The Gibson Les Paul Special: A Short History

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Күн бұрын

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Пікірлер: 691

@DazedxHipster Жыл бұрын

I sold all of my epiphones and squiers to get my 2006 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special. It’s so versatile and plays like a dream. Best decision I’ve ever made.

@RudBobbins Жыл бұрын

And let's not forget this is the guitar used by Paul Westerberg of The Replacements! He played it live on their infamous SNL performance.

@nine9whitepony526 Жыл бұрын

Yes, plus Paul Westerberg used this guitar on his SNL performance.

@razztastic Жыл бұрын

@@nine9whitepony526 Yeah, that's what he said.

@nine9whitepony526 Жыл бұрын

@@razztastic Hahaha

@linksayajin2958 Жыл бұрын

Being brazilian i was completely caught off guard when you talked about Gilberto Gil. Great research, Keith!

@kmajor44 Жыл бұрын

I thought I knew a lot about these….until now. As always Keith, your videos never ever disappoint and continue to be in the ‘stop everything and watch immediately’ class.

@RickBeato Жыл бұрын

Nice Hypes!!!🔥🔥🔥

@thomasfritsch3536 Жыл бұрын

Thanks to both of you I have a Les Paul tribute it's wonderful but I had a unique opportunity to buy a SG special with Lyndy Fralins in it I spent my last dollar on it it's the sound I have been chasing all my life you both have influenced my love and playing and reconfirmed my love for the specials

@thequadraphonicgospels7829 Жыл бұрын

Is Hypes Keith’s nickname? This has been puzzling me for some time now.

@fivewattworld Жыл бұрын

It’s just what Rick and I call each other. It comes from us both speaking very quickly when we were younger.

@drsrsv8884 Жыл бұрын

@@fivewattworldcute☺

@charliemcdougall 3 ай бұрын

@@fivewattworld True fact: I usually set videos to 2X speed. With your videos, I have to slow them to .75 speed to take everything in. These videos are a firehose of information. First rule of broadcast: Think fast and talk slow. 🙂

@ChadwickRider Жыл бұрын

No auto stop on the winding machines is kinda what made those old models so special... Each guitar was truly unique.

@seanc.5310 Жыл бұрын

I got into P90's after playing Les Paul guitars for 25 years. I just never gave them a chance for some reason and then got a TV Yellow LP Special and it changed everything I thought I knew about LP guitars. Absolutely love them!

@elliotgoodine954 Жыл бұрын

My favorite LP special player who didn't get a mention: Paul Westerberg of the Replacements. His badly abused (he spraypainted it blue, and carved "For Sale" into the body right below the bridge) 50's special was used on their 1986 SNL appearance, and it's also on the cover of their live album For Sale: Live at Maxwell's.

@bradguitarmanintx157 Жыл бұрын

Mick Abraham (Jethro Tull 1st guitarist, Blodwyn Pig, Mick Abraham's Band) played an SG Special for many years.

@tomschrein417 Жыл бұрын

I’ve always been a strat guy, 3 years ago I decided to buy a TV yellow LP Special. I can’t say I’m a complete convert but my LP Special gets as much playing time as the Strat. LOVE those P90s!

@TheInfamousLegend27 Жыл бұрын

honestly p90s are such amazing pickups to make music with. no matter if it's soapbars or dogears, the tone and sound is just immense

@andymelendez9757 Жыл бұрын

I’m tellin you bro. Sweet sounds

@jaybd9329 Жыл бұрын

Don’t forget Leslie West - they were his mainstay for many years and really made them sing.

@cuda426hemi Жыл бұрын

This post is about Specials, not Juniors or P-90s. 🎸

@jaybd9329 Жыл бұрын

@@cuda426hemi does the special have p90s and is liked for its sound?

@DMSProduktions Жыл бұрын

@@jaybd9329 LOL!

@gazmasonik2411 Жыл бұрын

my favourite guitarist especially his solo albums, the Leslie West band album- dear prudence his solo is sublime

@innocentoctave Жыл бұрын

Great player, and one of the classic Gibson tones, but he didn't use Les Paul Specials. He used single pickup Les Paul Juniors, and much of the 'singing' was due to his monstrous Sunn PA amplifier.

@janzahalka9096 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for mentioning Martin Barre. He's the ultimate reason I picked up guitar few years ago, being 36 years old, following meeting him after one of his shows here in Prague. "Guitars of Martin Barre" would be a great episode... 🙂

@seangearhart2494 Жыл бұрын

Seconded.

