Secrets of a Vintage 1959 Gibson Les Paul
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- A detailed analysis of the features of the vintage Gibson Les Paul design system of the fifties of the twentieth century. The influence of wood, nitro lacquer, materials, alloys and design features on the sound of a guitar. Comparison with modern reissue Gibson Les Pauls. Principles of Guitar Resonance Formation.
3:50 - A bit of history
5:22 - Sound
7:01 - Wood
8:16 - Conversions
9:13 - Wood resonance
10:40 - Vintage Les Paul construction
11:39 - Top shape
12:35 - Vintage scale
13:49 - Truss rod
14:57 - Neck shape
16:02 - Neck joint
16:42 - Headstock
17:50 - Nut
18:26 - Fretboard
19:21 - Inlays
19:47 - Glue
20:25 - ABR-1 Bridge and Tailpiece
21:47 - Knobs location
22:39 - Tuners
23:23 - Capacitors
24:20 - '50s wiring
24:50 - Vintage wire
25:10 - Pickups
26:35 - Nitro
30:41 - Guitar weight
33:49 - Conclusion
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Thank you!
3:50 - A bit of history
5:22 - Sound
7:01 - Wood
8:16 - Conversions
9:13 - Wood resonance
10:40 - Vintage Les Paul construction
11:39 - Top shape
12:35 - Vintage scale
13:49 - Truss rod
14:57 - Neck shape
16:02 - Neck joint
16:42 - Headstock
17:50 - Nut
18:26 - Fretboard
19:21 - Inlays
19:47 - Glue
20:25 - ABR-1 Bridge and Tailpiece
21:47 - Knobs location
22:39 - Tuners
23:23 - Capacitors
24:20 - '50s wiring
24:50 - Vintage wire
25:10 - Pickups
26:35 - Nitro
30:41 - Guitar weight
33:49 - Conclusion
👍👍👍 Thank you!
This is probably the most informative "Holy Grail” video on UA-cam.
Thank you!
💯% without a doubt. World class.
Absolutely 🙌
Thank you
This is science complimenting legend. One of the most informative "luthier" videos on the web. This is what happens when an individual with a high IQ and practical working knowledge gets obsessed with finding answers. Start to finish- brilliant
Thank you
So amazing, Thank You.
I've been researching the secrets of the Gibson Les Paul since I purchased my first one back in 1978.
Every detail in this video is spot-on accurate with everything I've found over the past 45 years.
This is possibly the very first video I've ever seen that covers every important design detail of this Historic instrument.
Again, Thank You Sir.
Thanks for your comment. It is very important for me to hear this opinion from the owner of the original Burst. Thank you!
I am making my clones 59 LesPaul, but not to order, but as art projects. This takes much more time, since I select the blanks at the sound intervals and often not all of them fit together. So for now, we select the wood and make the parts so that later there would be more options for the selection. I make LesPools from start to finish, completely according to my preferences and in accordance with the concept of each project. It is up to me to decide what color and degree of aging each guitar will have. Finished projects will be sold through my UA-cam channel at impromptu auctions.
@@8BombCustomAwesome! 👌 Are you still building?
@@michaelknight4041 yes
Billy Gibbons says the tone is in the hands. Having a '59 burst doesn't hurt though! Great video! I learned something today.
Thank you
Thank you for the translation. Great channel and you’re very talented.
Thank you!
Ha! I was about to say "turn down the TV" : ). Thanks!
Most comprehensive tutorial on any electrical guitar construction. Much appreciated !
Thank you
Great video. When I was a kid in the 70s, my older brother had a friend who bought a 53 Gold Top for $500. This was my first experience with a Les Paul. That was in 1975 and many guitars ago. I had a Carvin DC150 in the 80s that had a Les Paul feel. But the one guitar I miss the most is a 1988 Hamer Chaparral Custom. It wasn't until 2015 when I came across a like new 2005 Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded T series. I hadn't been paying attention to Les Pauls, but I knew as soon as I picked this one up that there was something special about it. After doing some research, I discovered that it has a mohagany top instead of maple. It may not be a 59 Standard, but for $599 with a hardshell case, it was a good deal. It's like a Standard without the bling. Thank you for making such a comprehensive video on such a legendary guitar. And, just as luck would have it, I left NY 14 years ago and ended up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the birth place of Les Paul.
That Paul at the end sounded amazing. Thank you for this
Thank you!
Man oh man, I'm blown away, I have never heard a better or closer sounding remake than this, sir you are the best I've ever heard, amazing
Thank you!
