want it to do When I want To do it. ED King Bought one when they 1st come out ( Cloud 9 ) & Said it sounded closer to his Real 59 then any other Les Paul he had ever played And who is Going To argue with Ed. Great tone & playing by the way love your style. All the haters Can complain about back problems as I do from 20 years Of a heavy Les Paul.
Nice man. Some sweet guitars you have there and yeh, who's going to argue with a great player like that. I can't imagine for a second that anybody could possibly know without being told or picking it up. Mine's a re-finnish too. It's nothing like the original factory colours, making it quite difficult to identify. Thanks for the compliment, much appreciated mate. Ben
Great video! I have an '08 LP Studio Premium Plus chambered and it's my #1 guitar (7.5 lbs). Always loved Les Pauls but the other 3 I have are 9.5 lbs and I can't play them for more than 20 mins. I can play the chambered one all night. Thanks for putting this up.
I own a R9 and had it recently chambered, like yours, but from the back and you can see the chambering cause there is no cover, just open. 3,3kg 7.2lbs and because the back is just open, there is no feedback problem. The sound before and after is almost the same, slightly more attack, but a fat tone, everything a Les Paul should sound like. And I played already three 58/59 originals.
Wow! That's a pretty extreme mod. Did you have the back re-finished once the routing had been done? Very cool to have played real 58/59's. Were they as good as the hype?
I bought my first Gibson Guitar,, second Gibson really, my first was a Gibson "The Paul" but I barely bonded with the guitar hardly touched it and sold it. 2008, early 2008, I really wanted to pick up the guitar again, I needed it, the distraction, all that. Early 2008 I bought a seriously no name Strat from the hock shop, $100, it was a complete newb guitar just to see. Bought it, within 2 weeks, I made a rough cut in the pickguard with a saw, threw a Duncan JB in there. 2 months later worn brown Epiphone SG, bi don't on the neck, $400, bought. Threw the JB in that. Amazing. 2 months later, I want a Gibson Les Paul Studio. I am going down to the store and buying whatever LP Studio is on the wall. I just want a brand new, bare bones Les Paul guitar. A real Gibson Les Paul. I do that. It Turns out to be a 2007 Les Paul Studio, stanp dated 4 months old. Fireburst. I was a bit disappointed when I found out much later, it was chambered. First year at that. It figures. But as time has gone, It's all I needed, it's awesome construction, it weighs over 8 lbs. Sounds great, it's not ES like. It does have a vibe quality, when you pluk the strings. Before I new it was hollow, I thought it was magic. The "magic" was the hollow. It's loud, but at the same time, that maple top is still thick. So are the back and sides. What really matter is the pickup construction, the wood, the quality of the build, and most importantly, a good setup. If you know yourself how to get the best out of your own guitar, based on your string that's, style, attack, neck, intonation, pickup height, that guitar is gonna rock.
You make absolute valid points here my friend, a sound is a sound you either love it or you hate it. I have a 2008 Goldtop (fully chambered) and I just love all the crossover sounds and tones that I can coax out of it .......... people just try it, if you don't like it then that's fine don't buy it ....... but very importantly try it first before you bag it. tones1957 (New Zealand)
Exactly! I have a 2007 Standard Cherry Burst, weighing delightfully in at 7.5 lbs. and yes, it does have a bit more "squish" than my CS R0, but I actually prefer the chambered open airy sound over the CS - in fact! It's great for more jazz/blues/soul kinda stuff. I hear some experts say they want their LP to sound like a tele on steroids. That's pretty much my 07 in a nutshell! Note: I don't play anything really heavy, so feedback would not be an issue in my case.
Sorry I missed this comment, thanks for leaving it. The tele on steroids thing is a good description. It's quite a woody sound, not a million miles away from the small body 339 I have, but not quite as mid-heavy. That might be the pickups though. Mine has become my main guitar, I barely use anything else at the moment. Cheers, Ben.
@@BenFletcherGuitar Just curious, do you have two that are almost identical? I checked out a few more of yours video and see one with some darker, reddish tuning pegs - or maybe they just darkened over time?
