Les Paul Newbie Questions

[RGX312L]

Hi folks,

Since day one, I have been playng Strat-styled gtrs and is familiar with the associated tremolo system - and floating systems.

A friend handed me an Epiphone Les Paul (left handed) last Sunday. I was thrilled! BUT I am totally lost on the things to watch out for on a Les Paul styled axe.

The entire bridge and saddle assembly is whacked, so I gotta buy new one. One of the machine head need to be changed. I asked the friendly ppl at Davis ...and by the end of the conversation, I realized how little I know about this style of gtr.

Would really appreciate the kind and generous folks in SOFT to point out some differences between the mechanics of a Les Paul styled and Strat/Ibenez styled gtr.

Some specific things that I woudl liek to know:

1) Can the saddle be mounted for left handed? or is there an actual 'LEFT HANDED' saddle?

2) Why got so many tone knobs? (hehe)

3) The 3 way toggle switch , is it similar in function to the 5 way switch on a Strat?

4) What are the common opinions about the stock pick-ups?

Anymore stuffs that a newbiew like me need to know about a Les Paul styled gtr, please feel free to post here. Thanks!!!

My current axe is the Yamaha RGX321L.


Many many thanks in advance

 

[deathism]

dude..its 2 tone 2 vol..


for neck and bridge..

 

[markedymark]

for a lp, left handed, well you would need a left handed body? and its nothing like a strat, you cant strip it and flip it around, just wont play well.

its two tone two volume.

3 way switch, neck, neck+bridge, bridge

stock pickups, havent tried the yamaha ones. cant say, but i wasnt at all pleased with their lespaul copies fitted with SD's

 

[RGX312L]

haha, 2 tones 2 volumes.....see? how newbie I am to the Les Paul ? hahah!!!

Thanks deathism!

Yup markedymark, the body is a left handed one. So, for me to buy a bridge+saddle off the shelf, can? or there is a left handed bridge+sadde combo?

 

[markedymark]

i would say that is possible, but the saddle itself (small pieces which the string sits on) must be swapped. or even better, you can just flip it around, having the screws face the ground instead. but definitely, possible

 

[RGX312L]

Thanks markedymark !!!! really appreciate the advice!!

 

[subversion]

there's also the Epi Les Paul Ultra review for your reference 8)

 

[wjl123]

actually Kristopher Roe from The Ataris use a right handed guitar flipped. Well he plays rhythm so its mainly just power chords.
just some interesting stuff lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF1bPJWlm18&mode=related&search= :lol:

 

[markedymark]

no problem mr RG, thats what softies are here for

 

[freakyfir]

haha. mark's the LP expert around these parts. winkwink.

 

[subversion]

with regards to flipping the tune-o-matic portion to suit a south paw's needs: the dimple of the bridge saddles can be filed to accomodate thicker-gauged strings so no issues here. same goes for the nut.

 

[markedymark]

but subbie! my gold tune o matic will turn chrome!

but sub's the uber expert here.

 

[subversion]

it happens, more so for the budget LP copies. this is largely due to the fact that the gold tint is actually a mere coating. upon seeing the discolouration, many of us would give this hadware more polish- that's when it fades faster...

i've never been a fan of gold hardware... :smt069

 

[markedymark]

heh, yeah. found that out the hard way a nong time ago. but gold on black lah sub bro, bo bian try to love it. :lol:

 

[df]

Silver on black is much more spiiffy!

 

[markedymark]

cannot lah, mine's a custom. with the binding and all, looks, queer.

 

[RGX312L]

Got the saddle and bridge pieces...hahaha stupid me...they are in the equipment compartment box -in the gtr case.!!!!

I have never had a hard gtr case before, so din know there is such a thing.


Now just need to replace one of the tone knob, ane of the machine head and I'm ready to rock out .....after I figure out how to adjust the action..hehehee ...need help here