Tim just seems like an absolute Gem of a human. It was awesome watching you both be so giddy playing the one. Little window into the intangible feeling of bonding with an instrument that is so hard to put into words 🤘🏻
@@jgmeals Watch Paul Davids too! Not a question of who is better.. But if you haven't watched Paul, he's another humble likable dude who is a sick player and imparts a lot of knowledge.
This may be the best video I've seen that shows the subtle differences between guitars. The playing and the passion really helped highlight each guitar's strong points.
There is so much cool content this could lead to. If you still have your Nashville gifted Les Paul, I'd love to watch a video on a comparison between that and this one. Also curious to see how well a 20 year old R9 looks on the Plek machine. I'm not good on the history of Gibson but I think around 99/00 is when some changes happened with the Les Paul in a good way. I received an '03 as a 21st birthday present (parents thought it would persuade me to NOT pursue music and go to dental school, what a mistake that was). When you look up that time frame, lots of people suggest there was something special around 00-04 before the weight relief stuff popped up. That's on the standard runs, custom shop who knows; they were probably all awesome. Also kudos for not letting the top persuade you. That "Nicki" color was so gnarly looking but if it didn't melt with you as much, you did the right thing! -P
What a great thing to have Tim as a friend who is willing to come along and choose a les Paul with you...its as if he is choosing it for him....such a great guy...such an amazing sounding les Paul. Great video guys.
It pays off to have the right friends.Going Les Paul shopping w/Tim Pierce @ Norm's is a truly treasured experience & we got to come along for the ride! Thx Tim & Rhett...felt amazing, like I was a fly on the gear wall.
I just discovered Tim's channel and am amazed. Andy Woods, Rhett Shull, Brent Mason, Tim Dawes and Rick Beato are incredible channels for the guitar player
Congratulations! What a fantastic sounding guitar. Watching the two of you compare Les Paul after Les Paul back to back was inspiring and super entertaining.
Love that moment when you and your guitar "bond"...My 1st LP was a very similar experience. I was in Guitar Center, at the time when the walls were filled with nice guitars (as well as not even putting the more expensive guys so high up you needed help grabbing it) I went through quite a few and the guy helping me went to the back and grabbed a Custom and as soon as i started playing it i thought "OH NO! I'm in trouble!"🤸♀ Needless to say I walked out with it 🕺
You hit the nail on the head anything from the custom shop in the 90s was a home run I own 4 alone from 95 all within a few hundred serial numbers of eachother each with its own amazing personality. From early 90s on up to today nothing compares except for a handful of originals.
Great video! I felt like I'm shopping with you! To me, the one you bought and the Goldtop sounded best, '17 Brazilian looked best. You can never have enough Les Pauls... Congrats!
Great field trip man. From my armchair assessment, you got the best sounding and prettiest looking guitar from the ones you chose from although that gold top was stunning too! Thanks Rhett for sharing that experience. It was a treat to see you and Tim narrowing the selections down.
I really had a great time watching this! Now you've found THE LP, as I can hear all the way from sweden what a superb sounding instrument that is. Looks the part too, so congrats.
It’s honestly wild how much better that one sounded. I was hoping the dark amber top would win out just because I love the look, but you definitely made the right choice
Congrats on this absolute gem Rhett. I picked up my 50s gold top from the same guy you were working with in there. Been a dream come true from good people. Thanks for keeping YT fun still
Loved the program what a great way to hear these guitars you guys both play great and you're right Tim is the king of tone he always has been since high school to now holy cow what a fun buying spree to have somebody like Tim and yourself finding the magic guitar congratulations.
Rhett, of all your videos, this has to rank in a very small class of favorites. Tim is a very special guy, just as nice and brilliant as he seems and Norm's is a bucket list experience for any player. I'm so happy you had that experience and came up with that guitar. And yes, the Tim connections sure would infuse an extra sentimental element. I just have to repeat how happy I am for you.
The first time that guitar was played by Tim, it just literally exploded out of that Fender Amp. It was a legit gut punch. That thing has tone for ages.
15:21 Tim tells everything with his reaction. He's played a few of these things and that was a genuine impression this thing made on him. You've got a true piece of art, an incredible tool, a phenomenal long-term investment and a lifetime of sonic bliss. Congratulations Rhett!
It was there waiting to be found by you Rhett - what a great find, there is nothing better than that feeling when you connect with a guitar, take it home, and get to carry on the story with it until it moves on. These things will outlast us, hopefully, and they will tell their story to others in the future. What a privilege. Congratulations!
I am so glad that the UA-cam platform allows us access to legends like Tim Pierce. I knew about his musical accomplishments, but now I know he has the biggest heart and smile also. Nobody enjoys playing guitar as much as Tim. Please tell me you and Tim signed/dated it somewhere, like under the pots cover.
If we can tell it is different from compressed YT audio, I can only imagine how amazing it should have sounded in the room while comparing to the others.
