Ultimate Les Paul Shootout Feat. Chris Buck & Richard Barrett

Рет қаралды 86,253

Күн бұрын

00:00 Intro
03:44 Signal Chain
04:39 Gibson Custom Mark Knopfler '58 Vs. Gibson Custom 40th Anniversary LP
12:21 Chris and Richard jam #1
16:21 2002 Les Paul Standard Vs. Gibson Custom Collector's Choice '57 Goldtop
25:37 Chris and Richard jam #2
30:11 1959 'Grainger Burst' Vs. Gibson Custom Jimmy Page #2
41:27 Chris and Richard jam #3
47:49 1954 Les Paul Goldtop Vs. 1953/59 Les Paul Standard Conversion
58:20 Chris and Richard jam #4
1:02:20 Semi-Final Round 1
1:09:03 Semi-Final Round 2
1:17:39 Grand Final
1:27:39 Final jam
We took eight incredible Les Pauls - from an original '59 'Burst and '54 Goldtop, to Custom Shop replicas of Jimmy Page's #2 and Mark Knopfler's '58 Standard to a humble, off-the-peg early Noughties LP and pit them against each other one by one to see which we would crown the ultimate Les Paul. With Cardinal Black guitarist Chris Buck and Guitarist's Richard Barrett as our test guitarists, we watched them put these classic electrics through their paces through jamming and plenty of back-and-forth insights - to come up with one ultimate winner in this 90-minute deep dive into the ageless sonic appeal of Gibson's iconic solidbody.

Пікірлер: 158

@funhousebaby3104 5 ай бұрын

Nothing but complete and utter cork sniffing. Love it.

@johnkas23 6 ай бұрын

I know everyone here is head over hills for chris great playing but I think a real shout for Richard barrett who was much more restrained with perfect phrasing and timing showing class and taste

@adamchafetz2986 5 ай бұрын

Yeah, Richard is one of my favorite players. Its very hard to find his music. I know he has a solo recording( digital).

@K3v0P3N80 2 ай бұрын

I been waiting for a shootout like this for a while. And the fact that someone chose the two most perfect musicians to bring it all together is justifiably amazing. Not any do we all get to hear the A B comparison of these great guitars, but to have Chris and Richard play them so beautifully, I found myself forgetting about the main idea of the show and got lost in the incredible playing styles of these two.

@roberthickmott8465 3 ай бұрын

Great video, I do remember Steve Hove (Vintage n Rare partner) saying that Guitarist had just been in to do this video when I called in to collect the 53 - 59 Conversion. I've only just watched the video, and it was really good to hear the comparisons. I am totally happy with my guitar. Well done everybody.

@BITESIZEJONES 6 ай бұрын

Richard has an honest style feel.

@davecooper360 2 ай бұрын

Great audio on here. It sounds mind blowing even on my phone speakers.

@Joey_McElroy Ай бұрын

Some of the best guitar playing I’ve ever heard…absolutely stunning! Thank you to both gents.

@paul_sebastian1154 6 ай бұрын

Really enjoyed this show, great guitars and great playing, and always a pleasure to see Chris Buck. Thanks guys 👍

@liorauf 3 ай бұрын

What a lovely video! Thank you! About the players.. brilliant! The Les Pauls.. WOW! ❤️🤘

@mortonwilson795 6 ай бұрын

Well that was fun! Lovely interaction between the guys. I feel vindicated - the 2 that I liked ended up being the finalists so that was fun. I picked up on that comment about asking more of a guitar than it's designed for (or similar comment) and that resonated. I bought my 68 LP Custom in 1974 and a couple of years later figured I'd swap in some Seymour Duncans, (the bridge was a new 'Distortion' model) because that was sorta the thing to do then . . . they lasted one week! We had a midweek residency and by the second night I felt like any sense of dynamics or subtlety had gone out the window, so I'm happy to say the original stock Gibsons are still in place and sounding great 😀

@michaeldonnelly3558 6 ай бұрын

Great video, Great Playing. Hats off to Tom Murphy and the Gibson Custom Shop for hitting the nail on the head. Fantastic Gold Top.