@nonahyobusiness8063 Жыл бұрын

"Guitars of Martin Barre" .... ABSOLUTELY YES PLEASE

@janzahalka9096 Жыл бұрын

One more argument for the video - it seems he went from Specials and LPs via Hamer to PRS and now plays PRS (with piezo I would say) which makes it really interesting and he's probably one of the few "classics", who does not stick to G or F 70years old designs... AND I would bet he would be available to video chat about that! 🙂

@gearmeister Жыл бұрын

You could spend hours on Martin's glorious bending technique!

@oldgittarist 10 ай бұрын

Also a mention for Mick Abrahams who preceded Martin Barre in Tull (on This Was) and played an SG Special for much of his career in Blodwyn Pig etc.

@druwk Жыл бұрын

P90’s in a Mahogany guitar is a magical thing. Local artist and one of my favorites (covers: Punk, R&B, Surf, Rockabilly to Jazz in one show) uses nothing but Juniors, Specials and old P90 equipped Les Paul’s into Fender amps, straight in. One of the best live tones.

@andychase7693 Жыл бұрын

Local artist? Is that kind of like "area man" in The Onion? Or does this local artist have a name?

@druwk Жыл бұрын

@@andychase7693 Simon Chardet NYC He’s a lot more obscure these days? Back in the 90’s, early 2000’s he was ripping it up back when there were clubs and bars where bands could play. Simon and the Bar Sinisters, Joey Miserable and the Worms before that.

@julianthesmooshyhusky8976 Жыл бұрын

Fun fact, marley’s special’s pickup toggle housing was broken when the guitar was dropped, hence the strange oval shaped poker chip that was carved out of an old pickguard. Truly one of a kind.

@DMSProduktions Жыл бұрын

NO music shops in Trenchtown!

@thesjkexperience Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I always wondered why his guitar was like that.

@aceraspire7456 Жыл бұрын

I truly enjoy these guitar histories. This one hit a little closer to home. I still keep looking for when the episode on Hamer guitars will come up. Soon? Joel and Paul really did lead the way on what became the 'boutique' realm of guitars. And what they accomplished had a much larger impact on the music industry than many people may realize.

@TeleCaster66 Жыл бұрын

42 years of fairly serious playing and I have only 3 guitars; Strat, Tele, and my 2019 LP Special. Great guitar!

@kevindean1327 Жыл бұрын

You're doing way better than me with my 30 guitars. If I could get it down to 6 I'd be happy.

@seanmckelvey6618 Жыл бұрын

I was kind of surprised that Johnny Thunders & Mick Jones didn't get a mention until I did some quick research and discovered that they both used JP Jrs and not Specials. This was a great video though, the LP special is easily one of my top 5 guitars of all time, especially the double cut and "SG" body styles. Good enough for Pete Townshend is good enough for me.

@nickschultz3259 Жыл бұрын

Thunders played a TV Special in the NY Dolls (he's playing one on the cover of their second LP), then switched to Jr's in the Heartbreakers and beyond.

@hillx021hill3 Жыл бұрын

Johnny Thunders played a special on the Midnight Special (as well as other shows) a d is pictured with it on the Too Much, Too Soon cover with the New York Dolls.

@seanmckelvey6618 Жыл бұрын

Ah well, shows what I know then. Cheers guys.

@tysonrinker5958 Жыл бұрын

Noone ever mentions thunders

@paulcoleman3081 Жыл бұрын

You really do provide some of the best content on You Tube Keith. It's always a special pleasure when you bring out one of your short history videos. I missed your moustache terribly, but a few seconds with a Sharpie on my monitor screen and all was well...

@Eric-sh2ok Жыл бұрын

😂

@timpierceguitar Жыл бұрын

Keith this is great! I always learn new things from your videos, and the P90 deep dive on this vid taught me alot! Tim

@fivewattworld Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tim!

@Guitar5986 Жыл бұрын

Incredible as always! Thanks Keith

@dthayer1045 6 ай бұрын

Amazing as always. Great detail and narration

@ritiksharma9749 Жыл бұрын

Amazing video once again Keith, hats off!

@jeremywills9303 Жыл бұрын

I love my 2004 double cut TV Yellow faded special. That thin finish has worn in nicely over the years and it just feels and plays like butter.

@umbertoyltp Жыл бұрын

Another untold story added to the Short History icons shelf. Thank you Keith, for your excellent document.

@davidrosenzweig1380 Жыл бұрын

Stellar work as always these videos will be used as reference points for decades to come

@peterthomas22 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Keith, very educational video.