@@bjornkommedal9364 No, just the one Les Paul, I'm not that rich! It might be the colour grade messing with the colour a little bit. This is an older video and I've changed my video look quite a bit since this.
@@BenFletcherGuitar I’m very relieved! Was puzzled at your two almost identical Lesters! I’ve been playing my CS and the chambered standard side by side quite a bit lately, and, sure, I do hear a difference. I can see how a hardcore LP purist (in a guns’n’roses tribute band?) might not want a chambered LP, but for my purposes that slightly more airy and articulate tone really works! Plus mine’s a cherry burst with just the right amount of subtle flame!
5:05 You're right. That has always been the case for Gibson. They couldn't innovate at the expense of "tradition" and history. We have been programmed to envision the 59's tone is the one. The new Original collection lineup seems to fix the public perception issue. Want to get as close as the original 50s but not going down to all rabbit holes (that belongs to historic/reissues etc)? Get the Standard 50s/60s. Want to be adventurous and be open minded to innovation? Get the Modern series.
Yeah man, so many names too. Very confusing, I couldn't tell you what was above what. It's not like Studio-Standard-Custom, there are so many other names in use. Thanks for your comment, Ben.
Mine is not as extreme as this one, but I love it. I would never trade back to the prior non weight relief Les Pauls. You guys can have them. You got to bond with you guitars or they collect dust. I play fairly clean and this sound way better to my ear.
SUPER Helpful vid man. Im sandin down one of my Epi's and givin it some weight relief... Its gonna be for more High Gain so I'll stay away from FULL chambers and probably do a Swiss Cheese combined with those nicely Routed Moderns... Also GREAT playing , videography and Edits. I'll sub and keep in touch ! JayTee
That sounds like a cool project. I'd say mine is fairly resistant to feedback unless you get a very compressed sound on the go and at quite extreme volumes, but that's fine for me as I'm not a very heavy player. Let me how it turns out with your Epi and thanks for compliment, much appreciated! Cheers, Ben.
Thanks! Definitely not that guitar. I had to look up who he was, seems like he lives in LA and I'm in England. This has been re-sprayed actually. It was originally a kind of clown burst, I think they call it.
Thank you! I'd have to watch the video again, I think this one was my old intro. Standard tuning with a low D if I remember right. If I can work out what I did, I might put it in one of my chops videos in a couple of months time. Cheers, Ben.
Have a 50s standard. Thought it being a non weight relieved model, it would be really heavy. Surprisingly, it was well balanced. Not too heavy but not too light. Funnily, the Classic that is weight relieved is heavier. go figure
That's odd, I guess it's a little bit luck of the draw then. Is there anything else about the construction of a 50's vs a classic, that could influence the weight?
Apologies if you got two notifications about this upload. I was informed of a technical issue to do with playback, that I've now resolved. What are your experiences with the various weight relieved Les Pauls? Ben
When you said you turn the amp past 4 it just gets flabby.I knew you were talking about fender lol. Super reverb player for 25 years now. But the Brit amps vox Marshall keep some presence,Fender..Past 5 it’s slop especially a 4 10 fender.
The one I play in the video is the full routing shown in that 2nd photo. I don't know what basswoods' tonal properties are though, but similar sound to this one I would think.
I have a '96 Gibson Les Paul Standard Tobacco burst, and it sounds and plays incredibly, but the thing weighs a ton! 'Chambered' is very tempting, especially when you consider that the amazing lead sound Eric Clapton had (on 'I Ain't Got You' and 'Good Morning Little School Girl' with the Yardbirds) was actually done with a Gibson ES335! I'll bet a lot of people thought that was a Les Paul! So, a chambered Les Paul is very tempting to trade mine in on! Solo at one minute and eighteen seconds: a 335!..... ua-cam.com/video/pSKdQtU62_4/v-deo.html
Big difference between a chambered LP and an ES335 though. ES335's have a distinctive bark that the maple hollow body and maple tone block imparts on the tone of the guitar.
