Gibson Les Paul Standard

2008 gibson les paul standard/heritage cherry sunburst finish/ burst bucker pro pick ups/weight relived body/aaa flame maple top/ tone pros bridge and tail piece/locking grover tunners/24 3/4 scale /hardshell case and pick gaurd/manu.for guitar has 4 vol/tone pots and 3 way switch.

i play mostly 50's - 2009 rock /country/pop/hard rock/ a bit o everything/ the amp i use is a peavy 212 renowed amp with 450 watts/ no noise at all from the pickups just smoth tone and sound.the sound is bright but warm sounds just like a paf pickup but a bit hotter really full tone well rounded.i can get any tone out of this guitar with no prob at all she can be quite and she can get a bad a@@ growl to her.if you cant get this guitar to get your tone than maybe it is your fault.this guitar is built to to it all.

this guitar is the best i have ever seen /played/owned the fit and finish are amazing . the top has so much flame and it is so wow. the set up was amazing although not to my style but verey well setup no fret buzz no tinks on the frets.just an amazing fit and finish no probs at all.not a one at all just the best and most clean guitar iv had the joy of seeing.the gibson factory was just amazing with this guitar it was perfect.

i have not had it long but it feels like with a lil tlc it will last forever. it feels so soild and well built i must say i feel if you take proper care it will out last you.( dont be a moron and treat your guitar like a one night stand a lil tlc goes a long way)

i have talked with gibson guitars at 1800-444-2766 about my guitar and they are great to deal with it takes no time to get the info you want and need. they are verey smart and a joy to talk to i love it.

overall this guitar kills any epi/prs/fender it gets way more tone and looks so much better. this guitar is so amazing and a joy to own and play it is the BEST guitar i have ever played hands down and iv played all the above guitars and this one kills them all. this guitar after a good setup plays like a champ.and if it was stolen id hurt someone this guitar is the best i have ever played.and yes if i could afford it i would have not a second thought of getting another one.

Some of the reviewers were talking about the "acoustic sound" of the new, chambered Standard. But, it can come only from a guitar has a hole on its body (Hollow body, Semi-Hollow body, Acoustic guitars, etc ...) Acoustic sound cannot come from this guitar since it has not the hole (F-hole S-hole , or any hole) on it.
Well, although the sound - comes from this guitar - is different from the old Standards' sound for sure. Who likes what? that is very individual and one would say it is a great guitar, meanwhile the other one would say it is a crap.
What is for sure - it should not be called solid body guitar, since some kilos of wood was carved and chambered out of it. It is empty inside. So, it has a different sound, a different body and only its shape and the hardware what shows Les Paul feature by definition.
All the adds about this guitar starts with the sentence that it is not easy to develop a legend but we could do it ... and so on.
But there is no development on this guitar. Putting a strap lock on it is not for sure. Pek-ing the neck ... well, today I have tried two Plak-ed necked Standards at the local music store - both with that high action that playing a chord was a serious effort so, I would not consider it neither as an improvement. Chambered body? They did it, because many people were complaining about the weight of the Les Paul. But it is not improvement - it is only a solved complain by changing something. Were the typical Les Paul issues treated? No. You can still struggle with the tuning, still cannot reach the upper region of the frets, because of the old cutaway shape. Most likely, the the headstock can break off the neck as easey as it did before ... The last time there was improvement put in place on the Les Paul guitars happened mostly in the 50's and 60's. The Burstbuckers are from that time, the knobs and toggle switch also, the hardware (tailpeace, bridge, machine heads) also from that time and even the main colors are coming from that period (HCS, GT, EB, so on ...)
Let's put it on this way ... this guitar resembles the original Les Paul Standard guitars in its shape and color. It was upgraded with strap lock, Plek-ed neck, and a lock for the Jack plug. It has not solid body anymore, but chambered and has different tonal features and sound.
BTW, I cannot really follow the Gibson company. They say about the Traditional model that "you asked for it, so you got it ..." I think, nobody asked for this model! And then they call people who think the Les Paul is a solid body guitar "purists".I wonder, how they called Les Paul when he refused to put his name on the SG at the beginning of the 60's. (Actually, that is why it is called SG and not LP.)
I think, Gibson got this gift - got the Les Paul guitar and Les Paul himself and just could not deal with this. This was too much for this company. And now when the Master is not there anymore, they think, they can do anything under the Les Paul name.
So the advertisement of the new Standard should sound like this: It is never easy to change a legend, but we could do it ...

I am a Les Paul Guitar fan. I just admire these instruments. And I really hope they will survive this "improvement"!

this is a 2007 Gibson les paul standard in honey burst finish. It has a flame maple top, chrome hardware, tune-o-matic bridge and gibson burstbucker pro pickups.
it has a slim tapered 60's style neck which i prefer over the 50's as i find it a bit too chunky.
probly the thing that separates this standard from previous models gibson has produced is its chambered body which some people dont like. i personally think its a great feature as you get everything you'd expect and want out of a les paul without the back pain at the end of a gig.

the sound of this guitar is nothing short of perfect. theres nothing i would change about it at all. i use a mesa boogie solo head and the combination of the les paul and the mesa is insane!
i use mostly the bridge pickup as i play alot of rhythm hard rock music and the tone is tight and crunchy just as i like it.

bottom line les pauls are the best rock guitars.

when i got the guitar the set up was great. fairly low action but i like that. all the harmonics etc were all fine and from memory i giged with it the very day i got it!
the finish is beautiful! great colour which will only get better with age. the only slight down side for me personally is the flame top, not that i dislike it but i just think it would have looked a bit better without it so the finish looks more natural.

I gig on average around 3-4 times a month and my guitars all cop a thrashing. i previously owned a gretsch malcolm young firebird and after about 4 months or giging the pickups and bridge looked like they had been rusting for 20 years! i also had problem with tuning with my gretsch. with the les paul iv been gigint with it for the past year or so since i bought it and it still looks like its just come off the show room floor. Absolutely no rust or hardware decay at all.
The only issue i hav had with it since i bought it is having burs on the bridge causing me to break strings. but i just took it to the shop where i bought it and they'v fixed it free of chrage.
im sure this guitar will last me forever.

Never dealt with the company so i cant say.

I couldnt recommend this guitar any higher! i was lucky to get a standard in 2007 before the new '08 models were introduced as i really hate the 2008 models.
I would deffinately buy another gibson without question.

A 2008 les paul standard in a very nice 'root beer' finish, which does a bit look like your granny's sideboard, but its a wonderful colour nonetheless.

Burstbuckre pick ups, 60s style neck, 4 rotary knobs and a toggle - what more do you need?

It sounds as it should sound - like a AA maple top les paul - played through a Fender blues deluxe amp. A great variety of tones can be produced without too much effort. Wonderful warm blues tone and nice fulsome jazz tones and sustain that seems to last for weeks.

Always a bit of a lottery on whether or not the thing has been finished off by the local infant school or by crafts people. I have two other gibsons and they must have slipped out the factory whilst the quality control person was on a teabreak, but they sound & play perfectly despite this.

Anyway, this was very well finished, but a bit heavy with the lacquer in a couple of places but you really have to look very hard to find them. As ever guitars usually need setting up when you get them - part of the fun of making them your own. But more generally, there is nothing major or minor wrong with it that a few minutes wouldn't sort out.

Should last for ever - well almost.

Its very good. A tremendous lump of wood and well worth the expenditure even though they're not cheap.

My Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop was made in May 2007 in the US. It has a nice maple top and looks very beautiful. It has the Burstbucker Pros which give it great tone. The treble is a little bright but perfect for me. You can get so many tones from the 3 way toggle switch and 2 tone, 2 volume knobs. The body and neck are both made of solid mahogany. It has a rosewood fretboard. The guitar isn't all that heavy at all. It has to be like 6 pounds or so. It has the Nashville Bridge and and stock tailpiece. The neck isn't all that big. It is definately a super nice guitar.

This guitar is flawless for what I play, which would be U2. I can get all of Edge's sounds from this. I'm just using a Fender G-DEC with it which the only thing that changes the tone is the 3 way switch and knobs. It is only noisy with really high gain and I'm talkin' REALLY HIGH GAIN!!! In the neck position things are subtle and smooth and sweet. She is soft and mellow there. In the bridge she is just a little bright (depends on the settings). I play mostly on the treble selection. In the middle is where I get a lot of variety of sound combining the bridge and neck. I love to roll a little off the tone (about 5) and a little off the bridge volume (about 6). Things seem to go places with that setting. There is sooooo much variety of sound this guitar can make. Absoloutely magnificent.

The action was perfect when I got it (I got it pre owned). It had a new set of strings and the action was a little low, which is how I like it. I didn't do much adjusting as for they sounded nice when I first played it. Evverything was properly set up and was in no need of fixing anything. There were no flaws that I could see except for a very faint scratch in the back but other than that terrific!

