Playing the REAL Peter Green Les Paul

[SHEMAMAN]

I was managed by the same guy peter was for a while and when I would ask peter, he really couldn't see what all the fuss was about the gibsons. yes, he loved them at the time and they did something 'supernatural' in his hands with that accidental mod with the pickups, but he was enthuse about fenders just as much and although he has had problems, his memory for the early days is really sharp. I believe he thinks is the media making more out of this than it deserves.

[philsturman]

Would loved to have heard the pickups seperately instead of the out-of-phase we have here. Good though.

[EPIPHONE82]

does cvguitars give any percentage of their sales to peter green since their making money from using his name and his song titles to sell their products?, hope so, they should.

[karmabites1]

Just bought LCPG #142 on eBay. To the assholes that say this sounds like shit, I've been playing thirty years and have it down to a T with Jimi and Page. Just started learning Greeny's stuff. Larry does it better than anyone I've ever seen. Considering BB King called Peter the best in the world, and Larry does it blindfolded, devoted the passion to make these guitars, and has the tone down cold, whoever said this is shit is a fucking retard that doesn't know shit about music. Insert head in ass.

[ChingaChe]

@torgos Chinga su pinche mexican strat!

[STORYTASTIC]

wow it sounds like shit!

[iguisard]

Sad to see this piece of history on these hands. I don't think people really have a clue. Here is a couple, watch?v=rxux5LdmjQU&feature=re­lated then watch?v=nB6zg05CxYg&feature=re­lated and later history with watch?v=1f_LHzkwKuU

[dzdaas]

this is aweful

[mkilner]

anyone want to really hear what this LP sounds like should check out the Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival DVD from 1990, Gary plays his heart out with this thing!...lets hope a deserving owner actually does it justice like pete & gary did! Rock ON!

[LectricEel]

Nerdy Q I know ...but does anyone know the weight of this iconic LP???? I'm very interested in this particular spec..... that is often ignored .... but very much affects the acoustic resonance that defines the overall feel/vibe/tone.

RIP Gary - you covered so many styles/bases and were inspirational - Im sure Peter does not regret this gift,

[cristianocollarin]

You have to give it back to Moore family, fucking bastards.

[poseidon26ful]

@cristianocollarin why gary moore he,s sell this guitar at the end of the 90tis why would the give it back????

[olalator]

actualy i dont like sound of guitar

[1971Goldtop]

@olalator to each his own but to me that sounds like heaven.

[olalator]

@1971Goldtop yeah sure/but i mean exactly that youtube record.

[1971Goldtop]

@olalator you mean the quality? eh, it's not so bad considering where they're at. I'm curious as to what he's playing through.

[bohs1984]

People are funny. ITS A FUCKING GUITAR. Tone is in the player's fingers and soul. That hunk of wood is about 10% of the magic, if that. I can assure you that if he had played a run of the mill LP Jr. he would have sounded every bit as good and not ONE of you guitar experts would have noticed even the slightest difference.

[Jim1490]

@bohs1984 Do you even play guitar?! Listen to Gary Moore (for example) play this guitar on 'The Messiah Will Come Again' live at Montreux, then listen to the change in tone when he changes guitars. You can't say that the tonewood doesn't affect the tone. Moron.

[bohs1984]

@Jim1490 Not only do I play em, I have made well over 100 of them. The last one I was so fucking good that a guy traded me a brand new "65 Amps" lil Elvis for it. That is a $2,500 amp you idiot. I have been blessed to share a stage with some of the greatest players in the world but I won't name drop. News flash for you, Gary Moore is going to sound GREAT with an off the rack $1,500 Gibson or any decent strat. And a dick like you will sound like shit with whatever. Go look Seasick Steve.

[bohs1984]

@Jim1490 Oh, and by the way. Please check out Seasick Steve playing Cut My Wings on Jools Holland. He is playing a shitty Jap guitar held together with duct tape with three old strings on it through a Roland Cube and is getting a tone Clapton would give his left nut for. Obviously, certain wood makes a difference. But not as much as a good bridge, pickups and above all else; a player who knows how to get a tone.

[WoWintosh]

@bohs1984

I just watched the video. That is not good tone. Maybe if you're 68 years old and that's the best tone available back in the bad old days.

[Jim1490]

@bohs1984 I checked it out, and it's a fucking terrible tone...lol. The last part of your argument is also what I'm trying to point out to you...That's what I've been saying, it's the tonewoods, pickups and the player that determine the tone more than anything.

[inyourdreamsladdie]

@bohs1984 correctamondo my friend!

