Tell me about you Les Paul R6

[archtop]

Hi,

I have a lead on getting a new R6 for a great price, but it's in another city and I won't be able to play it before purchasing. So I've been reading everything I can on them. They seem to have big necks from what I've read, and some prefer the tone of the R4, while the others like that the R6 intonates better.

I'm wondering what the frets are likely to be on a new one... are they little? I think I read somewhere that all the historics now have the same fretwire and therefore I assume this one would have larger wire?

The other thing I haven't been able to find much of is sound clips. I would love to hear anything from the people here, clean and dirty etc... and your thoughts on what this guitar excels at.

I'm somewhat inspired by what I've heard Daniel Lanois do with one. I'm probably more of a fender player although I do own a Gibson jazzbox with humbuckers. I guess I'm thinking the R6 could be more of a rock gtr than my fenders (thicker sound) but hopefully be more dynamic than the typical Les Paul sound and capable of earthier sounds too.

I'm aiming at this gtr line up to cover a lot of tonal ground when I'm recording. Does it seem like a balanced bunch? Should I own a Les Paul with humbuckers instead, or will a 335 (that I down own yet) do that job for me?

Tele = Nocaster
Strat = 60's
Les Paul = 56
335 = 59 Historic
Archtop = Gibson L4

[khromo231]

Would measurements accurate to a thousandth of an inch or so be helpful? If so I will haul my R6 out and measure the wire. You could compare the measurement to a guitar you have in hand.

[somedude]

Originally Posted by archtop

Hi,

I have a lead on getting a new R6 for a great price, but it's in another city and I won't be able to play it before purchasing. So I've been reading everything I can on them. They seem to have big necks from what I've read, and some prefer the tone of the R4, while the others like that the R6 intonates better.

I'm wondering what the frets are likely to be on a new one... are they little? I think I read somewhere that all the historics now have the same fretwire and therefore I assume this one would have larger wire?

It's no fretless wonder, but they're not as large as some other guitars I've used.

The other thing I haven't been able to find much of is sound clips. I would love to hear anything from the people here, clean and dirty etc... and your thoughts on what this guitar excels at.

It excels at everything. Truthfully, I like it because I grew up on single coils but want the power of a humbucker. This guitar does that, and without the typical PAF midrange scoop. Tremendous midrange, very raw tone. About the only thing it doesn't excel at his not humming.

[archtop]

Originally Posted by khromo231

Would measurements accurate to a thousandth of an inch or so be helpful? If so I will haul my R6 out and measure the wire. You could compare the measurement to a guitar you have in hand.

Thanks, but that's OK... just wondering if it was small, medium or jumbo. my only other Gibson is the L4 and its frets are wide but not terribly tall. But I'm fine with vintage wire on a Fender... so it's more curiosity than anything.

[archtop]

Originally Posted by somedude

It's no fretless wonder, but they're not as large as some other guitars I've used.



It excels at everything. Truthfully, I like it because I grew up on single coils but want the power of a humbucker. This guitar does that, and without the typical PAF midrange scoop. Tremendous midrange, very raw tone. About the only thing it doesn't excel at his not humming.

Surfing around youtube, I've found Lanois using one for a raw midrangey tweed thing which is cool, and Edge doing his brighter chimey clean thing which was also cool, and Sean Costello doing old style blues which was great. So it seems capable of a lot of variety depending on the player.

What amps do you like it through?

[Shark Sandwich]

I have about ten guitars--custom shop strats and teles (including a masterbuilt and custom ordered models), an R9, a VOS SG, and my VOS R6. I really do like them all but I think my fave is the R6. The main reason is the sound--it's my only guitar with P90s and I just love 'em, period. They're just fat sounding single coils--they have that single coil bite but they're not thin. Each position is totally distinct and unique. I love T Bone Walker and this guitar just nails that sound. I play through Victorias--a Regal II, champ, deluxe, and super, and it just sounds great through all of them, old school all the way.

It has a big neck, nice medium frets (they're not jumbo but they're certainly big enough). On top of it all you have what in my opinion is just the best looking electric guitar ever made--you just can't beat the gold top with cream binding and cream pickups look. It just reeks of class and coolness. I like the contrast with the natural mahogany back too. Mine is an '06, so it's a VOS model, and it just plays like butter. Plus it's just over 8 1/2 pounds. Get one, you won't regret it.

[stratman89]

I had a '56 VOS GT......lots of growl from the stock P90's.

There is a couple of sound clips on the Gibson Custom site.

[somedude]

Originally Posted by archtop

Surfing around youtube, I've found Lanois using one for a raw midrangey tweed thing which is cool, and Edge doing his brighter chimey clean thing which was also cool, and Sean Costello doing old style blues which was great. So it seems capable of a lot of variety depending on the player.

What amps do you like it through?

I use Electric and Orange amps.

[archtop]

Originally Posted by somedude

I use Electric and Orange amps.

Rawk 'n' Roll! :RoCkIn

[Bankston]

The next Les Paul I buy will be an R6.

[archtop]

here is Lanois playing his (probably an original) with Bigsby!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8tHdX9ox9c

[straightblues]

I have an R6. I was looking at both R4's and R6's. The tone on both are great. I fell in love with my particular R6 and got a great deal on it because it was pretty dinged up. Man does it sound great. The frets are medium. The neck is pretty fat. The P90 are able to capture both tele sorta tone and more traditional humbucker tones. I played several examples of both guitars. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

[bluesjuke]

Got mine after wanting one for years.
I am having a blast with it and the different sounds I get from it are awesome.
I play humbucker LP's and 335's, Strats, and Teles.

The R6 falls right smack in the middle with the best of each combined.
Here's a good link with Sean Costello playing his R6;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AUsj84HfhI&feature=related

Here's mine;

[ahab]

The Gibson R6 is as good as it gets.

[khromo231]

I really like my R6 for many of the same reasons as the other posters. My CS Special Re-Issue is my favorite though. It does everything the R6 does, except a little more musically to my ears, and it is lighter. It doesn't take any time to get used to the thinner neck.

One thing I don't like about either of these guitars is that they don't buck hum in the middle position. McSoapy does that and I really appreciate it when I'm playing alone.