I wouldn't hesitate to take this thing out live. In fact it'd be the first thing I'd grab! It definitely will last me several years, actually even more than that! The finish is right where it needs to be. It looks like it would age properly over time as I play it more and more. The strap buttons are a bit short. My strap keeps slipping from the button. But other than the button problem I can certainly depend on this guitar. I've already done some recording with this guitar. It is great.

Never had to deal with Gibson and hopefully never will.

I've been playing for three years and this guitar is the best I have out of three others (Dean ZX, Squier Affinity Series Strat, and a Squier Affiniy Telecaster). Personally if it were stolen I'd brake down and cry and then buy another. Great job Gibson! They really know how to make a great guitar! I love the easily playable 60's neck and can't get over how easy it is to bend the strings and move from fret to fret. I don't wish it had another thing. It is perfect the way it is! I love my sweet baby!

2005 Les Paul

The guitar sounds good but does not stay in tune.

New the guitar had the strings very high and it felt like a bur on one of the frets. When I got home I noticed the finish has a couple of air bubbles that looked back. Below average workmanship.

I would not use this guitar live or depend on it. I also have an ESP Truckster and that guitar is SUPER. The Gibson is just very poorly made. I have a $100 Fender I bought for my daughter that plays way better then this Les Paul!

I purchased a brand new Les Paul and found the paint had bubbles and the guitar was very poorly made. I contacted Gibson because they advertise a lifetime warranty. NO RESPONSE! I sent registered letters to the President and CEO of Gibson. NO RESPONSE! They are crooks selling junk. Be smart. Buy another brand.

I have been playing for about 40 years. I don't use the Gibson because I don't consider it fit to play. Instead I use my Truckster ESP and a Marshall Vintage Modern Combo which is a SUPER Amp.

les paul standard 1990 way before all the chambering and all that plek stuff but the features are great cherry sunburst, mahogany body neck and rosewood fretboard 22 frets chrome hardware cream binding it looks sweet!

well it sounds awesome but when i got it i got it used and she had a like a 50's reissue in the bridge which wasnt enough output for me and it sound a bit twangy so i changed it for a pearly gaters by seymour which now the bridge sounds awesome

the neck came with this seymour duncan bridge pickup in it and it sounds great i got curious to which pickup it was so i took it out and read dcl on the back still doesnt narrow it down for me but it just sounds EPIC

i play all styles of music and its rich sound is perfect for me toally well balanced its awesome

i hated the set up but it wasnt from the factory but i dont believe the factory could do a whole lot better but its the factory

the finish is great it still looks great after 18 years FANTASTIC!!!

it is a ten for everthing but the action set up but bad factory set up is always terrible

its 18 years old and is in fantastic condition still the finish is a bit faded but that can be expected

never needed them

absolutely PERFECT 100% absolutely perfect!

2008 Sunburst Les Paul Standard, chambered mahogany body with maple top, Burstbucker humbucking pickups, Grover locking tuners, special pots, old-style finish, Tone-Pros locking bridge and tailpiece, strap locks and case.

Sounds are really good, but the neck pickup is a little bassy compared to the bridge, it could be a tad brighter. Other than that, this guitar sounds really great. I play blues/blues-rock, classic and it works perfect for that. Running a Goodsell Super 17 through an Avatar 2x12 cabinet with Celestion G12H-30's with Keeley Comp, Keeley Blues Driver, TS-9 (Analogman), ZenDrive, T-Rex Mudhoney, CMATMODS Brownie, Line 6 Reverb, Boss CE-2 Chorus, Boss DD-3 delay.

The action was a bit high from the factory and I didn't like the strings they use so I had it set up by my favorite luthier with D'Addario .010's. The neck feels like a broken in Les Paul and the action is great. For a chambered body it's still a little heavy at 9.4 lbs. The locking tuners are not that great and have been replaced by regular Grover Rotomatics. The set screws on the bridge weren't tightened properly and I lost one after a day. The guitar won't stay in tune due to the nut material and the way it's cut. That also will be replaced with a standard bone nut.

Seems like it's made really well and with the extended neck tenon should be more durable than Les Pauls of the past. The pots are sealed and mounted to a circuit board, so if they ever go bad it will be difficult to clean and/or replace. We'll have to wait and see since I've only had the guitar a couple of months. I couldn't use this guitar without a backup because it doesn't stay in tune that well. It's better with the new tuners and set up, but the nut still must be replaced. Once that's done I'm sure it will be just fine. I use multiple guitars for different tones.

I wrote to customer service about all the problems and they said, "Sorry to hear", take it to an authorized repair center. I guess that's all they could say, but I really don't want the same nut material put on because it's too soft and won't last long and the grooves aren't properly cut.

Overall I think that since it has the new tuners and once the nut is replaced it will be a great guitar. It's a shame that for $2300 you still have to deal with these types of issues.

2008 Les Paul standard in Honey Burst with the 60's neck. AA maple.

Well, after 20+ years of playing it's my first foray into Humbuckers. The burstbuckers sound very rich, and I'm discovering a whole new bunch of sounds (I've been playing a Mexican Fender Tele till recently).

Through my Laney combo it just sounds fantastic. It certainly requires more fiddling to get cleaner sounds on the rhythm pickup as it can tend to get quite "muddy". I've found myself having to do a bit more work with the amp to get the sounds I want.

I love the two volume and two tone switches. As a lead guitarist I've just found it has solved a whole plethora of problems with regards to being heard over the rest of the band.

The chambering doesn't really seem to have made much of a diference to the sound, so I wouldn't let that put you off (let the price do that).

I really have to agree with a lot of other people on here and say that the finish was not what you'd expect from a guitar costing a grand a half.

File marks on the fretboard, and a shoddy bit of wood staining are evident.

The action though was very good, although the bottom E did need a bit of therapy to stop some buzz.

Dont get me wrong, the guitar looks bleedin' bootiful, it just has a few inconsistencies with the finish.

I have never enjoyed playing a guitar as much as I enjoy playing this one, flaws aside.

It plays great, and sounds awesome so that's all that matters.

Durability and reliabity wise is impossible to answer. It's still too early to tell.

By the looks of it the finish wont last long before becoming quite pitted, and I have already worn a belt mark into the rear.

Nice weight to it though, and surprisingly it is a similar weight to my fender.

Never used em.

I've waited 20 years to be able to afford this bad boy, and I'm very pleased I now own one. I bought this guitar for a very distinct reason, rather than on a whim.

The main reason was that with having two telecasters in the band, it was hard to differentiate the two guitars from each other. The Gibson and Fenders work very nicely together and our music has now taken on a very nice, rich sound.

I really need to stress how important it is to try a LOT of les paul's before you find one. I've played a load of LP's recently, and the diference between them is very noticeable. There are some real turkey's out there... actually, 70% are turkey's, so whatever you do DO NOT BUY ONE BEFORE PLAYING IT.

I found the custom far too heavy (although very nicely built), and I just couldn't warrant the extra 500 wing wangs it would have cost. The studio felt cheap, and sounded cheap, but cost 700 quid so I just couldnt understand why anyone would buy one.

When I picked up this one, I knew it was the one. It just felt right, and sounded fantastic. Sure, it has it's niggles with the build quality, but nothing is perfect. This was about the fifth or sixth les paul I had tried that day.

Cost wise.... it is overpriced for what it is, but then I knew that when I bought it. People forget that it isn't just about value, it's about buying the guitar that makes you feel invincible on stage, and the les paul does that for me. The fact it sounds gorgeous is also a plus.

If it was stolen I would probably cry as it took so long to find the right one. But I'd go through the whole nightmare again to find another one.

This guitar has made me the performer I've always wanted to be. Some people love strats, others the SG, but for me it's a Les Paul all the way.

Wonderful (if flawed) guitar.

I'm giving it an average score overall as it is quite a niche instrument. I'm sure that other people could find far more suitable guitars at a better price, and probably better built.

Mine is a 2005 model Les Paul (before all that chambering tomfoolery began) in heritage cherry sunburst. Everybody knows the spec,k if you dont you shouldnt be here jeje. Came with a set of Zakk Wylde strings on which were almost as shoddy as Wylde's technique and music.

The best feature of this guitar by a long way is the sound. Very rich and thick with sustain that will outlast religion. The clean tone is warm and vibrant, and the distorted tone is just....well its just swell. You can go from the crunch of the bridge pickup to the warm flutey slash tones of the neck.

The action was fine on reciving the guitar. cosmetically, though bought new it was not without flaw. A few specs of lacquer by some frets, a tiny bit of crappy binding here and there. Either way, this is not a bother as it is a guitar to play, not to take out for the evening in a ball gown...and maybe more ;p

Duno lol, only had it for 24 hours Lal.

guess thats something you should talk to Watchdog abiwt.

been playing 8 years, until now have only really nailed by usa strat. This guitar is so excellent, its great to play and sounds very very good. Some people weep about it being heavy, if anything that attracts me more (the same cant be said for women ahahahahaha). either way, to wrap up, fantastic guitar, fully recommend it to anybody. It will not disappoint, thats for true.

