Gibson Les Paul Classic Antique

My LP Classic Fireburst finish was the second "Guitar-of-the-week" in 2007. I picked it up on ebay from strummer1960 for $1600.00. The features are:
Body
Body Species: Mahogany
Top Species: AA figured maple
Back Species: Mahogany
Binding: Antique top binding

NECK
Species: Mahogany
Profile: 1960s slim taper
Neck Joint Location: 16

FINGERBOARD
Species: Rosewood
Scale Length: 243/4"
Number of Frets: 22
Nut Width: 1.695"
Inlays: Trapezoid on neck, holly on headstock
Fingerboard Binding: Antique

HARDWARE
Plating Finish: Nickel
Tailpiece: Stopbar
Bridge: Tune-o-matic
Knobs: Amber top hat
Tuners: Green key
Neck Pickups: ???57 Classic, uncovered with nickel polepieces
Bridge Pickups: ???57 Classic Plus, uncovered with nickel polepieces
Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way switch

OTHER
Strings: Brite Wires .010-.046

CASE
Case Interior: White plush
Case Exterior: Hardshell with black reptile pattern
Case Silkscreen: Silver Gibson USA logo

I mainly play jazz, blues and some rock using this guitar with a Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special (2x12), a Fender Hot Rod Deville (4x10) that has been modded by Jim Price at Omega Amps, and a Rocktron Prophesy II. The guitar is one of my favorites (and I own 4 LP models, and 10 others). The classic 57 in the neck is great for jazz and the classic plus in the bridge has the extra output and sensitivity.
I like everything about the way this guitar sounds.

I purchased it "new" from an ebay seller (dealer, I think), and it came perfectly set up. I haven't even had to change the strings yet. I cannot find a flaw of any kind. I feel like I really lucked out on this one as it is perfect from the get go.

Everything seems durable and solid. If I used a neck strap, I would probably install larger strap holders. Otherwise, I see no reason to change a thing.

No opinion as I have yet to deal with them with any of my Gibsons.

For sure, a "10" all around on this one. Of all my Les Pauls this one really meets every criterion for a "10" for me. I think my favorite feature is the tone... that is, the sounds it is capable of producing. Playing mainly jazz and blues I like being able to get a warm, soft sound that still sound bright... this one does it all. My second favorite thing about this guitar is the beautiful fireburst that come from the tail up to the neck... really sweet and unique.
For sure, I would replace this beauty.

I recently received my Les Paul antique Fireburst and was pleasantly surprized, especially after reading some of the horror stories people have submitted about Gibson's quality control. It was actually a lot nicer looking than the pictures on Gibson's website. The top is solid maple with a nice AA flame (actually looks like AAA on this one - I lucked out), the pickups are 57 pafs, which I like better overall than the ceramic pickups on my other LP Classic. The neck and back of the body are solid mahogany.

Like most guitarits that have been playing for a few decades, I play quite a few genres including rock, country, and jazz. The guitar suits all of those styles and I could imagine taking it on a gig without any other guitars, but I also like Telecasters. On this particular guitar, I really appreciate the weight. I had a Les Paul Black Beauty back in the late 70s that felt like an anvil. This one feels lighter than than my other Les Paul which only weighs 7lbs. 6oz. That's light for a Paul! In fact, it weighs less than my Baja Telecaster. The neck pickup is very warm sounding. I usually back off the volume and tone just a bit to sweeten it up. The bridge pickup usually stays wide open, volume and tone. Its very bright in the bridge position, but not twangy like a Tele. Of course, its a humbucker and it sounds like one.

The setup was pretty good, but the action might be a little high for some folks. However, it was set to Gibson specs which is usually about where I set mine anyway, so I'm good with that. The bridge pickup was set way too high, even by Gibson's specs. Of course, it took all of 2 minutes to correct that, but it was too high and that isn't just opinion. The top is gorgeous, but I wouldn't call it perfectly bookmatched - pretty close, but I've seen closer. I've gone over the finish with a fine tooth comb and checked out the frets. Everything looks good. The binding on the edge of Gibson necks is actually hand finished. I've toured the factory and watched women maticulously filing the binding to get it even with the neck and finished around the fret tips. Therefore, that part of the binding looks hand finished - it has the human touch and that's one of Gibson's trademark features. Aside from looking great, it prevents the sharp edges of the frets from being uncomfortable when sliding up and down. The nut needs just a little attention, nothing 1200 grit sandpaper won't fix, but it isn't causing any tuning problems at this point. I can hear the B string 'plink' a little when I'm tuning it, but the other 5 strings are fine. I may or may not address that flaw, but it is a flaw nonetheless. There's something loose inside, sounds like it may be under the bridge pickup cavity. I don't mean loose as in sounding like broken glass, but I was inspecting the guitar and decided to turn it up and shake it for some strange reason and could hear it. Might be a wire shaking back and forth. I pulled the rear cover plates off, even the jack plate, and a couldn't see anything. I can't hear it when playing, even uplugged, but it just doesn't seem quite right. I may pull the bridge pickup when I replace the strings and see if its in there. If I don't see anything at that point, I'll just live with it. I can see how the final inspection may have missed that because its so minor. Besides, most people don't turn an electric guitar upside down and shake it. The area where the final inspection and setup is done is somewhat noisey because they have all these guys stringing, filing and leveling frets, checking pickups and controls and what have you, so they probably couldn't have heard it anyway. The finish is flawless (no bubbles, coarse areas, craks, ect), the tuners work fine and the controls were all tight and working well. This is a very well made guitar, but it does have a few minor flaws, so I can't give it a 10 in this area.

