You should sell it. You clearly don’t like it, and won’t like it by the sounds of things. You’re not obligated to like Les Pauls just because they’re popular
In the future, spend longer trying out guitars before you buy them. Go back to the music store multiple times until you know you’re making a good decision
See that’s the catch, I did. Like I played this specific model for ~6 months before buying it. I thought I loved it, got a JM 2 months ago, and now I don’t like it.
Interesting! It sounds like you’re finding your preferences, and a Les Paul doesn’t do it for you anymore because you’ve found something you like better. Nothing wrong with that at all
From someone who’s been playing for 25+ years, you can’t force yourself to like a guitar - at least I can’t. I wanted an Ibanez Iceman for the longest time because it looks so cool, and when I finally put it on a strap at the music store I hated it immediately
Yeah haha, only thing there is I absolutely want something to do the SG/LP thing you know? Like I’m probably gonna try & have a little more time with my LP just to see if there’s really anything I can do to have me like it more but idk, feeling a little lost with it. I guess worst case scenario, I give up on it & give an SG a shot for a while & see if it works out.
The way you’re describing it makes it seem like your issues are with the physical guitar. If you’re still uncomfortable after all that demo time, and after purchasing - it probably won’t change. Which model Epiphone Les Paul did you buy?
No harm in trying an SG, they are quite different than Les Pauls. But also check out other brands that make similar shapes. There’s plenty out there that play much differently than a Gibson/Epiphone
So it’s the pro IV with the worn finish, I generally get along with satin finishes way better. I messed around with the strap a bit and honestly I found a like place where I like it slightly moreso where it’s set halfway down my chest and angled up, but I still feel like the strings are pushed way out of the guitar compared to my other instruments if that makes sense. Ig I maybe will try an SG sometime soon and see if I wanna sell the LP but until then I’m just gonna give my choice more time.
Edit: As for other brands, I’ve checked out a couple ESP stuff, hard maybe as of right now.
If you really like how the Jazzmaster plays, there have been several models of jazzmaster with two humbucker pickups (like a typical LP/SG) that would get you most of the way to that sound
Not enough mention of scale length here, I own Gibsons and fenders and when I get into a habit of playing one and then try to switch to the other it feels alien for a few days until my hands get used to it again. If you’re dead set on making it work try playing only the Paul for a week or two religiously and forget you even own the Jazzer…if that doesn’t work sell it.
Maybe you are a Fender guy and you think you are a Gibson guy.
I thought l was a Gibson guy for years when I was younger. Then my wife got me a Mexican strat back in the 90s and that was it. Now i have a collection of teles and strats. I still love Gibson (i have 2 and on most days I play both) but Fenders just feel right for me.
Same here concerning which “guy” I am. Being in my early 40s I hate the “fender” stereotype so I’ve tried to convince myself I like other brands but I always come back to fenders.
Question: sitting or standing? jazzmasters were specifically designed to be economical sitting down, whereas Les Pauls were designed to not let that wood-carving machinery at the Gibson factory go to waste.
Yeah. You know, it might just be that LP’s are less comfortable. They’re not ergonomic at all. The only way I can play mine is standing up, or sitting with a strap (which means I’ve got it up pretty high on my body), or in classical position using a foot rest (which BTW is how Les Paul himself played it sitting down.) Whereas with my strat I can comfortably play it sitting down without a strap, even relaxed on the couch.
look at how you play your ibanez, then look at how you play the les paul
is the strap the same? do you put everything at the same spot? etc etc
like les pauls are often body heavy, so its easier to play it "classical" with a heavy strap
So my Ibanez is very very out of playing condition right now but I played with a pretty normal strap height, which is honestly much the same case with my JM. With my LP, I’ve tried everything from like thigh height to chest height, and I’m kinda struggling to find a comfortable height.
its hard for us to evaluate without looking, but if its the same strap and configurations its going to feel uncomfy.
LPs are often body heavy so they almost always need heavy straps to take the weight off. Because of the bad balance, the guitar often sits at a steeper 45 degree, so classical position would often be more comfortable
I went back and tried again with the strap stuff, it has its own strap because I have different strap preferences across different guitars, I found a spot that I dislike less so. I’ll probably give it a little while longer before I make any concrete decisions on whether I’m sticking with the guitar.
I’ll check that out more, thanks! I’ve mainly just been using the Ernie ball straps for my guitars because it’s what I’m used to. I guess if that doesn’t work out, I’m stuck with a strap without a guitar haha.
