DaveH Posted March 19, 2021 Posted March 19, 2021 I bought an H150 from our very own KurtL a dozen or 15 years back or so. It was a very nicely built, playing, and sounding guitar. Kurt had put 57 Classics in it, iirc. A few years later he contacted me about selling it back to him, which I did. Then I purchased a H137 korina... two Lollar P90's single cut, bound/crowned, and it is honestly about the same level as my korina Junior as far as build, resonant, playing, etc., The only quality issue I found was a very small flaw in the wood itself which NEVER would have been accepted at Hamer... I can definitely see where they could/would let things slip. I understand the headstock hate (I'm not a fan either), but I was always a little confused about the hate surrounding the actual build quality. But, I guess with two out of two I must have been pretty lucky. I also can put the 'hate' into context when I think about what a fan Brent was of Heritage. What an idiot.
Gino Posted March 19, 2021 Posted March 19, 2021 I mentioned owning a Gibson Heritage Standard 80 in the previous Lester thread that I owned for a short time in the 80s. Before buying it back then, I was torn between it and a pre-lawsuit Tokai LS 200 (then the top of the line LP they made). The store I worked at was the German distributor for Tokai at the time which meant that I could have gotten the LS 200 for a really nice price. It was an absolutely fantastic instrument which was way above the Standard 80 in every aspect: workmanship, looks, sound, weight. Dumb me had to have the G-logo though... Have regretted that ever since. And it would have been an investment, too! If you look at the prices that humbler models of Tokai LPs from that era fetch (LS 60, LS 80, LS 120), you'll understand. And these early LS 200 Tokais are rare birds as well.
gtrdaddy Posted March 19, 2021 Posted March 19, 2021 3 hours ago, DaveH said: I guess with two out of two I must have been pretty lucky. Awesome. Me, I’m a shit-magnet.
Ting Ho Dung Posted March 19, 2021 Posted March 19, 2021 This was the best LP I've ever played. I wish I had kept it. But I gave it to Brandon for his 18th birthday. I don't remember my 18th bday so I hoped he would always remember his. Norlan era silverburst. I don't remember the exact year but somewhere between '79 and '81.
Greg G Posted March 20, 2021 Posted March 20, 2021 Well there's this thing that I bought from one of Don's previous "better than average single cut" sales. Not so LP-like though despite the shape. Has it's own thing going.
Travis Posted March 20, 2021 Posted March 20, 2021 5 minutes ago, Greg G said: Well there's this thing that I bought from one of Don's previous "better than average single cut" sales. Not so LP-like though despite the shape. Has it's own thing going.
crunchee Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 Here's a suggestion for a LP-sorta-style guitar, Godin's Core CT (I believe CT stands for 'Carved Top), not to be confused with the earlier flat-top electric Godin Core (no CT)...they have Spanish Cedar bodies with shaped Maple tops, available in either HB or P-90 versions. Resale value isn't great for most Godin guitars, but if you're looking for something on a budget with a Spanish Cedar body similar to a Ruokangas or Robin Avalon, these might be of interest: https://godinguitars.com/manuals/hsheet15_Core CT.pdf https://www.guitarinteractivemagazine.com/review/godin-core-ct/
VECTOR Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 The best not-LP but LP sounding I played is the Hamer Special FM that I could not afford in the 90s but 2 years ago. The big advantage for smaller hands like mine: double cutaways for better playability. Had a very good Heritage H140 and a Floyd equipped Heritage Chicago Rocker, but playing highest notes sucked as well as on the Gibsons of my friends. The Hamer FM are absolutely underated in my opinion. Never sell mine.
Travis Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 2 hours ago, VECTOR said: The best not-LP but LP sounding I played is the Hamer Special FM that I could not afford in the 90s but 2 years ago. The big advantage for smaller hands like mine: double cutaways for better playability. Had a very good Heritage H140 and a Floyd equipped Heritage Chicago Rocker, but playing highest notes sucked as well as on the Gibsons of my friends. The Hamer FM are absolutely underated in my opinion. Never sell mine. That looks a LOT like my old ‘95 Special FM, also in Aztec gold. Monster guitars those Specials are. One of a very few I regret selling.
