The Myth of the Holy Grail Les Paul 

I've had my favorite Les Paul for 12 or so years, and it's the one for me, and everyone else that has played it as well. I've tried to upgrade and replace it dozens of times over the years, but it always plays and sounds better than every other Gibson I pick up. I guess it's a keeper.

You guys accidentally came up with the GREATEST concept ever: “Air-Beowulf”! You’re doing the most important werk in the field of “spare time”. The commitment to craft is beyond inspiring! Thanks for your service!!

You guys have single-handedly driven the Price of trucker hats, flannel shirts, and duck dynasty beards to insane levels. I hope you are happy.. Have a nice day.

I've seen so many people flip through many expensive guitars looking for "The One". They often go back and forth with techs/luthiers trying to "fix" the guitar, doing value reducing mods and eventually sell their former "The One" to finance yet another pricey purchase.

The Brian May red special does it for me. It’s got that tone that I love.

Great Video, as always gentlemen! In my youth (jr. high 1977) there was a local high school guitar legend who had a Gibson Goldtop Les Paul. Fellow musicians spoke in awe & whispers of the Man (Actually 2 Years Older than I) & his mythological Excalibur. I chanced upon a cherry-burst copy that a friend let me borrow, but found the body & neck was too cumbersome at the time. Plus I had always been more enthralled with stratocasters. To come full circle in my adult years now, my past birthday I bought an Epiphone Goldtop 1960's Les Paul Standard that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!!! It's perfectly built & plays like a dream (Majestic Dance by Return to Forever being the principal song). Guess I had to grow into it, although I'm STILL primarily a STRAT-MAN!!!

Great sage advice.

I have had a half dozen Les Pauls, but the one that resonates with me is a gold top epiphone with Slash Seymour Duncan pickups. It just feels better than my Gibsons right now.

I've had my one and only Les Paul for 20 years. I was playing it in my favorite Mom & Pop while my newlywed wife patiently sat by. Just riffing on every LP lick I could think of, trying out a Marshall Super Lead. A couple of weeks later and our first Christmas as husband and Wife she breaks out the '98 Les Paul I was playing. Already showing some light playwear from the previous owner. Stolen Valor😉 Yeah it's still my number one. I haven't found one I like better.

You guys are experts at getting back on point from some pretty wild tangents

I'm sure Jimmy Page's Les Paul would be the most expensive if it were to go up for auction. In my opinion the best movie based on Beowulf is the 13th Warrior.

I’m really glad you guys made this post. It’s validating. I’ve play a bunch of Gibsons in music stores and have owned a couple. Never really got on with them. The ones that have made me go 🤩 Wow! Have been Vintage, or v e r y expensive. In general, I’ve become much more of a “Fender” player because of the frustration. BUT…when the sound is right, it’s R I G H T E O U S! PRS? Maybe, some day 🥺

Had a Les Paul since the 90s that I have never bonded with. Totally get the one for one person may or may not be the one for me. Final note - Bj and the Bear - totally better show. Thanks Casino for all the help when we lived there in SoPines - nothing like Dugans and the Sunrise during the blues crawl.

The Holy Grail myth can be applied to any and all pursuits: guitars, cars, guns, or whatever!

The best Les Paul that I’ve ever played was a PRS McCarty single cut 🤣

I have owed a fair amount of Les Pauls from a R8, a few Standards, a Classic and a 2 Custom and they all were decent but I can honestly say the best playing and sounding one that I’ve owned was a Studio. I wouldn’t call it a grail Les Paul and I guess I am still on my journey of finding the one but for my needs it was that studio. Also why does Baxter look like he is about join a walking group of seniors at the mall and later on meeting up with them for a early bird dinner special? Love the channel!

I have an amazing SG I just picked up from CME, a beautiful Les Paul that I got locally and a Casino Worn that I’m stunned by. 😊

I like all my Les Pauls and think they are all the ones :) , if I had to pick one it would be my BFG. Started off on Jackson Pre-Fender, but picked up a Gibson Les Paul back in 2008. Now have 7 of them.