@matchrocket1702 Жыл бұрын

I owned a '61 SG special from 1973 to 2011. I gave it to my grand daughter. It had such good action that I developed a light touch from playing it for so long. It also left me with a soft spot for P90s.

@nikolaibarbarich7887 Жыл бұрын

As always Keith, presented perfectly ! Love these videos, all the best mate. Nik

@mariodriessen9740 Жыл бұрын

The double cut LP specials and juniors are definitely two of my favorites. I love them. Thanks, Keith!

@mikepfeifer3687 Жыл бұрын

Great work Keith, you are simply the best on you tube!!!!

@scottkidwellmusic9175 Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Keith 🙏 I appreciate these Short (and in depth) Histories quite a bit. I have a Junior I picked up at a pawn shop about a year ago. It was almost a steal!! Single P90s definitely stand out in the mix Be good to you 🤍💛

@wallyinthebox1 Жыл бұрын

Thank You Keith

@docjeffry Жыл бұрын

Another great essay. thank you.

@treborikki Жыл бұрын

Always looking forward to each episode @ five watt world.. And especially for this one! P90s are truly special. Especially on a Gibson Special. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, research and passion.

@notbraindead7298 Жыл бұрын

There's something addictive to Keith's "five watt world" videos. If I start to watch one, I have watch the whole thing.

@maggieo Жыл бұрын

My '61 SG Special loved this, Keith! As did I!

@blockingthesunmusic Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video as always sir. Thank you so much for your passion and love of all things music/guitar 🙏

@salmonti9707 Жыл бұрын

Ton of research there Keith. Report was well done and certainly held my interest. Thanks for all you do.

@judih.8754 Жыл бұрын

Another great review. And the clean shave looks super!

@Factory_Muff Жыл бұрын

Good to see Uncle Jarred James Nichols on this. I hung out with him on his 30th birthday in Poughkeepsie when he opened up for John 5. So yeah, we homies. My brother! 😊

@wrzkace1 10 ай бұрын

Great short story . Thank you

@kennethc2466 Жыл бұрын

As someone who has never got along with Les Pauls, and hate their feel, this video entertained AND informed me. Hats off, and damn well done.

@TeleCaster66 Жыл бұрын

I dislike playing Les Paul's too, the Special is completely different. I had a 1962 many years ago and missed the P90's hence the newer Original Series I bought which are really great!

@kennethc2466 Жыл бұрын

@@TeleCaster66 I still think the Special feels horrible, as it's literally the same in all the 'feel' ways, especially the neck. It has all the faults, like wound strings going over knife edged saddles, and a nut to turner AOA that would make a fighter pilot black out. I sold my 64 Special for a 2010 PRS Single Cut, and it's better in every way. I always tell newer players, 'play a PRS after you try a Les Paul, and you'll never buy a Les Paul".

@TeleCaster66 Жыл бұрын

@@kennethc2466 No knife edge saddles on mine, it has a wrap around tailpiece. The tuners on both of mine have the same tuning ratio as any other guitar I've ever had. I have no fault with them. A PRS is a very nice though, I'd play one. To each thier own, I owned lots of guitars and the Specials do it for me.

@TylerJohnstonGuitar Жыл бұрын

I’ve always liked the look but hated the feel. I’ve owned Studios, Standards, and Customs and I haven’t gotten along with one.

@kennethc2466 Жыл бұрын

@@TeleCaster66 While the wrap around helps tuning, it is utter hell on intonation, as it's not compensated properly. Angle of Attack, AOA, is not about tuner ratio, hence my specificity of saying nut to tuner AOA. I see you love your guitar very much, but I don't do the brand fanboy thing, and amy quite willing to say my PRS Single Cut has flaws of it's own. Even my beloved Tele's have their own problems, that I'd admit readily. No guitar is without faults, just like any other product.

@dragonlordskater5028 Жыл бұрын

As always, thank you! A great start to the day, and something to think about. Never knew that Knopfler picked up a Special before the legendary strat.

@barberelectronics5672 Жыл бұрын

Loved that episode Keith! The Les Paul Special is my favorite Les Paul, I need a double-cut in my life one day, Rick's model would be great, but I'd slum with a TV yellow too. 🙂

@buzzawuzza3743 Жыл бұрын

These videos make my day! Really good look at a cool Gibson.

@tone1798 Жыл бұрын

Great episode Keith! One of my favorite guitars of all time! And yes my guitar hero Mr. DeLeo was a big part of me procuring one😎

@rsi1964 Жыл бұрын

You're awesome Keith. Well done.

@alasdairmunro1953 Жыл бұрын

Great video Keith!

