2023 Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite Deepdive and play test
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- In this video I take a new Les Paul Modern Lite and see just that this new take on an old guitar design is all about...
00:00 Intro
00:28 The Thin Les Paul
00:55 A “Lite” Les Paul Modern?
01:22 What IS in a LP Modern?
01:55 What IS in a LP Modern Lite?
03:00 The colors available.
03:38 The Body
04:43 The Price
04:50 The Weight
04:58 How thin is the body?
05:10 The Electronics
05:35 The control cavities
05:50 The input jack
06:20 The Pickup readings
06:35 The bridge and hard tail
06:40 The rosewood fretboard
06:52 The strap buttons
06:56 The Tuners and tuning ratio
07:14 Fretboard radius
07:20 Nut, 1st and 12th fret measurements
07:32 The plastics
07:50 The gig bag
08:40 The sounds
10:58 Final thoughts
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LINKS to stuff in this video:
Not a sponsor, but if interested in this guitar(or any gear, really), I always point people to Sweetwater.
Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite: www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
I use a hand selected set of Stringjoy strings(also not a sponsor). You can too!
stringjoy.com If you were wondering, my strings are: 9.5, 11.5, 16, 24w, 34, 44.
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***I apologize for one or two editing mishaps. The giant poker chip showing over the Gibson Goodie Bag segment in particular. I AM aware of it, but theres no way to replace a video on CZcams without getting a new URL, and that would require spending many hours reposting links and fixing all media links related to this video on other websites. Im willing to look past it if you are, and ill just have to be more diligent with double checking next time...
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Affiliate links for equipment used to make this video. If you use these links to make purchases, I may get a small commission, which does not change the price you pay. All commissions are put directly back into the channel to make more content. Thank you!
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899.99 would be more reasonable
The cost of the mahogany alone, though!
@@BrenQ99Are you serious man or was that sarcasm ? I hope it was the latter.
550$ would be reasonable. Since real studios came for 650$ back until 2015.
@@adriankurt1872 Well, you could get a 1959 les paul for about $275 back in '59...so this one should be about $4.50.
I just found one at GC for $799. Small ding on it . I think they also priced it wrong lol
I saw one of this at GC today. I went in thinking meh…grabbed it from the wall, started playing it…wow, very nice, very light and resonant, the pick ups are responsive and grawl, the satin neck feels amazing, very easy to play, and then I realize I’m playing a Gibson. That was refreshing. This is a beast in its own right. There is a market for those who want to travel with a small light rig, maybe keep it in your office, living room, studio, apartment, take it to the hotel, etc. It’s a beautiful, simple, bare bones guitar that can do everything you throw at it. I’ll be going back and get it tomorrow.
I had a very similar experience. Didn’t expect much and was totally blown away! Thanks for checking out the video.
Terrific review, best on the web so far for this new model, very helpful. Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words and for checking out the video!
This guitar has surprised me as well, just as you and others have said here. I was in my local GC and saw one in the Gold Satin on the wall - for whatever reason marked down to $799. I did a double-take - not an Epiphone, but a Gibson? I tried it out and bought it right there - no other models priced that way, and this had only come out of the box and onto the showroom 4 days earlier. I will corroborate what you said about the QC - very, very clean, right out of the box. Put some .09s on it, set it up, and it really does rock! Very surprised, and encouraged for future models! Thanks for the great demo!
Thanks for checking out the video! That’s an awesome deal and steal you got there! 🤘🏽
Thanks for the well thought out and informative review. The comparison between the “Modern” Les Pauls was really helpful. As always, great content.
Thanks for checking it out!
First time seeing one of your videos. Very well done!!
Thank you for the kind words! Hoping to have another one up real soon. Thanks for checking it out
Great review. Detailed, but not over long. Love that you do a neck dive test!
Thank you for checking out the video! Cheers!
Great review, thank you.
Thanks for checking it out!
Thks for your vidéo ! i bought the green satin one a few days ago and so far i really impressed by this guitar ! It's sound great out of the box , very easy to play , light weight , a great guitar with the gibson sound and feeling ;)
I played mine yesterday for about 2 hours! I really think it is a great guitar, despite the neysayers. It might not be decked out with a lot of features or fancy specifications, but they really made it a quality instrument nonetheless! Thanks for checking out the video!
