Gibson LP Traditional Pro - Opinions Please!

RocknRollDave

Hi there,
Got a mate who's interested in these, anyone got any experience/ thoughts/ feedback?

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Traditional-Pro.aspx


I think @not_the_dj bought a Traditional Pro II recently ..? What's the difference between the two?

not_the_dj

A quick glance at the specs, and I can see the pick-ups are different (well the bridge postion one on that is a BB3, whilst the Trad Pro II is a Super '57, no idea how they compare).

Both have '57 Classics in the neck. The Trad II has the inbuilt boost (which is actually quite useful, but does need a 9v battery hidden away inside.

The Trad II saves some money by having a satin back/sides, with the regular high gloss top.

Theres's also 50s or 60s neck options on the Trad II, looks like the one you've linked to is just 60s.

RocknRollDave

Many thanks

I don't really get why he is looking at these - He has a beautiful LP Standard, a "Black Beauty" Custom (yes, three pickups and Bigsby, all in glorious gold) and a Goldtop with 2 x P90's...not sure at all what this would add tonally, save for the coil tapped sounds maybe (which he says he wouldn't use!)

RocknRollDave

Oh and @not_the_dj , how are you finding the Trad Pro II now you've had it a few weeks? Given it a good run out live yet?

not_the_dj

...and it's push/push pots on mine, that's push/pull pots for the coil split/tap/whatever the correct term is. I'm really liking the push/push, that makes much more sense to be giging as it's such a quick action and easier to do when holding a pick.

not_the_dj

RocknRollDave said:

Oh and @not_the_dj , how are you finding the Trad Pro II now you've had it a few weeks? Given it a good run out live yet?

One gig with it so far and a couple of rehearsls. Next week I'm playing Friday/Saturday so that'll be fun. It sounds fantastic, it plays great, it looks great...and it still smells lovelly (the case too). Best guitar I've ever bought...I love it.

RocknRollDave

Push/ push definitely makes more sense to me too. I guess the only argument against them is that you can't tell at a glance which setting you're on, but then you ought to be able to tell with your ears anyway.

not_the_dj

RocknRollDave said:

Push/ push definitely makes more sense to me too. I guess the only argument against them is that you can't tell at a glance which setting you're on, but then you ought to be able to tell with your ears anyway.

You can tell by looking, they stand proud when in the 'on' position.

RocknRollDave

Oh I didn't realise that...makes even less sense then to have push/ pull!

not_the_dj

Is the one in that link available over here? Can't see it listed on any websites (but the Trad II Pro is everywhere).

The story they were spinning about the Trad Pro II was that it was a dealer exclusive for Guitar Centre (IIRC) in the states, that UK retailers got as a special Ltd Edition. I've not seen anything on the Gibson site about the Trad II Pro.

guitarfishbay

RocknRollDave said:

Hi there,
Got a mate who's interested in these, anyone got any experience/ thoughts/ feedback?

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Traditional-Pro.aspx

I have a Trad Pro.  It is my main recording guitar and my favourite electric guitar.  I tried several of them to find mine so I can't guarantee he'll be as happy as I am, but I can say the one I own is fantastic.  I love having the locking tuners, satin neck, and I love the pickups actually, they're sizzling and bright but have personality.  

Some clips with it if they'd be of any use -

Rock - Mesa Roadster (left speaker), Blackstar S1 104EL34 (all overdubs and solo).  Right speaker was a PRS SE played by my bandmate.

https://soundcloud.com/ivito-band/ivito-the-edge-of-transmission

More chilled overdrive - Blackstar HT60 2x12 combo 

https://soundcloud.com/maxmoujaes/this-journey

Generic Metal + solo (Blackstar HT1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR0ZAtwMAJE

I found the Trad Pro sounded brighter and more punchy than the traditional for sale at the time (few years ago).  This would be a combination of different pickups (57+ in trad vs BB3) and the pots (500k in the trad pro, Gibsons are usually 300k).  Beyond that the differences are functional such as locking tuners, satin neck etc as detailed by NTDJ

fretfinder

I'd advise him to save a few more pennies and find a used Historic/Custom LP. They're miles better and much more like 'the real thing' IMHO.

jimmyd

Slightly off topic but those clips from @guitarfishbay make me want to buy one.  Frikking awesome stuff!

p90fool

fretfinder said:

I'd advise him to save a few more pennies and find a used Historic/Custom LP. They're miles better and much more like 'the real thing' IMHO.

He already has one, they're not always better, just different.

RocknRollDave

Great comments everyone. I was out gigging last night when I get a text saying he's pulled the trigger on an LP..

Details vague at present, can't wait to see what he's bought!

Iamnobody

They now do a goldtop Pro 2 with a 50's neck. This is very tempting...

not_the_dj

Iamnobody said:

They now do a goldtop Pro 2 with a 50's neck. This is very tempting...

Yeah there seem to be a few more colours available now. Luckly I think I'd still have gone for the iced tea even with all the new options.

fretfinder

p90fool said:

fretfinder said:

I'd advise him to save a few more pennies and find a used Historic/Custom LP. They're miles better and much more like 'the real thing' IMHO.

He already has one, they're not always better, just different.

Depends on what we mean by 'better' I suppose. I've had several Historics over the years and I've never played a Standard (or Trad Pro or other modern Standard update) that I thought was a nicer feeling, playing or sounding guitar. That's all IMHO of course, and admittedly I am an unashamed old git/traditionalist.  :-S

stickyfiddle

Iamnobody;49341" said:

They now do a goldtop Pro 2 with a 50's neck. This is very tempting...

I wish you hadn't told me that!

Iamnobody

stickyfiddle;49519" said:

Iamnobody;49341" said:They now do a goldtop Pro 2 with a 50's neck. This is very tempting...



I wish you hadn't told me that!

I wish I hadn't seen them! Luckily I've got too many in the stable at the moment and no funds. So temptation is relatively easy to resist...

Adam_MD

stickyfiddle;49519" said:

Iamnobody;49341" said:They now do a goldtop Pro 2 with a 50's neck. This is very tempting...



I wish you hadn't told me that!

I really really wish I didn't know that. I was happy and secure in the knowledge that despite the good price they're not for me as they didn't do goldtop 50s neck.

I've now been watching YouTube videos and checking out interest free options!