1959 2013 LP Build

[JimiJames]

IIRC Tom Murphy was noted that his fav LP's have a string angle parallel to the fretboard,
with the bridge resting closer to the body.
IOW The distance in how high your ABR-1 Tune-o-matic bridge naturally sits off the body.

[vanhalen5150]

Having the bridge close to the body would have to have a lesser neck plane angle which would change the contour shape as well. I think having it perfectly parallel would work but you would encounter a high action at the neck/nut area. Would seem like you have to press harder to overcome that distance especially at the first fret position. Very short lever length there. You could compensate this with the first few frets being slightly higher and tapered down as you go up the neck. Maybe that would be a cool modification? Never seen that done either that I know of.

[axeman]

I have a chance to buy a 2012 Traditional LP for 1399. It looks and feels good, but I don't know abut spending that much money rite now.

[JimiJames]

Regular
*


more like Tom Murphy style


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*Those are Gibson brand Les Paul strings with the red cloth wrap in the 2nd pic.
I use those and are ideal for a wrap-around setup.
(My tailpiece is bottomed out for the tension that I prefer.)

[Lefty Lou]

Whomever had previously owned my SG cranked down the stop tailpiece (aluminum), but didn't do the "wrap around". I left it that way and like it. I get a similar feel and string tension from my top loader tele bridge that I do with this SG a very "stringy" feel that makes a set of .10 gauge strings feel like a slinky set of .09's Which reminds me , I need to look at Crazy Parts for a replacement aluminum stop tailpiece.

[vanhalen5150]

As far as the tailpiece goes it will also depend on the body. That top drawing JJ posted above you can see the 2 arrows pointed at where the PU plane stops and the curve starts to taper. This usually is between the bridge and the stop tail piece. Some of the hand made models it varies quite a bit. Sitting in between allows your stop piece to natually sit lower. As it extends toward the tailpiece or even behind it, the tailpiece natually sits higher.

Remember the pickup plane and neck plane are also different. It s not flat.

[Lefty Lou]

As far as the tailpiece goes it will also depend on the body. That top drawing JJ posted above you can see the 2 arrows pointed at where the PU plane stops and the curve starts to taper. This usually is between the bridge and the stop tail piece. Some of the hand made models it varies quite a bit. Sitting in between allows your stop piece to natually sit lower. As it extends toward the tailpiece or even behind it, the tailpiece natually sits higher.

Remember the pickup plane and neck plane are also different. It s not flat.

I do know I was getting some minor buzzing on the SG on the low E, so I raised the thumbwheel slightly on the low E side with no immediate results. I came to the conclusion that I needed to use some super glue in the nut groove and to refile that groove.

Being that I was too lazy to mess with it at that moment, I cut a miniscule piece off the end of a toothpick, fit it perfectly in the nut slot and placed the low E over the toothpick/groove and tuned up. Outcome? Worked like a charm with no noticeable issues.

[vanhalen5150]

http://www.stewmac.com/tsarchive/ts0197.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rgorke]

http://www.stewmac.com/tsarchive/ts0197.html

1) I am growing more and more amazed at how important the nut is....the proper cut of the slots and height...
2) I wish Danny E lived next door to me!!!!
3) What am I missing in the importance of having the bridge down low and the string angle...tone, playability?
4) trying not to derail this thread...

[vanhalen5150]

I think it's just personal preference.

[Lefty Lou]

Just a reiteration but I think one gets a "slinkier" , "stringier" kind of feel and action when either: 1) The TOM is lowered significantly OR 2) The strings are wrapped around the stop tailpiece decreasing the angle of the strings between the TOM and the stop tailpiece. JFWIW, I noticed one of Joe Bonamassa's guitars in a PG interview with Rebecca Dierks and Joe B's guitar tech. As for me, I don't do the "wraparound" thing but I now favor the top loader stringing method on Teles versus the ole' string through the body method.

[vanhalen5150]

I know Zakk Wylde does it. But he also hasnt played a single note outside of a penta box scale for the last 30 years.

[Lefty Lou]

I know Zakk Wylde does it. But he also hasnt played a single note outside of a penta box scale for the last 30 years.

I've never been a Zakk Wylde fan, so that isn't saying much. I like Joe a lot BUT often he sounds too much like Eric Johnson. I like Eric Johnson also, but if I want to hear Eric Johnson then I'll listen to Eric Johnson.

[Tone Slinger]

This is a sweet looking (and sounding) Les Paul. I'm sure its a '59 spec. I gotta say,Slash was killing it on here,very nice vibe.

http://youtu.be/VEcSM_7Cw7E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lefty Lou]

This is a sweet looking (and sounding) Les Paul. I'm sure its a '59 spec. I gotta say,Slash was killing it on here,very nice vibe.

http://youtu.be/VEcSM_7Cw7E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some people like Slash should stick with what they know best, and (look/act) their age. As Jed Clampett would say, "It's Plum Pityfull". Kind of reminds me the story of U2 playing a concert in Austin, TX. U2 thought they'd drop in on Antones where SRV was playing, the resulting jam if one wanted to call it that was a complete trainwreck. I mean, can anyone imagine The Edge playing blues?