?Well there's been some hype about changing your stop tailpiece out for a Aluminum version. So I took the dive and here's the results, but first a history lesson on vintage Les Pauls and some of the things that make them great.

?The vintage Les Pauls that are highly regarded I've had the privelage of playing several. The very first one I played was about 20 years ago at Gruhn's guitars in Nashville. Believe it or not it was actually hanging on the sales floor right next to all the other guitars very similar to going into any store today. The one thing that stood out about the tone of the guitar was the sustain and excellent resonant quality. It didn't sound "Dark" or muddy like many modern Les Pauls. Those Les Pauls had the Aluminum stop tailpiece and Long Neck Tenons both of which contribute to the vintage?Les Paul tone.?

? So I recently changed mine out on my Les Paul Classic for an Aluminum? stop tailpiece made by Gotoh and purchased?it through?Stew-Mac for?$30.So how's it sound? Well I am a believer in this?upgrade, just by changing the tailpiece out which is MUCH lighter than the original tailpiece?made a?noticeable difference in tone. There is definately more sustain and resonance added to the guitar. It just seems all the notes and chords sound out better with more definition and less?"mud". I would recommend this?upgrade to ANY guitar with a Les Paul type stop tailpiece. It is available?in metric sizes also for those imported guitars. So for?$30?probally the best upgrade you could put on your guitar.

Guitar Guru

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