2007 Les paul Standard in Lightburst, Burstbucker Pro Pickups, 50's Neck, you know the rest, Everything I need in a guitar

This guitar Sounds fantastic, My second les paul with burstbucker pro pickups, the perfect sound to my ears (thought about 57 classics but I love the BB pro's so much) The chambering doesnt bother me at all, my other paul was a very heavy 89 standard in heritage cherry, this guitar sounds 20 times better than that one (same pickups too) and it's a hell of a lot lighter. I use This guitar with a Marshall JCM 800 head and cab, Peavey Valve king 50, and Marshall Vintage Modern 2266 combo. Im floored with how good my rig sounds!

Perfect from the factory, everything is top notch quality.

Will outlast me im sure

Ive delt with gibson on several occations, Never had a problem, always took care of me 100 Percent.

Been playing for 14 years, Ive owned many gibson and currently own many guitars in general, strats tele's Sg's, and i couldnt be more satisfied with life at the moment!

2007 Gibson Les Paul Standard - Honey burst finish with dark brown back and sides ??? stunning look. Burstbucker pickups, 50's profile neck. The rest is regular Les Paul stuff, nothing fancy.

Well, I have to disagree with some of the comments I have read here regarding the ???chambering???. This guitar has the chambers and I love its sound. Obviously, this is a pretty subjective comment, but I compared the sound with that of the Les Paul Deluxe I bought back in 1974 (real solid body, no chamber). Sure the pickups were different... but the body did not resonate as much on the older model; in fact the ???acoustic sound??? on the Deluxe was very thin compared to this Standard. I sincerely believe that the chambers do help in that regard. Now, a ???better acoustic sound??? does not simply mean that the guitar sounds better when unplugged??? More resonance means that the body contributes in keeping the strings vibrating which means more sustain. So it does have an impact on the sound of the guitar once it is plugged in. I am always a bit suspicious when I hear people say that things should be done a certain way because it was always done this way. Resistance to change is a common thing, but I sincerely believe that, in this case, change was good. Maybe the original reason for doing it (saving weight) was a bad one, but I hear Gibson is now more intelligent about achieving ???proper??? chambering that benefit the tone.
Once the guitar is plugged in my Peavey Classic 50 or via my Tonebone trimode for distortion, it sings. I also own a Godin LGXT with Seymour Duncan pickups. The Les Paul Standard???s sound is superior to that of the Godin and the Deluxe. Regarding the comparison with the Deluxe, I would say that I find the sound of this Standard to be more ???open???, especially on the neck pickup. I rarely used that pickup on the Deluxe because I was finding it too dark, but on this guitar, it sounds great and gives me so many more tonal options.

Excellent fit and finish as expected on an instrument in that price range. Action is low. I find this guitar to be really easy to play. The 50???s neck seems to do the job for me. Maybe it is the fact that my first good guitar was a Les Paul when I was 16 and I find myself at home on it. I can???t say???

I can???t say yet because this purchase is too recent, but I do not expect any issue. From what I recall, my Deluxe was very solid except for one thing that did break. It was the little square plastic plate holding the jack. I was always careful with that guitar but I guess once, while I was sitting to play, I put a bit too much pressure on the jack and the plate broke. No other problem.

Never had to deal with them.

I've been playing for over 35 years. Early influences included Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, then in my 20???s, I discovered Allan Holdsworth and found out that a guitar can sound totally different from what I had heard thus far. This Les Paul can accommodate all kinds of styles from blues and traditional rock to progressive rock and jazz. The sound is full and powerful with plenty of sustain which allows playing legato without ???losing gas???. As mentioned before, my other guitars include a Godin LGXT. I love the Godin for different applications; it is my instrument of choice when I need a more ???acoustic sound??? provided by the piezo pickups or when I want to control a midi instrument or to enter data in the computer, but the Les Paul will become my main axe for everything else.

A left handed Gibson Les Paul Standard 2005. Heritage Cherry Sunburst and Flame Maple Top. Mahogany neck and body. Burstbucker Pickups. Standard features. No rating for this category. It is what it is. Nothing more and nothing less.

The guitar sounds very good. It excels at rock and blues tones and also functions as a suitable jazz instrument. Clean sounds are a bit on the dark side (meaning different, if one is more familiar with the sound of single coils)but still very clear and articulate. The sustain is also top notch. The p/ups are very punchy and powerful. The tone knobs provide a nice range of high and low frequencies for both the bridge and neck pickups. Both pickups are balanced nicely for output.

The guitar fails miserably in this category. The factory setup was poor and the action way too high.

There were many flaws with respect to build quality. The fetboard was extremely dry and light in colour. There were also deep file marks in many places along the fretboard and binding. There was a gap between the inlay and the fretboard - meaning the hole drilled for the inlay was too large. The frets were not polished, appearing rusty and coarse.

The Kluson tuning machines are horrible and less durable than the Grovers they have used in the past. Though they may look period correct, keeping your instrument in tune with Klusons will be a problem. Grovers were standard in the 90s but not anymore. Another cost cutting measure I'm sure.

The guitar is finished in nitro. However, there are certain caveats with respect to durability. It is a soft finish and if one is prone to sweating while playing, the finish will wear quickly. Body heat and sweat will cause the finish to turn a white opaque colour. This is indicative of nitro finishes. Over time the finish will begin to check. On the upside nitro finishes are easier to repair than poly finishes but are not as durable.

Quality control at the Gibson factory is severely lacking. Do not believe the hype and mystique surrounding Gibson guitars. Their instruments are overpriced and the fact that it is made in the USA means absolutely nothing. Do not let that be your blind assumption for quality.

This disregard for quality control can also be found in other Gibson guitars. Walk into a music store and check the quality for yourself. I have seen poor binding on a 58 reissue Les Paul ($5400)coming from their custom shop, along with the aforementioned problems. There is absolutely nothing custom about the custom shop. From what I understand it is now defunct and is only a custom shop in name (as told to me in an email from a Gibson representative). Instead, it is used to help fulfill orders for normal production runs. Almost every electric I have looked at suffered from horrible fretboards, poorly cut nuts and file marks on the binding and fretboards. These common defects are all too common and do not warrant or justify Gibson prices.

STAY AWAY FROM GIBSON GUITARS!

Yes, this guitar will withstand live playing. Hardware will not last and the finish is thin as I have mentioned earlier. Strap buttons are too small. Always gig with a backup.

Gibson support is horrible. Takes a very long time to answer email and they never answer the questions asked. Responses are as brief as possible. The warranty sucks for Canadian consumers. One year warranty versus a lifetime warranty in the States. Maybe the crappy guitars only come to Canada or get shipped overseas, hence the one year warranty.

I have been playing over twenty years. I did not buy this guitar. I might be inclined to buy one used, but off the rack it is just too expensive and suffers from too many defects.

However, the guitar sounds nice and gives us what we expect in the tonal department. If only the build quality matched the tone.

Gibson also charges more for left handed instruments. What a rip off. Some companies will not gouge left handed players. Gadow Guitars come to mind.

2008 Gibson USA Les Paul Standard. Gold top finish with natural back and sides. Burtbucker pickups, standard stuff - 22 frets, Tune-o-matic bridge, stop bar, crappy Gibson "deluxe" "green key" Kluson style tuners. This one has a 60's profile neck.

Ok for a semi-hollow body guitar, I guess -although I've never been that much into semi-hollow body guitars. If I wanted one, I'd probably buy a Heritage 535.

Everything about the fit and finish was good. My beef with Gibson is that they changed the Les Paul Standard from a solid body guitar to a semi-hollow body guitar by "chambering" the lower quality mahogany currently being used, so it's no longer a solid body guitar. Everybody who's played guitar for any amount of time expects a Les Paul to be a solid body guitar. If Gibson wants to do this they need to remove the "Les Paul" name from the guitar and call it something else. Les Paul himself would make Gibson take his name off it just like he did the SG when they tried to call that guitar a Les Paul in '61. This guitar weighs about 5 or 6 pounds - easily less than a Stratocaster.

They try to emphasize the "positives" about "chambering", like "better acoustic sound". Like I was getting ready to play Bob Dylan songs at coffee houses using my Les Paul with no amp...please.

When I first received the guitar I was furious. Then I started to wonder if maybe the ultra light semi-hollow body could somehow be turned into a good thing. I just kept going back to the fact that I bought it because I like a 9 or 9.5 pound Les Paul - that's why I bought it - I like the way a heavy solid body guitar sounds, feels, and plays. It doesn't sound "bad", it would just sound much better if it was a "real" Les Paul.