Bravo on the most comprehensive explanation that I've seen of what makes a vintage Les Paul different from the modern versions.
Thank you!
Dude your my hero, please please please do this for tele's and strats!!!! I will watch this over and over!
Mate your channels going to blow up now that you have translated vids !!! I’m sharing the shit out of this
Thank you!
Watching this was a revelation. I had been considering sending my 59' Custom Shop off for a supposed accurate re-create but not now. The information here revealed so much "why" the originals sound like they do. Excellent. Anyone interested in accuracy then this is your go-to
Thank you
Outstanding. I appreciate you commitment and dedication to this fine instrument. I look forward to more videos.
Thank you!
I think the most interesting thing I heard in this was his thoughts on the best metal for tailpiece, one would think a dense "resonant" metal would of course be best but the point he makes about those metals vibrating and thus cancelling certain frequencies makes a lot of sense.
I'm still saving for one of these
This is probably my most watched video on UA-cam, as I’m building my own vintage relic Les Paul this video is priceless in my process. Than you so much for this video!
Excellent! Thank you! Subscribe to my Patreon Level Maker, there you will find a lot of interesting things on this topic.
www.patreon.com/8bombcustom
Great Job!!!!! I was a Gibson Dealer in Chicago in the 70's.
Thank you!
I have a Vaschenko Les Paul on order, very excited. Again, nice video. Bill
How would you go about ordering one?
@@John-hi2yi email me at: pagewannabe@gmail.com thanks, Bill
Many thanks for posting your knowledge here. The best Les Paul is my goal too. I have a ‘98 R8 which was great when I got it new. I’ve gigged it loads and added a 6|6 nylon nut. Cts pots. Early 60s caps. Correct grade vintage wiring. Correct material tail piece Bridge and thumb wheel. Lastly, OX4 low wind A4 mag pickups. The guitar is outstanding and impresses me each time I pick it up.
About to do exactly this to a ‘96 R9. OX4 all the way!
Gibson needs to hire this guy to lead the historic replica part of custom shop.
Thank you!
gibson doesn't want anyone working there that wants to build les pauls like they did in the 50's. they want people that crank them out at lightspeed.
Bro this is awesome. A pure Masterclass on the Burst. You’ve cracked the hidden code of the Holy Grail & possess the blueprints👏🏻👏🏻😃👌🏻.
Thank you!
One very important detail overlooked that is very important to the feel: vintage Gibson string spacing at the nut is wider.
I am litterally blown away by the detail and craftmanship. I thought Eastman built a better Les Paul than Gibson, now I see that there is a hidden gem from Belarus! Thank you sir for the informative and wonderful video. I would only wish to own one some day,
Thank you!
Great video. I have experimented a lot on mamy of my guitars over the years, it is amazing how much difference a different saddle material or a new nut, or different trem springs can make. Everything matters, even the mass in things like tuners
Yes, every detail contributes to the shaping of sound.
You are the KING OF VINTAGE !!
Thank you!
Ridiculous attention to detail. VERY educational. I too prefer vintage Soviet caps in all my builds. They’re obscenely large but are worth the effort.
This is the most thorough common sense explaination of the Burst that I have ever seen ! Thank you very much for posting !
Thank you!
This is fantastic. Thank you for taking the time to present this wonderful and informative video.
Thank you!
This is some great knowledge, thank you for taking the time to share it!
Thank you!
You are probably the best man making these instruments out there. I am from Latin America, I only wish I could visit your workshop some day! Much respect for your knowledge and artistry!
Thank you
I'm sending in my 2006 Les Paul 58 Custom Shop RI to Historic Makeovers. They're going to do most all of the things you noted. I'm excited to see the result.
This is a great solution. Kim and his team make it amazing!
The upper mid range is unequalled. Boy do these guitars age beautifully!
I love the wide Chevron flame on those older models! The reissues sound young but good too! Amazing specimens man!
Thank you!
Thank you! So much information! Amazing that you have presented years of research in a 30 minute video. Well done! I am a fan of your relic work!
Thank you!
Bravo!!! Well done, sir! Great information on many levels. All guitar geeks would enjoy this history and science lesson.
Thank you.
my hard tail stratocaster body was made from reclaimed wood from antique furniture! the back is mahogany that came from a Victorian era vanity. and the flame-quilt maple top was from an antique blanket chest that was 200yrs old. its impossible to find wood of this quality today unless you have a small fortune! it turned out fantastic. its a one of a kind and is the best sounding strat ive ever heard! it was a pretty huge gamble weather or not it was going to turn out well or not, i got lucky!