I met Brian May`s guitar tech and he said no-one else sounds like Brian! when he soundchecks the red special before gigs he sounded nothing like Brian, BRIAN`S sound was 10% guitar, 10% amp and 80% Brian-fact! some of the most iconic sounds in guitar history have come from run of the mill even cheapo guitars-stairway to h`n played on a tele- DESIGNED to be a `budget` guitar! origional Dire Straights albums made with schecter strat copy Etc Etc.

[bohs1984]

@inyourdreamsladdie FINALLY, I guess if you look hard enough you can find signs of intelligent life on the internet. I agree 100% with you. Some people are just blessed with a touch on the strings that gives them great tone control. They create a signature sound and if they play a $1million guitar or a decent off the rack axe, they will sound GREAT. Just get a good playing guitar and spend your money on pickups and an amp.

[Philtration]

Green is a Strat man these days.

If he is happy with that then why try to force this guitar back on him when he parted with it so long ago?

[EJwannabe]

Bill Maher really rocks in this one!

[cranie4]

Amazing how much of the tone is in the guitar where usually it's the player i.e. Gilmore

This one has the flipped pickup but an amazing woody hollow tone. I would LOVE to have one that has that.

[ruffian1868]

Many people say that the Splinter Group was a vehicle not for Peter Green, but for Nigel Watson. I have to agree !

[deepblue1963]

Wasnt Green the one who said its not a magic stick?

Its just one of those scenarios where the guitar has taken on a life and legend all its own.

[raybede]

Are you SURE this is THE LP I don't think so!!!

[pmay222]

aw just smash the fukkin thing to pieces, get it over with...! rock an roll

[norwayfinland]

the famous guitar where the ratle snake shake was playd on

[HarryBallbag]

The truth is that Peter Green's playing would go unnoticed in a typical guitar shop anywhere these days. His concert attendances nowadays are to see the man who played all those years ago. The lead guitarist in the Splinter band blows him off the stage. Fanatics will not like this comment but it is true nonetheless. Good to see he's okay-ish though.

[cvguitars]

Agreed. And, let's set the record straight about "giving the guitar" back to him. What makes anyone think he wants the guitar? He said something to the effect that THAT Les Paul broke his heart. If you watch the two part video about his current guitar collection here on You Tube, he doesn't own a Les Paul and one can sense something weird about his responses regarding Les Pauls. Clearly, he has some issues with them that only he knows. And, for the record, I don't own the guitar and never did.

[bluesgunner]

@cvguitars He told Gary Moore 'never want it back'. Thus far, he's correct. And anyway, anyone can play this guitar and sound like Peter Green did 40 years ago, but even now, only Peter Green has the magic in his fingers. Having seen him live a couple of weeks ago, I can attest to the fact that he is still very much in possession of this magic.

[Djarra]

@cvguitars Apparently Gary spoke to Peter about selling the guitar and Gary gave a percentage of the sale to Peter's charity.

[lassalle4]

@cvguitars

These Vintage guitar capitalists Just kill the love , Fuckin Lawyer Blues wankers .

Thats not jealousy , It's context , how can a guitar like that sing anymore spends it's life in a bank vault !! It used to take tube rides and play clubs , I'd prefer if it got Stolen !!! FUCK !! I'M GONNA COME AND STEAL IT !!!!!

[bigdaddy496]

@cvguitars can you link me to the videos?

[BluzzGroove]

@HarryBallbag Everyone else buys to collect and say they have a Paul like this. Peter just plays. Furthermore Peter never has and never will desire to blow anyone off the stage. That style is for people that buy these guitars instead of working on what makes music soulful and honest. When I saw the splinter group I expected to see a medicated Peter Green playing medicated Blues. Well with all that his tone and soul came through. His phrasing is still recognizable. Not the rest.

[HarryBallbag]

@BluzzGroove Sorry if my comment came across as disrespectful to Peter. I was just calling it as I see it though. I too love the old PG precisely because of his tasteful playing (as opposed to the gunslinging we've become accustomed to). I was just trying to say that, in my opinion, that has been lost. If you recognised some of the old PG then good for you though.

[Topunga81]

Peter Green should have his axe back..

[seerattan]

why did he sell it in the first place

[bluesfashion]

i thought he was peter green,

:) cool larry corsa

[finbarflo]

tearsin myeyes itssoul is crying for pete green so give jt tohim

[Fenderplayer2]

give it backkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!! he is fine now and deserves his guitar!

[SRV03101954]

@Fenderplayer2 Peter said in an interview that he only liked the color of his les paul and that was it lol

[slavetomoney1]

Yeah give it back to Peter Green. Gary moore robbed him.

