Hank With A Les Paul

[David Martin]

Les Paul tuning problems, Jim? Something wrong there then...

[dave robinson]

Les Paul tuning problems, Jim? Something wrong there then...

Agreed . . . . . .

[cockroach]

Yes Bill, that's the photo and that's the guitar- I'm sure Hank said in a magazine interview that the guy who built it for him was called Roger Giffin- who also built some for Pete Townshend.

[George Geddes]

I think the Giffen was taken to - but perhaps not used - on the Rockestra sessions rather than the Guitar Syndicate album.

Also the guitar on Love Deluxe was a Roland - see it on the collection photo above - not a Les Paul.

George

[JimN]

I saw Hank using a Les Paul for "Love Deluxe" on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

That, I think, was a Roland guitar synthesiser (the guitar part built by Ibanez), which was the latest gadget at the time.

Certainly, Hank used it (the Roland synth) at the Southport Theatre that autumn (1978). And it is in his guitar collection photographs from 1986 (see the posting below - or now, probably, above).

http://www.gear-vault.com/roland-gr-500-synth-guitar-1977/

JNB

[JimN]

Les Paul tuning problems, Jim? Something wrong there then...

Agreed . . . . . .

I mean exactly what I say.

I've had a Les Paul Custom - bought brand new - since 1978 and still have it, though JN Jnr is intent on wangling it into his possession.

I could never keep the b****r in tune with the string gauge supplied (the first time I'd ever used such fuse-wire-light strings), or with various other similar gauges in the 9-42/- 10-46 range. In effect, any set with a plain third just NEVER sounded in tune. The G also stood out like a sore thumb, slightly sharp or slightly flat. Then one day, I tried a D'Adarrio set 11-49 with a wound third and the guitar came alive - and played in tune.

I've had the same experience with the 335 and the SG - a set with a plain third simply will not stay in tune to my satisfaction. But fit those magical 11-49s and all is sweetness and light (gauge).

JN

[ecca]

My Les Paul was impeccable.
Never out of tune.

[Bill Bowley]

JimN,

That's interesting (the string problems). I have not been at all happy with my Epiphone Lucille's sound so far, I'm using Ernie Ball 'Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom' 10,13,17,30,42, 52 set with plain 3rd that I use quite happily on Strats but it is 'rattley' on the Lucille to coin a phrase. Perhaps I should give the wound 3rd a try and see if that fixes it.

[ecca]

My strings were 9 11 15 26 36 46. ( Slinky )
No tuning problems ever and nor should there be with any set neck Gibson.

[Bill Bowley]

Ecca,

Could be I am just noticing a vast difference in the 'unplugged' sound of the Lucille compared to a Strat - the action etc is all set up OK, but just seems 'clunky' for want of a better word in comparison. The 'plugged in' sound is good, maybe I'm just hearing things.......