@@ant3352 Video quality does not equate to audio quality. Best audio quality YT has is about equal to a medium quality mp3. Most viewers are listening on speakers that are too crappy to tell the difference anyway :)
Hi Rhett. I'm an old dude from Seattle and started guitar at age 55. Still playing and growing at age 61. People like you, Rick and Paul Davids have inspired me. Have really enjoyed watching you take off. Just an inspiring story. Really love Dipped In Tone, too! Anyway, congrats on your new Les Paul!
Cool man. I’m 52, just got a flamed maple Samick (?) with LP pickups and an Orange practice amp. If you can do it at 55, there’s hope for me yet. Rock on ! 😀🤘🏻
Awesome, brother! Please turn me on to your music, UA-cam site, podcasts, vlogs, lessons and bands you tour with. Look so forward to seeing and hearing them!!!!
In 2018 I had the opportunity to visit Norm's Rare Guitars. It was a rare experience. Sat on the couch with Norm and had our photo taken together. At his store at that time, in its case, was Joe Bonamassa's Les Paul that Gibson had made for him. #1 JB, or something like that was the serial number. It was there on consignment and Joe had even hand written a letter to the prospective buyer. What a treat to see. I took a photo of the letter. Thank-you, Bret for the re-visit. Watching you pick out at Les Paul was a treat. Just like all of your other videos, I felt like I was right there with you and Tim.
Congratulations Rhett on your new Les Paul, it looks and sounds absolutely beautiful it's amazing how you and Tim have that 'ear' for sound and you can differentiate between different guitars.
I love how you guys evaluate each guitar on tone, feel, weight, neck, without focusing on tech specs. There was no "This is a Burstbucker 2 and I like a . . . . " I agree that it's amazing how the same recipe yields so many different flavors.
It's a ringer! Even on my laptop without headphones the difference with the other Les Pauls was obvious. You're lucky to have such a friend Rhett, that will come along and be the matchmaker between you and a mighty fine instrument.Congratulations.
@@noahvillasenor67 Lol,...That's just it, they aren't in agreement with you..All of the guitars were described as great and the one he got as the best. I'm exploiting the extreme exaggeration of the phrase "blew them away" Guitars like those being played dont get blown away..They were simply splitting hairs and the one Rhett has edged the others out.
Congrats, man! I love how you chose tone and feel of the instrument over aesthetic-there was one other in your top 4 that I appreciated more based on its top. Nonetheless, a lesson to you guitar hunters who are actual players- seek out an environment where you can actually demo the instrument, and base your choice on what hits ya just right-that’s how ya find a “forever” guitar, friends. 🤘🏻
When he starts playing at 16:05 you can tell its the one, original '59s, at least the famous ones just seem to release music the second you touch the strings
It’s actually quite refreshing to see pros pickout a guitar based on things that matter. Since they were all custom shop historic reissues, things like looks and colour and flame looks were all top notch in all the guitars. It came down to the tone and feel and tbh the one that you picked did sound the best to me as well. Cheers to you on finding this treasure of a guitar.
As an old guy I agree - when it comes down to it the 'credentials' don't matter - it's what feels right when you play it. That said, if I had the money and could shop in a place like this I'd be a happy bunny. My '68 Custom will do for me for now :) Fun video.
This is definitely one of the very best videos I’ve ever seen in the Guitar UA-cam World. The combination of Rhett and Tim at Norm’s testing Les Pauls together is outstanding content. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now can you guys meet me there to find my Strat?
@@bmac6456 I’ve got the same model 1999 R9 although he didn’t mention that it’s actually a 40th anniversary model, and that makes a big difference, these aren’t just regular custom shop, they’re limited run specials that are supposed to be (and actually are) as close to a real 59 as possible. The original pickups are Classic 57’s, perfect for this guitar.
So jealous. That Les Paul you found is so perfect. It was the best of the lot by far just purely judging by tone and I could only imagine how good it sounds in person and how it feels to play. Only ever owned one Les Paul standard years ago and it wasn't a special one by any means.
You have to give an acknowledgement to that great amp, the Fender Deluxe, for translating the tones of the guitars and the touch and feel of those great players. Great video
So proud for you Rhett. I too own a ‘99 R9 Murphy Aged one Owner LP that I bought a few years ago from a friend of Jeff Andrews at Andrew’s Amp Lab in Atlanta . I don’t know what it is about the pickups but they sound like no other LP I own. I did change the pancake caps out with bumble bees but it made little difference in the overall sound. This is my main working guitar now as it sounds so good. One thing though, I did get a certificate of authenticity with it along with the bill of sale, and history letter from the previous owner. Enjoy it every day as you are an incredible player.
Rhett, Thanks for sharing your shopping adventure / experience. I'm so jealous, at Norm's with Tim Pierce shopping for a killer Les Paul! Your new LP looks and sounds awesome, congratulations!
Thanks, guys, that was fun to watch... and fascinating. I wish I could have been there to hear and feel the actual sound. With your experience you guys were so quick to hear certain qualities and differences, that was amazing. That must be one helluva guitar you got there!