@sledgehammer80sband37 6 ай бұрын

That's the best video you guys have done in ages. Fantastic :)

@guitarist 6 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@mattchurchill 6 ай бұрын

What a great vid. Enjoyed every minute. Thank you guys for taking the time to make this👍

@elliotgreen987 6 ай бұрын

The real winner of this shoot out is Chris and Richard for getting to play them all! Followed closely by us being able to listen to it

@adamchafetz2986 5 ай бұрын

This just made my day. 2 of my very favorite players. Just jamming, having fun. This is what its all about.

@blacklion401 6 ай бұрын

Really enjoyed this video. Some amazing guitars and great players.

@ZigZagZimolag 6 ай бұрын

Fantastic video lads, thanks for taking the time to make and share this. The Grainger burst sounds phenomenal, by far my favourite from this comparison. The Collector's Choice '57 was also fantastic in my opinion, and definitely makes me want to go out searching for a goldtop to add to my collection!

@stauffrt2 6 ай бұрын

Absolutely brilliant concept, executed wonderfully. Love this video. Chris and Richard really do well explaining the nuances and pro/con of the various editions of LP. If I’d seen this 15 years ago I’d have saved a lot of frustration buying stuff.

@patrickkrenz515 6 ай бұрын

Wow! Inspiring tones and jams!

@aahmed8239 5 ай бұрын

Amazing video, thanks. Fantastic playing ❤

@markpearce8191 16 күн бұрын

I could watch these two guys play any guitar all day to be honest! Great video

@flybynight1929 6 ай бұрын

Brilliant. We just never get enough of these.

@babagadoush1 6 ай бұрын

Loved everything about this approach. Bravo

@ObraBass Ай бұрын

Everything sounds good in Chris's hands

@KelsterVonShredster 3 ай бұрын

Best video on Les Pauls I have ever seen. Nice job boys. Loved it.

@user-gk2mr6vs7g 6 ай бұрын

Les Pauls are my favorite so I enjoyed this video. I have a 2002 premium plus top in desert burst. It has 50s standard knobs and wiring with burstbuckers 1 and 2 but has a fatter 60s neck. It is hands down the best guitar that I have ever had.

@Nordic_Sky 6 ай бұрын

Owner of many bursts here. They vary widely. It's so refreshing to hear someone talk about this. Lots of people nowadays think all vintage guitars walk on water, but it's not true. The best are supernatural, and they keep the whole craze going.

@flybynight1929 6 ай бұрын

Not a LP expert by any means, but I know fake wear when I see it.

@Nordic_Sky 6 ай бұрын

There is no confusing a reproduction with an original. The materials are different, it even smells different. But my point is there are many great guitars these days. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the guitars were absolutely horrible and that got the whole vintage craze going. Guitars are so much better now. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good instrument. @@flybynight1929

@jimbeam-ru1my 4 ай бұрын

"The best are supernatural, and they keep the whole craze going." True. Gibson couldn't produce a modern guitar to keep the craze going if their lives depended on it. Gibsons burst of popularity when Slash came around was caused by a replica. If Slash would have been handed a real les paul he probably would have passed and Jackson or something would have benefitted

@bewusstsein3527 3 ай бұрын

@@jimbeam-ru1myi doubt that.. if slash played a jackson it wont appeal on people.. yes they might love the music but not the guitar.. les paul has charisma .. they are beautiful looking instrument.. even slash never existed people will love les paul because it has some magic in the way it looks..

@joshuahaley4367 6 ай бұрын

Chris's lick at 1:04:01 is so slick. Had to steal it!

@mikeimmekamp3006 5 ай бұрын

absolutely magic. Someone recently asked me what the best Les Paul was. You give the perfect answer: everyone! great video - thank you

@ronaldbaglien3457 6 ай бұрын

Jam #3 was inspiring. Great tones and great playing.