I have a 71 deluxe, a boat anchor with mini buck p/u’s. Thought it’ll be easy to go better from there. Always wanted a Std burst or Gold top, but never found one that really did it for me-new or vintage. My 86 PRS is still the best Guitar I have

I have studio 2003 Les Paul in desert burst.Was going to buy my wife a 101 strat circa 2006. Saw this Paul, got all the way home, went back and bought it.

My 1993 Les Paul Classic plus is it for me. It howls moans equals scream curses and prays. I get all the Billy Rossington Page 59 tones.

I’ve never taken Tim Pierce guitar hunting with me and love my 8 Les Pauls, my Flying V, my firebird, my SG-X and my PRS Custom 22.

Jonathon, what is the beard oil you recently recommended?

Men, As you know I have never been able to find a Les Paul that I could hold for a long period of time. I have had a couple Jrs that were Thunderous and I have a '77 Double Cutaway with P90s that is Thunderous. Since the Train Wreck (no i am not talking about my failed marriage and everything else that happens in life) So I can't hold heavy things at all. I love the looks and sounds other guys get out of them, there has never been a connection to the instrument. Never felt like I was putting on my old leather jacket, I get Joy from small things now, so its cool. You guys are awesome, thank you

I found mine in 1998 at 30th Street Guitars in NYC - a case queen '82 Goldtop with Tim Shaw Humbuckers - and never felt the need to look any further.

I just got a73 deluxe and it's the best Les Paul I've ever played!!!!! It's special!!!!

Air-wolf was my jam when I was a kid.

The fun is in the hunt. As with many things in life the journey is usually better than the destination.

Bought a CME spec R0 a few years ago. Must have gotten lucky because it plays amazingly, stays in tune like a Tele, and weighs under 8.5 pounds. Great experience buying from CME.

As a Fender guy, I decided I wanted to try a Les Paul. Rather than spending thousands, I found a 2014 Epiphone Standard Pro at a pawn shop for $416.25 Cdn. Mint shape. Spent another $600 or so replacing all the electronics.. JB bridge and Pearly Gates neck pickups. 50’s wiring. Gotoh bridge and locking tuners. Bone nut.. It sounds and plays AMAZING! I have no desired to spend thousands on a Gibson.

I own a 2003 Les Paul Std. I bought it new in 2003. 50s Heritage Cherry Burst. It weighs 10.8 pounds. Its a Wednesday guitar. The thing is TRULY the ONE. The burst on it is insane, sound is second to none. Its a little heavy which does not bother me in the least. I had the pick guard signed by Les Paul 4 months before he passed.

This video will definitely help Casino be a preferred Gibson dealer!

Is Casino an authorized Gibson dealer? I just went to the website and there's only like 4 used Gibsons in stock. No new ones?

The Holy Grail Gibson Les Paul is the one you have that you love, assuming you are fortunate enough to own one. For me, it's my 2022 Tribute, for which I paid about $1100 new. I never even played it prior to purchasing it.

Gen. Patton had the best quote about a pearl handle pistol

In 1996, I went on my Gibson journey. Drove over to a trusted shop called Jimi Bell's on the Berlin Turnpike. I played a 1972 double neck SG that weighed a ton. It literally cut off the circulation in my leg. But I was still tempted because it was 2500 bucks and original. Then he suggested trying out this used Gibson Lucille in the shop. I said no. I really don't want a semi hollow. I want THE Les Paul. Eventually, he convinced me to try it and that was it. I played that guitar for 4 hours in the middle of the store. It fit me like a glove and played like a dream. I have never played a guitar that connected with me and made me feel that way before or since. It's a journey everyone should go on. It is a truly life altering experience. There is something magical about making that connection with an instrument. I guess it's the reason we put up with all the shenanigans from Gibson over the years. Because there's always that chance you'll find your Holy Grail.

John Bollinger just did a great review of the BOSS DS-1W the WAZA CRAFT release yesterday. I have the black 40th anniversary DS-1 and love it! also, I have only one Gibson so far and I freaking love it!

Random question.. Didn’t you guys work at GC Nashville?

In my 45 year long musical journey I have had some great guitars. But, none of them were special except in the application that I employed it. The guitar, cables, inline effects, and the amplifier with all of its many individual components, as well as the room where it is used, each contribute to the final tone. You simply cannot separate any single part as OP. So, don't worry about it, and play what you have currently.

