The Gibson Les Paul Special: A Short History
Vložit
- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- TrueFire courses and all access memberships available here:
prf.hn/l/64do8vq
Enter promo code "FIVEWATT35" to save 35%
ERIC CLAPTON TONES: Stomp/Helix and Pod Go presets from Jeff McErlain and me: jmguitarlessons.com/p/clapton...
Friends of five watt on Patreon: / fivewattworld
T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tumblers
the-five-watt-world-store.cre...
For five watt world short history bundle:
flatfiv.co/collections/five-w...
To make a donation to support the channel click here:
www.paypal.me/fivewattworld
Get regular updates on what's happening at the channel on Instagram:
/ fivewattworld
To see RJ's complete demo of the Grez Fulsom:
• Grez Guitars Smugglers...
I need to thank Eddie's Guitars for sharing the exceptionally fine pics of the Rick Beato Signature guitar used in the thumbnail. They had two of them and they sold in minutes.
Keith - Hudba
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.
Nice Hypes!!!🔥🔥🔥
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
Is Hypes Keith’s nickname? This has been puzzling me for some time now.
It’s just what Rick and I call each other. It comes from us both speaking very quickly when we were younger.
@@fivewattworldcute☺
@@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. 🙂
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.
Yes, plus Paul Westerberg used this guitar on his SNL performance.
@@nine9whitepony526 Yeah, that's what he said.
@@razztastic Hahaha
Being brazilian i was completely caught off guard when you talked about Gilberto Gil. Great research, Keith!
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.
No auto stop on the winding machines is kinda what made those old models so special... Each guitar was truly unique.
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
I’m tellin you bro. Sweet sounds
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!
Don’t forget Leslie West - they were his mainstay for many years and really made them sing.
This post is about Specials, not Juniors or P-90s. 🎸
@@cuda426hemi does the special have p90s and is liked for its sound?
@@jaybd9329 LOL!
my favourite guitarist especially his solo albums, the Leslie West band album- dear prudence his solo is sublime
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.
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!
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... 🙂
Seconded.
"Guitars of Martin Barre" .... ABSOLUTELY YES PLEASE
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! 🙂
You could spend hours on Martin's glorious bending technique!
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.
Mick Abraham (Jethro Tull 1st guitarist, Blodwyn Pig, Mick Abraham's Band) played an SG Special for many years.
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.
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.
NO music shops in Trenchtown!
Thanks, I always wondered why his guitar was like that.
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! 😊
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.
Local artist? Is that kind of like "area man" in The Onion? Or does this local artist have a name?
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
Ah well, shows what I know then. Cheers guys.
Noone ever mentions thunders
There's something addictive to Keith's "five watt world" videos. If I start to watch one, I have watch the whole thing.
42 years of fairly serious playing and I have only 3 guitars; Strat, Tele, and my 2019 LP Special. Great guitar!
You're doing way better than me with my 30 guitars. If I could get it down to 6 I'd be happy.
Robbies first Special used to record the early Doors material was stolen around 68,' and never recovered, so it's still out there somewhere.............
Pleased to say I was a young punk and rocker in the 80's and got into p90s because a friend, Geordie, from Killing Joke sat down and showed me them one day.
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.
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...
😂
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.
Leslie West performed magic with P90's...Mississippi Queen comes to mind😉😎👍
Pickup heights vary with every guitarist...alnico5's are super sensitive. Dialing them in is a revelation in itself😉😎👍
Great video as always 👍
By the way...Carlos said he was on mescaline, not LSD at Woodstock...
Most everyone else was on LSD😂
DON'T TAKE THE BROWN ACID...!!!
😎👍❤🖖
This post is about Specials, not Juniors or P-90s. 🎸
@@cuda426hemi
Can't have one without the other.😉😎👍
@@cuda426hemi Don't forget, Leslie West gave Steve Miller the TV Special that Miller got painted by the surfboard artist Bob Cantrell.
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!
That is quite possibly the best special I have heard, as well.
Agreed.
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
Keith this is great! I always learn new things from your videos, and the P90 deep dive on this vid taught me alot! Tim
Thanks Tim!
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.
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!
@@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".
@@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.
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.
@@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.
Great video.
Just a side note: Gilberto Gil is actually pronounced as "j", like Jill. "Jilberto Jil".
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..
The special double cut is one of my favorite, the easy access to higher frets is really a game changer compared to the OG Les Paul
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.
So cool. P90s are so alive. I’m always surprised how they don’t show up more often in stores. Thanks Keith.
My Collings 290 is their take on the Gibson LP Special. I love it. Jethro Tull is one of my favourite bands.
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.
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.
Keith, you're basically making the canon of electric guitar history 101. Another awesome video. Gracias!
bluesmain here again...(princeton recording amp)2000 era i found a white sg special fat neck dotted ebony fingerboard and gold hardware.. uncovered humbuckers...amazing great work keith
A rare mention of my 71 SG Pro. Bigsby and pickguard long gone before I got it, but those P90's still sing. A great neck, intact headstock. My Baby.
I have a mid-late naughties faded double cut, tun-o-matic bridge, dot inlays, unbound neck, 2 p90"s. Pretty much a cheap special.
It's been my #1 for some time.
I had one of those in Cherry. The only guitar I regret selling.
Carlos Santana was not high on acid at Woodstock. He WAS high on mescaline and the neck of his guitar kept turning into a snake.