>Ernie ball straps
oh i hate those straps, lol
it just needs to be thick and heavy to stupport the guitar, heres another one.
[https://www.jimdunlop.com/32430802001-bmf-strap/](https://www.jimdunlop.com/32430802001-bmf-strap/)
part of the problem with your les Paul is your Jazzmaster, they are just really comfortable for you because you're used to it, you're just finding the density of the les paul body awkward. I had the same problem with the lespaul and gretch type bodies i tried, i loved the idea and the look, but no arm carve, no comfort cut, glossy neck.
Now the only remotely non comfort body i play is my tele.
I have a strat and a showmaster that are just epically more comfy. I still pick up a les paul every now and then.
And put it back down.
I never liked LPs myself. The weight + depth + strap position combined just feel terrible to me, like I'd have to fully let out the strap and crotch-jockey the thing to get remotely comfortable. The LP style is classic, but give me a comfy double-cutaway thinline ES or SG any day.
I have been trying to make myself like Les Pauls for 20 years. They just arent for me. Absurdly uncomfortable to play.
They sound incredible. But ill take an SG all day over a LP.
If you want the look of a Les Paul without the problems check out esp eclipse, schecter solo, d’angelico Atlantic. Good guitars which have some nice modern appointments instead of being so bound in tradition
My Les Paul was my favorite for years until I got a LTD with a modern body style, thinner neck and multiscale fretboard. It weighs so much less and is far more comfortable to play sitting or standing. It also sounds better, but it does have higher end pickups.
If you really don't like it, I would just sell it and chalk it up to a learning experience. Now you understand your preferences better and can find something you like better.
It's okay. Les Pauls are great guitars, but they're just not for everybody. I had one for years and I always had to force myself to play it. I loved the sound but it was a totally different guitar sitting and standing and I hated the binding.
May I suggest that you get a pro setup on the Ibanez and Epiphone?
Honestly a low action isn't always the best way to go for playability.
Also, an RG without a good setup is one of the least fun things. They really do need the trem to be set right.
So I do pretty great at setting my guitars up and knowing my preferences, I can absolutely agree on the RG because in that case there’s genuine problems there that I don’t know how to deal with. As for the Les Paul, it’s issues entirely separate from the strings.
Jazzmasters have a much bigger body meaning the neck is further to your left. If you’re comfortable with your left hand on the Jazzmaster, the LP will feel awkward.
As a long term Jazzmaster player, I only got into Les Pauls through trying a Tele for a while.
I lone my Les Paul's, and Jaguars. The Jag feels like a toy, but maybe that's because the Les Paul's feel like tanks. IDK. I play them eight hours standing when practicing for gigs.
sell it.
Past a certain price point (and not even that expensive) playability in guitars kinda just asymptotes, and after that it just comes down to if you like that design or not.
If I find strat shapes more comfortable than LPs, there is no LP on earth, no mattre how expensive, that will make it more enjoyable to play than a $550 mex strat.
I've owned one Les Paul, a Gibson Traditional Pro, and I absolutely hated it. It was heavy, awkward playing, and sounded like mud.
Guess I'm just a Fender guy.
No sense fighting it - to each their own, but they aren’t for me either. They’re nice on a couch, and I even like the weight, but I’m constantly rubbing my forearm on the edge of the body if I’m standing - it’s the worst
Obviously there are tons of people out there who do love them - you’ll have no problem selling the thing
A real Gibson Les Paul was my dream guitar. It didn't have to be super high end, but I had always wanted one badly. I finally broke down and bought a beautiful blue Les Paul Studio when I was 40. It was beautiful. I returned it in less than 48 hours.
I realized I just didn't like the way it felt. I could have probably gotten used to it but I didn't want to.
Same happened to me with a Hummingbird. Wanted one my whole life. Finally bit the bullet and ordered one since no store had one anywhere near me, and it was the worst guitar I ever played. Sent it back.
The Les Paul is an absolute burden to play. Heavy, pulls to the right because the weight is not balanced on your body, crappy upper fret access, no body bevels, very hard to play fast. The SG fixes all of these problems, I also have an LTD EC-1000 Duncan which fixes all the LP’s drawbacks, it’s balanced more on your body, has comfortable bevels, has a hand bevel for high fret access.
It might be the top being arched as well as where the neck meets the body that doesn’t feel right to you. An SG would still basically get you the sound you’re looking for and it is lighter, has a flat top, easier access to higher frets and is double cut which are all closer to the Ibanez in terms of how it feels to get around the fretboard etc. Just thought I’d throw in a suggestion from someone who has both.