@eichaan 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the wonderful video! The 53-59 sounds exactly like what I want a guitar to sound like, but it is such a pleasure to listen to Richard and Chris play together, regardless of the instrument. I think you might sell a bunch of Blues Juniors, too, if they all sound that good. And the conversation (which is always a hallmark of Guitarist videos) is excellent too.

@russellgalloway4343 5 ай бұрын

The real winner is me for stumbling on this program. Absolutely wonderful playing on the incredible instruments.

@babagadoush1 6 ай бұрын

Gorgeous playing boys

@spideymarino 6 ай бұрын

Brilliant video guys. Stunning guitars and playing. Can I just say though, that Marshall with that pedal board sounded phenomenal. I need to try that JTM45 pedal!!!!

@slowtrainstill 6 ай бұрын

Super fun -- thanks!

6 ай бұрын

The neck pickup on the 54 goldtop is the voice of god. Period. Had the chance to try a 54 goldtop a couple months ago... i was mesmerized at that same fact.

@stevesteve1965 6 ай бұрын

If I could play like anyone it would be Richard, so fluid.

@UKMARCO7 4 ай бұрын

Richard Barrett solo is simply lovely and authentic, Chris sound so modern but smooth.

@ashleyjackson8538 3 ай бұрын

Some real classic quality creations.

@jamesdonahue6466 6 ай бұрын

GREAT video! I'd love to see something akin to this as a regular series!

@K3v0P3N80 Ай бұрын

I second that. What a great and entertaining show it would be! 😊

@johnsmith-oh2xo 6 ай бұрын

Well well Chris Buck you never cease to amaze me with your playing man so great and great feel to that's it.....

@Gerbinger 6 ай бұрын

This is good and will get a second watch and listen.

@bluesbothers 6 ай бұрын

thank you!

@boydross 6 ай бұрын

VERY NICE VIDEO

@dwillc6621 6 ай бұрын

I just absolutley love Chris' playing!!!

@lesspaul98 Ай бұрын

Gold top r7 sounded the best by far when comparing the majority. The granger came very close, but the gold top has the clarity, the bite, the fatness.. and the looks

@Kevin-the-Just 6 ай бұрын

This is one of the most useful and relevant comparisons of the various incarnations of the Les Paul. It confirms for me that 'old wood' is the real determining factor. Closely followed by old pickups. That said, of these, I would most like to have that Collector's Choice Gold Top. It makes me wonder... Can I make do with one kidney? Merry Christmas to all.

@LfunkeyA 6 ай бұрын

i think old hardware (bridge, tailpiece, posts, bushings) play a bigger role than you expect.

@fossilmatic 6 ай бұрын

So excited to have the 54 revealed, and then SOOOO disappointed that the bridge pickup didn’t work.

@These_go_to_eleven_1959 6 ай бұрын

Since no one else said it i will, The Granger has a "BLOOM" to the notes the others did not have as much of.When i picked my R9( a 2018 true historic) this was one of the main things i was looking for. The notes seem to get bigger after they are picked or plucked(if you play with your fingers like Chris does a lot of the time). To Be fair i think a lot of why the Granger had that in spades over the others is due partly to those original P.A.F's it has in it. Would loved to have heard that 53 conversion and Knopfler with real P.A.F's in it. That would really tell the story best.

@saradamsmc 5 ай бұрын

I really really really want to see more of that Grainger Burst. There should be a whole video made about it

@markcarleton6647 5 ай бұрын

I love comparisons like these! I doubt I’ll ever have an opportunity to play a 59 Les Paul and compare it to reissues, a Jimmy Page Les Paul, and standard Les Paul’s. the next best thing is listening to other people do it. My two cents is that in general I preferred the guitars with the more vintage less hot pickups. Having said that, all of the guitars sounded really good and the guitar playing was great!