I have a black Gibson LP lawsuit Angelica guitar, made in Japan in 1960s. I cannot speak for quality of all Angelica branded guitars as it was a custom decades to use a random headstock name by a guitar importer, in this case UK distributers Boosey & Hawkes, and they could have sourced their guitars from different guitar manufacturers. Mine is pretty much lookalike of the actual Gibson - black, triple biding, open book headstock, bell shaped truss rod cover, mother of pearl inlays etc. I replaced my original trapezoid tuners with Grover type Wilkinson ones, plus swapped the bridge with a better one, electrics are all stock. Truth be told - if I had a 1960s Gibson LP I'd struggle to see much difference, it is really well made. This is one of them: reverb.com/au/item/10873611-angelica-rare-1960s-japanese-singlecut-electric-guitar-1960s-black Mine has DiMarzio zebra pickups though, plus creme pickup surrounds and scratchplate. The main thing about this guitar is exactly that - it has a chambered body that makes this guitar both unusually light, resonate and apparently unique. I'm not much into Gibson guitars, and definitely would never justify spending thousands of pounds on one that is made back in 1960s like my Angelica is. As far as I'm concerned the only visual difference between real Gibson and my guitar is the name on headstock. And the price. I think I can live with that. Listening to you though I was rather surprised that Gibson didn't make anything chambered Les Paul back then. Looks like whoever made Angelica were rather innovative, and now Gibson decided to do something similar. 🤔
Hey man, thanks for your comment. Sounds like you have a nice guitar there, hang on to it. Great having an unusual name guitar, as people don't really know what it is. They have to judge it on sound alone, as they can't listen with their eyes. Also nice having an old guitar, there's something about them. Probably just a fond nostalgia for an era I was never part of, but vintage stuff always seems cool to me. Nice truck in your avatar by the way. Ben.
@@BenFletcherGuitar Thanks, man. That guitar is definitely a keeper, lawsuit axes were great, and if one is not a name snob - many of them are as good as the original, plus made in Japan secures their quality. And yes, trucks of that era had soul in them. Just a beat up workhorse that has more to give.
Hello dear. I want to sell my Les Paul Classic with 9 cheese holes due to severe back pain from playing the guitar. I look towards the Les Paul Standard chamber. But I'm afraid the sound won't be tight enough when playing the Crunch. Translated by Google
I would say the sound of mine is between a Standard Les Paul and a 339. So if anything more snappy and woody than a regular Les Paul. You'd have to try a few and decide. Whatever you do, if like the one you've got, don't sell it until you're sure you like the new one, you'll never get it back once it's gone. Ben
Just keep at it, man. Also, sounds daft, but wear the slide a lot, even when you're not playing! Early on, it feels really alien to have your finger stuck in a splint type situation with restricted movement. When you get used to it, it'll be a lot easier to feel how much pressure you're exerting on the strings. Ben
I don't know the actual weight, but it's lighter than my SG! I use it for nearly every gig I do at the moment and I only take the one guitar with me normally. Cheers, Ben.
Italia Leather. I've had two of them for about 10-12 years and got another couple for other instruments, about 5 years ago. They're not cheap, but they are fantastic quality.
Gibson started that weight relief nonsense back in 1983. Gibson claims this was a "customer driven issue"....only problem I have is in nearly 40 years of guitar playing I have yet to come across ANY Les Paul owner who asked for this and I have met well over 1000 Les Paul owners. I have 5 Les Pauls ('71, '73, '77, '79, and an '80). All of them are what I call "Kalamazoo heavies", they all weigh around 12-13 lbs. but the tone on them is killer. These weight relieved versions to me sound a bit weak and anemic when compared to the pre-1983 versions. Truth be known Gibson needs to get back to the basics of what made a Gibson so great! Firing that weirdo Henry Juszkiewicz was a huge step in the right direction but if Gibson wasnt to ever retrieve its lost glory they need to stick with tradition! Just my 2 cents.....