@@JamesHartnell Tim just amazes me on so many levels...here's this cheerful guy who looks like he might work in a hardware store who is in reality a superstar within his ranks.
Me da mucho gusto que la hayas encontrado, sobre todo acompañado del Sr. Tim Pierce. Estoy retomando la guitarra seriamente desde la pandemia después de muchos años. Siempre toqué acústica y ahora recién inicio el viaje con la eléctrica, asi que estoy videos son de verdad de mucha ayuda, no tienen idea. Se aprende mucho con ustedes, sobre todo en este sobre el sonido de cada guitarra, cada detalle. Se agradece. Suerte y saludos desde Lima, Perú
Major Score! Happy for you brother. Gorgeous top, nice sunburst (not over the top). Killer Les Paul. Congrats. And yeah, Tim is a great guy with a refined ear.
It seems to me those '99 40th anniversary R9s are special guitars. I have one and it's my favorite of the many I've owned as well. People use the term "good wood era" for those, and mine does have a beautifully tight, straight grain on the back and super dark fretboard. A bucket list LP for sure!
So, this episode planted a seed in my brain. *You need to try them all, and do it with a friend.* I found The One.... 7.4 lbs, BOTB '59 in Dirty Lemon. Great top, great neck profile shaping and taper, incredibly resonant, and there wasn't an imperfect place on the fretboard as far as comfort goes. This video gave me a valuable lesson: it had me trying every single LP and LP styled (including some PRS McCarty stuff) till my mind said "yeah this is it." Along with that, I had some financial positions go positive, so I was within striking distance for it. I went for it, aimed for the moon and it was a direct hit. And I did so with a few honest friends who helped me rationalize the situation and maybe point out a thing or two that I hadn't noticed here or there. There wasn't any egging on the whole time, just a learning experience with a very perfect takeaway. Thanks for the visual lesson, Rhett & Tim, this is how you should pick out a guitar.
Congrats man! awesome. Also, hard to beat having someone like Tim go guitar shopping with you :-) Not usually a big fan of Les Pauls, but I have to admit that sucker has a really good sound.
I like that you came in knowing what kind of sound you wanted. That alone makes finding your guitar a lot more productive. It's sorta like finding a wife hehe
Sounds incredible! Loved this style video of how you select your guitar and what that process looks like and really opened my eyes as I’m in search of a ES 335. Will keep in mind in the future thank you!!
This was an invaluable video on so many levels. Great work, Rhett. Kudos on the selection and to Tim on the assist. I try to bring someone along expressly to try and talk me out of a purchase. That way if I walked out with an instrument, it was for the right reasons. I feel fortunate to have been privy to your process. You guys answered so many questions with so few words. It would be impossible to overstate the value in that. I couldn't be more appreciative.
question 1: PAF replicas, in this case Classic 57's. new r9 reissues have Burstbuckers question 2: 8200 is at the high end for a Les Paul Reissue. in this case that top really is nice, and probably the main reason for the premium. add to the fact it's being sold at Normans, THE boutique Gibson store and you get that price
@@qwertpoiuy430 I just got a Les Paul Standard 50's with a AAA top and 57 classic p'ups from Sweetwater and I paid $2400 discounted price. The top on mine is super nice . The guitar sounds incredible. and I saved $5800, I guess. No denying Rhett got a magic guitar, but for $8200 you could buy an L5 Wes Montgomery (If Gibson still made them.)
@@thomassawicki2065 yes, but this is a r9. While the new standard 50’s are good quality, they are no where near the detail of the r9’s R9s are 1-1 replicas of the 59’s. Long neck tenons, exact type of bond wood glue, exactly the same type of ink stamps, case/case candy, headstock and Gibson logo shape, handpicked and matched top and backs, in some cases Brazilian rosewood (they showed one in the vid). The r9s are also made in the custom shop, not the regular production line. The only step above those are Murphy labs, which include aging from mr murphy himself who was a very famous finisher at the custom shop, who they say might have had a hand in Rhett’s guitar. Just to close out, r9s usually sell for 5-6k new. They are not for someone who wants a good Les Paul, they are for someone who wants a a 59 burst without spending 500k+. Now, we all know this is not the best value, but if you know that’s exactly what you want (a 59 burst) this is the closest you can get under 10k
@@qwertpoiuy430 I don't believe the r9's are superior instruments. Nothing you mentioned is a definitive improvement. The long neck tenon gets routed out for the neck pickup . Modern glue bonds just as well. Brazillian rosewood is prettier, maybe, but. I doubt it sounds any better. The build quality on my production model is as nice as my Custom Shop Wes Montgomery L5. And Murphy lab us a bad joke. A 1959 is a 59. An r9 is a 2022. Guitars get better as they age and the resins evaporate . My 1994 Es165 improved immensely over the years. But it takes years. That's my opinion, as a pro player for 57 years. and a Jazz Artist.