@VeniceKing1 6 ай бұрын

Chris Buck is the man

@JazzGuitarScrapbook 6 ай бұрын

I enjoy the fact that you need a jtm 45 pedal when you are playing through your vintage Plexi, because them things are CLEAN at any reasonable volume lede I can say from my own experience

@peanutygoodness 5 ай бұрын

Best part of this video is the American flag pillow. Reviewing our guitars from over here in the states (I’m from the California Oblast) is one thing, but tossing around our pillows is different.

@Roomfulofgear 6 ай бұрын

Obviously an amazing selection of guitars, but I will say this: Chris Buck will sound like Chris Buck regardless of the guitar he plays; and let's be honest, we would have to be splitting hairs in order to pick out the neck pickup for every Les Paul he's played - he just lives in that wooly, slightly muffled zone. Not to dump on Chris Buck, but given his very distinct playing style and sound, he would not be my choice as a representation for the wider demographic of players. Conversely, Richard Barrett is a great choice as his style seems to be more representative of the approach most players would take - or at the very least, aspire toward.

@riadmiah3342 6 ай бұрын

Great vid. Chris’ playing changes the tone quite a bit because he plays with his fingers. It softens the tone even when her plays the black standard 24:30

@SimpleManGuitars1973 6 ай бұрын

I just want to throw a shoutout towards my little Tobacco Burst Les Paul Tribute. It's an absolutely GLORIOUS little tone machine and I HIGHLY recommend checking them out and they are VERY affordable! I've played VASTLY more expensive Les Pauls that just don't feel as good as my little underdog Tribute. I can't believe Gibson quit making them. They're really cool and I feel like I've got a really underrated gem.

@user-gk2mr6vs7g 6 ай бұрын

I doba wrap around with 10s and love it

@JustAGuitarPlayer 5 ай бұрын

I’d love to know the DC resistance readings on each of these pickups as I feel that plays a huge role in how the guitar reacts to pedals or to an overdriven amp (glad you showed the magnet material). Regardless, great comparison video

@nealdavis2878 6 ай бұрын

Obviously missing was a Murphy Lab. Would love to see that compared in the future. Totally different than the CC and custom shop stuff before in pickups, finish etc

@PNWJEEPER01 4 ай бұрын

Man, I hope Chris finds his way to Portland, Oregon sometime soon. We'd love to introduce him to our scene; and vice versa!

@willdenham 3 ай бұрын

My favorite is my Tokai 59' burst with a 59'/60' style neck and Brandonwound 59' PAF replicas. I would love a goldtop though.

@aleksik4028 6 ай бұрын

Only thing missing is them drinking tea. When some of the guitars humbuckers is bit hotter, "oh dear, I'll put kettle on" 😅

@guitarist 6 ай бұрын

No - we had a *tea break*! We’re British, after all. Down tools, then tea.

@aleksik4028 6 ай бұрын

@@guitarist Just kidding 😊

@8KilgoreTrout4 6 ай бұрын

I DGAF who wants to hate on me, I think Chris Buck has SRV-level play, feel and tone. Guy sounds fn fantastic!

@adamkrauss303 6 ай бұрын

Hard to say one is hotter or other tonal distinctions between both gents playing, when Chris is playing without a pick.

@daviddalziel884 5 ай бұрын

Brilliant and heartbreaking in equal measure .Big bucks for them all , 57 reissue best for sound and value . The Knopfler up against the 2002 would be a great battle as both were pretty full on . I recently failed to pull the trigger on a great 2019 Standard in unburst and have regretted it ever since . For me the best Jack of all trades was the 53 conversion but puzzled about the pickups and how that would affect value . Ask me in half an hour and I’d probably change my selection again !!

@victorbeebe8372 6 ай бұрын

Very nice guitars. Wonder what the outcome would have been, if Grainger was not there and the bridge P 90 was working?

@Gerbinger 6 ай бұрын

When running through the Marshall, was there a time when no pedals were engaged and you got direct LP to Marshall signal?