[GiorgioV]

Yeah, you sure are knowledgeable about how the whole thing went.

[norwayfinland]

no noob peter het give it to gary moore btw peter hes still 6 of his old gibson,s les pauls

[TrailerNo9]

Larry who?

[Zepster77]

GIVE IT BACK to the man.... who gave it away so long ago.

[adrenalize666]

I didnt know Garry Moore sold this guitar?

[plebriquir]

Lucky guy... and he looks so happy!

[drsmith200]

theres a big red copy (alvin lees guitar) in the top left, lol

[rebel200794]

Peter Green Forever!!!

[alexgoodbourn]

Sacriledge!!!!!!!!!!

[flatlandsparky]

If gary moore was there he'd knock the crap outa larry and show him how its done

[guitamasta]

the fuck, no one deserves to play peter greens guitar other than peter green.

[ravensmead]

whatever happened to Lenny Corpse?

[ravensmead]

one day they'll be an adult rock theme park where you'll pay a hundred bucks to play famous guitars for 5 minutes

[BucksStudent]

That would be THE shit!

[fmiller747]

I'm so there.

[Villa129]

@ravensmead That is just about the funniest thing I've read in a while. Bravo.".might be true", PT Barnum.

[Flerg3]

whats bill maher doing with peter greens guitar?

[beyondalohas]

sweet

[Nakorie]

great sound!

[rw5791]

black magic woman,please.

[GreenyMcFleetwood]

haha where the fuck did that come from?

[lodownrecords]

This is awesome, but who is Larry Corsa?

[Ziggypussy]

You lucky bastard... : )

[af4k]

So that's a 59 LP standard, right? I saw two at a show recently - non-gloss finish, claiming to be a "Peter Green LP." Have Gibson made a lot of those over the years, or recently?

Does that mean these were reissue 59,

or is there something else special about

them such as the finish or the out of phase

PU wiring?

tia

[Toris93]

well, this guitar is THE guitar peter played, but alot of people got 59s they claim to be this guitar lol

[womblesocks]

Not a patch on Peter Green in your wildest dreams but I would pay good money just to touch it.

[Mindfreak5150]

Just because someone's playing another person's guitar it doesn't mean they're trying to be that person

[tommymarshall16]

And a brilliant quote from Snowy White:

It's just a guitar though. When Peter stopped playing the guitar, it became just an ordinary guitar. The guitar playing was made by Peter Green, not the guitar. It's just an ordinary guitar to me...

says it all really.

[Pandekagemedbolleaa]

No, this Les Paul is not an ordinary Les Paul. First of all, when Peter Green stopped playing it he sold it to Gary Moore, who is also a legend. But the thing that really makes it different is the pickups. They are magnetically out of phase, wich brings a magic and wonderful sound.

[tommymarshall16]

It's just a guitar, albeit a very nice sounding 59 Les Paul with a long history.

Can you tell it's the guitar that Peter Green played, just by listening to this clip? (No disrespect intended)

Nope? Thought not.

The guitar greats can get a sound from ANY guitar.

The secret?

There isn't one. Its all in their mojo.

[Pandekagemedbolleaa]

I can't tell if this is Peter Greens guitar. But I can hear that it does not sound normal. And it's a fact Peter Greens pickups where out of phase.

Any person can get sound from any guitar.

Do your homework before you call it an ordinary Les Paul. (No disrespect intended)

[tommymarshall16]

If you read the post properly SNOWY WHITE, who knows a thing or two about playing LES PAUL GUITARS said:

It's just a guitar though. When Peter stopped playing the guitar, it became just an ordinary guitar. The guitar playing was made by Peter Green, not the guitar. It's just an ordinary guitar to me..

AND AGAIN, SNOWY WHITE SAID IT...

******************************­******

I think if you knew how to play guitar you would understand. The guitar greats could coax a tune out of just about anything...

[leesagrrl]

@Pandekagemedbolleaa

I'd heard that there were "In Phase," but that the Bridge Pickup was turned around so the poles were not on the bridge side but closer to the middle.

[Pandekagemedbolleaa]

In phase? Where did you hear that? Well, you might be right. I'm no expert. All I know fore sure, is that something had been done to Peter Green's guitar, haha.

[leesagrrl]

@Pandekagemedbolleaa

I used to do some luthier work... but I'm certainly no expert either. Do a search on line. There are many discussions in forums about this.

I've seen pics of Peter's Les Paul where the neck pickup is mounted wrong. The pole pieces are on the bottom of the pickup, closer to the bridge, rather than where they should be, closer to the neck.