@picksalot1 Жыл бұрын

Guitars with P90's in them always sound good to me ears. Rick's got good taste. Another wonderful Short History episode. I wish history was this interesting when I was in school. Thanks

@toploadtele Жыл бұрын

5 Stars again for Keith & FWW Short Histories! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

@ericsilvamusic Жыл бұрын

The coolest Special I've ever seen is Matthew Scott's 1958 TV Yellow Special. Tones of vibe and tone, with a great story. Cool video Keith!

@cloudconnect Жыл бұрын

That is quite possibly the best special I have heard, as well.

@curtevans838 Жыл бұрын

Agreed.

@seerattan Жыл бұрын

Nice thanks for this one, love the specials.

@lucianopazos286 Жыл бұрын

God bless you Keith! Love your videos.

@paulmyers4040 Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@GRBAquatics Жыл бұрын

Very Cool Episode, Thankyou.

@smop Жыл бұрын

Love it! The LP Special has been my favorite guitar in recent years. How about a collective short history on Gibson basses? I know they’re not as common/popular, but I love them, and lots of famous players used them over the decades.

@TraneFrancks Жыл бұрын

Another marvellous production. I recognized Rick's signature model in the thumbnail. 🥰 I have a Les Paul Special Tribute P-90 in Worn White that has essentially become my number 1. It's wonderfully flexible, offering everything from glassy refinement through to nasty snarling. My kinda guitar.

@mariomarmo551 Жыл бұрын

Pretty well done my Friend. Thanks again!

@LostPlanet2024 Жыл бұрын

I had a Double cut 59’ in the 80’s. Loved it through a 65’ Bassman rig!

@monday6524 Жыл бұрын

A great Short History yet again. I have been drawn to the P90 Double Cut. I just like the look and the sound. Just need to figure out which current guitar I will sacrifice in exchange! The Special has a really interesting and diverse history which makes it interesting on several levels. 1) from a musical construction perspective and 2) from Gibson’s indecisive business management practices.

@jeremyward493 Жыл бұрын

Great video as usual. Thanks!

@ldiaz3968 Жыл бұрын

Keith, you're basically making the canon of electric guitar history 101. Another awesome video. Gracias!

@buddylobos5277 Жыл бұрын

Even with 3 neck repairs (1 headstock, 2 neck body joints upper & lower) my 1959 double cut TV yellow was an amazing guitar, with amazing sound. That '59 neck. Man. None better. Great one Thank You Keith..

@samsantanamusic Жыл бұрын

LP specials rule! And so does 5 watt world. Always such high quality content. Keep it up.

@geraldrauch1701 Жыл бұрын

hello keith!!! just put in a bareknuckle warpig HS-P90 in one of my les pauls recently...i've used humbuckers for over 35 years and absolutely love the different kinda sound!!! cheers!!!

@suttletovah Жыл бұрын

I got a TV yellow Special a couple of weeks ago, and I haven't touched my Standard, Strat, Tele, or Martins since. Most fun guitar I've ever had. Thanks for all your good work!

@sadielampduo3762 Жыл бұрын

In 1991 traded my Gibson Howard Robert's Jazz Fusion Black ,, on Sunset Blvd at Gtr. Center for a Gibson 1960 LP Special . I was melding from pop jazz to straight rock . I still own both genres and now play a Gib 175 and LP Special w/ tremolo. My babys

@nazmoking3171 Жыл бұрын

Cool to hear the mix of Alnico P90 pickups Gibson was putting out in the early days! Adds to the mystique… I personally love the Alnico III’s and consider that the “true” Gibson sound.

@markolivares1625 Жыл бұрын

Great as usual!!

@rexnavarro2918 Жыл бұрын

As always..good stuff! Your "Short History" videos are just the best, so much information given..and good information. I remember back in the day the only way to learn and know so much was to read articles in Guitar Player, reading books like "the Guitar book- by Tom Wheeler, information passed second hand by a reputable source, going to those early guitar meets or self discovery - find out yourself! I still recall unscrewing the pickup rings and pulling the pickups out of my 1965 Gibson SG Standard and seeing the "patent applied for" sticker underneath them, then thinking to myself..what kind of pickups are these? Keep up the great work and thanks for keeping guitars and guitar outlook positive and entertaining.

@oliviergagnon2592 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for all your excellent videos 😉

@johngerson7335 Жыл бұрын

I own one of the 2019 SG Specials in "Burgundy Mist". Gibson got it right, it definitely has a lot of mojo! Thanks Keith, another great upload!

@kenthhamner2641 Жыл бұрын

I've got a 2019 LP double cut junior and love it! 1 P90!

