Tedster Posted June 20, 2002 Share Posted June 20, 2002 What brought this up was the most recent issue of Guitar Player's homage to 50 years of the Les Paul... a lot of cool pics of celeb Pauls. But, they had a model that came out in the 70s called the "Les Paul Recording" model...that had two black oval shaped low impedance pickups http://www.kolumbus.fi/jp.k/Gibsonrecording1.jpg (I imagine they used an XLR like a mic, rather than a 1/4 jack...but that would be a pain in the ass). Anyone ever used one? How were they? Did they indeed use an XLR? Maybe that was their downfall.. Are they a treasure if you find one? "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted June 20, 2002 Share Posted June 20, 2002 I'm a GOLD MEMBER now. I'd appreciate it if everyone today addresses me as "Mr Henry Golden Dude" or something like that. I'm have my wife children do it. I'm getting gold fillings in all of my teeth whether I need them or not. I've never seen that low impedance Paul guitar. I'm just glad I can admit when I don't know nuttin'. I'm glad I didn't say, "Oh well yes, certainly it's low impedance Les Paul, but I had the mini plug switched to an omni". All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted June 20, 2002 Author Share Posted June 20, 2002 Mr. Henry Golden Dude? How 'bout one you're sure to appreciate far more, especially if you're a Bond fan AND jazz dude... Goldfingers... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEHpicker Posted June 20, 2002 Share Posted June 20, 2002 Had a Les Paul Recording. Bought it new back in the mid 70's. It had a darker wood finish than the one shown in previous picture, but the same low impedence p'ups. Played nice and had a good clean sound and had standard 1/4" jack. They didnt catch on very well and last time I looked you could buy a used one for $600 - $800 bucks. SEHpicker SEHpicker The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it." George Orwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted June 20, 2002 Share Posted June 20, 2002 Originally posted by Tedster: Mr. Henry Golden Dude? How 'bout one you're sure to appreciate far more, especially if you're a Bond fan AND jazz dude... Goldfingers... Yeah baby! How 'bout Goldmember? "The man with the midas touch. Mr. Gold finger(s)". Shirley Bassey. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted June 20, 2002 Share Posted June 20, 2002 Very interesting. It should be noted that those are the guitars that Les Paul himself still plays. Maybe when he finally passes, they will become really collectable. My gear "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Soloway Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Les was actually recording with home made versions of this guitar by the end of the 50's. The problem is that if you listen to Les's music, you'll here a tone that is actually very atypical for a Les Paul guitar. He had a very bright, crisp, clean sound with a lot of high end and that's what these sounded like. He also played straight into a mixer, usually with some effects but no amp, both live and in the studio. They were really useful to him, but I'm not sure many other people would actually like them very much. www.solowayguitars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted June 21, 2002 Author Share Posted June 21, 2002 There was much ado about the "Low Impedance Pickups"...did they have a transformer built in? I know a low Z mic plugged into a hi Z input without a transformer sounds incredibly weak. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Hey, Ted. Here's a link to the Les Paul Recording page at www.guitarmuseumonline.com . There is a good overview of the instrument, and the interactive picture lists the pickups as low impedance with an integrated transformer. Apparently you could use the instrument in either low impedance or high impedance configuration. I love this site. (Incidentally, we used this site extensively at Gibson customer service for reference on 1970's odd Gibsons that either didn't appear in catalogs or had unusual features, such as the low impedance pickups. Les Paul had a truly custom model with a microphone attached to a gooseneck, which itself was connected to the guitar. Strange looking instrument! Enjoy! It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I had a friend, a really tasty player, who had one, and used it exclusively. He could get damn near any sound out of it. I wouldn't mind having one at all. BTW I get a very bright and shingy Les Paul Custom sound these days. I didn't know it was in there, but it has to do with the way the amp and cord load down the guitar usually, losing a lot of high end. Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Gabriel E., Nice gear. Cool guitars. I like the dart board too. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Thanks Henry. Finally got some pictures posted so I can brag. The dart board doesn't get used for fear of spearing a cat or dog. It was a gift so I feel guilty about getting rid of it. "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signal1000 Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I almost bought one in a pawn shop for $400, but another guy beat me to it. I played it several times and it sounded like a regular Les Paul. I remember it being extremely heavy. It was a bit weird, and had a built-in phaser and and what not, but you could really tweak it to get some cool tones. If I see one for that price again, I won't hesitate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Originally posted by Ted Nightshade: BTW I get a very bright and shingy Les Paul Custom sound these days. I didn't know it was in there, but it has to do with the way the amp and cord load down the guitar usually, losing a lot of high end. Well, don't keep us in suspense... tell us what cable you used and how you tweaked the amp to get that sound fercryinoutloud. --Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted June 21, 2002 Author Share Posted June 21, 2002 Originally posted by Gabriel E.: Very interesting. It should be noted that those are the guitars that Les Paul himself still plays. Maybe when he finally passes, they will become really collectable. My gear Yeah, a lot of cool stuff, there. I like that old Duo Sonic. Can't tell from the picture, it looks like it's kinda a seafoam green...is that the case? Oh, and BTW...thanks for the links, Neil. I'm sure to spend some time browsing through that...! "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtrmac Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Les Paul plays a Flametop with those pickups in it. It also has something like 22 switches on it. The sound is unique, I always wanted to have one of those guitars just because thay are so unusual sounding, and looking. They are still pretty low cost in spite of their rarity. Very limited and not useful for typical rock stuff I imagine. Mac Bowne G-Clef Acoustics Ltd. Osaka, Japan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 "BTW I get a very bright and shingy Les Paul Custom sound these days. I didn't know it was in there, but it has to do with the way the amp and cord load down the guitar usually, losing a lot of high end. