NGD - Gibson Les Paul 58 Reissue

Just wondering, for those with LP Custom RI's, do you use the Gibson Vintage Reissue strings, or is that just a bit of Gibson hype where they say to use them? I generally use Stringjoy strings with 11 gauge high E, but the LP has the Gibson strings with 10 gauge high E. Not sure if switching to 11 gauge would necessitate adjustments to the bridge. If so, I will stick with 10's. Also, any capo suggestions that are good for a LP that won't damage the neck would be much appreciated.
 
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SpudMan said:
Just wondering, for those with LP Custom RI's, do you use the Gibson Vintage Reissue strings, or is that just a bit of Gibson hype where they say to use them? I generally use Stringjoy strings with 11 gauge high E, but the LP has the Gibson strings with 10 gauge high E. Not sure if switching to 11 gauge would necessitate adjustments to the bridge. If so, I will stick with 10's. Also, any capo suggestions that are good for a LP that won't damage the neck would be much appreciated.
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D’addario XL regardless of gauge. There was a brief time when i got my first (and only new) gibson that i used their strings.

The guitar is meant to be adjusted. Every piece of hardware can be swapped. People reshape the necks, pop the fretboard for braz, reshape the top and refinish it (historic makeover deluxe package). Dont sweat changing it to make it work better for you!
 
SpudMan said:
Just wondering, for those with LP Custom RI's, do you use the Gibson Vintage Reissue strings, or is that just a bit of Gibson hype where they say to use them? I generally use Stringjoy strings with 11 gauge high E, but the LP has the Gibson strings with 10 gauge high E. Not sure if switching to 11 gauge would necessitate adjustments to the bridge. If so, I will stick with 10's. Also, any capo suggestions that are good for a LP that won't damage the neck would be much appreciated.
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I have used Gibson Vintage Reissue strings, but it's definitely not a necessity. What I have found is that pure nickel strings don't create nearly the fret wear that steel strings or even nickel-plated steel do. That, to me, is important because I've worn through many guitars worth of frets before I switched to pure nickel and I really don't want to refret my R0 (or any others). Gibson's Vintage Reissue strings are pure nickel. While pure nickel isn't as bright as NPS, I find they still sound great, maybe more "vintage" sounding, and they last longer, too. I've been using hex-core Pyramid for about 18 years now and have almost no fret wear. Difficult to impossible to find in the US, but Thomann ships them quickly and painlessly for a lot less than the one or two places that sell them here.

Switching to 11s probably won't require any changes to your bridge, maybe a small intonation adjustment, but nothing major. What will change, though, is your neck will likely need a minor truss rod adjustment because 11s will put more tension on the neck. It's not a big deal, but if you adjust it yourself, just remember, small steps.

As for humidity, as @Budda said, 60% should be fine. It's the rapid changes in either humidity or temperature that can be damaging. As a general rule of thumb, if you're comfortable, your guitar's comfortable.

And yes, keep that thing where you can grab it and play it all the time! I think you're right that it will make you a better player. That sound and feel are just so inspirational! Here's a link to the stands I use around the house. Not convenient for taking to a jam, definitely not something I'd use for a gig, but around the house, they work well.

https://zitherusa.com/collections/guitar-stands
 
Churchhill said:
I have used Gibson Vintage Reissue strings, but it's definitely not a necessity. What I have found is that pure nickel strings don't create nearly the fret wear that steel strings or even nickel-plated steel do. That, to me, is important because I've worn through many guitars worth of frets before I switched to pure nickel and I really don't want to refret my R0 (or any others). Gibson's Vintage Reissue strings are pure nickel. While pure nickel isn't as bright as NPS, I find they still sound great, maybe more "vintage" sounding, and they last longer, too. I've been using hex-core Pyramid for about 18 years now and have almost no fret wear. Difficult to impossible to find in the US, but Thomann ships them quickly and painlessly for a lot less than the one or two places that sell them here.

Switching to 11s probably won't require any changes to your bridge, maybe a small intonation adjustment, but nothing major. What will change, though, is your neck will likely need a minor truss rod adjustment because 11s will put more tension on the neck. It's not a big deal, but if you adjust it yourself, just remember, small steps.

As for humidity, as @Budda said, 60% should be fine. It's the rapid changes in either humidity or temperature that can be damaging. As a general rule of thumb, if you're comfortable, your guitar's comfortable.