Kerry Marchman Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 On 3/17/2021 at 11:08 AM, ARM OF HAMER said: I have had some really nice Gibson Les Paul guitars through the years all the way back to the late 1960s when i got my first one. I first saw this Make/ Model when they first came out and really didn't pay that much attention as it was way out of my price range. Now it's my retirement guitar, that last guitar I will buy and I have stuck to that since buying it. I love this guitar for how it looks, plays and sounds, nothing about it I don't like. It is or was................Yamaha's "TAKE" on a updated version of a Gibson Les Paul. One piece Honduran Mahogany body,5 piece Honduran Mahogany and maple neck, Ebony fingerboard, "Sculptured" neck heal, real Pearl and Abalone inlays, beautiful thick Quilt Maple top ["Not a veneer"], bound body, neck, and headstock............. top grade hardware, top grade electronics, with so many tone choices with the 4 wire pickups and .................a perfect case. A great "LESS" PAUL.................that is W/O the "G". One of the best guitars ever. I kick myself for selling mine!
Kerry Marchman Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 My current Les Paul stable includes 2 Gibsons, 2 Hamers, and a fantastic Guild Bluesbird. All different, but all satisfy the "Paul" itch. Lucky to have all of them..
sonic1974 Posted March 24, 2021 Posted March 24, 2021 On 3/21/2021 at 5:45 AM, crunchee said: Here's a suggestion for a LP-sorta-style guitar, Godin's Core CT (I believe CT stands for 'Carved Top), not to be confused with the earlier flat-top electric Godin Core (no CT)...they have Spanish Cedar bodies with shaped Maple tops, available in either HB or P-90 versions. Resale value isn't great for most Godin guitars, but if you're looking for something on a budget with a Spanish Cedar body similar to a Ruokangas or Robin Avalon, these might be of interest: https://godinguitars.com/manuals/hsheet15_Core CT.pdf https://www.guitarinteractivemagazine.com/review/godin-core-ct/ I've tried a P-90 version of the CORE series, and I was really impressed!
Tortious Posted April 7, 2021 Posted April 7, 2021 On 3/18/2021 at 2:41 PM, gtrdaddy said: To the thread title, if not a Lester with a "G", while to me nothing is the same, there are many others that while different, are quite enjoyable! This WL McCarty 594 is as pleasurable to play as my other special blue PRS, the DGT. Love the 594's.
gtrdaddy Posted April 7, 2021 Posted April 7, 2021 28 minutes ago, Tortious said: Love the 594's. Yeah! Those are beautiful! My 594 SC has really commanded my attention. Here's a pic of my DGT:
ZR Posted April 7, 2021 Posted April 7, 2021 6 minutes ago, gtrdaddy said: Yeah! Those are beautiful! My 594 SC has really commanded my attention. Here's a pic of my DGT: That's stunning!
Dave Scepter Posted April 7, 2021 Posted April 7, 2021 On 3/17/2021 at 9:12 AM, polara said: I'm not really a Les Paul guy, but the best I played was a $350 Aria Pro II from about '79. LS 600D model, I think. Built like a Gibson, correct thickness and contours, Dimarzio pickups, just had that sound. Pretty beat up, but what a player. Yes, I've tried real and high-end LPs but genuinely liked the Aria best. I completely agree with this!.. I picked this Aria Pro II Leopard up from Eli and it is a amazing guitar!
Texsunburst59 Posted April 7, 2021 Posted April 7, 2021 If not a LP guitar, but one that works for me in the LP vein , then it's my '09 DGT. I can get some amazing LP like tones, as well as some Tele on "Steriods' on the bridge pickup with the HB split.
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