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, don't keep us in suspense... tell us what cable you used and how you tweaked the amp to get that sound fercryinoutloud. " Well I use a good quality cable, Monster as it happens, but other cable of that quality is available from less cheesy sources. I first discovered this using a Manley tube DI before the amp- even though the DI does some high end rolloff, I had more high end than I ever dreamed was in the guitar. Now since my mad amp tech has suped up my Gibson Goldtone amp in a most remarkable way, the DI seems unnecessary, at least for short cable runs. I'd still use it for long runs, and I use it when linking from the Goldtone to the Fender Champ that sits atop it these days , it prevents a ton of hum. It beats the HELL out of turning up the treble on the amp, and makes the Les Paul tone controls more useful than ever. Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 I like that old Duo Sonic. Can't tell from the picture, it looks like it's kinda a seafoam green...is that the case? Thanks! When I bought it, it had been refinished in an ugly blue marble. I stripped it and had a guy refinish it for me in seafoam. He was a drunk and didn't do a very good job - it's kind of rough. He used some old paint from the 50s that is now illegal - the guitar glows in the dark a little. It originally came from the Fender factory in "Desert Tan". "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chriss Posted June 24, 2002 Share Posted June 24, 2002 Hey All. I read a story on Les Paul once,where he is telling that he was not always too happy about the deals that he made with Gibson.At the same time he was bothered by the noise (hum)from his guitars and he also wanted be able to use long cables.He wanted something that Gibson did not have.He came to mind that songmicrophones where low ohm so why not make a low ohm guitar pick up? He made the pick up's for the Recording and started using them while playing in clubs.It did'nt take long before the Gibson people started asking :How do he get that bright clean sound and how can he walk around in the audience playing with a 70 feet chord? He also had several onboard effects and the famous black box.He gave it to Gibson around 1970 and they started producing the guitar but it did not sell so it was out again quite fast. Thre is a long story on Les Paul in The Guitar Player Book from the eighties. Chriss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 Originally posted by Gabriel E.: Very interesting. It should be noted that those are the guitars that Les Paul himself still plays. Maybe when he finally passes, they will become really collectable. My gear nice guitars, boyo. Heh... strange how if I was to show you all my gear I could only show you 3 pics - my mic, my amp, and my guitar. I could stretch it out with my strap, my leads, and my mic stand, oh, and my soft guitar case... but meh. hehe, lucky man. By the way - that S540-7 you have - I've seen them around, and was wondering about a first hand opinion - are they a nice guitar to play as far as 7 strings go? One day I'm looking to buy one, and I am really considering Ibanez, esp and prs over others... maybe carvin. theyre sort of the sounds I like... I also like the epis. but yeah - how is that S540-7? Nice guitar? or do you regret playing it? Nolly "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 "He made the pick up's for the Recording and started using them while playing in clubs.It did'nt take long before the Gibson people started asking :How do he get that bright clean sound and how can he walk around in the audience playing with a 70 feet chord? " Geez, that's more than I can manage- 70 feet! and no direct box... Ted A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted June 25, 2002 Author Share Posted June 25, 2002 In the days before Samsons...geez, 70 feet... Gabriel...hope that paint isn't radioactive. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrbreez Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 I've played one on a few occasions. They are extremely clean. I played one at a gig through a Marshall and it didn't distort. I didn't know it would be that clean and I was playing "China Grove". Needless to say I never used it when I needed any kind of crunch or even a little distortion. They might be too sterile for some. It definitely wouldn't be a good first guitar, maybe a third or forth guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrbreez Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 They made Les Paul Recording guitars through the 70s. For a long time they were like the one in the picture earlier in this thread. Later they just used a white Custom with some cosmetic changes. Buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 I remember the Les Paul recording guitar. Gibson also made an amp that was suppose to compliment it. We had one in the guitar shop I taught at in the mid 70's. It was a tall cabinet and head with blue grill cloth. It sat around for years, no one wanted that super clean sounding thing. -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly Nightshade Posted June 26, 2002 Share Posted June 26, 2002 Cat I knew who played a Les Paul Recording got killer high gain sounds out of an old Musicman amp, no problems. And everything else under the sun. A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM! "There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted June 26, 2002 Share Posted June 26, 2002 Nolly: The S540-7 is a really nice guitar. Great clean sounds. It originally came with DiMarzio Blaze II PUs but the bridge PU sounded a little muddy when using a lot of gain. I changed it out with a DiMarzio Evolution and now it's a lot better. Definitely a modern-sounding guitar. The whammy bar stays in tune no matter what you do. I've kept it for 10 years so I'm happy with it (although I NEVER sell guitars which is why I have too many). Ibanez make the best 7-strings IMHO. Carvin are probably just as good though. The ESP/LTDs, Jacksons and Schecters I've tried didn't work as well. Tedster: ...hope that paint isn't radioactive.I hope not! "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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