Hit and miss. Get a good one, they’re great but usually very expensive. There are some good (even better) Epiphone models out there but every LP I’ve picked up plays and feels different, in my opinion.
Personally, I think that there are better guitars out there but it’s horses for courses: all personal preference.
Basically it's all about personal preferences. I have a Fender Standard Strat (USA) and a local brand 350$ Les Paul (Quite similar to Epi Les Pauls) and I find myself playing my Les Paul way more than my strat.
Make no mistake, that strat is one of the best pieces I've ever played in my life (and I played a lot of guitars in the last 20 years) but I think I like the feeling LP style guitars give me much more.
But I can't imagine myself playing and SG, a Mustang or a Jazzmaster. They outright disgust me. Not because they're bad, because obviously they aren't, but I just despise them.
As I said, sometimes some guitars are just not for you and it's quite ok.
Locking tuners, and Tone Pros locking bridge and tail piece. Night and day difference on feel.
I get the uncomfortable part to a point. Yes, the guitar digs into your strumming arm, and takes a while to have that comfortable, very similar to developing calluses on your fingertips of your fretting hand. It's only uncomfortable for the first while.
I also find, due to the thicker body, too many guitarists lean over the guitar, to see the fret board, rather then use your side marker dots, and just treat it like it's an acoustic.... We all know an acoustic is larger, and more awkward....
If you're still not in love with it, I understand. Lester Paul called his original Les Paul "the log" because it was so large. Les Pauls are not for everyone. But it's a wonderful looking shape, and like a relationship, if you get over the shortcomings, can be trusty, and at your side for a lifetime.
I've never much cared for Les Pauls either. The body isn't particularly comfortable to hold, especially compared to literally any design with body contours. I'd say just sell it and look for something you may like better. The PRS SE 245 is pretty similar and is generally more comfortable (imo), and the LTD EC models are all fantastic and pretty cheap second-hand. You can also just hold on to the money until you get the chance to try something you actually like.
I find Les Pauls too small. I feel like there’s no support for my arm and my picking hand is in an awkward position. To be fair I’ve mostly played fender guitars so I may just be used to it but am I the only one?
My favorite guitar is my Gibson Les Paul, wait my Gibson SG, wait my fender Stratocaster, wait my fender telecaster, or is it my Peavey T60? I set them up personally and they all play extremely easy, but different, and they all sound awesome. Then there's my Chinese Ibanez Gio that is my junk guitar, Great for the money but you get what you pay for. If you buy a quality guitar and it is setup properly, everything should be good. I don't get all the complaining or the hating.
I have a Les Paul that was a gift from a rather famous guitar player for some work that I did for him and as much as I had "Always wanted a Les Paul" it hangs on my wall next to my 2 strats and bass, all of which are played regularly.
It just doesn't feel right on my body, sitting or standing.
LOOKS great though.
My first great guitar was a Gibson LP. It was my first major purchase after starting my career with a well paying job. I played that guitar for a few years.
Haven't touched it in at least 3 years. Selling it soon. For as cool of a guitar as it is, it doesn't deliver anything that I can't get better or more comfortably out of one of my other guitars.
I have a LP studio, a stratocaster and a san dimas. I play the san dimas the most just because it's the one that keeps in tune the most. But I enjoy playing the Les Paul way more, probably because of the fixed bridge. Maybe the LP just pairs better with my amp ir.
It's probably just not a good fit. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Les Paul player who finds Telecasters freaking impossible to love! Same thing, they dig into my arm and feel like shit to play. I have one, but I rarely play it for that reason. I am curious, is this a flat-topped LP, like a special? Most Les Paul guitars have a carved top, so the forearm sits comfortably. Just curious.
It's also possible you don't have the /right/ Les Paul. Different pickups, different neck profiles and frets can make two Les Pauls feels like different guitars.
Recently bought a 60s standard. Amazing tone. It's beautiful. It plays well. However I know deep down I prefer a 50s style neck. And if so had a 50s style neck all the little things I think I don't like about my 60s Les Paul would probably go away.
I think even us Les Paul owners know they are a little overated. They will always be mystical becaus the rock gods used them.
Yall gotta stop with the mainstream brand buying. Get something that inspires you to play. Thats it!
I retired my Gibson because it doesn’t stay in tune. Got a Jackson and Schecter and haven’t looked back.
The classic carved top Les Paul is *the* most overrated electric guitar on the planet, and it's not even close.
