That’s the best sounding LP you’ve documented in quite a while. Bog standard pickups, basic electronics, … that bridge design must have something to do with it.
That guitar is absolutely gorgeous. I love everything about it, including the bridge and neck volute. It has a fantastic, full sound that other models lack.
I agree. I wouldn't have a problem buying a Les Paul with that bridge. Not gonna lie, wouldn't go out looking for one though, it is kinda unusual, however, not the worst imo.
That top is gorgeous! I’m also a huge fan of that bridge. I can see why they changed the apex volute though, as this one isn’t as pleasing to the eye (though it may be a better design, functionally). It’s a shame they didn’t use this bridge on the Les Paul modern. I think it’s a fantastic design.
I really love this guitar. What a beautiful instrument. I wish Gibson would do at least a small run of these. Everything about this guitar is first rate and I really like the bridge design and pickups.
That bridge with fine tuners would have been the bees knees! I love me a Schaller 456, and that would look even cleaner on a dressed up guitar with binding and chrome appointments.
Awesome piece!! Very cool to see the packing checklist. Thanks for bringing this one in for review! I can confirm that the CS serial number ink stamp was stamped vertically down the “finger”. I own a Modern Double Cut STUDIO with that same “explicit” Matthew Klein neck carve, similar color, 490R/498T, ABR-1 directly into the top, same tuners, stamped with a 2013 CS serial number. It’s not marked as a PROTOTYPE, but I was told it was procured at an employee sale. I’ve never seen another one like it. I’d definitely consider it a sibling to your prototype.
I thought everything about this LP was gorgeous, the look and the sound were fantastic! And with that bridge the sustain was in to next week. Thanks Trogly
Stunning colour and flame on that guitar...but its the bridge that really gets me. I LOVE the look and design of that bridge. Shame Gibson didn't go for the design because if I had the cash for a LP with that bridge... sign me up! ❤
That bridge is functionally identical to the H Noble bridge produced by Aria in the late 70's. They were fitted to the PE series of Les Paul style guitars.
Honestly I really love that bridge and wish they would have brought it into production. Also at Gibson prices, locking tuners should be standard on everything that isn't a vintage reissue.
That weird bridge was “too expensive to manufacture”. Yeah it probably cost Gibson an extra $4 over the standard bridge…. on a guitar that costs thousands. They should have done what they usually do; add another $1500 to cover the cost.
You have to try some other pickups in that and see what it sounds like. Give that bridge a fair chance with some PAF type pickups. Let the clarity out.
To add room for a SN at the top of the headstock they could have programmed the CNC router to do it's U turn a half inch earlier, resulting in a shorter "finger".
Beautiful guitar, sounds awesome! Notes ring out for a long time. That is a good one. Yes it’s a prototype but someone was paying attention at Gibson that day. You could make 10 guitars like that and only 1 ring out like that. It’s a special example.
Salutations Austin! Beautiful top on that Prototype Les Paul! Very interesting bridge assembly, if you were interested in putting in the extra effort, you could try installing that bridge on one or more of your other Les Paul’s and see if that bridge actually adds additional sustain, or if it is just that particular guitar that creates additional sustain, it would be an exceptionally rare opportunity to test whether it does or not. And I suspect that there are other subscribers who would be interested in knowing besides me and you. I think that guitar sounds great, particularly in the bridge position. Thank you for posting these videos! Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🎸
You can see why this was a prototype but I love the way they carved out/sculpted the back of the headstock. Bridge is quite interesting too. Its got a really nice looking top, love the red and black burst. Sounds good too 👍
Gorgeous Apex Prototype and that's some 'Brass Behemoth' bridge on this, has an interesting acoustic resonance. I'm all for an apex volute, even this prototype is a brave if too fiddly attempt. Too bad Gibson has to battle cork sniffers for any change that might benefit the model.
That bridge sounds incredible Even vs the unobtanium vintage ABRs Wish it looked like an abr Gibson should sell their own add/conversion kits, for whatever the price
Its pretty much a Gibson Les Paul with PRS Singlecut/Tremonti specs.(25in scale length with 10in radius) Really interesting. Could be fun if Gibson would offer the bridge in a special run.
I’m a lefty so most of my Gibson tight guitars have roller bridges or nylon bridge cause I’m cheap aluminum ones that come on there you can’t keep it in tune
Just within Gibson guitars I wonder what the headstock breakage frequency is for the different woods used? Is mahogany more susceptible than maple? Do multiple layers/plies break less? Or maybe scarf joints help? The reason I ask is because I've never seen a broken headstock on an Ibanez. I'm sure it happens, just not nearly as often.
Amazing sound and looks super sweet. If nothing else, you'd think they could come up with a conversion kit to sell the bridge as an upgrade part. I normally kinda skip over the sound demo but couldn't stop listening to this one.
Hey Trogly you should let famous players use your museum guitars to record with,and have it listed on the song or songs,Bonamassa,Slash or anyone.Just a thought that could move guitar forward.
that "The Neurotic Guitarist" guy got the prototype #1 , slightly different burst , your got black border, other than that, not sure whats different between #1 and #2 , im kind want to know , if trogly and people want to dig deeper on this guitar , go his channel watch his video about this guitar, people might tell whats difference between prototype #1 and #2 . edit :something strange, why my comments automatically disappear? is not allowed post link..?
I like the one that says prototype#2 ... Awesome 😎 I have Wilkerson bridge similar to this one one my Les Paul....and the two screw on each side aide in setting intonation.... I really like it makes it more resonate as well because of so much more ..
I would like to see you review the Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop 50th Anniversary Corvette Guitar. I think it would make a nice review. Have a good day. PS. The 1995 Gibson Corvette Les Paul 1960 Corvette Guitar would be a nice review to do too.
Thx Austin, you know I've been waiting for this review and demo. Just beautiful and that bridge is interesting. Sounds great too. Thx again, keep up the great work 🎸
That tone is really nice! There are plenty of us players don’t care about what it looks like on the back of the neck. We care about it being solid & not having a broken headstock. That bridge is crazy killer! It sounds like the tuning issues were also connected with this model. Gibson how are you not listening to us who would love to see something similar out there? Wanna appeal to the next generations of players? Start making changes that apply to real modern players. There’s no need for stupid costs through the roof. Just make a killer meat and potatoes guitar that works right for $2,500! Bring out an American Longhorn with these specs, locking tuners, coil splitting & a version with a Wilkinson & *BAM* They’d sell all day. Roll an Epiphone version out a year later & reclaim that mid priced market.
You will definitely get more sustain from this guitar with the extra metal in the bridge, and a brighter sound also; solids conduct sound waves readily because the molecules are closer together, about 17 times faster than through air. The sound waves can therefore vibrate more efficiently through materials that are more dense, like metal. Metal nuts are used for this same reason. I think that you can really hear it in the sound/sustain of the guitar during the playing demo. NICE CHOICE for this one Trogly!
Did anyone notice that the tail piece is a similar shape as to the inlays on the fretboard.?I agree that Gibson might hear from customers if they just put this out there and said nothing. But if it comes down to that tail piece that not only is making this guitar a little more acoustic and it has the sustain as a result of it promote I to customers. I dond know what it costs but maybe they could do something similar that wouldn't cost as much. I think the sustain alone would sell the guitar. Although in combination with its acoustic qualities and thwmthem pickups I know it would get my attention.
I really want to try that bridge. I like it. It's kind of a statement that is function and style. The brass is always nice and it reminds me of a metal diamond wood block on the SGs.