IMHO weight relieve isn't nonsense, neither is Gibson's claim that it was a 'customer driven issue', because guitar player did (and do) complain about the heavy burdens around their neck and shoulder, certainly when they get older. It is a misunderstanding that there is a linear connection between the weight or thickness and the sustain of a solid body electric guitar. Darrell Braun proved that an Ibanez Saber, which is one of the thinnest an lightest guitars on the planet (with the Parker the Fly and the Flaxwood) can beat the sustain of a Gibson Les Paul on 4 out of 6 strings: ua-cam.com/video/W_NfjlVxeKU/v-deo.html You should look at the graph at 6 minutes and 45 seconds and pause the video. After that you should look at the Greg Bennett's explanation of the chambered construction of the Royale RL-3. And after that you should listen to some videos of that guitar. ua-cam.com/video/KZuW5EMzQZk/v-deo.html especially at 6 minutes and 22 seconds until 7 minutes 48 seconds. I happen to have this mix of the Gibson Les Paul and the Gibson Byrdland and the sustain is absolutely STUNNING.
Not doubting your word, but I've talked to far less than 1,000 non weight-relieved LP owners, and a majority of them wish that theirs was a little lighter, but with similar tone and sustain. Also, a lot of them say that they can't go a full 3 hr. gig with their traditionally-weighted LPs, so they will switch off mid-set to a Tele or Strat for a few songs just to give their backs some "relief" (no pun intended).
I have a 2008 LPS Sunburst made with 2007 specs. It’s killer.
Nice playing and Thanks for the pics showing the different reliefs.
I also have a 2007 LP STD. Chambered. Heritage Cherry burst. I have owned quite a few LPs and when I played this one in 2007 it just felt alive in my hands.. I knew it was the one. It's funny because now people are realizing how great they are. I had a few 1981s Customs and a standard too. Great guitarist and SUPER heavy. The chambered LP will do all they did and more. It's hard to explain till you get on a stage with a band.
I grew up on the Norlin era Les Pauls, those thing had a serious growl to them. They were also tanks. They also had a serious range and still delivered a clean crisp sound.
I'll be honest and say that I didn't know what 'Norlin era' meant, had to look it up! Seems like pretty divided opinions on them in some forums, usually around consistency. It seems like you had/have some good ones though. I think with a nice wide strap, you'd probably forgive the weight if you were getting the tone you wanted.
@@BenFletcherGuitarthose people that are fighting over those are the ones that played the kalamzoo les pauls saying that the one after the factory closed, they pretty much sucked. The thing is a real 59 wouldn't impress too many people these days, the sound on that thing is so era specific it's sick. The tone is the same, but the sound is very distinct.
You are right on the money. Fender faces the same issues with new features on the more modern Fenders being considered “ not the real thing”. I’ve been playing for over 25 years now - buying and selling as well. The best Les Paul I’ve ever played is my 2007 Gibson Chambered standard plus. Its touch responsive and very comfortable. They don’t make them like they used to has become an ironic statement.
Thanks, man. You're right, it seems the big name companies are somewhat locked in to making the same specs for the rest of time. Do you think in 50 years they'll be selling chambered 2007's as super rare and desirable?! I can see something daft like that happening, it wouldn't be the 1st time something became cool on the 2nd time around.
I have 3 les pauls, one of each weight wise, 9 hole swiss cheese, full fat solid and a 2010 chambererd, the chambered is my fav, sounds fantastic as do the others but the chambered lp is my favourite.
Nice collection you have there! The chambered ones are great and this one is still my main guitar. Do you ever get feedback at very high volume? I mean you gotta be chucking a lot of volume out there, but occasionally mine can squeal a bit.
I‘ve got a chambered 2008 LP Standard (the thick 50s neck) and the funny thing is: I played around 10 LPs at the local music shop. There was a 59 reissue (custom shop) that really felt good BUT there was annoing ‚microphonic‘ tones coming from touching the bridge (or strumming the bridge saddles with the pick). Then I played the Standard and was really conviced by the tone AND the light weight. And I‘ve played it on many gigs and was always very happy with the more ‚open‘ sound (with a little touch of a 335 as you said). BTW: I don’t play heavy metal but more jazzy, souly and bluesy things. Awesome for blues! Thanks for your thoughts that I can absolutely confirm.
Thanks for the comment. You nailed it. If you just go by ear, it really doesn't matter. Mine has become my main guitar, I use it for just about everything I play. I guess if it sounds good, it is good. That 50's neck is the same as the one on my 05 SG and my Les Paul, really comfortable for me. Sounds like a nice guitar you've got there. Cheers, Ben.