@Adipsia1 19 күн бұрын

Cork-sniffing aside, I'd be all over the 53 P90 Gold-top with a wonky bridge pickup.

@craigthomson3621 5 ай бұрын

Of the 3 sets of boots, although each pair has their good points, I think I prefer Richard’s black ones.

@TheJP3 6 ай бұрын

The conversion bridge pickup was fantastic, but the 54 p-90 neck pickup rules them all. Too bad the bridge did not work correctly.

@deplinenoise 6 ай бұрын

Chris always sounds great. Thanks for this. Also was hilarious to me to play the real burst through a $800 amp.

@These_go_to_eleven_1959 2 ай бұрын

That conversion burst had a Billy gibbons tone.

@LfunkeyA 5 ай бұрын

i like the goldtop reissue. the vintages are great, so are the reissues really.

@jeremyjohnston592 6 ай бұрын

Fantastic clip gents. 59 for the win was the right choice. While the Goldtop sounded wonderful, I liked the 53 conversion more. Both that, and the 59 really sounded like Les Pauls, not hot Telecasters. Also, I dont think 2002 Standard disgraced itself! Its in esteemed company here, but its sounded great! There's definitely players out there that are after that heavier LP sound, and although those pickups are hotter it still sounded Iike a Les Paul. Cheers

@alangreenway6695 6 ай бұрын

I own 3 Lefty Gibson Pauls- a 1999 Standard that could tear through steel, a 1998 Custom gold top ‘57 that is smooth as silk, and a 2012 T that has splitting electronics for the pickups that’s more glassy even in full humbucker mode-a ‘modern sound’. They all have their place in the music I make. Somehow having only bought new guitars I somehow have a set of 25, 24, and 11 year old guitars. I don’t think there really is a ‘Les Paul sound’ as they all really vary- and they sound totally different to V’s, Explorers, and SG’s. I find Fender models tend to have less variance in their tones.

@allstopblue5717 5 ай бұрын

Haha I found it funny when it showed on screen the real 59 burst was being played through a Blues Jr. idk. It was just weird reading that. Still sounded great

@scottjua 6 ай бұрын

Would have been interesting to do blindfold evaluations too to see how much of it is KNOWING what’s there

@norocknrollradio57 Ай бұрын

うおーいい音！♪

@stevephen 4 ай бұрын

What is the deal with the "wolverine" wear on the grainger burst? The pictures on reverb, and Denmark Street Guitars don't show the same gouges, did that wear occur from being gigged since it was sold?

@larrychung3190 6 ай бұрын

And the real winner is... the '68 Marshall Plexi and matching cab. Not a doubt in my ears. (:

@boblove2912 6 ай бұрын

should have done it blindfold. I bet the results would be totally different.

@ianclevenger9714 6 ай бұрын

Grainger burst is a good example of a burst that has some level of fame where it can be just seen as a casual guitar but still having that it factor to it it's what you could classify as a humble burst

@ianclevenger9714 6 ай бұрын

Chris with Grainger burst is just straight perfection

@revelry1969 6 ай бұрын

Those guys slay. All those guitars sound great. Chris plays with his raw thumb more often so things will sound different from player right away. But the ‘59 definitely takes the cake. Chris became a different player. The page #2 is pretty cool. Those Dingwall pickups are very great pickups. In the semi that ‘53 conversion sounds pretty amazing….at a fraction of the cost

@ArizonaMMJ 4 ай бұрын

jesus Chris playing is just sick and tasty. both play amazing

@nighalator 6 ай бұрын

Merry Christmas mates , get you some of that figgy pudding ✌🏻🎸🎶

@user-zn6gz4ub7w 3 ай бұрын

If you want the vintage tones switch your alnico V pickups to alnico II pickups.