Do you have a les Paul that sounds as good as the one Rhett Shull just purchased

The funny thing is, in 1959 it was just a Les Paul Standard. I have a lovely Les Paul studio pro from 2014, it’s lovely! Instead of going straight to custom shop, I go to my local store & try out some 2022 standards. Taste is subjective, why not get a new one you love, or even two!

Joe Perry said something similar. There are some very sweet playing 58-60 Les Pauls, but not all of them. You have to play a bunch to find one of the greats.

I'm pretty sure if they ever found Clapton's Beano Les Paul that would be the most expensive.

I grew up playing Sears Gibson copies, when I finally bought my first Gibson it turned out to be the one, I’ve bought several since and the original is still the one I pick up

We definitely have Billy Gibbons to blame because he is the tone king. However if you notice, he gets that signature tone with almost any guitar thats in his hands.

In my 40 plus years of playing, it's always been a bear to find a good Gibson - and I'm saying that as a player who was Gibson Girl for most of the 90s (my main gigging guitar at the that time, was a Howard Roberts Fusion). It's always been either: "it sqeals like a pig"; "the neck's toothpick thin"; or "it sounds dead" - "NEXT!" The Howard Roberts Fusion that was my main gigging guitar in the 90s, was the 4th Gibson I'd tried the day I bought it used, at Dave's Guitar Shop in 1993. Ugh! As for the supersonic ejection - I read about it. It was Brian Udell USAF, from an F15E in 1989. He almost died, and his back seater didn't survive the ejection. He was doing about Mach 1.05 at the time. Ejection seats, and human bodies are not made for supersonic bailouts.

Now consider that in so many countries, even then biggest music shops will be lucky to have more than 2 les pauls in stock, so you either have to hope that 1 of those is ok or waiting for new stock. which gets even harder if you want a certain colour.

I have 8 strats of different price points and years, early 70s, MIA standards, MIJ, MIK, MIM and the one guitar that beats them all is my 89 made in Korea Squier II E serial # strat. It always shocks me and everyone that hears it is just speechless. I read so much hate about them but oddly enough, that Oly white Korean squier II has the tone. It's not going to compete with a custom shop or a true vintage but this lil Squier II brings a smile to my face every time!

I’ve had regular LES PAUL’s for years,but I’m a history nut and I have a R 7,8, and a HOLY GRAIL R9………a flamey top and beautiful They all play great, rolled edges and all have a VOS finish , I have had Grover locking tuners put on the 7 and the 8 but I’ll leave the 9 original………… I know, I’m crazy , but this is my Passion!! You guys rock ,Baxter and Johnathan it was great to visit you couple years ago!

Great video. I only like les Paul's if I'm sitting down. Back problems 🤣

Hmm… Maybe I’m just lucky but I believe I have found the one. I have yet to play a custom shop fender that can hold a candle to my Gibson custom shop R8 Les Paul. I’ve owned several fenders including a vintage tele but haven’t found one that I think was great. These guys are definitely Fender fan boys and I think it’s great. You like what you like. Play what you like and what you think sounds best.

I finally got my holy grail Les Paul that was finally the Les Paul of my dreams, everything I ever wanted in a Les Paul tone and feel. It was a PRS S2 McCarty 594 single cut. Not joking.