I have a 2016 chambered historic Custom shop CR9 7 pounds 5 oz Best sounding And playing Les Paul I have ever played. I purchased 2011 chambered studio 6.87 pounds i liked it so much I bought another one exactly like it Only a few ounces heavier then i Went custom shop CR9 And Sold my 10 pound Les Paul no regrets. Some people say it don't sound like a Les Paul I say They are 100% Wrong It does Everything I want it to do When I want To do it. ED King Bought one when they 1st come out ( Cloud 9 ) & Said it sounded closer to his Real 59 then any other Les Paul he had ever played And who is Going To argue with Ed. Great tone & playing by the way love your style. All the haters Can complain about back problems as I do from 20 years Of a heavy Les Paul.
Nice man. Some sweet guitars you have there and yeh, who's going to argue with a great player like that. I can't imagine for a second that anybody could possibly know without being told or picking it up. Mine's a re-finnish too. It's nothing like the original factory colours, making it quite difficult to identify. Thanks for the compliment, much appreciated mate. Ben
Great playing, great video production, great comments. Nice work!
Thanks very much mate, appreciated.
Great video! I have an '08 LP Studio Premium Plus chambered and it's my #1 guitar (7.5 lbs). Always loved Les Pauls but the other 3 I have are 9.5 lbs and I can't play them for more than 20 mins. I can play the chambered one all night. Thanks for putting this up.
I own a R9 and had it recently chambered, like yours, but from the back and you can see the chambering cause there is no cover, just open. 3,3kg 7.2lbs and because the back is just open, there is no feedback problem. The sound before and after is almost the same, slightly more attack, but a fat tone, everything a Les Paul should sound like. And I played already three 58/59 originals.
Wow! That's a pretty extreme mod. Did you have the back re-finished once the routing had been done? Very cool to have played real 58/59's. Were they as good as the hype?
A fresh perspective, thank you.
Thank you!
I was looping 10 times the first 90 seconds of your video, you are a really tasty player, the rest of the video is great too!, 😁 great job man 👏👏
Thanks very much man, too kind.
How can we hear more of your music? It’s awesome 🏆😍🔥
I bought my first Gibson Guitar,, second Gibson really, my first was a Gibson "The Paul" but I barely bonded with the guitar hardly touched it and sold it. 2008, early 2008, I really wanted to pick up the guitar again, I needed it, the distraction, all that. Early 2008 I bought a seriously no name Strat from the hock shop, $100, it was a complete newb guitar just to see. Bought it, within 2 weeks, I made a rough cut in the pickguard with a saw, threw a Duncan JB in there. 2 months later worn brown Epiphone SG, bi don't on the neck, $400, bought. Threw the JB in that. Amazing. 2 months later, I want a Gibson Les Paul Studio. I am going down to the store and buying whatever LP Studio is on the wall. I just want a brand new, bare bones Les Paul guitar. A real Gibson Les Paul. I do that. It Turns out to be a 2007 Les Paul Studio, stanp dated 4 months old. Fireburst.
I was a bit disappointed when I found out much later, it was chambered. First year at that. It figures. But as time has gone, It's all I needed, it's awesome construction, it weighs over 8 lbs. Sounds great, it's not ES like. It does have a vibe quality, when you pluk the strings. Before I new it was hollow, I thought it was magic. The "magic" was the hollow. It's loud, but at the same time, that maple top is still thick. So are the back and sides. What really matter is the pickup construction, the wood, the quality of the build, and most importantly, a good setup. If you know yourself how to get the best out of your own guitar, based on your string that's, style, attack, neck, intonation, pickup height, that guitar is gonna rock.
You make absolute valid points here my friend, a sound is a sound you either love it or you hate it.
I have a 2008 Goldtop (fully chambered) and I just love all the crossover sounds and tones that I can coax out of it .......... people just try it, if you don't like it then that's fine don't buy it ....... but very importantly try it first before you bag it.
tones1957 (New Zealand)
Exactly! I have a 2007 Standard Cherry Burst, weighing delightfully in at 7.5 lbs. and yes, it does have a bit more "squish" than my CS R0, but I actually prefer the chambered open airy sound over the CS - in fact! It's great for more jazz/blues/soul kinda stuff. I hear some experts say they want their LP to sound like a tele on steroids. That's pretty much my 07 in a nutshell! Note: I don't play anything really heavy, so feedback would not be an issue in my case.