I've never had a problem with Gibson support - they're good folks.

I've been playing for a million years and have owned many Les Pauls. I'm very disappointed that you can't even buy a brand new Gibson USA Les Paul Standard, and get a Les Paul Standard anymore unless you are willing to pay the twice the price for a custom shop model. I always hated when Gibson starting doing the "Les Paul Faded", Les Paul "Antique" this, "Classic" that. I wish they would have just left the Les Paul Standard alone. If they can't get the right wood, then don't make them until they can. My main "Les Paul" is now an Edwards, which is an exact Les Paul copy made by ESP in Japan, not for export. It has genuine Seymour Duncan pickups, Japanese quality - it can't be beat and it only costs about one third the price of a USA Gibson Les Paul.

2004 Les Paul Standard. 24 3/4 scale mahogany set neck, mahogany body,
maple top. Kluson style tuners, Nashville bridge, EMG Zach Wylde P/U
set. Originally it came with Burstbucker Pro P/U's, and they along
with the out dated tuners and pot metal bridge hurt this rating.
The quality of the wood is a big hit and carries the guitar though
this category.

The wood and craftsmanship make this guitar. The nut and saddles
needed some help but it has great tone and clarity. It sounds good
unplugged and has a nice acoustic quality. The Burstbuckers never passed muster and were replaced. I know they're generally approved but to me they were stagnant and clouded up an otherwise great sounding guitar. I took a load of crap from the Gibson fanatics when I installed a Zack Wylde P/U set but the diffence was like day and night. Unbelievable. I love hard rock. I'm liking anything from Gov't
Mule to COC these days. I play through an Egnater TOL 100 head and a
Bogner Ubercab and enjoy some jawdropping tones from this guitar.

The action was a miss on this guitar. The nut was too high and the
high E was muted because the slot was too deep. The saddles had to
be radiused and properly slotted as well. I don't care for the
way they route the neck binding over the frets either. I know that's how the vintage guitars were made but by todays standards it's a cheap
way of doing things and a short cut. It also leaves chatter and marks in the fingerboard. God help you if you want it re-fretted in the same manner. Gibson charges a premium price for what was proclaimed to
be a premium guitar so they need to deliver a premium product. The woodwork and finish were great on the otherhand.

Sure it's reliable. Durable I don't know about. Drums are the only
things I know of that take a beating so I can't rate it there.
The finish is nitrocellulose so I polish and maintain it because
it's thin and delicate as it should be (never wax). The bridge
I'm not sure about and might eventually be replaced but it still
gets high marks because it hasn't failed yet.

Never needed.

If lost or stolen, I would have to have another. It's a sound and
experience you can't have unless you own one. I wouldn't buy new
again though because the value is not there and they're making chambered bodies again. I paid $1800 for a $1200 guitar. Instead
I would try to find a used solid body that someone did not like.
People sometimes cull what's percieved as a bad Les and actually
it just has a bad setup because they're a production guitar. The
quality of the wood and tone is still there. On sound alone it's
a 10 in my book.

August '07 USA made Les Paul Standard Honeyburst AA flame maple top. Mahogany body and neck. Tune-o-matic bridge, stop tail piece. Two burstbucker pickups. Luxury hard case w/- pick guard supplied ready to be fitted if wanted. All the standard features expected.

I love this sound. I play blues and this can go from rich round woman tone on the neck pick up to a juicy snarl on the bridge pickup. Straight into my Peavey Classic 30 on full this sounds glorious. Back off the volume for a cleaner sound or full tilt for tone heaven with a breakup in the sound that just sings.

Finish is beautiful...the Honeyburst has a real vintage vibe about it. A slight file mark on the fretboard at the 1st fret treble side is a minor worry for a guitar of this reputation and price. the lacquer has also gone into the screw post of the stop tail piece but won't affect performance. I just love the iconic look of the guitar and that headstock in my rack is great....waited 26 years to get one. The mahogany is unusual to me as the lacquer on this one is clear and most I have seen have a reddish look to me. I don't know if mine is less common but all the other Les Pauls I looked at were honeyburst or light burst etc seemed to have the more cherry looking back. I love this clear with the honey maple top. The finish and build apart from the 2 minor details is great. Action was very good, loved the feel straight out of the box....no change necessary.

This guitar is a lifetime thing and will be gigged extensively. No concerns at all. Always have a backup no matter what I am using but only because a string may break...totally confident in this guitar.

Have not needed it.

Been playing for 30 years mostly blues, country, gospel and rock. This is my 8th guitar. Have a resonator, danelectro, silvertone[1954], Epiphone acoustic, U.S.A. Fender Tele, U.S.A. Fender Strat Plus w/- Texas Specials p/u and a Epiphone '56 Goldtop w/- P-90's.
If stolen would definitely buy another. Love the tone..it is to die for. The look is classic....I tried PRS aswell and they were great too but a Les Paul has the x factor and personality if you get the right one. I played many and they vary. Be patient and get the right one for you. Even in this price range they vary in feel and sound and suitability to you.

I FINALLY GOT MY GIBSON LES PAUL, ITS A GIBSON LES PAUL SILVERBURST BUT I HAVE HEARD ITS THE SAME AS A STANDARD EXCEPT THE FINISH, I USED TO PLAY A EPIPHONE LES PAUL 100 AND THOUGHT EPIPHONE DID A VERY GOD JOB OF GETTING THE SOUND OF GIBSON. I STILL LIKE MY GIBSON BETTER THOUGH, ITS SOUND IS PERFECT, I PLAY IT OFF OF A PEAVEY CHORUS 200 WATT AMP, SOON HOPING TO GET THE DREAMED F MARSHALL HALF STACK, IM STARTING MY VERY OWN BAND SOON, AND RECOMMEND THE GIBSON LES PAUL BEFORE ANY OTHER GUITAR, IT FEALS PERFECT. IT WEIGHS A LITTLE MUCH, BUT THE 1 I BOUGHT IS A SEMI HALLOWED BODY, SO ITS CHAMBERED TO MAKE IT WEIGH LESS BUT STILL HAS A FULL CREAMY SOUND, I BOUGHT IT FOR ABOUT 2300 OR 2400 WHICH IS A LITTLE MUCH, BUT ILL HAVE IT FOR THE RESTG OF MY LIFE

PERFECT

VERY GOOD

LOVE IT

OH SO HELPFUL

LOVE IT MORE THEN ANY GUITAR

My Les Paul is an 80's model, classic mahogany w/maple top, with the prerequisite knocks and hits that a model of this age would have. Other than that, the finish is nice for the age. Top is quilted maple, regular green tuners, 50's style thick neck, which is fine for me.

Big, fat, meaty sound, quite a contrast from my other axes (Mexican Tele, Stratocaster). Drives my junk Crate amp a lot harder than the Fenders, sounds great, has nice character. No noise thru pups whatsoever, no hum. No noise when switching pups, neck pup is mellow, good for singing leads, bridge pup will crank hard when played. Has good tonal variety when adjusting vol and tone. In short, hot p-ups, upgrades dont make sense to me.

Need to get it set up, prev. owner did not do. Pups are adjusted ok. Finish is GREAT for the age. Stays in tune rather well, action is ok, but could be lower, IMHO.

This baby was a working guitar, not to be put up in a rack. It got a bit of playing time, but is in very good shape. Finish is nice, hardware is hardly damaged at all due to it being nickel, will last another 20 some years or more! This thing is a GIBSON, and will be reliable. Would be reliable without backup, but would bring my Tele so I could have a wider variety of tones and sound available.

Went to website for support, seems well laid out, had to get a part for the guitar recently, had no problem obtaining.

I like the overall sound, is fat and full. Have a Crate 30 watt amp, looking to upgrade that real soon, and a Line 6 pocket pod for practice. The weight of this thing is HEAVY. A shade over 9 pounds so be prepared if you want to do multiple set with this thing. Better get on a weight training program before gigging with this. Is solidly built, has classic rock guitar sound, but versatile for just about any popular music.

2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard - Desertburst.

Your standard LP features. Burstbucker Pro PUPs.

Love it. I give all my Gibson's a 10 in the sound department.

Finish was flawless. It's a nice heavy piece of wood. Great action for a factory setting, but I lowered the action.

BTW, Harmony should have another rating category for LPs...weight. I love a nice heavy LP.

Had it for six months, zero problems.

I've read numerous reviews on how Gibson's CS is crummy. Personally, I've emailed them many times and they've always gotten back to me...even for really stupid things. For this reason, I give Gibson a 10.

If you can justify spending $2,500 on a guitar, then buy one. You won't regret it.

I have a LP Custom (silverburst...oh, so sweet!!), LP BFG, SG Standard, SG w/EMG (Week 32), and an ES-335 Block Inlay. Playability, it's a toss up between the LP Standard and the Custom.