@These_go_to_eleven_1959 6 ай бұрын

So much for Old originals just being a imagined myth! That Granger burst completely dominated over the others! The Knopfler 58 came in second for me sound wise. Extremely nice re-issue no doubt! and the 53 to 59 conversion definitely had some character but lacked the real P.A.F's unfortunately. I have never heard of those digwall pickups? I can only suppose they are along the lines of OX4,Wizz,Throbak and Stephens design P.A.F repro's?

@itsmikee1994 6 ай бұрын

I've got a few sets of DIngwalls, the guy lives just up the road for me. I've had OX4s in a Les Paul, and have tried Les Pauls with Wizz, Bare Knuckle and Throbak. The Dingwalls blew them all away

@These_go_to_eleven_1959 6 ай бұрын

@@itsmikee1994 That is good to hear. By any chance have you put them up against a set of late 50's P.A.F's? Just curious how they would fair against the old original's? I know all old PAF's are not the same but most do share some important elements with each other. The closest "modern" P.A.F i found are by Stephens designs. He has offered sets with NOS wire and is quite obsessive chasing the P.A.F mojo, what made them tick so to speak. Guy really knows his stuff.👍

@itsmikee1994 6 ай бұрын

@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 I haven't I'm afraid, I haven't been lucky enough to try them against an original set. But Alan is very highly regarded, and uses the same methods and materials Gibson used years ago when they made the originals. Ramon Goose has some experience with old Les Pauls and may be able to share more insight on the comparison than I can.

@These_go_to_eleven_1959 6 ай бұрын

@@itsmikee1994 The dingwalls do sound promising i will look into a used set on reverb.👍

@marcusbryndorf5489 6 ай бұрын

Spirit of 59 by Amber are the real deal. German made with vintage authentic alnico 4 magnets. Bloom and Everthing you would expect. But has to go with the correct wood and hardware to fully deliver.

@nazarenkodenys 3 ай бұрын

Chris is magnificent

@youKnowWho3311 5 ай бұрын

Chris's playing, which I adore, tends to be darker due to his fingers. Something to be noted.

@dionj.pierre 2 ай бұрын

Chris need to remember that he's not playing for himself

@slugtoenail 6 ай бұрын

Awesome! As others have stated, great guitars and great players. I actually think Chris sounded the best on the black one.

@stanislavmigra 5 ай бұрын

Dont know the results yet, but the 53/59 really SINGS

@Paul-D 6 ай бұрын

I really thought the Grainger was the best too, even over KZfaq. Can't imagine how good it was in the room. WHY do the older guitars always win haha

@rubenpapa100 5 ай бұрын

I've heard Chris playing it live (in Bristol last month) and it is phenomenal.... as is he

@antonlemmy1417 3 ай бұрын

I swear Chris could play a cigar box guitar and make it sound awesome!

@usagi2988 6 ай бұрын

(Sarcasm Incoming) I cannot think of a worse person to do any kind of quality shoot out than Chris Buck... the guy can make broom handle sing, so of **course** everything is going to sound amazing when he plays it! \,,,/

@Ivayloi123 6 ай бұрын

One is playing with fingers only, have that in mind.

@ae3898 6 ай бұрын

There’s something mildly amusing about the ultimate in ‘burst unobtainium being played through a Fender Blues Jr. , perhaps the dictionary definition of amp “obtainium”.

@davidf8749 6 ай бұрын

It's a shame "Vintage & Rare" is by appt only (setup since the pandemic and continues afterwards). I regularly go to Bath and only get to look through the window of this place. Fortunately, GuitarBitz is close by (which is on "Quiet St" which is slightly ironic :) ).

@davidf8749 6 ай бұрын

If it's appt only, then once you gain entry, you maybe pressured into purchasing something. 😕😕

@Tolbiny 6 ай бұрын

Definitely. I live in Bath and used to really enjoy going in there. Such a shame it’s now appointment only.

@Ace8Three 5 ай бұрын

The pickups in bursts were quite weak and suitable for blues, but many rock players changed them for hotter to push the amp and I think many guitar players think that as a burst sound rather than with factory stock pickups.