Thanks for this thoroughly excellent review. So many other reviews have claimed it's thin and light but have given no dimensions or actual weights - both very useful.
Glad it could be of help. Take care!
Just like a 90’s studio les Paul special- I have 2 and love them. This seems like the almost the same- even the pups. Great guitars
Agreed! Thanks for checking it out!
I like it. It reminds me of my 08 PRS Mira Core Line in that was 6ish pounds but still rocked! It was vintage cherry so I may go for the Cardinal Red. As usual you did a great job! Thanks.
Thank you for the kind words and for checking out this video. Truth is, I really do love that guitar. It’s just FUN. Cheers!
I liked the review.
Thank you for checking it out!
I have to say that the white guitar behind you when you are playing for the sound demo. That is an awesome looking guitar.
Thank you. Edit - Oops! I was talking about a different guitar! That one behind me in the case is a David Bowie limited edition Supro Dual-tone. I think they made 432 of them like this. Then they started making a different wide release version without the Bigsby. I’ve actually never even strummed it. Just a big Bowie fan!
Good to hear on the QC being better , I want one because of the thin body but if it had block inlays it sure wouldn’t bother me
For sure! Thanks for checking it out.
played one of these the other day at GC and was shocked how thin it is in person!
Totally agree! Thanks for checking it out.
fancy the content. really informative. i love my LP Classic LITE but i wish Gibson would do LP Standard LITE. i love LITE for jamming with friends.
I like those Classic Lites! Thanks for checking it out!
Subbed! This is one of the easiest to watch yet very comprehensive reviews I've seen on any guitar. I totally appreciate that! I'm in the market for an HH to compliment my 2 Fenders and it's down to this or a PRS S2 Satin. It's nice to see that yours didn't come with what I call the Gibson tax - (QC issues you live with because you really want to own a Gibson lol)
Thanks for checking it out! Let me know what you end up getting! Cheers!
@@CompanyGrip I ended up with the exact same guitar you have there. QC was spot on too. I'm really impressed and it's a hell of a lot of fun to play. Really happy with it.
@@allanb1402that’s awesome! It’s such a good guitar. I ended up liking it waaaaay more than I thought I would. It’s a lot of fun! Congrats on your new guitar! 🤘🏽
Great video! I think these will do well. I like the idea of a lighter les paul...I recently bought a tele and les paul jr. To fill this void as I was always work out after long shows. And these have the 498t pickups which I love. I would have prefered a gloss finish but I realize Im being picky there.
Not gonna lie, I’ve been loving my Modern Lite. I didn’t play a ton of guitars last year, but It’s probably my favorite guitar I played in 2023.
It’s lite, fun, and sounds great!
Saw one at the local shop. They had the rose one and the red one. The rose one has a nice look to it. These have a certain mojo in them.
For sure! How did the red look? I have a firebird in Cardinal red that I love - but didn’t know how a cardinal satin would look, so opted against that.
Thanks for checking the video out!
@@CompanyGrip - the red was kinda meh, made it look more like a cheap guitar to my eye. Nice job on the video, you have a good review style.
Thank you for the kind words. That’s what I was afraid with the red. Thanks for letting me know!
If you like p90’s then the 2014 Melody Maker is a very similar guitar. And you can pick those up for half the price of the modern lite
I saw ES235 ！ Very beautiful guitar😁
True! I love that guitar. Thanks for checking out the video!
I also have an ES235 guitar, cherry red. I really like it very much@@CompanyGrip
Nice review and demo of the Modern Lite, sounds awesome. Color is sweet. No PCB board is a welcome surprise. But no coil splits is pretty disappointing on a "Modern". And even the lower cost Tributes have trapezoid inlays. These are $2000CAD in Canada, $300CAD higher than the Tribute Les Pauls, so not sure what to make of the specs here as a value. It's like Gibson is betting it all on the colors.
Thanks for checking it out!
I would totally buy this guitar on the stratosphere, without the hardware and pickups and put my own hardware and pickups it's looks like a good LP style guitar for the modern generation who prefer modern guitar than traditional guitar and its the the vibe now with light slim guitars
True! Thanks for checking it out!
