Strange happenings in Tennessee

Unless you live in a cave I’m sure you have heard the doomsday theories about the Large Hedron Colider.  The theory is that this thing could cause a black hole that will suck all the matter of the earth into it.  I don’t know  what all the fuss is about, apparently there has been one of these in use in Tennessee for some time.

You see, there is a strange phenomenon going on. The mahogany slabs used to make Les Pauls are showing up with holes, and some just plain hollowed out.  This has to be the work of some matter sucking machine right?  Gibson wouldn’t make a hollow Les Paul?

The official explanation is that Gibson, who has been doing this for some time now, has been drilling out the mahogany so that the guitars will not come out like boat anchors.  It seems they are saving the lighter weight mahogany for the custom shop stuff and only have heavier slabs for the production stuff.

I’m sorry but I just don’t dig this.  A Les Paul is a slab of mahogany with a maple cap. This is a simple formula that makes a really good guitar. So why mess with it.  I know a lot of people complained about the weight of a Les Paul.  Trust me, I know, after four sets with mine I am walking funny for a few days.  But that’s the deal if you want a Les Paul.

Now you can get a light Les Paul that is nearly hollow.  I haven’t personally played one but I can’t imagine it sounding anything like a solid slab body.  I’m not saying it will sound bad, just not the same.

As for me, if I am in the market for another Les Paul I will definitely look at the used marked for a nice solid one.

Scott

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