And yes, keep that thing where you can grab it and play it all the time! I think you're right that it will make you a better player. That sound and feel are just so inspirational! Here's a link to the stands I use around the house. Not convenient for taking to a jam, definitely not something I'd use for a gig, but around the house, they work well.

https://zitherusa.com/collections/guitar-stands
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Can you post a link to those strings? I looked on Thomann's site and couldn't find anything that said hex-core. Also, are these similar?
https://stringjoy.com/guitarstrings/strings/electric-guitar-strings/broadways/classic-light-gauge/

or:

https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/pyramid-electric-guitar-strings-p451-regular-10-46.html
 
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SpudMan said:
Can you post a link to those strings? I looked on Thomann's site and couldn't find anything that said hex-core. Also, are these similar?
https://stringjoy.com/guitarstrings/strings/electric-guitar-strings/broadways/classic-light-gauge/

or:

https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/pyramid-electric-guitar-strings-p451-regular-10-46.html
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Sure... here's the link to the equivalent 11-48 set:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/pyramid_performance_pure_nickel_d504.htm

And the 10-46 set:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/pyramid_performance_pure_nickel_d502.htm

The Strings and Beyond link you posted is for the round-core version. Those are good, too, but I find the hex-cores hold tuning better. Then again, I bend a lot. Pyramid's kind of vague, they don't mention hexagonal or round core except in the small print on the back.

I've heard many great things about String Joy, just haven't tried them myself. I couldn't find anything on their site about those being rex or round core, but if I had to guess, I'd say they're hex core. Almost all strings are. I think so because they talk a lot about how well their strings hold tuning.

The idea behind hex cores is that the corners of the hexagon bite into the windings just a little, which keeps the windings in place better, which keeps the string in tune better. I don't know when string manufacturers started using hex core, but it's been a while, probably the '70s? Hex core does sound a little different, probably because the round core (steel) is a little bigger for the same gauge (round, not flattened on 6 sides), but it's minimal at worst and usually unnoticeable.
 
Churchhill said:
Sure... here's the link to the equivalent 11-48 set:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/pyramid_performance_pure_nickel_d504.htm

And the 10-46 set:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/pyramid_performance_pure_nickel_d502.htm

The Strings and Beyond link you posted is for the round-core version. Those are good, too, but I find the hex-cores hold tuning better. Then again, I bend a lot. Pyramid's kind of vague, they don't mention hexagonal or round core except in the small print on the back.

I've heard many great things about String Joy, just haven't tried them myself. I couldn't find anything on their site about those being rex or round core, but if I had to guess, I'd say they're hex core. Almost all strings are. I think so because they talk a lot about how well their strings hold tuning.

The idea behind hex cores is that the corners of the hexagon bite into the windings just a little, which keeps the windings in place better, which keeps the string in tune better. I don't know when string manufacturers started using hex core, but it's been a while, probably the '70s? Hex core does sound a little different, probably because the round core (steel) is a little bigger for the same gauge (round, not flattened on 6 sides), but it's minimal at worst and usually unnoticeable.
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For Strings & Beyond, are these the identical ones to those on Thomann?
https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/pyramid-electric-guitar-strings-d502-light-10-46.html

And also, on Stringjoy, here is a link to a blog post about Round vs. Hex.
https://stringjoy.com/round-core-guitar-strings-hex-core-guitar-strings/

And, here is a link to the hex strings they have.
https://stringjoy.com/guitarstrings/strings/electric-guitar-strings/classic-light-10-46/

But they say Nickel Wound so I guess your preference would be the Pyramids as they are Pure Nickel?
 
SpudMan said:
For Strings & Beyond, are these the identical ones to those on Thomann?
https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/pyramid-electric-guitar-strings-d502-light-10-46.html

And also, on Stringjoy, here is a link to a blog post about Round vs. Hex.
https://stringjoy.com/round-core-guitar-strings-hex-core-guitar-strings/

And, here is a link to the hex strings they have.
https://stringjoy.com/guitarstrings/strings/electric-guitar-strings/classic-light-10-46/

But they say Nickel Wound so I guess your preference would be the Pyramids as they are Pure Nickel?
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Yep, same strings on that link from Strings & Beyond to those on Thomann.

And yes, my preference is for the pure nickel hex-core Pyramids, but all of the above seem to be good choices. I think the best advice I could give would be to try a set of each type and see which you like the feel and sound of better.
 
Churchhill said:
Yep, same strings on that link from Strings & Beyond to those on Thomann.

And yes, my preference is for the pure nickel hex-core Pyramids, but all of the above seem to be good choices. I think the best advice I could give would be to try a set of each type and see which you like the feel and sound of better.
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I have been using Stringjoy Broadways, but they are round core. I have been happy with them. But I am definitely open and interested in trying something new. I think I will order some of the Pyramid strings from Stringd & Beyond and give them a try.
 
Dixiethedog said:
It is a beautiful guitar and very much like a Les Paul. When you commented "Nothing like a Les Paul", I thought you were perhaps on the wrong forum.

(I get the comment really, there is nothing like a Les Paul!).
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As a teacher who reads a lot of student writing with ambiguous language, I see now I fell into that as well! Whoops!

My first good guitar was a Les Paul, and I still love it.
 
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