This one is built to last. As for strap buttons, I don't trust buttons on ANY electric guitar. I'll install a set of strap locks and then I can rest easy. As I mentioned earlier, I would use it on a gig without a backup were it not for the fact that I also like the sound of a Tele and I play a lot of Nashville style licks. I need a Tele for that. As far as dependability, not a doubt.

Gibson's service is good in my opinion and the warranty is lifetime, so I can't gripe about that. Of course, I live in Memphis and can take this thing down to the factory myself if I have any problems, something most people can't do. The minor flaws I mentioned don't merit the trip down there, but the folks down there have helped me in the past and I'm sure they would still be accomodating. I have a friend that works there, so that helps. This rating is only for the experience I've had with them and I can't speak for others.

I've been playing since Moby Dick was a minnow, over 4 decades. This is a limited production guitar, so I don't know if I could replace it if lost or stolen. If possible, and if I could get it for about the same price, I would get another one with this same finish on it and if I couldn't find one, I'd probably just stick with my Cherry Sunburst LP. I only bought this one because it was unique, not because I needed another LP. My favorite feature is the dazzling finish, otherwise, my other LP is as nice as this one. There isn't much not to like. As with any fairly expensive instrument, I would try one in a store before making a purchase. For the features and considering this is a collectible edition, I think the price was very fair. I only paid $1700.00 for it new. Just the plain LP Classics go for more than that on Musiciansfriend, so I'm a happy camper. Get one while they're available because there's only 400 out there.

These are the best thing to happen to the Les Paul Classic line-up in years. They feature AA flametops, except some of the special limited run (400 total made) "Guitars of the Week", which come in special finishes (this one was Fireburst). Otherwise, you get player favorite tops in Honeyburst, Cherryburst, etc. (I'm wanting a Honeyburst).

The rosewood fingerboard feature "antiqued" (aged) binding that goes all the way up around the headstock, which feature the "crown" inlay that you find on some of the Les Paul Standard Limited Editions, etc.

You get Gibson Classic 57 pickups (uncovered) and a slim 60's style neck. The body features some kind of "chambered" design (I'm sure it is different than the "swiss cheese" weight relieved holes of past models but Gibson has yet to confirm the new design). I know that the one I played on had to be in the 7 lbs. range (much less than my 2000 Les Paul Custom, which comes in at a more traditional Les Paul weight of 9.8 lbs.)

Otherwise, its the usual Les Paul design (stop tailpiece, 22 frets, 2 volume/2 tone controls, etc.). You get all the features you need, without a bunch of useless extras.

These things sound very "acoustical" (similar to my Taylor T5 but not as loud of course) when played unplugged. I'm sure this is due to the new chambered body design. I strummed open chords on it with my ear held to the back and I could certainly hear the sound resonating inside the body.

Once I plugged it in I was not disappointed. I'd played the Classic 57 pickups before in a Gibson CS356 that I owe and have always been happy with them. I have to say that in a Les Paul they sound equally as good. You get everything from warm/smooth tones to a nice "bluesy" (ala "woman tone") to the famous Les Paul "growl" that we all know and love.

I played it thru a Fender Deluxe Reverb and was very happy with how it pushed the tubes. This would make a great guitar for blues, classic rock, country, etc. I even plan to play it in a church setting doing modern worship music.

The Gibson standard 10-46 strings were nice (I prefer 9-46) and the action was decent. But, like almost all guitars you try in a store, it could stand a little bit of tweaking - do it yourself or get a professional setup and you'll be even happier with the way it plays!

The fret work, binding, finish, etc. all seemed to be decent. Is it a $6000 guitar from the Custom Shop - NO. But is it a great value for the money - YES!

I think this Les Paul would standup to as much wear and tear as any other. I plan to gig with one and think you can depend on it just as well as any other Gibson.

No experience with Gibson repair but I've always found their Customer Service to be very responsive to phone and email inquires.

I've been playing for 30+ years and have owned several Les Pauls, Strats, Teles, a Lucille, Taylor T5, acoustics, Chet Atkins acoustic/electric, etc. and think the Les Paul Classic Antique is as good a guitar as many others I've owned/played on over the years.

I play each week at church (contemporary Christian rock) and play lots of blues/classic rock at home (ala Skynyrd, Allman, BB King, Clapton, Gary Moore, Peter Green, etc.). I play thru a variety of pedals (Boss, MXR, Dunlop, Danelectro, DeArmond, Tech 21, etc.). I've got a POD 2.0, Berhinger V-Amp Pro, Peavey and Crate amps, etc. I think this Les Paul Classic Antique would be fine thru any of these.