Nice video. Please consider adding measurements in metric tooo in your next video 😉
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll try to remember to do that on my next video. Cheers!
According to me and the guitars I have, the price is crazy for the value.
I dig this model a lot but the price doesn’t reflect the value in my opinion. 1,299 would be more reasonable but maybe I’m out of touch 🤷🏻♂️
I was commenting on another similar post last night, and I totally agree with you that to me it seems like $1200 would be more fair…BUT…I was also thinking how I bought my first brand new SG (a voodoo model) in 2002 for $900, and feature-wise, it’s very similar. Slab body, black and red finish, no inlays, etc. so I did the math, and 22 years of inflation puts that $900 at right around $1500… so, maybe we’re just getting old! Haha
The specifications seem similar to the Epiphone Les Paul Special Ii.
I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE STUDIO
There's nothing this offers that I would want over a Studio.
Lighter and more comfortable
Interesting model, but the $1,500 is ridiculous especially w/o a HSC. If they were just north of a grand I would get one.
That’s interesting you bring this up. While I was ruminating about this price as well, I was thinking of when I bought the SG Voodoo back in 2002. It was $900, had two similar pickups(a 496 and a 500t), and it’s more or less a similar construction - no inlays, slab body, etc…but it DID have a OHSC… but also, that was two decades ago… so, how much is inflation since then? Honestly, I’m not sure! Thanks for checking it out.
Yeah, in my mind I was thinking north of $1,200, but typed a grand in. ha People have to factor in around 20% inflation on music gear now. I bought a new Gibson Les Paul Tribute last week and snagged one up on sale for 1,180 normally, 1,300. If I hadn't just bought it I would definitely bought the New Lite or new Studio model. @@CompanyGrip
I hear ya. And I’m totally with you. At some point I agree a guitar is too much, but also, it’s hard to factor in inflation, especially the older I get! Apparently, $900 in 2002 is worth about $1540 now according to the googlemachine. 🤔 How’s that Tribute? I like those!
It's a great guitar with awesome tones. @@CompanyGrip
Sweet. Want to get my hands on one some day.
It’s an SG in a LP shape pretty much
I read somewhere that the Les Paul studio in theory is supposed to be a good guitar for recording but plain so not impressive on stage. Like it is intended to be used for recording.
Thank you for the video. I listened to it a couple of times but couldn't find a section where you talk about neck-dive (one of the comments suggests that the video covers this).
Is there neck-dive?
Hi! There is no neck dive. I can’t load the video at the moment, but if I recall it probably in the section labeled “The Sound” right before the playing.
Thanks!
Put an Explorer headstock and some trapezoid inlays on that thing and they'd have something I would find irresistible. The traditional style electronics are cool, too.
That would be cool! Thanks for checking it out.
It reminds me of a LP Junior thickness
It’s close. It’s a touch thinner. More like the Rick Beato DCs.
I would all day pay the little bit more and get a proper studio model. There is a new version coming out soon that has an ebony fretboard. I want one of those bad boys in wine red.
I really like the satin all mahogany Les Paul studios they used to offer so this new line looks promising 👌
Mine plays nice and looks smooth too! Thanks for checking it out!
I like double the price I payed for my studio but houses in the area start at $600000🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
wow - For more money that's way less body material than a LP special tribute. I really like that the previous guitars had a maple neck. I'm betting this will be their new baseline for price.
Thanks, does the color look better irl?
I like the rose gold color the best of the 5, but to be honest, I’m not a big fan of any of the options. I had purchased a used Inverness green SGZ that had a permanent cigarette smell and that put a bad association for that color for me, otherwise I might like that color over the Rose Gold. Thanks for checking it out!
No offense but people are getting the "Modern" in the name wrong, the "Modern" part doesn't mean it's from the Modern model yet from the "Modern" collection. Edit: there's no need for the carve because it's already thin like the carve.
I agree with you, but I think to be part of the “Modern” line it should have Modern line features. For example, the SG Modern, Les Paul Les Paul Modern, and Les Paul Supreme all have ebony fretboards, burstbucker PUPs, coil splits, flamed maple tops, mother of pearl inlays, etc. The Modern Lite doesn’t really have any of that…so that’s why I’m curious it’s why it’s a Modern anything, see what I mean?