Thank you for sharing this with us I know it's an unbelievable amount of information and research your hands-On research is most impressive thank you so much peace and respect
Thank you
Honduran mahogany air dried for 20 years, not kiln dried, is the key. The hard rock maple cap is also doing something good. But it is the air dried mahogany that is the main thing. It feels so good to play an old Les Paul.
This is the best Les Paul technical documentary I have seen, just brilliant. @Dr.Nitro I think Professor Nitro is a more appropriate name for you! 😉
Thank you! 😅
I agree! Professor Nitro!
This is insanely good. Thank you.
Unfortunately I have not been able to play one of your guitars, but I can say that they're the best looking replicas I've seen on UA-cam.
Thank you!
Because of this video and reading about Mick Ronson removing the finish from his Les Paul, I stripped the acrylic finish off my cheap mahogany guitar. The transformation is unbelievable. It is louder, clearer, sharper, there are new mid and high frequencies that make it sing now.
Great! I am glad that this video gave an impetus and you are pleased with the result. You have verified what is shown in the video on your own experience. And this is a golden experience! Thank you and good luck with your next projects!
@@8BombCustom Thank you, absolutely correct. I wish I had the ability and talent to do more technical work, but just removing the plastic varnish has made a huge difference! Thank you.
Great stuff!.
I have access to two original 59 Les Pauls - one of them well documented. If you'd like any information or measurements on them just let me know!.
Thanks tkbe! I am always glad to receive such information! Email me 8bombcustom@gmail.com
This is an amazing video. It has so many details that I never even knew existed about the '59 Les Paul.
Thank you!
African mahogany has been found on a 50s goldtop, can't be the only one that's impossible as it's a factory, Clive Brown refinished it, he knows what he's talking about too
Impressive! I watch every of your videos. Would love to play one of your masterpieces. Rock on!
Thank you!
Several years back Led Zeppelin Did a reunion show called :02" and during this show Page used his #1 les paul but also his gibson custom shop R9 and you cannot tell which is which. There is nothing wrong with the historic re-issues.🤘
The reissues are really good, but still not as good as the vintage originals. Any musician who played the original Burst will tell you in detail about the differences. And you should not consider only the sound, because the guitar is an instrument for the musician and not for the listener. Most listeners will not be able to distinguish a Telecaster from a Les Paul by the sound. The main nuances are in convenience, feel and responsiveness when playing the instrument. And the sound in the studio can be made any. Especially at a show, where it does not matter at all for the listener what instrument the musician has.
Great job, this is the most important video, it shows the details. Good luck in hard times, you’re friend from California, steve
Thank you!
Outstanding work! Thank you
Thank you!
Thank you for the information. Amazing
Gibson used formaldehyde glue, not hide glue, for glueing tops on. The weight of the wood comes from where it is cut on the tree, with older trees you could get one piece bodies , because old growth trees were larger, from higher in the tree, where the wood was lighter. Today's guitars use wood from the trunk of the tree, for one piece bodies, from smaller trees, where the wood is denser, to support the weight of the tree and therefore heavier. You can still get great light weight wood, if you are willing to have a 2 piece body. Your wiring schematic is wrong too, Gibson's from the 50's didn't have a ground wire running to all 4 pots, it created a ground loop with the switch, that could potentially add unnecessary noise to the guitar. I'm a guitar builder and former repairman of over 35 years, the real magic comes from age and playing, I have played and worked on many of these old instruments, some great, many were not so great. In the hands of a skilled luthier these guitars can be made and in many ways surpass the originals, look at Slash's fake Les Paul.
Also trees that are grown at a higher than sea level.... say in the mountains or something similar
gibson are using hide glue now
@@jerryyeaaah15 The video is talking about instruments from the golden era of '58 to '60, when they did not.
Concerning the ground wire - I had a “shocking” experience from my 1952 Les Paul (which grounds the tailpipe and thus the strings) when I grabbed a microphone while playing; the mic was plugged into another circuit with opposite polarity and I took 240 volts! The next day I cut the ground wire and didn’t notice any increase in hum.
I agree about your take on the trees and where your wood is cut ...lighter at the top ...heavier at the bottom but also the weather conditions in their particular area.
I have refinished a lot of poly coated guitars with nitro and it does make quite a difference. At one time I would have argued that it wouldn't matter.
Thank. Now you know that it works))
I stumbled upon this video and was amazed by the great information and knowledge. Truly great job. Thank you.