Sorry I missed this comment, thanks for leaving it. The tele on steroids thing is a good description. It's quite a woody sound, not a million miles away from the small body 339 I have, but not quite as mid-heavy. That might be the pickups though. Mine has become my main guitar, I barely use anything else at the moment. Cheers, Ben.
@@BenFletcherGuitar Just curious, do you have two that are almost identical? I checked out a few more of yours video and see one with some darker, reddish tuning pegs - or maybe they just darkened over time?
@@bjornkommedal9364 No, just the one Les Paul, I'm not that rich! It might be the colour grade messing with the colour a little bit. This is an older video and I've changed my video look quite a bit since this.
@@BenFletcherGuitar I’m very relieved! Was puzzled at your two almost identical Lesters! I’ve been playing my CS and the chambered standard side by side quite a bit lately, and, sure, I do hear a difference. I can see how a hardcore LP purist (in a guns’n’roses tribute band?) might not want a chambered LP, but for my purposes that slightly more airy and articulate tone really works! Plus mine’s a cherry burst with just the right amount of subtle flame!
i like your point of view
5:05 You're right. That has always been the case for Gibson. They couldn't innovate at the expense of "tradition" and history. We have been programmed to envision the 59's tone is the one. The new Original collection lineup seems to fix the public perception issue. Want to get as close as the original 50s but not going down to all rabbit holes (that belongs to historic/reissues etc)? Get the Standard 50s/60s. Want to be adventurous and be open minded to innovation? Get the Modern series.
Yeah man, so many names too. Very confusing, I couldn't tell you what was above what. It's not like Studio-Standard-Custom, there are so many other names in use. Thanks for your comment, Ben.
Go Fletcher kid...you did good and play well...
Ha! Thanks, man!
Mine is not as extreme as this one, but I love it. I would never trade back to the prior non weight relief Les Pauls. You guys can have them. You got to bond with you guitars or they collect dust. I play fairly clean and this sound way better to my ear.
SUPER Helpful vid man. Im sandin down one of my Epi's and givin it some weight relief... Its gonna be for more High Gain so I'll stay away from FULL chambers and probably do a Swiss Cheese combined with those nicely Routed Moderns... Also GREAT playing , videography and Edits. I'll sub and keep in touch ! JayTee
That sounds like a cool project. I'd say mine is fairly resistant to feedback unless you get a very compressed sound on the go and at quite extreme volumes, but that's fine for me as I'm not a very heavy player. Let me how it turns out with your Epi and thanks for compliment, much appreciated! Cheers, Ben.
Nice work! I think I've seen this guitar before. Does it belong to Nalle Colt ( Vintage trouble )?
Thanks! Definitely not that guitar. I had to look up who he was, seems like he lives in LA and I'm in England. This has been re-sprayed actually. It was originally a kind of clown burst, I think they call it.
Update: Damned good vid too! I’m subscribing
Thanks man, much appreciated!
Mine is a 2019 and it’s not chambered - it’s heavy. Made in November 2018 - it’s a rare breed
Very cool vid. Also that intro lick is nuts, can you do a "how to play" for it? good stuff!
Thank you! I'd have to watch the video again, I think this one was my old intro. Standard tuning with a low D if I remember right. If I can work out what I did, I might put it in one of my chops videos in a couple of months time. Cheers, Ben.
@@BenFletcherGuitar That'd be sweet if you can :D Great playing al'round!
My fave les paul is chambered! 2007
Great guitars. Can sometimes be had for a bit of a steal too.
@@BenFletcherGuitar totally
@@BenFletcherGuitar 2007. Mmm mmm good! The guy I play bass with calls her "Pearly Gates"! :)
Have a 50s standard. Thought it being a non weight relieved model, it would be really heavy. Surprisingly, it was well balanced. Not too heavy but not too light. Funnily, the Classic that is weight relieved is heavier. go figure
That's odd, I guess it's a little bit luck of the draw then. Is there anything else about the construction of a 50's vs a classic, that could influence the weight?
