[Brian Baker]

Found this site in a quick search for "1953 Les Paul Goldtop":

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/lpgold0.html

The very first guitar pictured is exactly like the one my old sweethearts stepfather owned. If you think modern Les Paul's are heavy, then this one would have felt like an anchor hanging off your neck.

[67blackcherry]

Great story and thanks for the link, Brian! I can't stand those trapezoid tailpieces, nothing stable to rest your picking hand on.

I wanted a Lester before I even started playing and my first electric was a Les Paul copy, tobacco sunburst of course! My first good axe was a maple necked Fender strat with a humbucker because the whole Eddie Van Halen thing, that was early 1982; I ended up with a total of 4 strats with humbuckers & Floyd Rose setups. I didn't get my tobacco Lester until 1990, and that was my first Les Paul.

Those wrap around bridges have a great tone, completely different from the tune-a-matic bridge. The Custom I had sounded dark; I think a wrap around bridge would've done the trick.

[Super Duty D]

Originally Posted by 67blackcherry

Great story and thanks for the link, Brian! I can't stand those trapezoid tailpieces, nothing stable to rest your picking hand on.
I didn't get my tobacco Lester until 1990, and that was my first Les Paul.

Those wrap around bridges have a great tone, completely different from the tune-a-matic bridge. The Custom I had sounded dark; I think a wrap around bridge would've done the trick.

Got my Tobacco in 1989 or there about. Heavy, about 11 lbs. or so.
I think I may have posted this before, but here it goes again.
I rewired this axe with the jimmy page setup....Phase switches for each pickup, push pull tone pots for each pickup as well, hotter Gibson neck and bridge humbucker's, wired in to the JP wiring set up. The combination of tone out of this thing is amazing.
The fact that it is heavy, I believe, leads to it tight tonality (new word?)
This thing is a pleasure to play through any Marshall amp.

Marshall's do play clean as well. let's not forget a JTM 45 through some green back's
Eh?

Oh, Jimmy P pic set up attached..

[67blackcherry]

This is a great book for an fan of the "sunburst" Les Pauls from 1958-1960

http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Burst-Y...0347380&sr=8-1

It discusses in depth the tone behind what many consider to be "the guitar".

I looked through my copy, but couldn't find anything regarding how the weight effects the tone. IIRC, the lighter guitars breathe a bit better and are more lively. Then again, tone is subjective to the ears of the listener.

PS - playing a Marshall clean is like driving your Pontiac slow; what's the fun in that?

[Brian Baker]

Originally Posted by 67blackcherry

PS - playing a Marshall clean is like driving your Pontiac slow; what's the fun in that?

Testify!

[poison heart]

That's awful! Poor Les

I was going through my records the other day and I have about 7 of his original 45s on Capital Records. I guess I better go put on "Mocking Bird Hill"

[dmorg1]

This Smartwood belongs to my son. Although not as desirable as the early pieces, it's still an exceptional instrument especially when plugged to an Ampeg VT60.

Dave

[Cobrabill]

Maybe tonight,i'll break out my 83 Tobacco Sunburst and scare my birds

[bigpop]

A true innovator,as stated here.Brian,thanks for the link(s). I used to watch Les Paul and Mary Ford on T.V. on various shows.Ed,Steve Allen,and the like.
My buddy Jeff,an accomplished guitarist,played with the Cryan Shames in the 70's some,had to hock his Gold top,an early 70's I recall,to get out of a scrape he was not responsible for in any way!!! He didn't ask me to help him,too proud.

I'd love to get a 64 SG some day,YahBaby !!! Rest in peace,and thanks,Les

Larry B.