@@thomassawicki2065 I agree with you in every one of these statements, but we say that as the players we are, not the collectors that these where made for. For the collector, it will matter. I myself prefer the lower end models, I have not bought another les Paul because I am saving my money for a es-225. My last guitar is an Alamo Fiesta from the 60s that was 150 dollars and it is the most joyful guitar I’ve laid my hands on. But none of that matters for the collector, they want those exclusive features.
Rhett, Your chosen Les Paul does sound sweet and very robust. And the top, beautiful! That was a great video, of you and Tim trying out Les Pauls, what you were looking for in the tone, as well as the the comparisons between the guitars.
that shop attendant is the type i want whenever im out guitar shopping, knows his stuff, excited to help. Great guy
When you're there to sling $10k on a new instrument, you get treated differently :D
@@FastRedPonyCar I bought my SG classic from Norm's and Michael gave me the same level of service. 😁
@@FastRedPonyCar exactly
How much?
He left Norm's recently, I believe to go work for Yamaha. He is a musical encyclopedia and just a real good guy.
that's a darn nice Les Paul Rhett!
The man himself is in the house
You’re the man Tim! You picked a helluva Les Paul!
@@RhettShull don't lend it to him, he'll never give it back 😉
Cool! I wanna win a “go guitar shopping with Rhett and Tim” weekend.😂
@@RhettShull dunno man, you should've went with the leftie goldtop imo
Always fun hanging with you guys- enjoy the killer guitar!!
Brandon your knowledge of the guitars is incredible! Fun to watch you Rhett and Tim geek out over all the nuances to the guitars
Thanks for you help Brandon!
Nothing like Tim Pierce helping you pick a guitar. Wow. He is an unbelievable player.
Tim just seems like an absolute Gem of a human. It was awesome watching you both be so giddy playing the one. Little window into the intangible feeling of bonding with an instrument that is so hard to put into words 🤘🏻
Ha, congrats mate! Pretty much the same thing as my Les Paul (give or take a few years).
Thanks man!
I think you're one of the best guitar players on UA-cam🤯
@@jgmeals Watch Paul Davids too! Not a question of who is better.. But if you haven't watched Paul, he's another humble likable dude who is a sick player and imparts a lot of knowledge.
I always remember the great vintage strat in your video
Paul maybe you can do a video on how Les paul or any other is better for recordings than the live stage. ?
Tim Pierce is the Robin Williams of guitar nerds.
So much passion. Love it.
i never could figure out who Tim reminded me of.......you nailed it 😆
This may be the best video I've seen that shows the subtle differences between guitars. The playing and the passion really helped highlight each guitar's strong points.
Like used cars ... pick out two models and test several good examples of each.
There is so much cool content this could lead to. If you still have your Nashville gifted Les Paul, I'd love to watch a video on a comparison between that and this one. Also curious to see how well a 20 year old R9 looks on the Plek machine. I'm not good on the history of Gibson but I think around 99/00 is when some changes happened with the Les Paul in a good way. I received an '03 as a 21st birthday present (parents thought it would persuade me to NOT pursue music and go to dental school, what a mistake that was). When you look up that time frame, lots of people suggest there was something special around 00-04 before the weight relief stuff popped up. That's on the standard runs, custom shop who knows; they were probably all awesome.
Also kudos for not letting the top persuade you. That "Nicki" color was so gnarly looking but if it didn't melt with you as much, you did the right thing! -P
What a great thing to have Tim as a friend who is willing to come along and choose a les Paul with you...its as if he is choosing it for him....such a great guy...such an amazing sounding les Paul. Great video guys.
rhett and tim together demoing guitars is the feel-good vibe we all needed
It pays off to have the right friends.Going Les Paul shopping w/Tim Pierce @ Norm's is a truly treasured experience & we got to come along for the ride! Thx Tim & Rhett...felt amazing, like I was a fly on the gear wall.
I just discovered Tim's channel and am amazed. Andy Woods, Rhett Shull, Brent Mason, Tim Dawes and Rick Beato are incredible channels for the guitar player
If you have not already, check out Tom Bukovac. 501chorusecho These guys are all awesome and inspiring.
Literally came to make the post about TB.
...and for giggles and amazement, there's Greg Koch!
add Paul Stafford Cook to the equation and thank me later
Thanks, later. @@sheriffdohboy
Congratulations! What a fantastic sounding guitar. Watching the two of you compare Les Paul after Les Paul back to back was inspiring and super entertaining.
and he came through on his day off
Love that moment when you and your guitar "bond"...My 1st LP was a very similar experience. I was in Guitar Center, at the time when the walls were filled with nice guitars (as well as not even putting the more expensive guys so high up you needed help grabbing it) I went through quite a few and the guy helping me went to the back and grabbed a Custom and as soon as i started playing it i thought "OH NO! I'm in trouble!"🤸♀ Needless to say I walked out with it 🕺
Congratulations, Rhett! I have heard many Les Pauls, but that Les Paul you chose really, really stood out immediately. Happy playing!!
Thanks Beth!