@@BenFletcherGuitar I read that the standards and up uses a higher quality of wood which helps it make it lighter apparently.
I think maybe the impressive magical tone comes from the person playing the Dumble or Burst…
Apologies if you got two notifications about this upload. I was informed of a technical issue to do with playback, that I've now resolved. What are your experiences with the various weight relieved Les Pauls? Ben
Had a studio that was supposed to be weight relieved. Was a boat anchor. Got a standard. Non weight relief. Not heavy at all. Well balanced
DAMNED good vid intro!
Ben, what's the weight of yours? Mine weighs in at a blissful 7.5 lbs.
When you said you turn the amp past 4 it just gets flabby.I knew you were talking about fender lol.
Super reverb player for 25 years now.
But the Brit amps vox Marshall keep some presence,Fender..Past 5 it’s slop especially a 4 10 fender.
What would a Les Paul sound like if it had a chambered (like the second photo with the big air pockets) basswood body with a maple top?
The one I play in the video is the full routing shown in that 2nd photo. I don't know what basswoods' tonal properties are though, but similar sound to this one I would think.
@@BenFletcherGuitar This Chambered Les Paul of yours, does it almost feel as light as an acoustic guitar?
@@MrEddie-gf3yg It feels slightly lighter than my SG, so pretty light for a Les Paul, but it's still a good chunk of wood.
Excellent/informative, Thanks :)
Thank you!
I have a '96 Gibson Les Paul Standard Tobacco burst, and it sounds and plays incredibly, but the thing weighs a ton! 'Chambered' is very tempting, especially when you consider that the amazing lead sound Eric Clapton had (on 'I Ain't Got You' and 'Good Morning Little School Girl' with the Yardbirds) was actually done with a Gibson ES335! I'll bet a lot of people thought that was a Les Paul! So, a chambered Les Paul is very tempting to trade mine in on!
Solo at one minute and eighteen seconds: a 335!.....
ua-cam.com/video/pSKdQtU62_4/v-deo.html
Big difference between a chambered LP and an ES335 though. ES335's have a distinctive bark that the maple hollow body and maple tone block imparts on the tone of the guitar.
Well said.
Bro. That slide guitar bit sounded like Joe Bonamassa
Thanks man! I don't think I've seen Joe play slide, I'll have to check that out.
I have a black Gibson LP lawsuit Angelica guitar, made in Japan in 1960s. I cannot speak for quality of all Angelica branded guitars as it was a custom decades to use a random headstock name by a guitar importer, in this case UK distributers Boosey & Hawkes, and they could have sourced their guitars from different guitar manufacturers.
Mine is pretty much lookalike of the actual Gibson - black, triple biding, open book headstock, bell shaped truss rod cover, mother of pearl inlays etc. I replaced my original trapezoid tuners with Grover type Wilkinson ones, plus swapped the bridge with a better one, electrics are all stock. Truth be told - if I had a 1960s Gibson LP I'd struggle to see much difference, it is really well made.
This is one of them:
reverb.com/au/item/10873611-angelica-rare-1960s-japanese-singlecut-electric-guitar-1960s-black
Mine has DiMarzio zebra pickups though, plus creme pickup surrounds and scratchplate. The main thing about this guitar is exactly that - it has a chambered body that makes this guitar both unusually light, resonate and apparently unique. I'm not much into Gibson guitars, and definitely would never justify spending thousands of pounds on one that is made back in 1960s like my Angelica is. As far as I'm concerned the only visual difference between real Gibson and my guitar is the name on headstock. And the price. I think I can live with that.
Listening to you though I was rather surprised that Gibson didn't make anything chambered Les Paul back then. Looks like whoever made Angelica were rather innovative, and now Gibson decided to do something similar. 🤔
Hey man, thanks for your comment. Sounds like you have a nice guitar there, hang on to it. Great having an unusual name guitar, as people don't really know what it is. They have to judge it on sound alone, as they can't listen with their eyes. Also nice having an old guitar, there's something about them. Probably just a fond nostalgia for an era I was never part of, but vintage stuff always seems cool to me. Nice truck in your avatar by the way. Ben.