Thanks for checking it out though. It’s actually a good fun guitar!
Gibson naming had never made much sense to me. The modern lite is more like a studio and the les paul supreme is more like a modern. I do dig these nonetheless. I’d consider it but I’m saving my money for the studio modern. That one is supposed to have an ebony fretboard, black binding in the neck and blacked out hardware with a heel carve. I’m a big fan of the old ebony board white studios so I’m really tempted to get the studio modern
I’m curious about it as well! Thanks for checking it out!
The first "lite' came out in the 80's
i don't like the color ways but 1500 man come on. love that its slimmer though. but 1500 god damn.
This is basically a Special with an arch top.
Definitely has some similarities for sure.
A couple of $100 off that price and some darker colours, and that could turn out to be the sleeper that ends up being played most, as the beater guitar that's always where you are.
Agree. I really like mine. I can’t get up the nerve to sell it to make room for more reviews. I have it listed, but at a price no one will pay for it. 😂 It’s just a lot of fun.
For that price no blocks inlays the fair thing to do would be to put an ebony fretboard.
Can’t argue with that! Thanks for checking it out.
8:06 Rhythm and treble jumpscare
😂 I know. I uploaded it without noticing that part and can’t fix the video once it’s been released.
I would rather have a special with P90s but want that rose gold color
I hope they make this thing with P90s. It would be awesome. I put in my request to Gibson, but, uh, so far they haven’t responded. Haha. Thanks for checking it out!
The introduction of this looks more strategic than creative to me. Are they phasing out the tribute?
yes. They are not making the tribute anymore. If you want one then better get one while you can.
I think this Les Paul is going to be the entry point for the gibson family, or at least the entry Gibson Les Paul. Everything is going up in price.
I'm thinking the same as they clear the current Tributes out. It's already $300CAD more than the Tributes in Canada so high prices are coming.
My thought as well. I actually like the matching headstock on it but it seems as bare bones as you can get in an LP so this would have to be the entry into the line.
@@Somenite one thing Epiphone has over Squire and Gibson over Fender is the fact that Gibson and Epiphone have more hardtail selections on popular models. I'm a bass player and thinking about buying a guitar just to play, I do not want a tremolo, most guitars have tremolos except for Gibson. I'm not knocking trems, I just don't care to play one.
Yeah, seeing they discontinued the Tribute.
Pink..a real Manly guitar..
An Epiphone for people who want to pay for Gibson on the headstock.
I personally don't get the point of this model and agree about the name. That being said, you did a great job breaking everything down and anyone interested in one of these should appreciate it. I think the reason the QC is probably so good is that they eliminated a lot of the things they do by hand so there's less chance of human error. The most labor intensive parts of building a higher end LP is the gloss finish and binding which they are notorious for messing up, even around the nut. Looking forward to the Modern Studio. At least that one has similar "Modern" features.
Thank you for checking it out! You’re probably right about everything being more automated too!
I think it’s trying to hit a younger audience. Most young people getting into guitar don’t buy Gibson nowadays.
@@mikeydubs_tv Yeah, but this model looks even less like a traditional Gibson or the higher end models than a Tribute or Studio. I think most young kids are buying Epiphones with all the bells and whistles these days.
@@Darth.Shredder That's the whole point. Les Paul and SGs are seen as boomer dad guitars. Epiphones are modeled after those boomer guitars. This is different and the colours look cool. Not many new young bands play Gibsons. Maybe this will change that.
At least that's my take because otherwise, who would they be selling to? Boomers already have real Les Pauls.
@@mikeydubs_tv That was my point... who are they targeting with these? Younger players already had the Tribute and Studio lines, both of which were great lower priced alternatives to the higher end ones. As far as finishes... IMO these are more "dad" colors than kid colors. Inverness green, TV wheat, rose gold, gold mist, cardinal red...they're all classic finishes and subdued. If its for younger players, where is the black satin? Gunmetal grey? White? How about black hardware?
I dont understand why this guitar isn't under $1000. The price seems a bit high when you can get a special for cheaper. Otherwise keep the price and add coil splitting and make it simpler like a studio that's just thiner.
They are killing off the tribute line, including the special tribute. So it looks like this is the new entrypoint. Meanwhile 1500 dollar epiphones are landing. Buy those tributes while you can.