Imagine just going Les Paul shopping like it's a new pair of shoes haha. Well done fellas, you deserve it and enjoy it for the rest of us!
What a beautiful guitar 😭 congrats Rhett! ✌🏻
Rhett should prob take you along when he looks for his dream Strat 🎸
You got a pretty nice les paul yourself man 😂😂😂
Proud owner of a brand new Standard 60's blueberry! Amazing sound! Congrats for your new acquisition!!
You hit the nail on the head anything from the custom shop in the 90s was a home run I own 4 alone from 95 all within a few hundred serial numbers of eachother each with its own amazing personality. From early 90s on up to today nothing compares except for a handful of originals.
Great video! I felt like I'm shopping with you!
To me, the one you bought and the Goldtop sounded best, '17 Brazilian looked best.
You can never have enough Les Pauls...
Congrats!
You should do a collab with El estepario siberiano
Agreed! That gold top’s sound knocked me out… but I’ve always hated the look- incredible sounding guitar that was
Great field trip man. From my armchair assessment, you got the best sounding and prettiest looking guitar from the ones you chose from although that gold top was stunning too! Thanks Rhett for sharing that experience. It was a treat to see you and Tim narrowing the selections down.
Congratulations RHETT!
Really dug the Dynamic Duo playing these Tone worthy works of Art! You picked right!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏
Congratulations man !! As close to holy grail LP as anyone could hope or need to be. Enjoy 🥳
I really had a great time watching this! Now you've found THE LP, as I can hear all the way from sweden what a superb sounding instrument that is. Looks the part too, so congrats.
It’s honestly wild how much better that one sounded. I was hoping the dark amber top would win out just because I love the look, but you definitely made the right choice
What a great demonstration of how much variance there can be within a guitar family. This will change the way I shop for instruments!
Or not.
So true, not just for guitars but also for drums and cymbals too! And let's not forget tube amps!
@@CaptainCraigKWMRZ Tone is one thing, but effortless playability might be more important.
Congrats on this absolute gem Rhett. I picked up my 50s gold top from the same guy you were working with in there. Been a dream come true from good people.
Thanks for keeping YT fun still
When two of my favorite UA-camrs collide - sweet! Congratulations Rhett! You picked a winner😊
Loved the program what a great way to hear these guitars you guys both play great and you're right Tim is the king of tone he always has been since high school to now holy cow what a fun buying spree to have somebody like Tim and yourself finding the magic guitar congratulations.
Rhett, of all your videos, this has to rank in a very small class of favorites. Tim is a very special guy, just as nice and brilliant as he seems and Norm's is a bucket list experience for any player. I'm so happy you had that experience and came up with that guitar. And yes, the Tim connections sure would infuse an extra sentimental element. I just have to repeat how happy I am for you.
It wou;d be great to shop with Tim for anything. He always seems to find the joy in everything. Great guitar, too. Congratulations.
The first time that guitar was played by Tim, it just literally exploded out of that Fender Amp. It was a legit gut punch. That thing has tone for ages.
15:21 Tim tells everything with his reaction. He's played a few of these things and that was a genuine impression this thing made on him. You've got a true piece of art, an incredible tool, a phenomenal long-term investment and a lifetime of sonic bliss. Congratulations Rhett!
It was there waiting to be found by you Rhett - what a great find, there is nothing better than that feeling when you connect with a guitar, take it home, and get to carry on the story with it until it moves on. These things will outlast us, hopefully, and they will tell their story to others in the future. What a privilege. Congratulations!
I am so glad that the UA-cam platform allows us access to legends like Tim Pierce. I knew about his musical accomplishments, but now I know he has the biggest heart and smile also. Nobody enjoys playing guitar as much as Tim. Please tell me you and Tim signed/dated it somewhere, like under the pots cover.
If we can tell it is different from compressed YT audio, I can only imagine how amazing it should have sounded in the room while comparing to the others.
I am just here to say that UA-cam at 1080p is not bad audio by any stretch of the imagination. It's how they recorded it which was poorly.
I agree. Could actually hear the difference when usually I can’t lol
@@ant3352 Try recording YT audio at all video quality levels, you may be surprised at what you find.
@@ant3352 Video quality does not equate to audio quality. Best audio quality YT has is about equal to a medium quality mp3. Most viewers are listening on speakers that are too crappy to tell the difference anyway :)
Hi Rhett. I'm an old dude from Seattle and started guitar at age 55. Still playing and growing at age 61. People like you, Rick and Paul Davids have inspired me. Have really enjoyed watching you take off. Just an inspiring story. Really love Dipped In Tone, too! Anyway, congrats on your new Les Paul!
Thanks so much J L!
Cool man. I’m 52, just got a flamed maple Samick (?) with LP pickups and an Orange practice amp. If you can do it at 55, there’s hope for me yet. Rock on ! 😀🤘🏻
For sure!
Awesome, brother! Please turn me on to your music, UA-cam site, podcasts, vlogs, lessons and bands you tour with. Look so forward to seeing and hearing them!!!!