Love your channel 👍
@Mike Sedik Every story I ever heard about Carlos at Woodstock is that it was acid, given to him by Jerry Garcia. He's told the story several times. There is a video on CZcams, posted 3 years ago, of an interview Carlos did with Rafael Pi Roman, where he revisits the Woodstock experience and, once again, he tells the story about the acid that Jerry Garcia gave him right after he arrived at the gig. You might want to check that out.
@@guillermo3564 Mike is correct, it was mescaline.
@@mattrogers1946 Then why does Carlos tell the story saying it was acid/lsd?
@@ledheavy26 Um, because it was 50 years ago and he was too high to remember.
The double cut LP specials and juniors are definitely two of my favorites. I love them.
Thanks, Keith!
I was lucky enough to get a p90 50s standard and I can’t get enough of it! Sounds so fine
I thought I heard Santana say he was high on Mescaline at Woodstock because they told them that he wouldn't be going on for like 6 hrs. Then right after they took it, they said they needed them on stage right then .
That's it!
Thanks for the shout out to Top Gear Music for the Marley Special. It was s scruffy little joint but every day saw a Page, Green, Fripp, Marriott, Ralphs, Moore, Kossoff etc come in .
Another untold story added to the Short History icons shelf.
Thank you Keith, for your excellent document.
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
Another great essay. thank you.
Incredible as always! Thanks Keith
Amazing as always. Great detail and narration
Great video Keith!
Looking forward to the future when LP “Tribute” model gets some respect. For the price point they’re one of the finest guitars you can buy today. I love mine, and play it more than the 81 “Custom” I got from my old man, my USA strat, or my SG standard. Fucking thing rocks!
Hell yeah, Martin Barre doesn't get enough love. It's good to find another fan. Listen to the intro piece of "Minstrel in the Gallery" if you don't get why Tull was the shit.
Amazing video once again Keith, hats off!
Great short story . Thank you
Thanks Keith, very educational video.
that p90 sgs that pete townshend played are THE guitar for me fr
Thank You Keith
Great as usual!!
As a brazilian, it was pretty awesome you listed Gilberto Gil.
I had an Sg Special Pelham Blue from 2019, i used it on record and live, one of the best tones i ever heard.
Me too. I can't believe how well that feather lite little blue SG sits in the mix yet stands out too.
Stellar work as always these videos will be used as reference points for decades to come
@14:32 "...this model would stay until 1970." I have a 1973 Special; bat-wing, P90s, same vibrato, and the added neck volute.
You're awesome Keith. Well done.
Another great review. And the clean shave looks super!
As always Keith, presented perfectly ! Love these videos, all the best mate.
Nik
Thank you!
No one mentioned Lowman Pauling used a Les Paul Special while playing with The 5 Royales. He was a tremendously influential, especially to a young Steve Cropper. My '68 SG Special is by far my favorite guitar.
Tremendously.
@@DMSProduktions Damn spellchecker..
@@mattrogers1946 LOL! Rock on!
My '61 SG Special loved this, Keith! As did I!
Great work Keith, you are simply the best on you tube!!!!
James Bay is a great newer pop artist who rocks Les Paul Jrs and other cool vintage Gibsons at his live shows/while he records. He always brings out his Jr when he's going to play a really aggressive song, always kills it.
I have been promised to inherit an original sg special by my step dad. I can wait, obviously lol. I love playing it every time I visit.
Mick Jones of the Clash - double cut Junior.
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 🤍💛
My new guitar in the vintage cherry version, first Gibson and especially first with P90 pickups. What a unique sound !
Fantastic video as always sir. Thank you so much for your passion and love of all things music/guitar 🙏
Careful, Keith! There's some clean-shaven dude wearing your denim shirt and delivering another brilliant gear history video.
Great video!
5 Stars again for Keith & FWW Short Histories! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Nice thanks for this one, love the specials.
Awesome video!
Real nice and interesting video. I love my Special.
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!
Great video as usual. Thanks!
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.
Very Cool Episode, Thankyou.
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.
The slab body double cut Specials built in the later half of 1960 also had the neck pickup moved slightly down to create a stronger neck joint. The examples you have pictured all have the earlier neck pickup placement close to the fingerboard. These 59' and early 60' Specials were prone to breaking at the joint if dropped, so Gibson corrected that.
Agreed. I owned a closet version - absolutely new from 1960, which I got in 1969. That original neck set up was dangerous, but check out the position of pickups relative to the scale and an earlier single cut. There, along with the scale, is where the magic happens for me. I wish Keith would get into the ACTUAL scale lengths . . . very surprising. I sold mine cherry one to a guy in Black Oak Arkansas. Wish I could play it again.
Ton of research there Keith. Report was well done and certainly held my interest. Thanks for all you do.
Pretty well done my Friend. Thanks again!
These videos make my day! Really good look at a cool Gibson.
Thanks for all your excellent videos 😉
Just got my first Special w p90s. It’s my favorite. From a decades long strat only player.
I had a Double cut 59’ in the 80’s. Loved it through a 65’ Bassman rig!
My SG p90s is limited "naked" series ......love it......except fret ends sucked bad.....took it to my guy for retro electronics and free work.....it is awesome!..... and the weight relief really helps with old man bad back!
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.
Great vid, keep 'em coming!
great stuff as always brother!
Great video.