I love the feel of my LP Standard.

The usual Les Paul Standard features. Quick to find and simple to use. This is a U.S.A from the early 90's. Has the huge 50's neck that although daunting at first, after a while of playing I have found it really comfortable. I seem to be able to get a higher degree of acuracy on the fret board than i have with Fender necks.

The sound is exactly what a Les Paul should sound like. I am influenced by bands like Guns n Roses/Led Zep/AC-DC/Van Halen/The Who/Stones/. The sound is less versatile than other makes of guitar but play with the pick up selector and the tone controls and there are some beautiful tones to play with. I play through a Marshall ( no suprises there ) AVT 275. Some may see this as a sin but i can't afford JCM's and suchlike. The combination give the oppertunity to get close to Cream sounds as well as Slash tones. The clean sound bites hard but wind off some volume on the guitar and it's glorious.

I will struggle with this section as the guitar was VERY used when i bought it. What i can say is that this guitar has had a hard life and still looks and sounds great. The only minor problem has occured on the G and B strings. They were sticking in the nut, so falling out of tune very quickly. A small amount of pencil graphite in the grooves has stopped this, a great 5 minute fix.

Like I have said before, this guitar has been gigged regularly by the previous owner. He had not problems the harware is still good, obviously there are stap locks fitted, but she has been battered and continues to go on. The finish is great, there are knocks a plenty but none have actually removed the finish all you get is some cracking in the binding which put with the knocks makes for a really cool aged / worn look.

I have been playing for about 3 years, I also own a 52 Re-issue Telecaster which is lovely but limited in terms of heavier rock sounds. Why I love the Gibson is that I payed ??650 from ebay on the guitar and ??200 from a mate for the AVT amp. ??850 in total and the sound and tones that I want are there in bucket loads. I like a sense of soul in guitars and to have landed this one beat up and beautiful for a good price is great. I have a Les Paul that I'm not afraid to take out and gig !

Usual Les Paul features. Mine is Cherry red with a 60's neck. Does exactly what you expect a Les Paul to do!

This guitar makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck every time I plug it in! It has been my dream to own a Gibson Les Paul and play it through a Marshall Valve amp. It's taken me until i'm nearly 40 but my God it was worth the wait. I play through a JCM 900 on the clean channel with gain on about 8 and it is the absolute dogs.
I play in a rock covers band and we play everything from Thin Lizzy and the Offspring to The Police and Snow Patrol. For the quieter moments roll off the volume on the guitar and the sound cleans up beautifully.
It's everything I ever dreamed it would be.

Not good considering the price you pay for one of these. Frets needed a good polish, the coverplates on the back don't fit particularly well, the pick up surounds are a different colour to the other cream plastic of the pickguard and binding. The Pickguard didn't fit properly and neither did the toggle switch tip which eventually flew off never to be recovered at an outdoor gig in Bath a few weeks ago.

Bought it from Sound Control in Bristol (UK) and it came with a free set up. The tech did a good job and it plays like a dream. I use 12 guage strings and the neck has stayed solid as a rock and it just never goes out of tune.

I'll admit I was blinded by the Gibson logo and, having played dozens to get the one that sounded just right, I would have bought it regardless of the finish. BUT be aware that the quality is not as good as it should be for the money.

I gig every other week and this guitar is well up to the job, then again as a pro level instrument it should be. I took a conscious decicsion that this guitar was going to be played and wouldn't be kept in cotton wool. Don't get me wrong I treat it with great care, but with the thin finish these guitars will mark. Not withstanding that, thousands play these guitars week in week out and they just never let you down (as long as you intstall some strap locks) I always have a back up in case I break a string mid song.

Never dealt with Gibson

Been playing for over 25 years, and own two American Fender Telecasters one 10 years old and one 4 and a late 80's Japanese Fender Strat which I've owned from new. I play through a Marshall JCM 900 4102 combo and a 1922 cab with an MG100 head as a back up (yes I have blown my amp up mid gig!) I use some effects, usually just a Boss Compressor and an original Marshall Guv'nor pedal. Other effect are a Boss equalizer, Boss flanger, Cry Baby Wah wah, and digitech pds1002 delay.

I love my telecasters, but the Gibson is my dream. They all sound different so make sure you try lots before you part with your cash. The best advice I was given was forget about the colour, try every one in the shop/town/city THROUGH YOUR OWN AMP for 20 seconds at a time; put back the the ones you don't like (there will be some!) take a break, then go back through the remaining ones the same way until you find the one for you. You may not be successful first time round (some people take months), but persevere you will know when you've found "the one". Personal score would be 10 out of ten, but objectively with the issues with finish and the huge price tag i give this an 8.

Finish : Mild 'orange-red' sunburst 'tiger-stripe' maple. Body : single-cutaway, mahogany. Bridge : Gibson Tune-O-Matic. Tuners : Grover. Neck : Mahogany, Rosewood fingerboard, white plastic neck binding, block inlays, 23 3/4 inches scale. Accessories : Hard case, truss rod wrench. Year of Manufacture : 1996, USA. Frets : 22. Top : Laminated maple. Controls : 2 volumes, 2 tones, 3-way selector. Pickups : 2 chrome humbucking, Gibson. Passive electronics.

Great thick sound for clean or distorted single-line solos or power chords. Useable sounds for strumming; but never as clear as a Strat. Not as good for clean funk or comping. Have used it through a Mesa-Boogie Studio Caliber and Roland JC120 Jazz Chorus; plus a Boss ME30 multiple effects unit. Quieter and better than an American Standard Strat for thick solos and power chords, but not as clear (no ringing, bell-like tones); probably due to the humbuckers.

Factory setup was middle-of-the-road; came with .009 strings. Played much better after adjustment to my personal tastes (higher action, tighter truss rod/straighter neck). Sounded even better after a change to Ernie Ball Power Slinkys (.011 - .049). Finish and workmanship good, a little bit of varnish overspray on the neck binding; but nothing I can't live with.

String bending much easier than on a Strat because of the shorter scale. Works fine either on live gigs or recordings. Dependable and solid, though it needs more careful handling than a Strat due to its glued-in neck and tilt-back headstock.

Have great support from the local dealer who sold me this guitar, Melody Music. Never dealt with Gibson directly.

Been playing guitar since 1972, and bass since 1981. Have owned Fender Squires, US Standard and Japanese Strats, Ibanez Strat clones, Epiphone Les Pauls; this is a great guitar; but not as versatile as a Strat. Great for chunky lead work and power chords; though.

Les Paul Standard. Two Volume Two tone controls. This,in my view gives many tonal options along with the pickup selector.This model has the desert burst finish.The guitar is absolutley georgeos.

My music styles are rock(who,zep,rush,allmans etc...)blues.Fusion(al dimeola,jeff beck,santana,dream theater,zappa,etc..).My amp Marshall JCM 900.The tone of this beauty is unbelievable.I played over 100 guitars over the course of my search for a new guitar.I have a 40th anniversary strat that I love,but wanted a bigger fuller sound to go with.My search was initialy for a PRS (I did not want to give up my Whammy bar.)After playing the many guitars over a year long(no impulse buying,looking for total quality and tone.)I selected this guitar. It had a riher fuller tone that did not compromise any brightness or string to string clarity on the clean or overdrive on my amp.As I stated my search started for PRS,tis Les Paul had more charachter. It had more bite when needed,more response to my fingers on the fretboard for tonal variance.

I give this one a 10.I cannot say that about all of them.Like I said I played over 100.No two are alike.Some were not good at all some were ok. This one was THE ONE.This one has perfect action.Iwas expecting to take it to get it set up after playing it for awhile(after the new wore off),but it did not need it.I have played it for 9 months now without a hitch.Only addition sraplocks.

I hate to keep giving 10s but I DO NOT BABY it. I play for hours at a time.Now I don't throw it around or drop it(It's not a strat you can break it).

I give an 8 here because I don't think these or PRS should be this pricey. Having said that I LOVE THIS GUITAR!!!!!!.Ihave been playing for 30 years.My other guitars are a yamaha 300 owned since1975,guild dv52 1996,fender 40th strat.marshalljcm900.Hope it is not stolen I don't want the search to start over.I chose this over prs it had more persnality,not as sterile sounding(not bashing prs as I was looking for one).

Nice finish on the recent ones - they certainly look good. Bridge style is tune-o-matic. The tuners are OK, but don't do the job too well (more below). This one was a post 2002 model with bursbuckers. Having two volume knobs - one for each pickup is an advantage, as you can switch between a quiet rhythm line and a loud lead one from the pickup selector.

