New Experience: Les Pauling (an EQ odyssey)

[velorush]

Back in 2020 I bought a like-new 2019 Les Paul Standard Standard 50's from Guitar Chimp. I have never been interested in owning a Les Paul and didn't really have a practical use for one as I haven't played anywhere but Madison Square Bedroom since the mid-00's. That said, I have really enjoyed owning it and it sounds fantastic (to me). The only mods I've made were swapping it over to 50's wiring and installation of a Callaham locking tailpiece studs. This is the first guitar I recall having no desire to swap pickups. The Burstbucker 1 and 2 set really seems to me to exude that 50's vibe (IMO).

ETA the requisite photo: 

Fast forward six or so years and I'm playing in services one Sunday each month. I am a Strat guy and I've been really enjoying playing my two Partscasters, primarily the Stretchocaster, which seems to do everything well (thanks to @cmatthes for even suggesting such a Gretsch / S-type mash-up).

Last month's setlist was considerably more guitar-oriented, so I thought I'd try the Les Paul. The board settings for the electric guitar channel were set to what sounded good soloed and they worked great for either of the Strats, but the Les Paul was absolutely buried as soon as the band (two acoustic guitars, electric piano and drums) cranked up. I changed to a Strat and suddenly I was sitting perfectly in the mix. Switched back the Lester and buried again. No worries. I took the Lester home and hung it back on the wall and used the Stretchocaster. 

But I got to thinking. Then researching. Then I asked AI what I was missing. I was given the following changes to make in the EQ: 

Quote

If you are using an EQ pedal or a block on your modeler (Helix, Quad Cortex, Fractal), use these precise frequency adjustments:

• High-Pass Filter (Low Cut): Set between 100 Hz and 120 Hz. This instantly clears out the "mud" and leaves that low-end space entirely for the bass guitar and kick drum. 
• Low-Mids (250 Hz – 400 Hz): Cut by 2 to 4 dB. This is the danger zone where the Les Paul’s heavy mahogany body directly fights with the body of the acoustic guitar and the keyboards. 
• Mids / Presence (1.5 kHz – 2.5 kHz): Boost by 2 to 3 dB. This provides the "wood" and picking attack that helps the human ear track your guitar lines.
• Upper Mids (3 kHz – 4.5 kHz): Boost by 3 to 4 dB. This gives you the articulation and "bite" similar to a Gretsch, helping your delays and reverbs stay clear.
• Low-Pass Filter (High Cut): Set between 6 kHz and 7 kHz. This prevents the upper-mid boost from turning into harsh, piercing fizz. 

Since I am running a Screaming Blonde direct into FOH, these changes were made in my board channel EQ.

ETAA another requisite photo:

Amazing difference! Subtle as they are, and they weren't radically different from where they were previously, the change is like night and day. 

Posting this as someone else might find it interesting and also with the caveat that, yes, I know AI didn't "come up" with any of this, but it sure beats me searching and compiling search results for 1,000 hours to come to the same conclusion. 

For those who have always played Les Pauls live, does this track with your experience? I know some of my issues were due to the mix of instruments, but the way it sounds now seems like it would work in any band setting. It just sits really present in the room.  

Edited July 25 by velorush

[Saul Goodman]

Chat GPT must be watching Uncle Larry.

[mrjamiam]

On 7/25/2026 at 1:43 PM, velorush said:

Posting this as someone else might find it interesting and also with the caveat that, yes, I know AI didn't "come up" with any of this, but it sure beats me searching and compiling search results for 1,000 hours to come to the same conclusion. 

Well put.  It doesn't think, but it can do the searches you allude to incredibly fast and summarize results.  The problem, of course, is the old Garbage In, Garbage Out risk of all computer processing.  If all the search results it compiles were posted by idiots, the output will be idiocy.  AI has great potential, but taking the next step of considering and maybe discounting the source will be harder than just scouring the web.