Excellent playing and demo of the guitars. I have smaller hands but still think a 50s is more for me. I want to test the difference in a store but I know I will never buy a new Gibson.
Funny. I bought a new 60s a couple of years ago from Sweetwater. I watched this wanting to like it better than the 50s lol. But honestly, both sound amazing, just different. For example I thought the 50s "spoke" better on the intro to Dazed and Confused, but liked the 60s better at times also. Thumbs up on a really good video from a new subscriber.
Both sound great. I bought a 60's LP Standard second-hand recently and couldn't be happier. The slimmer neck is not as slim as some Gibsons I have played in the past. The 60s pickups are little more refined and articulate and sound similar to a few PAF equipped old Gibsons I have played in the past- good if you want to play more cleaner tones.
Great comparison ! Do you think is it better to buy a '60s or a '50s Standard Les Paul when already owning a '50s with P-90 and a SG Standard '61 ? Playing styles are mainly a lot of blues, some classic rock, some pop, some jazz... but no hard rock or heavier playing styles. I like the '61 burstbucker in my SG and really like the fat neck of my '50s P90 Les Paul ... but my fear is that the '50s Standard with burstbucker 1 & 2 will sound too close to my P-90. Thanks for the help.
The Burstbuckers 1 & 2 should technically sound warmer compared to the P90s. You will get a brighter crunch tone with the P90 for sure. Personally I really like how the Alnico 2 & 3 magnets sound in the Burstbuckers 1 & 2 compared to the Alnico V in the 60s Burstbuckers. I guess I feel the Alnico 2 & 3 sounds a little warmer to the touch. I think you should perhaps try each guitar and feel which neck you prefer, since you could always just swap out pickups if you end up being unhappy with them.... .....or you know, just buy more guitars 🤣 I have a video comparing a 50s humbucker vs P90 vs mini humbucker that you can check out as well: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nfylaaJGRWM.html
The 50s has the trademark classic hard rock tone. It is PERFECT for that tone. The 60s is a little brigther and tighter, so much better for higher gain. The 60s pickups are some small step below active pickups but retain a lot of clarity and texture. So great for hard rock and metal, where the 50s would start to get muddy with a lot of gain. Given you're looking for a more jazzy, bluesy, classic rock tone, the 50s is no doubt what you're looking for. Definitely not too close to the P90s. If anything, the 60s would be closer to the SG. 60s is better for modern and 80s metal, hard rock, hair metal, etc. The cleans on the 60s are full body and warm with the neck pickup, and bright and chimey with the bridge pickup. The 50s clean are always warm and full body.
Great demo. Just picked up a 60s and it's way good. Tried the 50s and again, way good. However, the size of the 50s neck especially up dusty end , was so thick it kept irritating my previously dislocated/fractured thumb ! Had to give it up . 60s is a bit brighter mibbee. Neck v playable.
Would LOVE to see side by side of the Lp Standard 60's with LP Standard 50's p 90 pickups. I love these recent Gibsons ( bought a 60's) but may want 50's P 90 for my single coil. Anyone seen this in a vixeo ? AkwYs come to R& Beard first for Gibson stuff
Dazed and Confused sounds more authentic on a Telecaster - the way it was recorded :o) Great playing but neither one sounds like the record. Overall, the 50s is the one that makes me think, "THAT sounds like a Les Paul!" But the neck on the one I tried was too chunky for me 🤷♂ Guess I'll stick with my Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" '59 LP Ltd. Edition as that neck feels perfect to me. It comes with all-Gibson electronics and I did *eight* more mods to make it look and play more like a Gibson. Bought a Gibson Burst Bucker 1 for the neck and moved the BB2 it came with down to the bridge where there had been a BB3 (way too hot for me). Now it's configured like a Standard 50s, but with a neck I love. At the end of the day, I don't care that much what it says on the head stock. YMMV
I was torn between the two as I sold a 60’s for a 50’s for the fatter neck. Loved the 60’s didn’t love the neck. From a sound pov I love the warmth of the 50’s on the cleans and the brightness of the 60’s with overdrive. Go figure.
I have both sets of these pickups, 50s bridge is 8.1K ish, 60s bridge is 8.6K ish, both necks are 7.5-7.6K ish. Wish the Probucker 1&2 neck was cooler, 7.0-7.2K, or that Epi would come out with a low wind lightly potted set with assymetrically wound bobbins, which is saying the same thing really. Probucker 2 & 3 sound great if you "Greeny" the neck pickup magnet, really great actually. And you can get close to Page's Madison Square Garden sound if you flip the PB2&3 bridge and neck, that is put the bridge pickup in the neck position, neck in the bridge. Better if the neck pup you've got is a bit hotter than 7.6K (swap in an A5 or A6 magnet for 0.2-0.3K bump up.)