If you want to sound like Eric Clapton on Bluesbreakers (Beano album), or Cream, then this is your sound. I personally find it very muddy. Good for lead lines and with sustain, but very difficult to get definition on chords. They are a bit like the sonic equivalent of wading through mud. That would suit some, but I found it limiting and not very satisfying. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with the sound which was too dark, dull and thumpy on the bass notes. Perhaps this is what LPs are meant to sound like, but it is not a very versatile sound. Pickups are OK, but to be honest, I had been playing an old HSS squier fender made in Jap for 20 years, and I thought that sounded better.

The set up on this guitar was awful - fret buzz on most strings. Even though I sent it back to be re done (perhaps the guitar shop where I bought it didn't know what they were doing?), it still slipped back into rattling and buzzing. Playing it, it didn't seem like a well made guitar, or something anywhere near the money I paid. More seriously, it drifted out of tune, particularly on G and the other middle strings. This happened both after bending, but sometimes without that. Extremely disappointing

A very durable instrument in many respects - heavy and solid. However, not reliable for me, in the sense that it could never stay in tune, and it was difficult to get a range of satisfying sounds out of it.

I didn't approach Gibson, but perhaps I should have done.

I have played for 20 years in various different bands, and had always dreamed of owning one of these guitars. I was sorely disappointed. I would advise others to not just go for the brand name, but to try out as many instruments as possible without buying, without prejudice or worrying about what others will think about the name on the headstock. Since I spent so much money on this guitar, I have to give it a very low overall rating - I would have been better off sticking to my old and cheaper instrument (worth 10% of this LP)

I think the standards should be broken out by year and model... as
far as standard plus, classic, premium plus... some of new 2007 models
are different and called Gibson before I bought one. Some are the regular solid body and others are a combination of weight relieved and
chambered and I've been told unofficially that you can get one so that it's one step away from a cloud 9, so that is what I looked for and got.
I honestly wasn't expecting much from this guitar before I plugged it
in. I plugged it in side by side to my vintage goldtop and was shocked.
My goldtop is 9.25 lbs which sounds amazing but after an hour or so puts a dent in my shoulder, this new standard is 7.5 lbs and really surprized me.
Unlike the other lightweight 2007 models that have had wood chips or
other things rattling around in the chambers this is solid workmanship
and I guess Gibson after some complaints got their act together. Its
every bit as resonant as my solid 9.25 lbs goldtop and now I am thinking of sell it... of course I will keep the Tim shaw pickups
and maybe the knobs too.

I hate to say it but this but the ceramic pickups especially the
treble one are great... I plugged it into the Marshall and wow... and
because its lightweight I can play better, not so anchored feeling.
I am almost afraid to put better pickups in it in case it doesn't sound
as good. The neck pickup is a little muddy but a sprague bumblebee
or vitamin Q will take care of that. Its sustains and has great
resonance just like my solid goldtop and does not feedback like a
es 335 at high gain... I play my amps with every knob on ten except for the tone. I have a Marshall 1917 20 watt with mercury magnetics power transformer and a Wizard output transformer and Wizard worked on the amp so its the best amp I've ever played and is ultra low noise so
I crank everything. This guitar really shines through this amp, you
got to try one, I guess a later model since the lightweights are new
for 2007. I suspect that the amount of complaints from the initial
run might give this Gibson cause to drop the chambered version possibly making this a potentially rare guitar.

This finish fit and workmanship is every bit as good as my early
80's goldtop... I guess I was lucky and got a good one or Gibson has
worked out the kinks with the lightweight models. The new knobs suck.

Seems reliable no problems so far, this is my backup the goldtop is
my baby but am thinking about selling it for the 2007, I think one
has to go.

Very good, answered the phone, I think one guy might do all the USA
support because I called before on something different a few years
ago and the same voice answered. Very responsive good support and I
should know because I started my Software career in support.

Playing on an off for 30 years... see above for comparisons.

This review is about a Les Paul Standard 1978, natural maple top, equipped with the so called T-buckers. I bought the guitar some time ago when I felt the need for a Les Paul again, after selling my '81 Goldtop Deluxe a few years ago. Why did I sell it? Don't know, really......! Sometimes you just do that. Don't regret it, though.
The guitar has a "natural relic" look witch for me is just beautiful.
This guitar has been played and will be played for many years...!!!!
This Standard has a (60's shape) maple neck with rosewood fretboard witch is very comfortable en is equipped with Gibson-tuners, but not the Kluson-type. Don't know how this type is called but they're original on the Standards from those days. They work fine.
Though the original bridge (witch is worn out) is still with the guitar it has been replaced (without any problems or modifications) with a StringSaver SuperBridge. Great...!!!
The guitar is (apart from the bridge) 100% original and has all the features you'll find on a Les Paul Standard

I use the guitar mainly for blues/rock orientated music, together with my '62 Strat and my '71 Tele en the three make a great set. I mean, how much guitar-history can you take with you on stage...? (-;
I use a Fender Pro185 amp from 1990 with some floorboxes and am quite happy with that.
I find out that since I own the Standard I work more with the neck-pickup, especially in "bluesy solo's"... This guitar has a warm, yet very clear sound with this pickup and stays very precise, even with more distortion.
The guitar sounds like a real Les Paul, with all the specific LP sounds you expect (or hope...) to hear.
I've compared it with a lot of newer Standards and it is so much better, both for sound and feel....

When I got the guitar it had a set 09-42 strings on it. Too light for me, I play with 010-52 heavy bottom on all my guitars.
The guitar plays magnificent, no rattles and has endless sustain and the 60's style neck does the trick for me.You can see a lot of "playingmarks" on the back of the neck but that doesn't bother it's playability. It's even smoother. All the hardware (apart from the bridge) is in good condition, though I can imagine that it could do with a fretjob in the near future. But not yet...!

Well, if a guitar lasted almost 30 years without significant damage, it'll probably last a little longer... (-; Straps are OK and yes, I can depend on this guitar, no doubt. However, for musical reasons I usually have 3 guitars with me, so I don't have to worry if....

I have no experience with this subject...

I'm a professional player for over 25 years and I own a lot of guitars, though most of them I use in my studio. Among them are a 62 Strat, a 71 Tele, a 69 Strat, a 73 Martin D35, dobro's, mandoline's, a Seagull S6CW (for on the road) etc.
I have to admit that this Standard has become very dear to me in a short time and I (apart from financial reasons) wouldn't like to loose it. They are probably available here and there, but this particular guitar is fine for me.
As mentioned earlier, I compared it with many other (and newer Standards) and it's so much better. However, I couldn't do without a good Les Paul anymore and I would certainly buy an older one back.

Gibson Les Paul Standard 2002 60??s neck
Honey Burst (Beautiful)!
When I bought it I thought it was a Premium Plus. Nice flamed top it supposed to be AA but this top is like AAA. I compared it to a Premium Plus that was at Vintage store - No doubt - Flamed top of 60??s neck is better than the Premium. In this case.
Basic knobs of a Les Paul.

I??ve been playing LP mostly, Classic, Custom, Standard, etc... I had a LP Gary Moore (great guitar) I could play anything with it. Since I bought the GM I never thought to sell or to deal it with another LP,
It was essential for me. But when I saw the Standard at Vintage Store, I had no doubt, I bought it. Of course, i tried it before I buy. I play Classic Rock and original music - The Les Paul suit my style of music... I always liked the sound of LP??s. I use TS9 and ShredMaster (awesome)drive and some modulations. I can play everything what I want with this gear... I dont need more. I wish to buy more one Les Paul, maybe a Gold Top or Classic...

No flaws! No defects!
I think the former owner of guitar never played with it. It seems NEW!
It is perfect!

I??ve playied with it in several jam sessions, live gigs, rehearsal studio- It always has done the job finely. I use an Epi LP STD Plus as backup. But I never needed to use it. Whatever It is good to take a backup.

Very good!
Recently I sent a message toward the Gibson Support to confirm the serial number and model of guitar. I had a quick answer and all quastions cleared up. Thanks Gibson!

I have few words to say about my guitar!
I love Les Paul!
What else can I say?
I am very happy. I will be much more happy when I buy my new Les Paul. I live in Brazil and here Les Paul guitars are very expensive because of import duties. I will waiting for!

Se trata de una Les Paul Standard del a??o 2003. Tiene todo lo que se supone que debe tener una Les Paul.

Toco rock cl??sico y alternativo. El punto fuerte de esta guitarra es su pastilla del m??stil. Ah?? es donde da la diferencia respecto a otras guitarras con un sonido lleno de cuerpo pero a la vez con un poquito de crunch, muy al estilo de Slash en sus solos.
Con la pastilla del puente el sonido de la guitarra ya no es tan espectacular y no justifica el elevado precio de esta guitarra.
Otro aspecto interesante es el hecho de que puedes usar los controles de volumen y tono de la guitarra para obtener una gran variedad de sonidos. Eso s??, que quede claro que esta guitarra es una guitarra eminentemente roquera y no tan vers??til como una strato.

