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Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

My New Gibson Memphis ES Les Paul Standard "Georgia"

Video thumbnail for My New Gibson Memphis ES Les Paul Standard "Georgia" by Rob Chapman

My New Gibson Memphis ES Les Paul Standard "Georgia"

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for Product Spotlight - Gibson ES-Les Paul Semi Hollow Electric Guitar by Guitar Center

Product Spotlight - Gibson ES-Les Paul Semi Hollow Electric Guitar

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Is a Semi-Hollow Les Paul Good? | 2017 Gibson Memphis ES LP Special II Flametop Review + Demo by The Trogly's Guitar Show

Is a Semi-Hollow Les Paul Good? | 2017 Gibson Memphis ES LP Special II Flametop Review + Demo

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis 2015 ES-Les Paul  •  SN: 10855706 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis 2015 ES-Les Paul • SN: 10855706

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis ES-Les Paul  •  SN: 11114720 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis ES-Les Paul • SN: 11114720

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar Center New from NAMM 2015 - Gibson ES Les Paul Electric Guitar by Guitar Center

Guitar Center New from NAMM 2015 - Gibson ES Les Paul Electric Guitar

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Memphis Les Paul.

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping stock pickups for Seymour Duncan JB models enhances the guitar's tonal range and versatility, especially for rock genres.

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Build quality

  • The mahogany body and neck contribute to a hefty weight of over 9 lbs, indicating solid construction and durability.

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Features and functionality

  • Early models feature a Florentine abalone inlay and a classic Gibson mandolin headstock, adding a premium aesthetic touch.

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  • The MHS pickups are highlighted for their PAF-like, airy sound, suitable for open and responsive tonal needs, especially in jazz contexts.

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  • The flamed top aesthetic is a first for some owners, adding a visually appealing element to the guitar's design.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Original tuners reportedly still function well, and the factory-cut nut remains in good condition, suggesting long-term reliability.

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Value and pricing

  • Early models from the lawsuit era are noted for higher quality materials, though prices can vary significantly, as one sold for $900 while another listed at $2k.

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  • Owners report that Memphis Les Paul ES models were sold around $1,500 during clearance sales in 2017, suggesting inflated current prices.

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  • Discussions reveal that non-custom shop models typically sell around $2,500, despite higher list prices on platforms like Reverb.

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  • Clearance prices for the Memphis ES Les Paul in 2017 were around $1,400-$1,600, indicating potential value increases over time.

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User experience

  • A 2015 Lemonburst model from Chicago Music Exchange is praised for its exceptional feel and quality post professional setup, becoming a top choice for its owner.

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  • Owners appreciate the Memphis ES Les Paul's lightweight design, weighing between 4.5-6.5 lbs, making it easier for long playing sessions.

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  • The guitar's unplugged volume is notably loud, making it suitable for casual strumming sessions without amplification.

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Comparisons

  • It's suggested to consider an ES 339 as an alternative, offering a similar semi-hollow design at a potentially lower cost in the used market.

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  • Some owners suggest trying the ES series for its distinct tonal qualities over solid body Les Pauls, especially for a semi-hollow body sound.

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3.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
paulo_fernandes

Segunda guitarra

Com um bom custo-benefício, repassada por endorse da Tagima. Não é a melhor do mundo mas tem um som médio-bom. haha

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Slash uses Memphis Les Paul

Slash

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

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Verified via YouTube

According to Guns and Roses guitarist Slash, his first guitar was a Memphis Les Paul copy. "That was my first electric guitar, and that was pretty special to me up until I learned that that wasn't really that great a guitar!" he says at (0:30).

See how Eric Peterson uses Memphis Les Paul

Eric Peterson

Guitarist

Testament

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Verified via guitarworld

It was a Memphis Les Paul copy with a bolt-on neck. It had a cherry burst and looked like an Ace Frehley guitar. It was really cool. I bought it at some music stores in a suburban area, where they carried mostly violins and banjos and had maybe two electric guitars. I took lessons there with a guy who was a real jazz-oriented guitar player. He was about 60 or 70 years old, and he taught me some cool stuff.

See how Yenner DeLargee uses Memphis Les Paul

Yenner DeLargee

Singer, Guitarist

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Verified via Photo

Yenner DeLargee is seen playing a Memphis Les Paul in a post on Instagram by user yennerrr, captioned "Love Me Two Times I'm Going Away."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Community setups

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jwettel

jwettel

Gear IQ 300

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