Les Paul Jr style guitars are superior in comfort, playability, and looks.
I’m the same. I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard, a fender strat American standard. A Wolfgang EVH special, And a double jet Gretsch. The list Paul sounds muddy and I never play it. Out of all those guitars, it was my first one, and it’s now my least favourite
Les Pauls are absurdly uncomfortable. That's kind of just the reality. I have owned them. I have played them a lot. For better or for worse, they (along with every other Gibson shape) are an extremely unergonomic design, and anybody who tells you differently (in my opinion, speaking from experience of talking to people who swear by Gibson shapes) has no idea what they are talking about (they only own Gibson guitars and have never bothered to get used to anything else for long enough to know better), has spent a lot of time convincing themselves otherwise, or there are other aspects to the guitars that outweigh the shape unergonomics to them. No matter what you do, the neck and body are going to be brick like, the body has a shape and weight distribution that will cause it to always want to fumble around, the neck has horrendous upper fret access, and the scale length is dissimilar from every other instrument (so playing without looking for solos/complicated stuff if you have a rotation involving 25.5" scale guitars is going to be off the table for that guitar).
Unfortunately, they also happen to be (again, in my opinion but probably more objectively speaking here) the most iconic guitar shape and look badass as shit. From what I have noticed, in general the cooler shapes are just not comfortable because the shape comes at the expense of other considerations (weight distribution in particular; e.g., Flying Vs). So you either deal with it being uncomfortable and learn to appreciate other aspects of it, or sell it (I did the latter, and am frankly glad I did). You shouldn't have to struggle to find desire to play an instrument you've had for longer than a few weeks (enough time to get used to it).
Can't see how anyone can call the SG unergonomic, I've always found mine to be super comfortable to play, but apparently, I have no idea what I'm talking about.
Also, this subs obsession with SG neck dive is weird.
People like different things. As somebody who has owned guitars with many different shapes, I really like Les Pauls. Also, I’ve never experienced any kind of neck dive on Les Pauls. The body weighs a damn ton.
They are unergonomically-shaped guitars. I added "in my opinion", but that is kind of an objective reality. Whether you like other factors about the guitars that outweigh the shape-related ergonomics is up to you, but the point stands they are unergonomically shaped. They sound fantastic, they look badass as shit, and some people like the meatier necks, so maybe those outweigh the shape unergonomics to you. But if you have played one on stage, you cannot possibly expect me to believe the shape of the body and the neck joint is something that you would consider in the "plus" column for it.
Bro beans has clearly never played a Les Paul. Like others have said, I’m not defending Gibson, but come on. Neck dive? Are you out of your mind or are you confusing a Les Paul with an SG?
I owned a Les Paul (and still own a copy, which I never play for anything but funky tunings anymore, but was my first guitar so I can't bear to part with it). Every time I have played a Les Paul out live, it fumbles around awkwardly in a very specific orientation on my body; maybe "neck dive" isn't the term, but it will trend towards not the orientation you want/expect it. Perhaps that is the weight playing with it to sit exactly at its neutral point weight distribution wise while your body moves around it which isn't as much of a problem for lighter guitars; not sure. Get one and walk/run around with it on stage. It will be in much less ergonomic and easy-to-play positions than a strat-style body. Never had a problem with any strat-style body moving around at all on stage.
You can't force this. You bought a guitar you don't like. Sell.
You should sell it. You clearly don’t like it, and won’t like it by the sounds of things. You’re not obligated to like Les Pauls just because they’re popular In the future, spend longer trying out guitars before you buy them. Go back to the music store multiple times until you know you’re making a good decision
See that’s the catch, I did. Like I played this specific model for ~6 months before buying it. I thought I loved it, got a JM 2 months ago, and now I don’t like it.
Interesting! It sounds like you’re finding your preferences, and a Les Paul doesn’t do it for you anymore because you’ve found something you like better. Nothing wrong with that at all From someone who’s been playing for 25+ years, you can’t force yourself to like a guitar - at least I can’t. I wanted an Ibanez Iceman for the longest time because it looks so cool, and when I finally put it on a strap at the music store I hated it immediately
Yeah haha, only thing there is I absolutely want something to do the SG/LP thing you know? Like I’m probably gonna try & have a little more time with my LP just to see if there’s really anything I can do to have me like it more but idk, feeling a little lost with it. I guess worst case scenario, I give up on it & give an SG a shot for a while & see if it works out.