Ohhh mannn, I loved air wolf. Loved the a team movie

The Psychology behind the "holy Grail" LP is fascinating! That type of fabled "mystique " is better than ANY MARKETING campaign the company could have actually ever hoped to come ups with. Lets think about it for just a minute. 1) Only about 643 Les Paul standards were built in 1959 ( according to a quick internet search LoL) 2) The "legend" status is build on the backs of a very small handful of lead players whom either temporarily used an LP or made a 59 burst their mainstay axe for a significant amount of time. Clapton -Beanie Burst Jimmy page - who started out with a Telecaster on Zepplin 1 LoL Billy Gibbons - pearly Gates Peter Green / Gary Moore - two players , One Axe Duane Allman - I think his was a 69 also Those 6 players really cemented the idea that the 59 Les Paul is THE HOLY GRAIL! 6 players who have 59 Bursts on classic rock albums loved during that era However I feel like you could take these same 6 very talented guitarist and have them choose from a pool of 643 guitars from ANY group of Telecasters, or Rickenbackers or Flying V's or Stratocasters , they ALL FIND THE 'ONE"!!! Its just a matter of looking at the numbers. Sure.,.634 is very few examples of any mass produced product,..but your also taking only 6 people searching through that same pool of instruments, as they gig around across the globe during the hight of the Rock n Roll era,..LoL!! Jimmy page and Jeff Beck did indeed find telecasters they loved for a long time and Clapton ( after practically inventing the "Les Paul & Marshall" thing) moved onto ,.well you know!! Gibson had the happy accidental luck to have produced atleast 6 AMAZING EXAMPLES of a commercial failure that found their way into the hands of guitar gods at or close to the same damn time,..and they've been financially blessed because of it. MARKETING GOLD!! Oh,..I forgot Bernie Marsden Slash and Bonamassa came along after the LP legend had already taken root and Slashes isnt really considered a "59 burst" guy and Bernie Marsden ( hes got the 59 burst called the Beast ) seem to be best known for white snake which is also after the classic rock era when the burst had already become legendary . The Holy Grail guitar legend is based on sound math ! 6 guitarist rummaging through any 643 axes are going to find a few gems!

The "holy grail" search ends behind Jonathan's head... I had a '78 Les Paul Standard for 27 years, then I got my first Telecaster. Turns out, the Tele can do things the L.P. could but weighed 1/2 as much. A year later, the Paul got traded for a new Martin.

I thought my first 2002 Les Paul Std was great until I purchased a custom shop R0 10 years later. Now I know what a truly amazing Les Paul plays and sounds like. I've owned two PRS Custom 24's and both were sonic duds. With that company's consistency, are the rest lacking? I guess I need to try more.

I trusted Wildwood for my three Gibsons - 50th anniversary R9, 50th anniversary R10 and CS356 because of their knowledge and integrity All played better with 9/42 but that is personal preference

I found mine, r7 gold top. Makes me feel like superman when I play it 🤣🤟 Count my blessings to own it

The 13th Warrior is a great movie based on Beowulf written by Michael Crichton. Stars Antonio Banderas who plays an Arab who goes on an adventure with Beowulf and his crew.

That intro it to fancy

Interesting video. I’ve been a Les Paul guy for roughly three decades. I’ve done old stuff and stuff from early 2000s and then three from the past 15 months. The best is a 2021 Les Paul Classic. It’s pretty much magic. Since then, I’ve bought a 2022 Standard 50s and a 2022 Standard 60s. Both the 50s and the 60s are excellent. My only hit on both is that the body binding isn’t perfect and it should be given the price. In terms of build quality, all three are solid 9.25 out of 10. Is the quality on par with Core PRS? Nope, it isn’t.

billy gibbons did not start the '59 les paul boom, keith richards did. after he played one on the ed sullivan show on october 25th 1964 (when billy gibbons was still 14, btw), everyone and their grandma wanted one. the "keith burst" is the first famous '59 les paul.

🐩 found one with Tim.

It is true about Gibson’s legendary inconsistency tracing back to before the Golden era of the late 1950’s with even LP standards of the time being all over the map. However, that same company also created the most consistently magical model as well. I’ve never played a LP /SG junior from 1956-1965 that didn’t sound amazing, not one. Too few things to get in the way of the great timber of the time I suppose, one P 90 on a resonant plank. By the way, Fender Strats also have the longest history of being the most inconsistent model of guitar ever made.

I have been saving for a les paul. I am just a home player playing along with my favorite records..(Pearl Jam, E Street Band etc.) so its not like I am a real musician but I have saved and want to buy a les paul. I am torn between the heritage h-150 standard and the les paul 50s standard. The heritage h-150 used seems like the best deal but I am torn.

