Pearloid fret markers: Why doesn't Gibson use MoP on LPs?

[waterlogged]

This is not a complaint. I assume Gibson have plentiful supplies of Mother of Pearl. They use it beautifully on their range of high end arch-tops. So why not Les Pauls? The LP is the pride of the fleet of solid-body electrics, and they're expensive by most people's standards, AND cheaper competitors have used MoP.

So why pearloid? Was MoP ever used on Les Pauls?

 

[gadzooka]

This is not a complaint. I assume Gibson have plentiful supplies of Mother of Pearl. They use it beautifully on their range of high end arch-tops. So why not Les Pauls? The LP is the pride of the fleet of solid-body electrics, and they're expensive by most people's standards, AND cheaper competitors have used MoP.

So why pearloid? Was MoP ever used on Les Pauls?

MoP was, and still is, used on LP Customs.

 

[naeve]

They will tell you it is for historic accuracy but the real reason is cost cutting. Although it might not be much more expensive to use mother of pearl on one guitar they save a lot of money by using pearloid on all of those guitars.

 

[waterlogged]

...and I guess it's another thing that might sway a prospective customer to opt for a custom...

I think that answers my question.

 

[535faultless]

The 30th ann. Goldtop Standard has MOP inlay.

 

[Doug H]

I've always wished they did- much classier than plastic.


PS- yeah, there have been some special editions that have used it, as well as abalone (but ab is a bit too much for me).

 

[Brownsound]

Even the cheapest Asian ripoffs use real MOP. I had a Jay Turser purple burst LP copy that had real MOP and abalone dragon the length of the freatboard...and it cost about $200 bucks! The argument that its cost cutting is BS...they are being ultra cheap here.

 

[Zebracoils]

If it makes no difference in the tone and thats what they used originally,I really don't care if they're plastic.I wish they would have used bone for the nut originally but they didn't,and that has an actual effect on the tone although only on open strings,but hey......who really cares?I don't.

 

[mikey_guit]

They will tell you it is for historic accuracy but the real reason is cost cutting. Although it might not be much more expensive to use mother of pearl on one guitar they save a lot of money by using pearloid on all of those guitars.

Yeah, and most of us historically-correct-LP-nerds are even happy that there are those cheap plastic inlays on it... I mean... it's historically correct after all... isn't it?... :wha

 

[LesterP]

I know it's historically correct to use plastic, but if they offered an R8 or R9 with real pearl inlay, I would buy it

 

[DonP]

I know it's historically correct to use plastic, but if they offered an R8 or R9 with real pearl inlay, I would buy it

Look to the LP "Elegant" model.

 

[LesterP]

The "Elegant" model is a great guitar, but I'm not sure if I want a chambered body with abalone inlays.

 

[dtw576]

The "Elegant" model is a great guitar, but I'm not sure if I want a chambered body with abalone inlays.

You better start ducking. I loved my Elegant but they get dissed around here like a smelly turd. My only guess is that the most vocal disser's haven't owned one or played one in a band setting. I loved playing classic rock like ZZ, Cult, Lizzy etc on mine and no one ever complained. It was a great guitar for the intro to "Iron Man" also as it would hold some great feedback on the behind the nut bend perfectly. Better than any of my SG's ever have.

 

[naeve]

Yeah, and most of us historically-correct-LP-nerds are even happy that there are those cheap plastic inlays on it... I mean... it's historically correct after all... isn't it?... :wha

I don't know about you but I would much rather have a great Les Paul with a bone nut, mop inlays, etc. with top quality than something with perfect historic accuracy.

 

[Wilko]

Nut smake a difference for all notes. Try a rubber nut and see what you get.

 

[LesterP]

Hey DTW576, don't get me wrong. I've tried a dozen or so Elegants since thay came out. They are very nice guitars, and I will probably buy one someday. I especially like the early ones with the round "Custom Shop" inlay at the peghead. My only point is that I would like a more traditional instrument, but with better quality (atleast to me) materials. Nothing wrong with plastic inlays, but I prefer real pearl, or abalone on an Elegant

 

[Brownsound]

Nut smake a difference for all notes. Try a rubber nut and see what you get.

I guess he meant that once you bar a note above the nut...the nut is out of the picture.

 

[Gold Tone]

I guess he meant that once you bar a note above the nut...the nut is out of the picture.

But it isn't really. That's a typical misconception. Wilko's example is bang on!

 

[mikey_guit]

I don't know about you but I would much rather have a great Les Paul with a bone nut, mop inlays, etc. with top quality than something with perfect historic accuracy.

Yeah, same here, but you'll soon find out that many ppl here are really obsessed with converting every detail on the guitar to '59 specs... :bh

 

[dmt]

I'd go for real MOP inlays and a bone nut too. Abalone I don't like though -- too gaudy. Anyway, no biggie really. I change the nuts on all my Gibbies, and the inlays look fine (except on my J-100 -- the crown inlays look much more fake than the MOP inlays on the J-200).