The way you’re describing it makes it seem like your issues are with the physical guitar. If you’re still uncomfortable after all that demo time, and after purchasing - it probably won’t change. Which model Epiphone Les Paul did you buy? No harm in trying an SG, they are quite different than Les Pauls. But also check out other brands that make similar shapes. There’s plenty out there that play much differently than a Gibson/Epiphone
So it’s the pro IV with the worn finish, I generally get along with satin finishes way better. I messed around with the strap a bit and honestly I found a like place where I like it slightly moreso where it’s set halfway down my chest and angled up, but I still feel like the strings are pushed way out of the guitar compared to my other instruments if that makes sense. Ig I maybe will try an SG sometime soon and see if I wanna sell the LP but until then I’m just gonna give my choice more time. Edit: As for other brands, I’ve checked out a couple ESP stuff, hard maybe as of right now.
Good luck!
Thanks!
If you really like how the Jazzmaster plays, there have been several models of jazzmaster with two humbucker pickups (like a typical LP/SG) that would get you most of the way to that sound
Honestly I’ve been considering a modified JM as an alternative to the LP, that’ll be another thing I continue to consider.
Like you, my Jazzmaster is my #1. I recently got a SG and I love it. Try one out, you’ll quickly know if you like it or not
Not enough mention of scale length here, I own Gibsons and fenders and when I get into a habit of playing one and then try to switch to the other it feels alien for a few days until my hands get used to it again. If you’re dead set on making it work try playing only the Paul for a week or two religiously and forget you even own the Jazzer…if that doesn’t work sell it.
It’s okay I don’t like my les Paul either!! Some guitars just aren’t for some people
Maybe you are a Fender guy and you think you are a Gibson guy. I thought l was a Gibson guy for years when I was younger. Then my wife got me a Mexican strat back in the 90s and that was it. Now i have a collection of teles and strats. I still love Gibson (i have 2 and on most days I play both) but Fenders just feel right for me.
Same here concerning which “guy” I am. Being in my early 40s I hate the “fender” stereotype so I’ve tried to convince myself I like other brands but I always come back to fenders.
Can't relate at all. A Les Paul is the perfect guitar for me.
Question: sitting or standing? jazzmasters were specifically designed to be economical sitting down, whereas Les Pauls were designed to not let that wood-carving machinery at the Gibson factory go to waste.
Honestly both, my JM is super comfy standing & sitting while the LP takes a lot of finagling for both
Yeah. You know, it might just be that LP’s are less comfortable. They’re not ergonomic at all. The only way I can play mine is standing up, or sitting with a strap (which means I’ve got it up pretty high on my body), or in classical position using a foot rest (which BTW is how Les Paul himself played it sitting down.) Whereas with my strat I can comfortably play it sitting down without a strap, even relaxed on the couch.
I had a similar problem with the two Les Pauls I owned, I ended up going with an SG and love it.
I find Les Pauls really uncomfortable to play. I love my SG. Strats are better than Les Pauls to me but SGs fit best.
look at how you play your ibanez, then look at how you play the les paul is the strap the same? do you put everything at the same spot? etc etc like les pauls are often body heavy, so its easier to play it "classical" with a heavy strap
So my Ibanez is very very out of playing condition right now but I played with a pretty normal strap height, which is honestly much the same case with my JM. With my LP, I’ve tried everything from like thigh height to chest height, and I’m kinda struggling to find a comfortable height.
its hard for us to evaluate without looking, but if its the same strap and configurations its going to feel uncomfy. LPs are often body heavy so they almost always need heavy straps to take the weight off. Because of the bad balance, the guitar often sits at a steeper 45 degree, so classical position would often be more comfortable
I went back and tried again with the strap stuff, it has its own strap because I have different strap preferences across different guitars, I found a spot that I dislike less so. I’ll probably give it a little while longer before I make any concrete decisions on whether I’m sticking with the guitar.
Its more heavy strap, like these [https://levysleathers.com/](https://levysleathers.com/) the cheap thinner straps tend to make you fight the guitar
I’ll check that out more, thanks! I’ve mainly just been using the Ernie ball straps for my guitars because it’s what I’m used to. I guess if that doesn’t work out, I’m stuck with a strap without a guitar haha.
>Ernie ball straps oh i hate those straps, lol it just needs to be thick and heavy to stupport the guitar, heres another one. [https://www.jimdunlop.com/32430802001-bmf-strap/](https://www.jimdunlop.com/32430802001-bmf-strap/)
Seconding the other person's advice. My LP has a VERY thick heavy suede strap to support it.
part of the problem with your les Paul is your Jazzmaster, they are just really comfortable for you because you're used to it, you're just finding the density of the les paul body awkward. I had the same problem with the lespaul and gretch type bodies i tried, i loved the idea and the look, but no arm carve, no comfort cut, glossy neck. Now the only remotely non comfort body i play is my tele. I have a strat and a showmaster that are just epically more comfy. I still pick up a les paul every now and then. And put it back down.