I had so much fun with this video, I felt in sync with the feelings and observations, and felt a “click” with the “Paul” that you took home. Pleasure.
In 2018 I had the opportunity to visit Norm's Rare Guitars. It was a rare experience. Sat on the couch with Norm and had our photo taken together. At his store at that time, in its case, was Joe Bonamassa's Les Paul that Gibson had made for him. #1 JB, or something like that was the serial number. It was there on consignment and Joe had even hand written a letter to the prospective buyer. What a treat to see. I took a photo of the letter. Thank-you, Bret for the re-visit. Watching you pick out at Les Paul was a treat. Just like all of your other videos, I felt like I was right there with you and Tim.
Congratulations Rhett! You deserve it without a doubt!
Congratulations Rhett on your new Les Paul, it looks and sounds absolutely beautiful it's amazing how you and Tim have that 'ear' for sound and you can differentiate between different guitars.
The gold top sounded the best imo. It had that perfect balance, where you could play beautiful cleans with it but also just flat out rock if needed.
I love how you guys evaluate each guitar on tone, feel, weight, neck, without focusing on tech specs. There was no "This is a Burstbucker 2 and I like a . . . . " I agree that it's amazing how the same recipe yields so many different flavors.
Super sounding guitar...thanks for letting us in on the hunt!
It's a ringer! Even on my laptop without headphones the difference with the other Les Pauls was obvious. You're lucky to have such a friend Rhett, that will come along and be the matchmaker between you and a mighty fine instrument.Congratulations.
It blew every other guitar away and I’m watching on my phone. Can’t imagine what it sounds like in person. It went to a good home 👍
@@noahvillasenor67
Blew them away ? Lol.
@@stricknine8623 when me, Tim Pierce, and Rhett Shull are in agreement, it has to be true 😂
@@noahvillasenor67
Lol,...That's just it, they aren't in agreement with you..All of the guitars were described as great and the one he got as the best.
I'm exploiting the extreme exaggeration of the phrase "blew them away"
Guitars like those being played dont get blown away..They were simply splitting hairs and the one Rhett has edged the others out.
@@stricknine8623 I could also say my Epiphone blows Rhett’s R9 out of the water and not be wrong. It’s just an opinion, mate.
Oh, now that looks like a lot of fun!
Congrats, man! I love how you chose tone and feel of the instrument over aesthetic-there was one other in your top 4 that I appreciated more based on its top. Nonetheless, a lesson to you guitar hunters who are actual players- seek out an environment where you can actually demo the instrument, and base your choice on what hits ya just right-that’s how ya find a “forever” guitar, friends.
🤘🏻
the most satisfying guitar chase!
A fun hunt and wonderful playing.
Thank you for all your insights brothers!
When he starts playing at 16:05 you can tell its the one, original '59s, at least the famous ones just seem to release music the second you touch the strings
Tim yelling "I don't want any rules!" is my spirit animal
It’s actually quite refreshing to see pros pickout a guitar based on things that matter. Since they were all custom shop historic reissues, things like looks and colour and flame looks were all top notch in all the guitars. It came down to the tone and feel and tbh the one that you picked did sound the best to me as well. Cheers to you on finding this treasure of a guitar.
As an old guy I agree - when it comes down to it the 'credentials' don't matter - it's what feels right when you play it. That said, if I had the money and could shop in a place like this I'd be a happy bunny. My '68 Custom will do for me for now :) Fun video.
This is definitely one of the very best videos I’ve ever seen in the Guitar UA-cam World. The combination of Rhett and Tim at Norm’s testing Les Pauls together is outstanding content. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now can you guys meet me there to find my Strat?
Thanks Spanky!
Can’t say it any better than you did
@@RhettShull what pickups in your new LP?
@@bmac6456 I’ve got the same model 1999 R9 although he didn’t mention that it’s actually a 40th anniversary model, and that makes a big difference, these aren’t just regular custom shop, they’re limited run specials that are supposed to be (and actually are) as close to a real 59 as possible. The original pickups are Classic 57’s, perfect for this guitar.
So jealous. That Les Paul you found is so perfect. It was the best of the lot by far just purely judging by tone and I could only imagine how good it sounds in person and how it feels to play. Only ever owned one Les Paul standard years ago and it wasn't a special one by any means.
Great video, love the guitar. Love to hear the Les Paul played on stage. Good luck!
It's pretty amazing how much variation there is between wooden instruments that are so similar in materials and workmanship. But it's significant.
Could be just the pickup or pole height difference. hahaha
@@davidletterboyz I think you might be right.. those custombuckers can be all over the place
The wood makes no difference. All that matters is the electronics - pickups (placement and type) and tone knobs.
@@davidletterboyz My first thought if you are going to compare head to head make sure the pick up hight and poles are exactly the same as can be
@@jsalvatoriif that were true, guitars would be made out of plywood and shitty particle board
Let's go!! Always a fun time to go along for the ride on a guitar safari! Congrats on the killer lp
Congratulations on the Les Paul Rhett! It’s not only a ringer but a looker too!