@@BenFletcherGuitar
Thanks, man. That guitar is definitely a keeper, lawsuit axes were great, and if one is not a name snob - many of them are as good as the original, plus made in Japan secures their quality.
And yes, trucks of that era had soul in them. Just a beat up workhorse that has more to give.
Hello dear. I want to sell my Les Paul Classic with 9 cheese holes due to severe back pain from playing the guitar. I look towards the Les Paul Standard chamber. But I'm afraid the sound won't be tight enough when playing the Crunch. Translated by Google
I would say the sound of mine is between a Standard Les Paul and a 339. So if anything more snappy and woody than a regular Les Paul. You'd have to try a few and decide. Whatever you do, if like the one you've got, don't sell it until you're sure you like the new one, you'll never get it back once it's gone. Ben
any tip for slidee playing
Just keep at it, man. Also, sounds daft, but wear the slide a lot, even when you're not playing! Early on, it feels really alien to have your finger stuck in a splint type situation with restricted movement. When you get used to it, it'll be a lot easier to feel how much pressure you're exerting on the strings. Ben
absolutely agree
How heavy is the weight? And what do you think about playing it on a long set?
I don't know the actual weight, but it's lighter than my SG! I use it for nearly every gig I do at the moment and I only take the one guitar with me normally. Cheers, Ben.
The last one is the one a-ha ha ha. Actually it might be true if it's a chambered Les Paul.
What make is the strap you have on the LP?
Italia Leather. I've had two of them for about 10-12 years and got another couple for other instruments, about 5 years ago. They're not cheap, but they are fantastic quality.
@@BenFletcherGuitar thank you for getting back 👍
@@sixstringstarter No worries.
Valves stay!
Sorry I can't remember what I said about valves in this video, it was a long time ago! There is something nice about a valve amp though.
Oh my god !! toooo much sense !! .. eeekkss .. go away ... !!!
Ha!
Gibson started that weight relief nonsense back in 1983. Gibson claims this was a "customer driven issue"....only problem I have is in nearly 40 years of guitar playing I have yet to come across ANY Les Paul owner who asked for this and I have met well over 1000 Les Paul owners. I have 5 Les Pauls ('71, '73, '77, '79, and an '80). All of them are what I call "Kalamazoo heavies", they all weigh around 12-13 lbs. but the tone on them is killer. These weight relieved versions to me sound a bit weak and anemic when compared to the pre-1983 versions. Truth be known Gibson needs to get back to the basics of what made a Gibson so great! Firing that weirdo Henry Juszkiewicz was a huge step in the right direction but if Gibson wasnt to ever retrieve its lost glory they need to stick with tradition! Just my 2 cents.....
IMHO weight relieve isn't nonsense, neither is Gibson's claim that it was a 'customer driven issue', because guitar player did (and do) complain about the heavy burdens around their neck and shoulder, certainly when they get older.
It is a misunderstanding that there is a linear connection between the weight or thickness and the sustain of a solid body electric guitar.
Darrell Braun proved that an Ibanez Saber, which is one of the thinnest an lightest guitars on the planet (with the Parker the Fly and the Flaxwood) can beat the sustain of a Gibson Les Paul on 4 out of 6 strings: ua-cam.com/video/W_NfjlVxeKU/v-deo.html You should look at the graph at 6 minutes and 45 seconds and pause the video.
After that you should look at the Greg Bennett's explanation of the chambered construction of the Royale RL-3. And after that you should listen to some videos of that guitar. ua-cam.com/video/KZuW5EMzQZk/v-deo.html especially at 6 minutes and 22 seconds until 7 minutes 48 seconds.
I happen to have this mix of the Gibson Les Paul and the Gibson Byrdland and the sustain is absolutely STUNNING.
Not doubting your word, but I've talked to far less than 1,000 non weight-relieved LP owners, and a majority of them wish that theirs was a little lighter, but with similar tone and sustain. Also, a lot of them say that they can't go a full 3 hr. gig with their traditionally-weighted LPs, so they will switch off mid-set to a Tele or Strat for a few songs just to give their backs some "relief" (no pun intended).
Well said.