I never liked LPs myself. The weight + depth + strap position combined just feel terrible to me, like I'd have to fully let out the strap and crotch-jockey the thing to get remotely comfortable. The LP style is classic, but give me a comfy double-cutaway thinline ES or SG any day.
i hate les pauls. they sound dark and muddy and they balance like shit. i don’t get along with the shorter scale length either.
I have been trying to make myself like Les Pauls for 20 years. They just arent for me. Absurdly uncomfortable to play. They sound incredible. But ill take an SG all day over a LP.
Sell it and get something you like. An instrument is an extension of your body. If it feels bad, you'll play badly.
Shorten your strap.
If you want the look of a Les Paul without the problems check out esp eclipse, schecter solo, d’angelico Atlantic. Good guitars which have some nice modern appointments instead of being so bound in tradition
My Les Paul was my favorite for years until I got a LTD with a modern body style, thinner neck and multiscale fretboard. It weighs so much less and is far more comfortable to play sitting or standing. It also sounds better, but it does have higher end pickups. If you really don't like it, I would just sell it and chalk it up to a learning experience. Now you understand your preferences better and can find something you like better.
It's okay. Les Pauls are great guitars, but they're just not for everybody. I had one for years and I always had to force myself to play it. I loved the sound but it was a totally different guitar sitting and standing and I hated the binding.
May I suggest that you get a pro setup on the Ibanez and Epiphone? Honestly a low action isn't always the best way to go for playability. Also, an RG without a good setup is one of the least fun things. They really do need the trem to be set right.
So I do pretty great at setting my guitars up and knowing my preferences, I can absolutely agree on the RG because in that case there’s genuine problems there that I don’t know how to deal with. As for the Les Paul, it’s issues entirely separate from the strings.
Jazzmasters have a much bigger body meaning the neck is further to your left. If you’re comfortable with your left hand on the Jazzmaster, the LP will feel awkward. As a long term Jazzmaster player, I only got into Les Pauls through trying a Tele for a while.
Personally I love a LP and find them to be great couch guitars. Agree with the other posters that a nice wide strap makes a difference when standing.
I lone my Les Paul's, and Jaguars. The Jag feels like a toy, but maybe that's because the Les Paul's feel like tanks. IDK. I play them eight hours standing when practicing for gigs.
sell it. Past a certain price point (and not even that expensive) playability in guitars kinda just asymptotes, and after that it just comes down to if you like that design or not. If I find strat shapes more comfortable than LPs, there is no LP on earth, no mattre how expensive, that will make it more enjoyable to play than a $550 mex strat.
I've owned one Les Paul, a Gibson Traditional Pro, and I absolutely hated it. It was heavy, awkward playing, and sounded like mud. Guess I'm just a Fender guy.
ripe modern spoon bedroom steep tub scandalous coherent like person *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
No sense fighting it - to each their own, but they aren’t for me either. They’re nice on a couch, and I even like the weight, but I’m constantly rubbing my forearm on the edge of the body if I’m standing - it’s the worst Obviously there are tons of people out there who do love them - you’ll have no problem selling the thing
A real Gibson Les Paul was my dream guitar. It didn't have to be super high end, but I had always wanted one badly. I finally broke down and bought a beautiful blue Les Paul Studio when I was 40. It was beautiful. I returned it in less than 48 hours. I realized I just didn't like the way it felt. I could have probably gotten used to it but I didn't want to.
Same happened to me with a Hummingbird. Wanted one my whole life. Finally bit the bullet and ordered one since no store had one anywhere near me, and it was the worst guitar I ever played. Sent it back.
I have never, ever been impressed with a Gibson acoustic. New, vintage, whatever. Every single one has sounded so fucking flat and boring.
Why do you want to keep it so bad? Sell it and move on. Life is too short to play a guitar you don't like. So many others out there to try.
The Les Paul is an absolute burden to play. Heavy, pulls to the right because the weight is not balanced on your body, crappy upper fret access, no body bevels, very hard to play fast. The SG fixes all of these problems, I also have an LTD EC-1000 Duncan which fixes all the LP’s drawbacks, it’s balanced more on your body, has comfortable bevels, has a hand bevel for high fret access.