Suspenso para Gibson. Cuando me trajeron la guitarra y abr?? el estuche me llev?? una grand??sima decepci??n: el color en nada se parec??a al de la web de Gibson y me encontr?? con un diapas??n lleno de poros e incluso zonas rugosas. Creo que Gibson deber??a cuidarestos detalles.
Se echan de menos algunos "extras" que en una guitarra de 2.600 euros se agradecer??an: cierres de seguridad, alg??n producto de limpieza, una correa...
En este sentido, Fender cuida much??simo m??s los detalles.

Casi cuatro a??os y ning??n problema de electr??nica ni ning??n "chisporroteo", salvo el puente un poco oxidado debido al sudor.
La tapa me parece extremadamente sensible a golpes y rasgu??os.

No ha sido necesario.

Si me la robaran me comprar??a otra, pero no nueva, sino de segunda mano y anterior a los 90.

GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD FLAME TOP TRANS AMBER AND AGED DETAILS.
BACK RED/BROWN MOHOGANY

SOLID TOP

finish perfect.

classic gibson body with wonderfull trans amber finish...
i got a flame top so rare...if you look it from various corners it ler you see lots of details of the wood choseed...wow!

sound amazing! i first played my baby umplgged just to hear the mohogany vibrations and she sounded very warm a with lot of sustain...

then i plugged the jack...and WHAM! I WAS BLOWED AWAY FROM INCREDIBILE ATTACK,DEFINITON AND WARM! the ground is a bluesy feel ( guys it's a les paul ! ) but when you crunch up the gain,you can get all the rock from the wonderfull burstbucker pro!
attitude and creamy sound all the way!

guitar setup perfect,eccept the strings,wounded only one time on tuning pegs poles but i changed and installed them properly...

height pickups was perfect and i found also the 6 poles of each humbucking just placed following the neck radius ( it's so rare )...

the finish and the neck surface was wonderfull.

all parts was perfect,the bridge and action in general very much confortable.

i'm so lucky if you consider my les paul trans amber got the cream binding,aged details and red/brown mohogany so beautifull!!!

ok it's one of the beautifull and well done gibson i ever seen or touched...

i know this guitar will be as just i see now...for the rest of my life...i love her.

PERFECT FOREVER.
TAKE A GIBSON,TAKE THE BEST VALUE GUITAR OF THE WORD!

she's my dream guitar came true!!!

i think i'll never use the support,but i think if necessary i should have all the help i'll ever need...

Gibson is a lifetime guaranty!

i played for 48 days and i fall in love quickly ( i waited 12 years for playng blues/rock on this lady...now i can believe is in my room!!! )...

2002 Les Paul Standard. Burstbucker Pro pickups. Black finish with cream binding and pickguard. Chrome hardware. Chrome grover tuners. I would rank it high in terms of features because of the tonal expressivity of the pickups. I can handle jazz, blues, rock with all the authentic sounds that defined those art forms with this guitar. Angled headstock allows easy behind the nut bends. Stop tailpiece and bridge assembly yields interesting and different sounds when strings are plucked near the bridge.

I'm plugging straight into a Fender'65 Twin Reverb Reissue with JJ tubes most of the time. Occasional use of Boss Super Overdrive pedal or Tubescreamer reissue pedal. I have to run the Les Paul through the 2nd input on my Twin in order to get the fullness of its sound. Through the 1st input, the sound comes out a little too dark and highs and mids get a little lost. What I like about this guitar is that when you get going and you're playing with inspiration and pushing the volume and pushing bends or fast lines or your vibrato, this thing really comes through and takes you over the top, giving an inspired tone that is hard to describe but just feels right as rain.

I bought the guitar used from a punk rocker who treated it poorly. A lot of adjustment was required to get it together. I actaully lucked out with this guitar. The former owner lost control of the guitar during a performance - you know you can't just have standard strap knobs on a Gibson- and the guitar went flying offstage. The input jack and area around the lower butt of the guitar made contact with something and was damaged, with some finish worn off. The former owner replaced the input jackand repainted the lower butt. Hard to tell that the guitar had suffered any damage there. His paint job was matte but hardly distinguishable. But there are some little knicks from this incident and much buckle rash, etc. A very worn in a well-played guitar that has taken a beating. Hence the incredibly low price that I paid for this wonderful axe that was just in need of an owner who'd treat her better.

With the exception of needing better strap buttons, this guitar is road worthy and solid. It survived punk rock abuse for about four years and came out a little scarred but with character. It will go through live playing for decades to come and I don't gig with a backup.

I'm a Fender strat guy who has been playing since dirt. I'm in my early 40s now. I'm a blues and jazz guy. I own a couple of strats and a hollowbody Heritage 550. I found this guitar while trolling craigslist and for the low price I thought I'd give it a try. I'm sold.

In addition to playability and incredible tone, I respect Gibson for creating a guitar that I don't need to instantly modify as soon as I receive it. I have no need to swap out the pickups. I love the Burstbuckers. I don't need to change pots or modify the bridge or the tuners. The only thing Gibson might do is provide better strap buttons, maybe straplocks for all the money you can pay for a Les Paul. And a bone nut might be cool.

This axe just has an incredible vibe and I have a feedback relationship with it when I play, where the tone just comes back to me and pushes me further. The shorter scale makes them easier to play than Fenders and the fullness of the humbuckers gives you heavenly sustain and puts a lot mroe meat on each and every note that you play.

I've heard awful things about Gibson quality control. But I've been to the main store in Nashville and played around with a few instruments and now I own this beauty and I definitely dispute all of those negative claims. Maybe I just got lucky and found the right Gibson -and at an incredible price as well- but I've definitely become more of a Gibson guy because of this experience.

'Iced Tea' finish (lovely amber sunburst) with great stripes. Burstbucker Pro pickups. All the features are pretty well known so I won't go into all the detail

I play in a 'classic rock' covers band (some self-penned songs too) covering 1960s - 2000s. Until now, my main guitar has been an exceptionally lovely 70s Aria LP with Bare Knuckle 'Crawler' pickups, and I was happy with that. But the chance to get my dream guitar (this Gibson) came up and I took it. Let me tell you, the difference between my copy - excellent as it is - and the real thing is very noticeable. The Burstbucker Pros are not as powerful as the Bare Knuckle Crawlers (still awesome pickups, by the way), but sound sweeter through my valve amp. The guitar sounds very full and rich, with perfect mids and very clear highs too. The tonal balance is superb; the sustain is fantastic; it cleans up beautifully when you back off the volume but with no loss of richness. Every string sounds out clearly and evenly, and whilst I've commented on the output of the pickups, stamp on an o'drive pedal and the roar and scream is there in abundance for heavier rock solo work. In short, it really is my dream guitar - even better than I thought (after playing a number over the years). This is an awesome sounding guitar.

Very very good. I've just bought it at 6 months old (from a mate - who I was with when he bought it new). The only marks are small belt-buckle blemishes on the back (and this will continue no doubt, due to the nitro-cellulose finish). My guitar has the 50s neck (fatter), and is very comfortable indeed to my hands. It has a beautiful 'tiger-stripe' on the bookmatched maple cap and looks stunning - I'm getting loads of comments from others on that too. The action is a tad higher than on my Aria (which is incredibly low) but I like it - it seems to work very well. There is a tiny buzz on the top E at the 17th fret (!), but only acoustically - no sign of it when amplified. The top E, though, can 'zing' and squeal a bit when "going for it" - I'll have to keep an eye/ear on that.

I haven't had the guitar for long so in all honesty I can't give a rating. But experience from friends supports the general truth that quality is quality, and unless you're unlucky a Gibson Les Paul is solid as a rock. The finish will wear but with care will only do so gracefully and tastefully. Mine has strap-locks on for peace of mind. I gigged it for the first time last night and no problems whatsoever; I don't foresee any either. I'd never gig without a backup, but that is mainly to cater for string breakages; I have no reason to think this guitar will let me down.

No idea.

I've been playing for 30 years, never able to (justifiably) afford a Les Paul until now. I'm like a dog with two d*cks - this guitar is everything I hoped for - and more. I mainly play it through an Ashdown Peacemaker 60w valve combo (great amp, contrary to some dodgy reviews on this site) and my other guitars are Aria, Gordon Smith and Squier. No pedals except overdrive - Les Paul + valves - brilliant, who needs to muck that up with effects? It plays great, sounds great and looks great and so I couldn't want for anything more. If it got stolen, I would be heartbroken and wouldn't replace it with anything other than another good Les Paul (when I could afford it).

Les Paul Standard, 60's Neck (nice and thin), Trans Amber, Single Cut, Tune-0-matic bridge, Gibson delux tuners, 24.75 Scale, 22 frets, Alnico Burstbucker V pickups. AA Flamed mapel top with Mahogony body and neck, the usual features off the shelf.

