Guitar Gear Forum

Anything more than subtle

I really prefer plain tops.

Also need covered pickups.

I guess it really depends on the total aesthetics for me. I love plain tops, but they need to have a finish that accents it. I really like transparent white, blue, and teal on plain maple tops. However, I love the depth and 3D appearance of flamed and quilted maple tops.

I can't deny a beautiful Les Paul in any format. I love the ebony, alpine white, and burgundy solid finishes, but transparent finishes on either a plain maple or flamed maple do it for me too.

As far a pickups go, I like the look of open coils on the flamed/quilted finishes and prefer covered on solid finishes.

Cole

I agree with cole. I have had plain top and flame top LP's. No customs yet but I am working on that. Not a fan of the quilt top for some reason.

No pick guards for me. Pickups can be covered or not. I don't really care on the ones that I have had. I usually prefer the teardrop burst if there is a burst finish. Wine red is kind of my go to finish though if I had to pick one.

^That last Les Paul in the wine red is a looker!

Cole

i like the plain tops too, i dont own one but if i was gonna fork out gibson cash i would want a tea burst plain top

The flame on my Epi LP standard is rather Garish.

I'm generally not a fan of flame or curly tops at all -- but I've seen a few that I do like and wouldn't completely rule out ever getting a guitar with that type of top.

My LPs -- notice no flamey/curly gheyness:

I don't care either way as long as the top is matched , just one side flame looks a little odd.

colejustesen wrote:I can't deny a beautiful Les Paul in any format. I love the ebony, alpine white, and burgundy solid finishes, but transparent finishes on either a plain maple or flamed maple do it for me too.

+1


A beautiful guitar is a beautiful guitar...


but, an ugly one that rocks can sometimes be better than a pretty one that doesn't.

I like purdy tops on LPs more than on a prs but don't feel the need to pay extra for either. It just doesn't make it sound better.

I like to play my guitars. I worry about dinging a pretty guitar. All of my LPs have been plain and even the new PRS I picked up is a painted top.

I am not a big fan of flame but it doesn't bother me. As long as I don't have to pay extra for it.

this:


is way better than:

eyeball987 wrote:I agree with cole. I have had plain top and flame top LP's. No customs yet but I am working on that. Not a fan of the quilt top for some reason.

No pick guards for me. Pickups can be covered or not. I don't really care on the ones that I have had. I usually prefer the teardrop burst if there is a burst finish. Wine red is kind of my go to finish though if I had to pick one.

Those are hot as shit, but pick guards on those bitches it looks retarded with out them

I liked the pickguard in most cases too.

plain top, pickguard, and covered pickups.

I like that look on a Les Pual..but to me, no Les Paul is as secksy as a white Les Paul

100 watt wrote:I like that look on a Les Pual..but to me, no Les Paul is as secksy as a white Les Paul

White les pauls are secksy as hell. I prefer the antique ivory ones over the alpine white ones though.

As far as flame vs. plain top, it just depends on the guitar. I don't usually like really gaudy flamed tops (or quilt tops), but I love the looks of the Billy Gibbons pearly gates les paul.

Hugh Jaynus wrote:I liked the pickguard in most cases too.

plain top, pickguard, and covered pickups.

Pretty much this, I've got 6 Gibby Pauls, but I can't say I've ever even seen a flame top irl, but pick guards, covered pick ups hell yes

I think it's Jimmy Page's fault....in my case.

Hugh Jaynus wrote:I think it's Jimmy Page's fault....in my case.

Same here.





Though a nicely matched flame top LP can look sexy as hell. I think Les Pauls are always needing to be judged on a case by case basis. They all have their own thing going.


Except clown bursts with 3 piece mismatched tops or classics with hardcore snot green inlays.

Bros..A Les Paul must have Tribals, and lots of abalone, Bros. Some chrome skulls too.

I must say that I do go ape for a flamed or birdseye neck tho.

LesPaul-Marshall wrote:

Hugh Jaynus wrote:Anything more than subtle

I really prefer plain tops.

Also need covered pickups.

Here's a plaintop G0 Lemonburst for you ...

Get a new LP? It's pretty

that's sweet.

I like lots of flame, tobacco brown sunburst, nickle covers, nitro finish and about 50 years natural aging.