You have to give an acknowledgement to that great amp, the Fender Deluxe, for translating the tones of the guitars and the touch and feel of those great players. Great video
So proud for you Rhett. I too own a ‘99 R9 Murphy Aged one Owner LP that I bought a few years ago from a friend of Jeff Andrews at Andrew’s Amp Lab in Atlanta . I don’t know what it is about the pickups but they sound like no other LP I own. I did change the pancake caps out with bumble bees but it made little difference in the overall sound. This is my main working guitar now as it sounds so good. One thing though, I did get a certificate of authenticity with it along with the bill of sale, and history letter from the previous owner.
Enjoy it every day as you are an incredible player.
I wonder what the price range was about $8,500? $10k? Or more ? Love this model.
An amazing selection of amazing LPs you were able to share with us. High five to Tim for his input and expertise too. Congrats on the fine new axe.
Such a great moment when you finally find what you've been hoping for. Enjoy every moment with it!
The saying "like a kid in a candy store" never applied more litterally to anyone anywhere than to Tim at Norm's rare guitars, he craked me up xD
Rhett, Thanks for sharing your shopping adventure / experience. I'm so jealous, at Norm's with Tim Pierce shopping for a killer Les Paul! Your new LP looks and sounds awesome, congratulations!
Thanks, guys, that was fun to watch... and fascinating. I wish I could have been there to hear and feel the actual sound. With your experience you guys were so quick to hear certain qualities and differences, that was amazing. That must be one helluva guitar you got there!
Such fun to watch - two master playing friends loving guitars and great guitars. What could be a better way to start the day.
6:53 It's cool how the way A players hold, and strum and play can make the same guitar can sound so different. Tim's touch has sonic implications.
There is a clarity to Tim's playing that was quite obvious.
@@JamesHartnell Tim just amazes me on so many levels...here's this cheerful guy who looks like he might work in a hardware store who is in reality a superstar within his ranks.
Me da mucho gusto que la hayas encontrado, sobre todo acompañado del Sr. Tim Pierce. Estoy retomando la guitarra seriamente desde la pandemia después de muchos años. Siempre toqué acústica y ahora recién inicio el viaje con la eléctrica, asi que estoy videos son de verdad de mucha ayuda, no tienen idea. Se aprende mucho con ustedes, sobre todo en este sobre el sonido de cada guitarra, cada detalle. Se agradece. Suerte y saludos desde Lima, Perú
Found my 2020 unburst at Norms
Im soooo in love with it!
Great video I felt yer excitement
Gibson made some of the best Les Paul's through the 90's, mine is a 96 an it's a killer sound and playability.
Completely awesome. Wish we knew how many video courses the viewers need to purchase to cover that gem.
best comment
so great.....you are lucky to have Brandon there!!!! he knows his stuff!!!!!!!
Amazing how big of a difference there were. Definitely gave very different feelings.
Major Score! Happy for you brother. Gorgeous top, nice sunburst (not over the top). Killer Les Paul. Congrats. And yeah, Tim is a great guy with a refined ear.
Two great players playing great guitars. Its cool hearing how the same guitar sounds different between the two players.
What a lovely sounding guitar. Congrats Rhett
It seems to me those '99 40th anniversary R9s are special guitars. I have one and it's my favorite of the many I've owned as well. People use the term "good wood era" for those, and mine does have a beautifully tight, straight grain on the back and super dark fretboard. A bucket list LP for sure!
Bringing Tim to the guitar shop with you is a smart move for sure. Congrats on the new guitar. It's a beauty.
Congratulations Rhett on a fantastic Les Paul. What a gorgeous guitar. Looking forward to seeing more of this guitar in your vids.
So, this episode planted a seed in my brain.
*You need to try them all, and do it with a friend.*
I found The One.... 7.4 lbs, BOTB '59 in Dirty Lemon. Great top, great neck profile shaping and taper, incredibly resonant, and there wasn't an imperfect place on the fretboard as far as comfort goes.
This video gave me a valuable lesson: it had me trying every single LP and LP styled (including some PRS McCarty stuff) till my mind said "yeah this is it." Along with that, I had some financial positions go positive, so I was within striking distance for it. I went for it, aimed for the moon and it was a direct hit. And I did so with a few honest friends who helped me rationalize the situation and maybe point out a thing or two that I hadn't noticed here or there. There wasn't any egging on the whole time, just a learning experience with a very perfect takeaway.
Thanks for the visual lesson, Rhett & Tim, this is how you should pick out a guitar.
That’s more than a guitar. It’s an heirloom. Congrats! 🎉
Well said my man. I hope mine gets the heirloom treatment when I die, but for God's sake don't take less than $1500 for it honey!!
Congrats man! awesome. Also, hard to beat having someone like Tim go guitar shopping with you :-) Not usually a big fan of Les Pauls, but I have to admit that sucker has a really good sound.
