Quilted Les Paul - opinions please?

[Stig]

A new addition to my collection, but I can't for the life of me decide on the finish - a flamed black, or a more 'traditional' cherry sunburst!

So I'll throw it open to the PH pickers for their opinion.

My first ever electric was a black Kay Les Paul copy (wish I'd kept it - but there you go) so I'm leaning towards the Ebony, but the sunburst cherry is a classic.

Anyway - over to you lot

Edited by Stig on Wednesday 25th August 12:41

[AdeTuono]

Play them both and buy the one that sounds the best?

[Stig]

AdeTuono said:

Play them both and buy the one that sounds the best?

They sound/play almost exactly the same!! The differences are too subtle to choose between them - so I'm left with the colour as the differentiator

[Project C]

Midnight Ebony for me as it stands out as being different IMHO! Go mad and get both?

[Stig]

Project C said:

Midnight Ebony for me as it stands out as being different IMHO! Go mad and get both?

The thought has crossed my mind.. but the wife has threatened me accordingly

[davepoth]

Make sure to look it over before buying, sometimes the flames aren't great. I'd go for tobaccoburst.

[ShadownINja]

That black one is stunning.

[Pothole]

are the sides really that grey primer colour?

[soad]

Not much in it but black one probably looks cooler.

Sunburst cherry reminds me of the amber somehow (colour-wise).

[Bob Loblaw]

That's quilted maple, not flamed

But I prefer the black one!

[kiteless]

A vote here for sunburst cherry. Reminds me of Mr Page's '59 LP.

[Kinky]

Tough call.

Very tough call.

[Evangelion]

Agree, tough one. I'd go for the black as it's that little bit different and anyway I HATE cherry sunburst! Honeyburst is my particular favourite finish for a LP and I don't like excessive flame either.

[vit4]

I'd go for the black personally.

Saw an epic looking Les ages ago, it was in sunburst but greyscale, looked the nuts.

[pistonlager]

The black one.

[Chris71]

The ebony one looks cooler, but cherry sunburst is the definitive Les Paul colour scheme. Difficult...

It's like Ferraris. There are hundreds of colours available, but could you really order yours in anything other than red?

Let the music decide: blues/road = cherry sunburst jazz or metal = ebony

[Stig]

Pothole said:

are the sides really that grey primer colour?

no - they're gloss

[Stig]

Bob Loblaw said:

That's quilted maple, not flamed

But I prefer the black one!

You are absolutely correct of course... well, on the quilt - the colour choice is driving me MAAAD!!!

As said above, I can see me ending up with both!

[Stig]

Chris71 said:

The ebony one looks cooler, but cherry sunburst is the definitive Les Paul colour scheme. Difficult...

It's like Ferraris. There are hundreds of colours available, but could you really order yours in anything other than red?

Let the music decide: blues/road = cherry sunburst jazz or metal = ebony

Spot on. It's my first LP for ages and whilst I agree that the cherry is 'the' LP colour, that black is so seductive (and as I said, nostalgia for my 1st LP that was black is playing a part).

The music won't help me either as I play both!?!?!?

This is leading towards getting both isn't it! Highly indulgent and probably divorce provoking

Hang on, from that perspective, tt's a no brainer really isn't it

[Chris71]

Stig said:

Chris71 said:

The ebony one looks cooler, but cherry sunburst is the definitive Les Paul colour scheme. Difficult...

It's like Ferraris. There are hundreds of colours available, but could you really order yours in anything other than red?

Let the music decide: blues/road = cherry sunburst jazz or metal = ebony

Spot on. It's my first LP for ages and whilst I agree that the cherry is 'the' LP colour, that black is so seductive (and as I said, nostalgia for my 1st LP that was black is playing a part).

The music won't help me either as I play both!?!?!?

This is leading towards getting both isn't it! Highly indulgent and probably divorce provoking

Hang on, from that perspective, tt's a no brainer really isn't it

If it's for your own indulgence I'd probably get the classic cherry sunburst.

If, however, you're gigging regularly and you're proper a flambouyant foot-on-the-monitor type I'd say the ebony one makes more of a statement; be yourself and stand out.

Does that make sense? The ebony one has more identity if you're trying to carve your own niche. If (like me and legions of other enthusiastic but rather mediocre guitarists) you're an aspiring Jimmy Page behind closed doors then I'd live the dream with the cherry sunburst.