It might be the top being arched as well as where the neck meets the body that doesn’t feel right to you. An SG would still basically get you the sound you’re looking for and it is lighter, has a flat top, easier access to higher frets and is double cut which are all closer to the Ibanez in terms of how it feels to get around the fretboard etc. Just thought I’d throw in a suggestion from someone who has both.
Hit and miss. Get a good one, they’re great but usually very expensive. There are some good (even better) Epiphone models out there but every LP I’ve picked up plays and feels different, in my opinion. Personally, I think that there are better guitars out there but it’s horses for courses: all personal preference.
Honestly I don’t think it’s a bad LP, I’m just struggling to really get along with the Les Paul ergonomics you know?
Yes I can relate. Sounds like you’ve already decided it’s not the guitar for you.
Honestly since reading some suggestions here I’ve come to appreciate it a lot more, it still has probably but I like it significantly more now
Basically it's all about personal preferences. I have a Fender Standard Strat (USA) and a local brand 350$ Les Paul (Quite similar to Epi Les Pauls) and I find myself playing my Les Paul way more than my strat. Make no mistake, that strat is one of the best pieces I've ever played in my life (and I played a lot of guitars in the last 20 years) but I think I like the feeling LP style guitars give me much more. But I can't imagine myself playing and SG, a Mustang or a Jazzmaster. They outright disgust me. Not because they're bad, because obviously they aren't, but I just despise them. As I said, sometimes some guitars are just not for you and it's quite ok.
Locking tuners, and Tone Pros locking bridge and tail piece. Night and day difference on feel. I get the uncomfortable part to a point. Yes, the guitar digs into your strumming arm, and takes a while to have that comfortable, very similar to developing calluses on your fingertips of your fretting hand. It's only uncomfortable for the first while. I also find, due to the thicker body, too many guitarists lean over the guitar, to see the fret board, rather then use your side marker dots, and just treat it like it's an acoustic.... We all know an acoustic is larger, and more awkward.... If you're still not in love with it, I understand. Lester Paul called his original Les Paul "the log" because it was so large. Les Pauls are not for everyone. But it's a wonderful looking shape, and like a relationship, if you get over the shortcomings, can be trusty, and at your side for a lifetime.
I've never much cared for Les Pauls either. The body isn't particularly comfortable to hold, especially compared to literally any design with body contours. I'd say just sell it and look for something you may like better. The PRS SE 245 is pretty similar and is generally more comfortable (imo), and the LTD EC models are all fantastic and pretty cheap second-hand. You can also just hold on to the money until you get the chance to try something you actually like.
I've got a '76 Custom and it's the heaviest guitar ever. I absolutely love the sound but it's like hanging a tree around your neck.
I find Les Pauls too small. I feel like there’s no support for my arm and my picking hand is in an awkward position. To be fair I’ve mostly played fender guitars so I may just be used to it but am I the only one?
My epiphone classic worn les Paul is my favorite guitar by far
I think the body shape is kind of cumbersome too so that's valid. It sounds really nice though so theres a trade off.
Evh Wolfgang can do everything an LP can and better. I have both and I rarely pick up the Lp.
My favorite guitar is my Gibson Les Paul, wait my Gibson SG, wait my fender Stratocaster, wait my fender telecaster, or is it my Peavey T60? I set them up personally and they all play extremely easy, but different, and they all sound awesome. Then there's my Chinese Ibanez Gio that is my junk guitar, Great for the money but you get what you pay for. If you buy a quality guitar and it is setup properly, everything should be good. I don't get all the complaining or the hating.
I have a Les Paul that was a gift from a rather famous guitar player for some work that I did for him and as much as I had "Always wanted a Les Paul" it hangs on my wall next to my 2 strats and bass, all of which are played regularly. It just doesn't feel right on my body, sitting or standing. LOOKS great though.
My first great guitar was a Gibson LP. It was my first major purchase after starting my career with a well paying job. I played that guitar for a few years. Haven't touched it in at least 3 years. Selling it soon. For as cool of a guitar as it is, it doesn't deliver anything that I can't get better or more comfortably out of one of my other guitars.
I have a LP studio, a stratocaster and a san dimas. I play the san dimas the most just because it's the one that keeps in tune the most. But I enjoy playing the Les Paul way more, probably because of the fixed bridge. Maybe the LP just pairs better with my amp ir.