I've also seen pics where the pickups seem to be mounted right.

[leesagrrl]

@Pandekagemedbolleaa

The bottom line is Peter's playing... not his guitar. People are always looking to emulate the "Magic" in a certain player by using his setup or something. That's foolish.

Paying is all about Chops and "Feeling" and Honesty.

There is no magic in the guitar... the magic is in Peter.

[leesagrrl]

@Pandekagemedbolleaa

I guess I should say this as it seems some people don't understand this.

A guitar pickup pick's up the sound from where it's mounted. The same way that the sound of an acoustic guitar changes depending on where you strum/pick it.

Closer to the Bridge the string is being held in check by the saddles which means the string doesn't vibrate as freely.

The farther away from the bridge that you put the pickup, the mellower the sound since the string is less "stiff."

[mistersnaredrum]

@leesagrrl nah, the neck pickup is inserted back to front and wired out of phase. the bridge pickup is standard.

[leesagrrl]

@mistersnaredrum

"Nah" what? You might wanna read what I actually typed above. Do a little research on line. The guys who actually worked on Pete's old Les Paul have chimed-in on what they remember... No Out-Of-Phase pickup on Pete's guitar.

But please explain what kind of Out-Of-Phase you are talking about?

As on the cover of his Biography "Peter Green: Founder of Fleetwood Mac, as I said above, BOTH pickups have the poles on the bottom of the pickups.

Everybody's an expert.

[mistersnaredrum]

@leesagrrl i'll happily explain what i know.

the neck pickup on this guitar is wired out of phase (verified after examination by Jol Danzig, founder of Hamer guitars after examining the guitar) , and ALSO placed back to front in it's surround. the bridge pickup is absolutely normal, and has had nothing done to it.

[mistersnaredrum]

@leesagrrl

in the middle position (i.e. both pickups on) the hollowness comes from the fact that then neck pickup is out of phase - it being back to front and having both pickup's poles facing the same way has nothing to do with it.

I never claimed to be an expert, but on this particular subject I've read a lot and talked to a lot of people. i can point you to books that back me up if you want.

and "nah" is a colloquial for "no". cheers!

[leesagrrl]

@mistersnaredrum:

I've heard it all... and here are 3 forums where the posters rattle on and on in every direction imaginable. Some quotes from Danzig there too.  I'm sure there'll never be a definitive answer.

blindman. 15.forumer. com/a/peter-green-guitar_post3­5549. html

lespaulforum. com/forum/showthread. php?t=145709

mylespaul. com/forums/pickups/35871-picku­ps-101-type-question. html

(Remove spaces)

[gav25x]

wow a gibson les paul how amazing

[OhYeah729]

more like give it back to peter green!

[tommymarshall16]

Peter is on record as saying he didn't want the guitar back as it's "too parisien" for him now. I don't know if this is a dig at Gary Moore sucking the mojo out of it on Parisienne Walkways etc OR if Peter means it's too bluesy for the music he now plays...

[OhYeah729]

what?

[tommymarshall16]

Which part of my post don't you understand?

[OhYeah729]

how is it to bluesy?

[tommymarshall16]

He moved on to playing Strats, Teles and a Howard Roberts Fusion, totally different sounds.

[OhYeah729]

yea but how is a les paul to blusey?

[SouthpawSatch]

I don't think it is right that this guitar is some private collection somewhere in the world, it should be in the hands of either Peter Green or Gary Moore being played onstage !!!

[filiphopo]

Word

[heartofsoul]

It sounds more like an ES-335,

Mr. Greens soul is in there...and I think he wants it back.

[TubeFreakJonas]

??? NO GUITAR STRAP ???

Vintage guitar people are mental. That's near a half million dollar guitar.

Sounds sweet tho! I now know what to look for that I never find in Custom Shop Les Pauls...

[JilaX]

More like a 2 million dollar guitar.

[en4sm8zn7g8]

More like irreplacable!

[thewombat01]

I thought Evel Knievel died?

[axslinger99]

I own of Larry's guitars and they are super!

[s7uar7]

It's incredible how distinctive the tone of this guitar is. There are plenty of videos on here of Les Pauls with the flipped magnet, but none sound like this. It's instantly recognisable as Peter Green's.

[LGrey8]

Not a fan of the out of phase tone personally.

But its kinda cool in its own way.. Sounds like its being played through an old-time radio.

[mistersnaredrum]

yeah, i have a semi acoustic wired out of phase with gfs nashvilles, and it's taken a while to grow on me.

i'm glad not all guitars are wired that way. if my goldtop didn't have the two p90s together sound i'd die.