I think Michael Bloomfield's guitar would be the most expensive LP. Billy once told me he was offered 5 for PGs. I think he meant 5 ml. He also told me he would let me play that guitar sometime when he brings it back to Nashville. I have a couple of buddys with LP Bursts. They are cool but I think new LPs are just as good.

there are a thousand " Pearly Gates" or more... the difference is Billy Gibbons.... just like Greeney with Gary More, or Frampton with Fenix... but i have experienced the " holy Grail form" of a few guitars, i have a '59 reissue and a '74 black custom now...Eddie played a stick of wood with spray can painted stripes on it...

I'm pretty sure that the term "Holy Grail" as it pertains to Les Pauls wasn't meant to be used in the way you're using it. The term, was meant to refer to Holy Grail guitars like Clapton's stolen 59 burst, which is still being hunted for to this very day. The Bloomfield burst would be second and it was found a few years back, and was living a well cared for life somewhere in the northern midwest but last I heard, it was somewhere in the upper NY state region. Jeff Beck's stolen 59 burst would be third and it too was found by someone buying it, and not knowing it was Beck's but soon put two and two together they contacted Jeff and verified it was his and told him he could have it but he said no that he had gotten over that a long time ago, and so the purchaser got to keep it. Both Bloomfield's and Beck's bursts are thee two most gorgeous wide flame tops known to humankind, Gibson's take on the Bloomfield burst doesn't come anywhere near close to looking like the original in fact the whole of those limited editions all pale in comparison as do Gibson's Pearly Gates limited editions, which were nothing more than obvious cash grabs.

The quest is real! Never stop looking! (Seriously, the fun part is looking.......)

Just keep playing and don’t quit. Gear and guitars will get sorted out, eventually anyway.

Fit and finish is one thing, but 90% of the reason one guitar sounds better than 9 others of same model is the pickups are set up better. It’s amazing how many players don’t realize this. Lower output unpotted pickups also sound better for the paf style “chirp.”

Loved Baxter’s Bakugan’s reference. Can we trade in a Tupperware box of them towards a guitar? Lol.

I have a '21 Les Paul Classic Demo Shop that looks, sounds and plays great. I have no idea what about it could possibly be any better. I'm not a Rocket Surgeon, but it's a really good guitar. What is so "special" about "the one?"

At 74, I have had a few LPs. I finally got fed up with lack of quality and traded the last one. I have a DC tribute. I put a set of 'Pearly Gates. It is seven pounds and to die for sonically.

Actually,,, I literally have my dream Les Paul,, a 54 reissue in ice tea burst, I've played 50s goldtops a couple of times and would still love a real one , but I had a dream about a sunburst 54 with a mismatched plain top , and at exact time I had the money there was one online,a custom shop ri so I snagged it obviously and it sounds and plays glorious,, a real HOLY GRAIL for me personally

I love my LP and it's gonna be with me for life. It's a 2020 60's standard that I set up. I played a bunch before setting on this one. I can say none of the others I tried were stinkers. This one's neck felt a little thicker than any of the other 60s but not quite as thick as a 50s. On the other hand I've grown to not like my SG Jr and it's become a place holder guitar. I'm just waiting to find the right guitar to sell it / trade it for.

In 30 yrs of scouring music shops l can only remember 3-5 Les Pals that l still think about and wish l would have grabbed. I have not really played a LP for a couple years that has really tugged at me BUT in all honesty l would suspect that the ratio of good ones are more and more available now. I’m just not in no way gonna spend 5K now. To shake this up….. l played a Legator a few weeks ago and can’t forget it. I have a nice LP and admittedly would like to have a 58 gold top but $$$$$$$$

You should see some of my guns that are decked out! I have some cool AR’s!

Our kids got real into the elf pets this last holidays season... rn the 9 yr olds elf pet is in 'foster care' cuz her room wasnt fit conditions... she got up cleaning this morning though.

IMHO, guitars are very much like people, no matter what brand or make each guitar needs to be evaluated on its own merits. There are winners and losers, it’s up to the individual to sort through what’s out there. Granted, custom guitars are almost a guaranteed winner, however their cost reflects it.

My Holy Grail Les Paul is an ESP LTD EC-256. It's got coil splits.