Thank you
Almost same specs of the Les Paul Héritage 80 Élite which are great and super rare to find guitars
I learned so much. You are a great teacher her. I will be back.
Thank you
I’ll never be able to recreate what you did however I can buy it! Pls sell these amazing guitars.
Thanks. Write your email and I will notify you before the next auction.
Wonderful video, thanks for posting. On thing to keep in mind when aiming for true vintage tone is to use flat wound strings w/ an unwound G string. As that was the only string available up until 67-68.
Not true, round wound steel strings go back to the 1890's, flatwound strings were introduced in1946. Up until 1965 all guitar string sets, both round and flat wound used a wound 3rd string.
@@kgriff1205 Hey K I was under the impression only flats were made before 65-66, did not know rounds were even available that early. Also you are correct a wound g came with the sets. Many early rockers replaced w/ an unwound G to make bending easier. Cheers
Thank you! Interesting info!
Excellent video - otlichna!!! Thank you - your passion for detail is very inspiring!!! I will be watching your videos.
Thank you!
A good complete concise video Not exactly too long per-se The references and anticipation towards further videos ..cool. I was inquiring about neck attachment to body (tennon length fitment etc.) The SG (a pique of interest for me) being such a thin guitar neck fitment and tennon length I imagine really come into play here.But lately I've been looking into a Les Paul (they tend to ring better and have a wider frequency response. Really good video. Jim
Thank you
Thats great!! Thank you so much for your work👏🏻👏🏻
So the headstock on the vintage is 1mm thinner or wider?
There's nothing about a Les Paul you haven't studied. That's fascinating . The Sophie burst and Margitt burst are stunning guitars which sound angelic.
Thank you!
fantastic video on these wonderful instruments !! 👍. very knowledgeable and informative !!
Right after watching this I thought I'd like to ask you for your opinion on the recent relic finishes.
...and then discovered you have already done a dedicated video on that.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge my friend !!!
Incredible work.
Thank you
Brilliant, awesome!
✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
Thank you
This video is so amazing, intelligent. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you
Fantastic. Thanks for making this superb resource
Thank you
great video - i think the tops were glued with phenol aldehyd ( radio glue ) anyway - very cool information
Everything is correct. We call it phenol-formaldehyde glue. It hardens when heated and turns into stone.
Perfect. I think you are a real profecsionist. Good
Thank you
Great video! I’ve got a Vaschenko ‘59 replica and It’s irreplaceable.
Thank you!
Congrats
Good video, but you're incorrect about the Brazilian Rosewood necks bering made in China... they are made in the USA, just as PRS uses Brazilian in their USA factory.... the wood is pre-band wood however and part of their inventory that was authorized for use by USDA and CITES.
@@Sams911 Thank you
While I do not believe in tonewood etc as it pertains to solid body electric guitars even I have to admit that this is a Les Paul tone I can vibe with. Nothing like the thick, muddy tones of most LPs. I don't know if it's just the pickups and the amp or if there is anything else in play hear but it is very obvious that you did your research and that it paid off. Hats off to you mate and thanks for the video, it was enjoyable even from an acoustic/stratocaster player's point of view!
Thank you
I disagree in my honest opinion. If tonewood is not the issue, then most of the guitars today are made of plastic or aluminum just to replicate the 59
My background is the same im my luthierie! I've studied fine arts. Graphic technics and deaign ! And now I'm a violin luthier!
Great, great video!!! Thanks for all the information!
Thank you
Very informative video!!! Everything you have said is spot on!!! I just wish I could find a spot on replica like your guitars in left handed!!! Honestly practically impossible, I’ve tried.
As a working musician and fellow tone chaser, it’s hard to compare with the old way of building guitars. You sir are a brilliant man!
Thank you
Great video, love your channel.
Thank you
Wonderful. Could have watched a two hour video on this
Thank you
at 16:28 he points out the most important change gibson made to the les paul. In 1959 the joint between the neck and the body wasn't hidden, so it had to be a tight fit. After that they hid it with the neck heel and now most gibsons have a gap between the neck and body. That change lowered gibson quality more than any other change they made and they still do the neck like that. Before if there was a gap then they would have to redo it. their supervisor could easily see the neck was set wrong. Now it's hidden from the person doing quality control so they get away with murder. This is a major reason why greco les pauls are better than gibson- they do the neck the same way gibson did in the fifties so the neck joint had to be tight.