I like that you came in knowing what kind of sound you wanted. That alone makes finding your guitar a lot more productive. It's sorta like finding a wife hehe
Congratulations my friend! Sounds absolutely AMAZING!!!
Sounds incredible! Loved this style video of how you select your guitar and what that process looks like and really opened my eyes as I’m in search of a ES 335. Will keep in mind in the future thank you!!
This was an invaluable video on so many levels. Great work, Rhett. Kudos on the selection and to Tim on the assist. I try to bring someone along expressly to try and talk me out of a purchase. That way if I walked out with an instrument, it was for the right reasons. I feel fortunate to have been privy to your process. You guys answered so many questions with so few words. It would be impossible to overstate the value in that. I couldn't be more appreciative.
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What a beauty, I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know how good a Les Paul sounded through a Deluxe. Every day’s a school day.
The Deluxe is my desrt island amp:)
Congratulations, Rhett! The expression on your face at Norman’s once you’ve decided THAT’s the one is priceless 🥰
I love the process and Tim. Congratulations Rhett. It's a keeper.
Yes, you made a very good choice. Awesome guitar. I would have never believed it, but I could hear the difference. Enjoy.
Can’t imagine going to a place like Norm’s and having a choice of every gradation of tone and color of a guitar.
You make it sound great Rhett… enjoy.
Thank you!
Hello Rhett. Congratulations on your amazing new Les Paul! Late 1990s and early 2000's were some of Gibson's absolute best years on par with 56-59.
What a beautiful, organic, intimate connection with a guitar. Hell yea Rhett!!
Great Pick, my ears heard a definite winner and you were spot on with your pick
The pickups sound amazing! If you do clone them and if you make them available to purchase, I'd love to buy a set!
me 2 please inform us
AGREED!!!! I would buy a set in a minute!!!! Sounded freaking incredible!!!!!
2 Questions:
What pickups are in that guitar...?
Did you pay $8200 ? That is insane.
question 1: PAF replicas, in this case Classic 57's. new r9 reissues have Burstbuckers
question 2: 8200 is at the high end for a Les Paul Reissue. in this case that top really is nice, and probably the main reason for the premium. add to the fact it's being sold at Normans, THE boutique Gibson store and you get that price
@@qwertpoiuy430
I just got a Les Paul Standard 50's with a AAA top and 57 classic p'ups from Sweetwater and I paid $2400 discounted price.
The top on mine is super nice . The guitar sounds incredible. and I saved $5800, I guess.
No denying Rhett got a magic guitar, but for $8200 you could buy an L5 Wes Montgomery (If Gibson still made them.)
@@thomassawicki2065 yes, but this is a r9. While the new standard 50’s are good quality, they are no where near the detail of the r9’s
R9s are 1-1 replicas of the 59’s. Long neck tenons, exact type of bond wood glue, exactly the same type of ink stamps, case/case candy, headstock and Gibson logo shape, handpicked and matched top and backs, in some cases Brazilian rosewood (they showed one in the vid).
The r9s are also made in the custom shop, not the regular production line. The only step above those are Murphy labs, which include aging from mr murphy himself who was a very famous finisher at the custom shop, who they say might have had a hand in Rhett’s guitar.
Just to close out, r9s usually sell for 5-6k new. They are not for someone who wants a good Les Paul, they are for someone who wants a a 59 burst without spending 500k+.
Now, we all know this is not the best value, but if you know that’s exactly what you want (a 59 burst) this is the closest you can get under 10k
@@qwertpoiuy430
I don't believe the r9's are superior instruments.
Nothing you mentioned is a definitive improvement.
The long neck tenon gets routed out for the neck pickup .
Modern glue bonds just as well.
Brazillian rosewood is prettier, maybe, but. I doubt it sounds any better.
The build quality on my production model is as nice as my Custom Shop Wes Montgomery L5.
And Murphy lab us a bad joke.
A 1959 is a 59.
An r9 is a 2022. Guitars get better as they age and the resins evaporate .
My 1994 Es165 improved immensely over the years. But it takes years.
That's my opinion, as a pro player for 57 years. and a Jazz Artist.
@@thomassawicki2065 I agree with you in every one of these statements, but we say that as the players we are, not the collectors that these where made for. For the collector, it will matter.
I myself prefer the lower end models, I have not bought another les Paul because I am saving my money for a es-225. My last guitar is an Alamo Fiesta from the 60s that was 150 dollars and it is the most joyful guitar I’ve laid my hands on.
But none of that matters for the collector, they want those exclusive features.
In the context of a mix…
No one is gonna know which is which. 😂
Sure, but still you want a guitar that inspires you and sounds like you want it to when you are practicing, rehearsing alone, or coming up with parts.
Super nice LP, and very interesting to hear the differences in the also-rans. You did pick a winner- congrats!
Rhett, Your chosen Les Paul does sound sweet and very robust. And the top, beautiful! That was a great video, of you and Tim trying out Les Pauls, what you were looking for in the tone, as well as the the comparisons between the guitars.
Honestly imo this is all price tag placebo bs.