I own 3 Gibson LP’s from the 90’s-00’s and I love them all- But they are all different. One is the most throaty violent guitar I own, another is a 57 custom shop with a subtle creamy tone, and the other is a very modern, versatile clear instrument. There is no ‘single Les Paul sound’ because there’s so much variation in pickups, weight, neck that alters the sound and how you play them. I’ve tried several Strats and there is far less variation in what they sound like to me. I only have one Tele but it sounds a lot like the other Teles I’ve heard. Even my SG and V sound similar, but nothing like any of my Pauls. A good Paul is merely a personal opinion.

And yet , nothing beats finding that one guitar , you truelly love , cant affort, but still buy ... I have a les paul gibson custom , class 5 from 2008 , its so strange , that for me it was the perfect fit , and has been my nr1 since then . And havent found anything ass nice (

I have an Epiphone Les Paul that I never played much. I thought it was an uncomfortable guitar to play. 5 years later, when I was a much better guitar player, I discovered that the Epiphone Les Paul was a great guitar to play.

I have played friends favourite guitars. Some I like some I don’t. The Grail is different for everyone.

There's a youtube video of the TV show "Made in America" (Featuring Cliff from 'Cheers') ... they show the Gibson factory. There's one dude who cuts the necks BY EYE. I dunno if they still do it that way, but he was just zipping one out after another, tossing them in a pile. No wonder they're all a little different.

I’m not sure between Pearly Gates and Peter Green’s probably these are the ones…the Les Pauls that defined the LP tone

Made the journey, finally got a great one from private, lost some money along the way, not gonna sell it as long as I live nor would I ever go on that journey again. You have to decide if it's worth the effort.

The myth of 50k subs and a test of strength. 10 months have passed. I must remain diligent.

AIRWOLF WAS AWESOME!

Honestly, my "The Paul" which I bought new in 1978 has played better than any pricier Gibson LP that I've tried since! It was my first really serious guitar as a teenager - "Hey, I've got a Gibson!" - and I chose it based equally on price and weight (true Les Pauls then were expensive and ridiculously heavy!). So, The Paul represented great value for money with much better build quality than Fenders (then), combined with a good "gigging" weight. I've still got it and I still rate it among my best guitars - it's a no-frills quality guitar that nails all the essentials and plays brilliantly! 😎

Years ago I came across a Fender Stratocaster and the first thing I had to do was rebuild it. Even one of the guys at work that bought 2 Custom Shop Stratocasters, through them in the dumpster. Luckily, another guy at the shop rescued them and had a them tweaked. As for Les Paul. I've always looked at the price and said no. Buying a Les Paul is a gamble. I even new a guitar player that had 5 Les Pauls and his cheapest one was worth over $2k. One day I stopped at a Music Go Round and came across a 2005 Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded T. As soon as I grabbed it I knew it was special. I wasn't looking for a Les Paul. Sure, it's not as pretty as the Standard, hence the name Studio. It has the guts of a Standard without the bling. So, for $600 with a hardshell Gibson case, I picked up a Les Paul that plays and sounds just as nice as a buddy's expensive Les Paul reissue. The best guitars are the ones we're not looking for.

Guys, they already made the best Beowulf move ever, The 13th Warrior

Every guitar has it's own voice. I've had all kinds of Les Pauls, Strats, Teles, and a myriad of others in my 50 years of playing (including vintage). Sometimes you need to learn a guitars voice before you make a judgment.

Pearly Gates is certainly one of the greatest, but what about Greeny or EC's Beano guitar?

I found the holy grail Les Paul. It's an LsL 290. LsL humbuckers are awesome. I also made an LP with TV Jones Starwood Humbuckers that plays better than the Gibsons I have owned.

Who's got "Greeny Moore"? That's as close to perfect as it gets.

Got my Casino hoodie. What a great day ! I think you should sell the blue jogging suit that Baxter is wearing.

Searching till you bleed from the eyes! Cheers Casino!!

Back in '74, Leo Kottke released an LP called "Ice Water" which included a track called "Tilt Billings and the Student Prince" which parodied the whole Holy Grail Les Paul nonsense. So many players that are never satisfied with any guitar they own and yet there's guys like Jack Pierson and Joscho Stefan tearing it up on Fender Squiers.