Among my various guitars, I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio (wine with gold hardware) that I rarely play. Reason is that I actually like my Nashville Telecaster much more (more comfortable to play, and I love the tone); I also find my Blacktop Strat much more comfortable to play.

As for the Les Paul, I find it heavy and, as weird as it may be, I don't really like the pickups (too muddy for my taste). Neck is also too thick for my taste (I have small hands).

Today I tested out a Pawn Shop Mustang. I loved the tone and the fact that I can split the coils. It was very comfortable for me to play (probably due to the light weight and small scale).

However, the Les Paul is my only made in the USA guitar, and I don't really want to give that up. It's also a more valuable guitar.

Also, I'm only a hobbyist. But the fact that I loved the tone of that guitar and it felt so comfortable to me has me seriously considering selling my Les Paul and purchasing the Mustang. After all, I loved the tone, and ultimately, it was probably the most comfortable guitar I ever played.

Would it be a dumb decision if I did sell my Les Paul for a Mustang?

Ditch the Les Paul for the Mustang. Why on Earth would you keep a guitar you don't play and not get the guitar you enjoy playing?

+1
A "valuable" guitar that isn't valued by its owner is worthless. Let the Paul go to somebody who will love and appreciate it, then go get a guitar that you will love and appreciate.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Well, I guess I will go ahead and sell the Les Paul and buy me a Pawn Shop Mustang.

As for the tone, I remember trying out a reissue Mustang over a year ago; I liked it, but nowhere near as much as the Pawn Shop Mustang. I know that once I get it, it will be the guitar I play the most.

i traded a studio LP for MIA strat just last year. same reason. didn't play it anymore. i loved that guitar but it just wouldn't stay in tune no matter what i did. sadly, i rarely play the new strat. right now i'm in a metal mode and i play an old charvel most of the time. i play the strat mostly on clean stuff and the sound is incredible. smeday i hope to get a mustang myself. if your finances will allow you just save up for the fender and keep the LP. i didn't have that luxury.

Absolutely, I wouldn't want to lose the LP.
The human hand is very adaptable. Just think of all the stuff you handle over the course of a day. A bit of perseverance will sort the neck out. As for the guitar sounding dark, well thats what amp eq is for. My Les Paul is brighter than any of my strats or telecaster. All in the upper mids. Could your guitar be suffering from a mid scooped amp?

Whatever, if mustangs were so great they'd have been in regular production since their inception.

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No no and no

Yes, but Les Pauls haven't been in production since their introduction, either...they've significantly changed multiple times--even the drastic change into what we now call the SG.

I would prefer the Paul over the Mustang, but if the guy isn't playing it or doesn't like it, and he can't afford the guitar he does like and will play, selling the Paul makes sense.

I had a 1964 Fender Mustang--all original, looked cool, sounded great--I even had the OHSC! ....and I hated the way it felt, even after a proper setup and intonation. It just didn't "fit" me.

Likewise for a G&L SC-2 I had--sounded awesome, looked cool, and it rarely left its case, because it just didn't "do it" for me.

I sold the Mustang to buy my Strat and sold the SC-2 to make a mortgage payment...both were wise decisions.

I think guitars are kinda like underwear--we all have a particular type we like or prefer, and none of us are wrong...except the guys who wear g-strings. Or those little bikini briefs.
That's wrong.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

I see many different sides to this conundrum......

1. I see what Niki says (Hi Niki by the way, long time no see ) the LP requires a completely different 'approach' to physically playing the thing..... (I have an Epi LP Standard and a Kay LP that both look and sound great but, like SA says, 'don't fit' so I'm selling one on and trading the other in for an Irish Bouzouki instead...... if I'm going to have to alter my playing, I'll alter it completely!!!!! )

2. I also agree that if you don't play it coz it doesn't feel right, there is no point in keeping it just coz it's your only 'American made'............

3. The comment made about keeping the LP and saving up for the Mustang..........I would suggest get rid of the LP get the Mustang and rather save for a better LP. IMO the LP STudio.....well....stinks I would have an Epi LP Custom, or even Standard, with a little bit of modding, over the Gibson LP STudio.

food for thought..................

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

No sense in having a guitar you don't enjoy playing. Guitar is meant to be enjoyed.

I had a 2005 Swampash Studio that I got in a trade for a 2001 American Deluxe Strat. It had an ebony fretboard with no inlays and a natural Swampash body. I have to say that it's build quality was incredible. The one thing I didn't like about it were the pickups, a set of 490R and 498T humbuckers. They are very hot and fairly heavy and a little muddy sounding. I found that I could never really get a tone that I liked with them and soon got rid of it for an American Special Strat.

Looking at the normal Studios, I must admit that the lack of binding on the body and neck never sat well with me. My Swampash looked Ok because it was a natural finsh but on the normal ones with the nitro finish, it looks underdressed somehow. You know it's a Les Paul and you get Les Paul tones but there will always be something missing. For me, a Les Paul has to have to binding. Maybe I'm shallow somehow....

Regarding the pickups on your Studio, I would recommend put a set of classic 57s on it before you decide that you are not happy with the Guitar. They will give you much better tonal options. I had a set on a Les Paul Traditional and I also have them on my Gibson ES-335 and they are just incredible.

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2012 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
2013 Fender Pure Vintage 65 Stratocaster
2003 Gibson ES-355
2015 Gibson Les Paul Traditional
2002 Gretsch Duo Jet
1980 Rickenbacker 360/12 Fireglo
2014 Martin 000X1AE
2014 Fender Blues Junior III