All satin and slim taper neck are turn offs for me. But I like no circuit board and the price is right.
I’m not the biggest slim taper fan anymore either! The satin I liked better than I thought I would though! Thanks for checking it out!
@@CompanyGrip Great video, Thanks
that thing should be no more than $900
Great idea as I'm an SG player because I love the thinness, but I checked the price on these, and holy moly are they out of their minds charging that much for a bare bones stripped down Les Paul! I mean I love it a as basic killer rock and punk guitar at say $1000-1200, but at $1500, GTFOH!!!
Seems lile all these review dudes folded for making money, wether it's throuh paid reviews, likes.. or comments. I can't imagine a real guitar lover liking this. It's funny when they get to bad aspects they say "whatever it is what it is". Trogly even said. "It has a cheap vibe" but then added "but that's not necessarily a bad thing". Peeps, this is all marketing you are watching.
I can very much assure you I have made zero dollars for doing any review.
@@CompanyGrip its just hard to believe after picking it up in a store to be positive about it. The other day I bought a new Les Paul special for 1500 and am still amazed that these Lites are so bad in comparison. Even to the 90s The Paul that I have. Its just makes me sad and i found it hard to believe all the people who reviewed it in this manner. Thanks for the reply though, i know I implied something i didnt know for sure. Its just hard to believe seeing so many to be so positive:) i felt "this can't be right "
I hear you. It’s possible you picked up a dog too. We all know Gibson produces a fair number of dogs for every good one they make. But if you scroll the comments here you’ll find a lot of people, not reviewers, that have received theirs and love them as well. I was talking with one of them yesterday about how I just picked mine up again for about a half hour and was still amazed by it. As I’ve mentioned to you earlier, I don’t get paid for my reviews and I’m not made of money, so 75% of the guitars I review I sell back on reverb(at a loss, by the way), but the Modern Lite is one I’ve decided to hold on to. So, again, maybe you just had a bad one - or - maybe it’s just not a guitar for you. We all have those, too.
Thanks for checking out the video, regardless.
@@CompanyGrip let me elaborate, for me personally it's that I started to notice over time (bought my first in 1998) Gibson using lesser quality pickup switches, buttons etc, replacing hard shell cases with gig bags and doing things like this with now no grain filler and the mini grovers. With simultaneously playing many other brands over the years, staring to notice value for money (and quality) with other brands. But also, having bought a Les Paul Special TV yellow the other day. Which didn't lack any of the appointments mentioned and is just a great Gibson (like we expect). This lite just, for me, was seeing the demise of a brand, that can make such great guitars. Cut on all posible cost and increasing the price. I would advise anyone else to hunt down a 90s The Paul or just a melody maker. As this imo is not worth it. And, I guess, for those who review guitars to be this positive made me question them. Like Austin, he sees so many good guitars and he know so much about the brand. To say, it feels cheap but that it's not a bad thing, is just questionable. Maybe I was just looking for things though. Thanks again for the reply and yes I did see others liking it. I guess, this one's not for me :)
All very fair points. Thanks again for explaining your position. I understand better now where you are coming from. 🤘🏽
That TV Yellow LPS sounds awesome!
Satin with no grain filler is garbage.
All the Gibson Fanboys chiming in justifying everything that they can.. come on guys let's hear your sell on the b******* Epiphone Greenie guitar! For Gibson now adventuring into putting the open book headstock on an epiphone shows their pure greed, although they could have sold that guitar without no problem
Yes it's a cheaper version of the classic lite, they stopped making in 2020. They used to give you a hard case, not a bag. Don't waste your money. Big deal.
Not impressed. Too expensive for what you do get, and the color options are terrible.
Nor was I until I saw one, brand new at GC, marked down to $800. Not a big fan of GIbson's current slim tapers - too D-shaped for me - but I love thin necks. I bought my LP Custom in 1970 used off a guitar store rack, and it's the thinnest most playable neck ever - much more rounded, C-shape. Of course, I have played it all my life, so I like it. This model though, surprisingly comfortable, and that price point, I'll either keep it, or flip it and make $300 in the process. I do really love how it plays though - different, but nice, than mmy other 3 LPs