@birdman316 10 ай бұрын

great stuff as always brother!

@Nightmerica Жыл бұрын

This video is a nice end cap to the week as I ordered a new SG Special in ebony and it arrived last Thursday. Those P90s sound so great. Years ago I had an SG Junior that was, I think, from sometime in the 90s, and I wanted that sound back. The new Special does it.

@DareBear2099 Жыл бұрын

My main gigging guitar for the pat few years is a black 1997 Gibson SG special. It’s my workhorse, my rock. Such a great instrument.

@unclestubs8377 Жыл бұрын

Great vid, keep 'em coming!

@desmondmyers Жыл бұрын

Of my ever growing but relatively modest herd of 4 guitars, maybe the guitar I’m most proud of is my 2011 Melody Maker Special with Mojotone 57 quiet coils. The combination of ultra thin finish, wrap tail piece and those killer P90’s is such an unbelievable thing. the Melody Maker is also thinner than the Les Paul. Very very cool underrated guitar 😎 thanks Keith another great one

@jonathanhandsmusic Жыл бұрын

Real nice and interesting video. I love my Special.

@Johngonefishin Жыл бұрын

Robbies first Special used to record the early Doors material was stolen around 68,' and never recovered, so it's still out there somewhere.............

@Zootallures100 Жыл бұрын

Top notch stuff as usual. Thanks a lot for this 😊

@donovanwickel6547 8 ай бұрын

I was lucky enough to get a p90 50s standard and I can’t get enough of it! Sounds so fine

@Corporations8MyBaby Жыл бұрын

Another great one, Keith. P-90s definitely have more "chime"... perfect in those Hiwatts. The combo of a P-90 bridge and the "AlNiCo Staple" in the neck makes for some endless fascination with cleaner tones. They balance better for cleans and edge of breakup switching between them. It's like having a gibson bridge sound and a hopped up Gretsch neck sound. I use a high pass on my volume knob to "clear up" the neck then go full out on the bridge and it's perfection. I love the idea of a thinner body for a bit more of the SG body resonance plus that lighter weight for playing for hours without getting weary. I love my R7, but I have to put it down after a while and rest/return to my 7 lb fender. Specials, when made light, are a perfect in-between sweet spot.

@imogendedo8296 Жыл бұрын

as always, very good. entertaining and informative.

@ericheder777 Жыл бұрын

Love my TV yellow LP special! Got it brand new last year. Not my first LP, but was my first P90 guitar.

@longotown Жыл бұрын

Love these vidz Keith - Thanks so much. I am building a precision kit now. Its a Les Paul double cut, cant wait to finish as I have never owned a guitar with P90s.

@philhood4604 Жыл бұрын

Love my 2015 DC Special

@c.j.robert5350 Жыл бұрын

As always, great video!!!

@jamro217 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Thanks. Steve Miller used a custom painted P-90 DC Special on The Joker tour in 1973-4. I believe it was used on the record. Tom Johnston of The Doobie Brothers used a cherry red SG special with P-90s around that time, too. Some of The Captain And Me LP might feature that guitar.

@mborel Жыл бұрын

Great video!

Жыл бұрын

My new guitar in the vintage cherry version, first Gibson and especially first with P90 pickups. What a unique sound !

@vox1966 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video!

@dinosaursr Жыл бұрын

Alway well presented and a wealth of information. Thanks.

@sassycat Жыл бұрын

I recently purchased a 1998 Les Paul Special and it has all of those classic rock sounds, but can also do the jazz and country style sounds as well. An amazing guitar and another well researched short history video. Thank you Keith, I look forward to your next installment (Melody Maker perhaps?).

@robertkise Жыл бұрын

Yes Keith, do Melody Maker next. It has a pretty cool history too with all of the different body and pickup styles. My 1961 double-cut Melody Maker has been one of my main axes for 40 some years. The headstock has been repaired a total of 4 times so far but it remains such a great playing little guitar. I love it!

@Nick051967 Жыл бұрын

Outrageously good video. Repeated one two shots to the head of fascinating guitar information.

@keepondoubletruckin8466 Жыл бұрын

Thank You

@bobantaki2256 Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@joeriffanucci Жыл бұрын

I love it. Thanks Keith this is such an important guitar and history. I also love the fact you're a Martin Barre fan. I need to get a p90 guitar!

@michaelrosa2589 Жыл бұрын

Great video! In high school Jethro Tull was my favorite band. Martin Barre is one of the most underrated guitar players there is. I just bought a Epiphone LP special and I can not put it down. Again I love your histories!