There are a lot of les pauls that leave the factory where the neck is 1/8th inch away from the body in the rear, it's got a postage sized shim between the neck and the body on one side, and a gap on the other that's filled with spray foam. So the only thing really holding the neck to the body is the fretboard glued to the front of the body. This is why so many of their neck joints get cracks.
if you want a good les paul, get a japanese les paul
Absolutely excellent ! ... Thank You ... You really understand ... & You are a true Artist.
This information is by no means a chronological codex of glue or how Chinese Brazilian rosewood entered the country. Tom Bedell has the worlds largest hoard of Brazilian and he is located in Oregon. The use of urea formaldehyde is still possible, but it is heat cured and would require either a microwave or a second run in a kiln. Maybe there is more to the magic ?
You have done a fantastic job on your guitar and the results appear superb.
Thanks for your comment. At various times, a few people told me about the Brazilian rosewood necks, which are collected at the Epiphone factory, owned by Gibson. If you have any clarification of this information, please contact me. 8bombcustom@gmail.com I will make more complete videos, where I will mention this. I talked about formaldehyde glue in this video, but did not emphasize much. A detailed video will also be released about adhesives.
different sound mean different sound, doesn't mean better sound or worst, the most important thing is the sound you like it.
The straight grained Honduran looks a lot like my Tokai LS 200 and Greco EG 59 180, both the highest end replica's you could get in 1985, they were custom order only not the ones you see come up for cheap on Reverb. Both are solid eastern maple top. The Tokai set me back 6 grand but it sounds more like a burst than my old collector's choice or any other Gibson custom shop and to me it feels like the wood of the body. It's light, and just sounds old and dry. They bark loudly. They are both very light, 8.2 pounds and 8.3. I like my Greco better than the Yaron I played. But I played a Bartlett replica and THAT was killer.
Thank you! In those years, Tokai and Greco won a lot over Gibson. Although they also have nuances.
You missed something, the abr-1 Bridge should have low angled brass saddles, this is extremely important
Yes. Thank you.
Very well done! The time and effort you've put into all that is the "Golden Years" of the Les Paul is obviously a passion. Would be an honour to own one of your Guitars. Thank You very much for the education on your journey so far.
Often wondered if you have had hands on one of the newer Heritage H-150's made in Kalamazoo and how you think they compare with the modern Gibson LP's?
Thanks for the video.
Thank. Several years ago I played one Heritage. It was very different in design and knots from the vintage LesPoul. And it was heavy. Sounds good, but not good enough for me.
Fantastic 👏 Thank you for sharing years of knowledge bro
Thank you!
Love your vids, great work👌
Thank you!
Amazing video. I have learned a lot. Do you have a video that shows how to build one in greater details? I would love to try to build one for my own pleasure.
Thank you. You will find about all the materials that I use and about all the nuances of working with them on my Patreon in the Maker level
www.patreon.com/8bombcustom
@@8BombCustom I visited the patreon site. It looks like the Maker level reveals the secret about the process of painting and aging guitars and parts. I am looking into building the guitar: Choosing, cuting and gluing gluing the woods and the parts. Do you have something on that also. It would be everything you cover in this video but in much greater details.
@@user-wx2lw2jn1k Now I'm preparing a course on creating LesPaul from start to finish. But it won't be out anytime soon. For this reason, you can study Gil Yaron's thread on the forum. www.tdpri.com/threads/1959-les-paul-build.194271/
You are a true Master.
Thank you!
Fascinating! I would not put on a Gibson logo though. It devalues your guitars actually. Put your own logo on and be proud of your work! 😀
Thank you.
Wow, thanks a lot for all this valuable info!! 👌👍💪
Thank you
You have done an amazing job! Thanks you so much!
Thank you!
Great work man!
Thank you!
Thanks, man. Love your vids.
Thank you!
Thx! you're a brilliant man. Very informative
Thank you
Excellent video! Thanks! 👍🏼
Thank you!
Great video. The other often overlooked difference between vintage kluson tuners and reproductions are the material of the posts. Vintage is nickel plated brass whereas current iterations are steel. It is tonally as critical as the tailpiece material.
Not all vintage Kluson tuners are made of brass. Modern Klusons are very accurately recreated. I have copies of various vintage tuners.
You are partially correct sir, the tuning peg post was made of brass on the very early Tele's, Strats, Rick's and Gibson's, but we're changed to steel in 1956
After watching you most recent uploads I have determined that when I have the money to purchase a proper reproduction it will be from you.
Thank you!
God bless your work friend !
Thank you!
Ur awesome...want one of your guitars...explained perfectly
Thank you!
You Sir are Awesome !! Greetings from Quebec !!
Thank you!