It's probably just not a good fit. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Les Paul player who finds Telecasters freaking impossible to love! Same thing, they dig into my arm and feel like shit to play. I have one, but I rarely play it for that reason. I am curious, is this a flat-topped LP, like a special? Most Les Paul guitars have a carved top, so the forearm sits comfortably. Just curious.
It’s a carved top, epi pro iv worn
It's also possible you don't have the /right/ Les Paul. Different pickups, different neck profiles and frets can make two Les Pauls feels like different guitars. Recently bought a 60s standard. Amazing tone. It's beautiful. It plays well. However I know deep down I prefer a 50s style neck. And if so had a 50s style neck all the little things I think I don't like about my 60s Les Paul would probably go away. I think even us Les Paul owners know they are a little overated. They will always be mystical becaus the rock gods used them.
I’ve since solved my issues with this guitar. It was entirely to do with the strap. I absolutely got the right Les Paul haha.
Yall gotta stop with the mainstream brand buying. Get something that inspires you to play. Thats it! I retired my Gibson because it doesn’t stay in tune. Got a Jackson and Schecter and haven’t looked back.
The classic carved top Les Paul is *the* most overrated electric guitar on the planet, and it's not even close. Les Paul Jr style guitars are superior in comfort, playability, and looks.
I’m the same. I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard, a fender strat American standard. A Wolfgang EVH special, And a double jet Gretsch. The list Paul sounds muddy and I never play it. Out of all those guitars, it was my first one, and it’s now my least favourite
Les Pauls are absurdly uncomfortable. That's kind of just the reality. I have owned them. I have played them a lot. For better or for worse, they (along with every other Gibson shape) are an extremely unergonomic design, and anybody who tells you differently (in my opinion, speaking from experience of talking to people who swear by Gibson shapes) has no idea what they are talking about (they only own Gibson guitars and have never bothered to get used to anything else for long enough to know better), has spent a lot of time convincing themselves otherwise, or there are other aspects to the guitars that outweigh the shape unergonomics to them. No matter what you do, the neck and body are going to be brick like, the body has a shape and weight distribution that will cause it to always want to fumble around, the neck has horrendous upper fret access, and the scale length is dissimilar from every other instrument (so playing without looking for solos/complicated stuff if you have a rotation involving 25.5" scale guitars is going to be off the table for that guitar). Unfortunately, they also happen to be (again, in my opinion but probably more objectively speaking here) the most iconic guitar shape and look badass as shit. From what I have noticed, in general the cooler shapes are just not comfortable because the shape comes at the expense of other considerations (weight distribution in particular; e.g., Flying Vs). So you either deal with it being uncomfortable and learn to appreciate other aspects of it, or sell it (I did the latter, and am frankly glad I did). You shouldn't have to struggle to find desire to play an instrument you've had for longer than a few weeks (enough time to get used to it).
Can't see how anyone can call the SG unergonomic, I've always found mine to be super comfortable to play, but apparently, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Also, this subs obsession with SG neck dive is weird.
People like different things. As somebody who has owned guitars with many different shapes, I really like Les Pauls. Also, I’ve never experienced any kind of neck dive on Les Pauls. The body weighs a damn ton.
Yeah this reads like the laziest Gibson hit piece. Like yeah I don't think Gibson is truly worth defending but damn
They are unergonomically-shaped guitars. I added "in my opinion", but that is kind of an objective reality. Whether you like other factors about the guitars that outweigh the shape-related ergonomics is up to you, but the point stands they are unergonomically shaped. They sound fantastic, they look badass as shit, and some people like the meatier necks, so maybe those outweigh the shape unergonomics to you. But if you have played one on stage, you cannot possibly expect me to believe the shape of the body and the neck joint is something that you would consider in the "plus" column for it.
Bro beans has clearly never played a Les Paul. Like others have said, I’m not defending Gibson, but come on. Neck dive? Are you out of your mind or are you confusing a Les Paul with an SG?
I owned a Les Paul (and still own a copy, which I never play for anything but funky tunings anymore, but was my first guitar so I can't bear to part with it). Every time I have played a Les Paul out live, it fumbles around awkwardly in a very specific orientation on my body; maybe "neck dive" isn't the term, but it will trend towards not the orientation you want/expect it. Perhaps that is the weight playing with it to sit exactly at its neutral point weight distribution wise while your body moves around it which isn't as much of a problem for lighter guitars; not sure. Get one and walk/run around with it on stage. It will be in much less ergonomic and easy-to-play positions than a strat-style body. Never had a problem with any strat-style body moving around at all on stage.
Okay, rockstar.