[gary36uk]

what do you reckon the holy grail of guitars the hendrix white strat? or that peter green les paul?or any others???

[LedZeppelinZoSo14]

jimmy page custom shop les paul personally

[IndigoBlu736]

Mike bloomfield's 59' burst

[FeitenFan]

The Bloomfield Les Paul

[gregory49]

Hendrix actually preferred his black strat. I would say Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates is more desired then this one.

[peterm3964]

A modern standard would not play as well >a guitar doesnt really mature untill its at least 10 years old . My 31 year old les paul is improving by the hour >:}

[snackajack117]

I really want to see a guitar like this played up against a modern bog standard..standard.

Just to see the difference in sound.

[lespauljr]

Don't blame the guitar, blame the player. Mr. millionaire definitely doesn't have the gift. I sure hope Gary threw Peter a couple of bones considering he got the million dollar guitar for a song.

[ajengland]

All I can say is, there are more Les. P.G's out there ,that belonged to Peter Green,than pieces of wood that,are claimed to be from the Cross? Also this Guys playing is not so hot!!!

[gregory49]

His Playing is fine, and the reason this one is desired is because it is out there, it's a 59! it was petes main guitar! and it was also owned by gary moore. What a stupid comment.

[ajengland]

gregory49,who rattled your cage? I saw Greeny play this guitar!How dare anyone try follow him. Also Moore paid Peter Green, pennys for this guitar, when he was ill, & sold it for $2,000,000 what an arse hole, or if you're a Yank Ass 'oll. The problem was, not that he wanted the money , he was afraid that he might be expected to play it like Greeny.

[gregory49]

sorry if i came off sounding like a jerk. Not my intent. It's just a widely regarded guitar thats well known to the public same thing with duanes 59, Claptons blackie and so on. It just seemed to me like you were saying theres nothing special about it. Sorry if i came off the wrong way.

[DangerousBastard]

But it is Peter Green's Gibson. Or it was. Its the same bloody guitar for crying out loud, who cares who owns it today?!?

[bullshitdetective1]

when will people stop saying that its peter greens gibson?

for pity sake it became gary moores gibson!!

now it belongs to some other fortunate rich person!!!!!

so now its his name on the guitar!!! NOT GREEN!!!!!!!!!

if anybody owns it then GIBSON DO!!!!!

[petequintin]

man old les pauls piss over any of the new ones coming outta factories today.

[beachhutblues]

That guys a nob.

I bet PG would piss himself laughing if he saw this.

[zweeden]

there is nothing betr than a real old sound of a gibson i love it there whas a time gary moore get this guitar as a gift from peter green and gary made great song whit it thanks peter:-)

[evanfrmheaven]

Gary should have gave this guitar back to Peter Green!

[m4tthewk]

That thing souns weak dude, you need to put some EMGs in it then it'll rock.

[backlash420]

lol emg's are shit pick ups.......

[ilichinfiction]

hahaha yeah right.... why ruin such an icon of a guitar with legendary tone by putting emgs in it??? That guitar has already "rocked" for decades the way it is. Besides, those pickups are worth 1000 times(if not more) more than any emg pickup will ever cost.

[gretschfiltertron68]

Gibson did make a factory Les Paul with EMG's.

[ilichinfiction]

"That thing souns weak dude, you need to put some EMGs in it then it'll rock." My response was to this, where it's clearly stated that emgs should replace the Paf on THIS 59' LES PAUL.... that's not a good idea, is it?? and as for any other les paul that gibson makes with emgs??? i don't really care man.

[bassminusb]

It's true. Back in the mid-80's they made a LP Custom w/ EMG's. It sounded like crap!

[DangerousBastard]

m4tthewk: you're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking. Yeah, you're joking. I have to believe that.

[flipfloptim]

excuse me

[genpetdriver]

what a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to play this guitar. The greeny LP has achieved "holy grail status". I'm glad to see it being played instead of rotting away in a glass case.

[skydog46]

Always wanted to see you paired up with this guitar LC!! I love the way you play man!!

[cvguitars]

You, too, sky! You got that Greeny thing going on yourself!

[skydog46]

Thanks Larry!

[johnbeloe]

the best guitat tone........ever (exculding peter green himself off course!!)

[GreenyMcFleetwood]

cool, hes got those licks perfect

[porterburst]

That's some mighty sweet tone and playing!

[IXIBobOhIXI]

That guitar looks much better being played then in that glass case! It would be even better if it were in the hands of Green himself :(