This one has a light body as Mike describes, only 7lbs 11oz compared to the normal 10 lbs plus, yes, a weight relieved body with hollowed out cavities, a semi hollow body in other words.

Sent 1st one back, as ithad a major flaw on the neck where the binding of the neck meets the sanded round of the neck, where my thumb runs along. Can't be seen by the eye but gets sore after a while.

lookin for that rich full Les Paul sound
playin in a 3 piece using a Parker Fly Classic through a Boss GT5 floor unit into a Boogie F50.

want a Guitar that I can use straight into the Amp with little more than a Wah pedal.
it should give me the classic sounds I require.

only worry is the action and the lighter weight of the Paul, not sure yet if it has " The Tone" its famous for.

fret buzz, rattles almost everywhere on the E & A strings,
high action, the neck looks ok to me but poor action. waiting to have it set up by a pro.

i hope this can be fixed with a lower action or else it goes back too.

if anyone can re assure me that this can be achieved that would be great.

action and finish seem to be problematic and vary from super to brutal, be careful, don't stand for the old hand built unique story. I've played better feeling cheapies for under $300.

cellulose finish can be softer than the plastics that others use, the neck feels a little sticky as did my SG X when new. It got better.
strap buttons a joke. use some form of strap lock system.

emailed them a few times. they eventually said that all the newer Standards are now being weight relieved and only the Customs will be full 10lbs. they were friendly enough oncre they knew what I was about.

playin over 20 years.
did ask about neck and other finish issues but was left down.

should have insisted on a pro set up with lowish action and no buzz z

be careful of the finsh quality espicially the neck binding, action and setup.

remember that most new standards made from September 2006 are weight relieved, good for the back but make sure u are happy with the Tone.

I sent back my first one ant think that it played and sounder better even though it was lihe the Leg of A Dog the way the neck, frets and neck binding was finished.

still, it looks the part and Some will say Sounds it too even the light ones. up to you.

The usual Les Paul features that we all know. maple cherry burst - mahogany back and neck - burstbuckers. This guitar is very light, and there is a reason for this which I feel is important to share. Read on.

Almost everything I play is blues or based on blues, so Robert Johnson to Cream. I play in the house at very low volume, and it's been a challenge to get quality sound this way. I've had the most success with: various Tech 21 products, Peavey Classic 30 with volume pedal in the loop, Fender Cyber Champ. The burstbuckers are a pleasure. They have a brightness and edge without being harsh that my old [50] ears crave. The guitar feels alive and resonant and has the famous sustain.

This is the reason for my posting. I've been reading these posts for several years and have found them very helpful. I feel a responsibility to share my experience with this guitar. I mentioned the light weight. Gibson will tell you that the body is "weight relieved". Well this body is HOLLOW. How do I know? Because I extracted the little scraps of wood that were ROLLING around inside. NOT inside the control cavity, but inside the hollow inaccessible main body. I removed the bottom strap button and enlarged the hole. Yes I know that I voided the warrenty. The noise made by the scraps rolling around made this instrument feel like a fragile glass vase that had broken inside. Otherwise the guitar feels and plays beautifully and the fit and finish is excellent.

The guitar is very well put together with quality components. But the traditional Les Paul solidity is not there because of the condition descibed above. And yes, this is a Standard made at the end of 2006. Of course the light weight can be seen as a good thing.

Gibson customer support was courteous and said that weight relief was being done differntly now, but was "hard to explain" Well I can expain it - the body is HOLLOW.

Been playing 43 years. Have a Tele, Elitist 335, various amps descibed above, a bunch of pedals. Bought this at the Mega store we all know. Could not hear the little scraps rolling around because of all the NOISE in the store. I agonized over keeping this instrument, but it really does play and sound beautifully. I just decided to fix it myself. I posted this to make people aware of what they may be getting. It's not the traditional Les Paul body.

FINALLY!!

well after all those months (a year and a half to be exact), I finally got what i would have wished for if I had only one wish to make.... a LEs PAul!!! God knows how hard i worked for it... and now she is giving me its reward...

First of all, I live in Pakistan, (nowhere near where Gibsons are made or even the dealers). I couldn't find any way to bring it home... until i found this guy who was ready to get me the Gibson but for list prices (way too much). But my need was much more than what he asked for... any way ... you pay for what you get...

the thing just arrived a couple of days ago, so for "features",

Well, its HoneyBurst 60s neck, single cut.... God you know all of them.... unless, i want to state that the whole 3-way selector pickup and the 4 controls arte just genious. The case is awesome too, my code is 215 :P

well i am SO not in the mood to go through the features PLEASE forgive me..

NOW, the highlight.... when I was in the store, I played it unplugged first, sounds crispy, distinctive and beautiful unplugged. Then I plugged it into a fender amp... The clean stood out of the world, especilly the neck pickup... The distortion was not great.... This freaked me out... came to my flat, played through a 3 watter pocket amp, nice cleans, but the distortion just got worse... now I was a bit more freaked out.. BUT when I came home and plugged it into my 15 watter solid state amp, RANDY!!!!!!

now I could hear it in my room what all the fuss about les pauls was about...

Bridge pickup:-

Crunchy (and i mean ozzy ozbourne's crazy train's crucnh), deep, thick, bright... well everything that means 'good'. Perfect for rock n roll. sounds vintage, raw, disctinctive ... you know les pauls!

Neck pickup:-
Oh awesome, with a little gain and played above the 12th fret... perfect for your blues. SEXY

Both pickups on, I mostly do that for clean strumming chords, nothing more...

Well, I did not expect it to make a bad unknown 15 watt solid state amp such as that I have, shine! I dont think I'll sell my amp until I get a Marshall tube amp. (which is what les paul is made for actually).

I like the sustain on it, performing feedbacks and harmonics are easier than on my ibanez.. Oh, and by the way, it distorts amps easier than my Ibanez could ever do. the gain was on 5, which is like a clean channel and I was surprized, I was playing Back in Black. Performing feedbacks and harmonics are easier than ever.

A good amp will make it shine, duh! I still hear how im missing a tube amp... but hey, Marshalls are still around no?

It sounds FULL... RICH... in general... and the variety is nice too... you can go from blues to hard rock, no problem.... with out even touching your amp

well, for those who need an example of bands which this will sound like:-

AC DC, Green Day, Ozzy Ozbourne, GUns n' Roses, Trivium (well you need quality amps for quality metals), Ozzy Ozbourne, Thin lizzy, Led Zep, and all those who use LPs (how obvious, damn me)..

She is built for blues, classic and plain out rock, but will do a bit metal too. Heavy extreme metal is not exactly where this thing shines, neither is a great clean country tone. For everything else, nothing compares.

The action was set by the store I believe. Nothing short of low enough. I can hear fret buzzes, but thats not a great issue, will get that fixed soon. OH and by the way, The playability on it was TOTALLY unexpected!! I was expecting some huge neck, big body difficult to play like guitar but I tried it on and ... WHAT?!! Its just a cute little guitar with awesome playing!

Every fret is fun to play at. Bending is a joy; like another dude said "I am no longer fighting my guitar, I am actually playing it" which wasn't that obvious with my old crappy $200 ibanez (doesn't even desrve to written with the review of a classic)

Finish is great too. Just some microscopic flaws.. well there is a reason you buy PRS for. Sound? no, the Finish!

OK, for all those shmucks who are like "OH, this guitar is damn heavy, I think I am better off with an SG or whatever". Such people made me think like i would be holding a truck..

unexpectedly enough, LP turns out to be pretty nice on weight. It is a bit heavy ok? But nothig to put you off your playing appetite for her. So weight was unexpected too.

Oh, be careful, it reacts to temperature changes dastically, and to direct exposure to sun too. I have not had any experience with it, but the manual says so.

to scared to take it to a gig right now..

You cannot have it living for a long time unless you take great care of it.

Fucking guys.... wont reply to my emails. but i don't know how it works for the rest of you in US.

An achievement of my dreams... Its an emotional purchase really. Definately not at all worth the price I got it for (list price).. but its worthy of what you will pay.

If stolen or lost.... well don't really wana talk about it. I have worked hard enough to commit suicide if thats the case.

Once I pick it up, I don't feel like putting it down. Oh and please! if you are a sloppy player (noone admits it I know, but think about it) it won't instantly make you sound good. I witnessed an ok guitar player playing on my LP and i thought how I have wasted that much money... :D

You get what you pay for. There are other guitars out there that are worth the money (strats especially). But Les Paul is a Les Paul, and a Les Paul is, I think necessary for every guitarists to keep in their collection. Nothing can nail your les paul heroes better than a les paul itself.

as Zakk wylde once said "I'll play Les Pauls beyond forever".

At the end of the day.. Just a guitar man, which sounds and plays beautifully. DO try them out, I just got lucky without trying, but you guys should. Nothing can make me happier now (oh but a Marshall tube amp of course)

Les Pauls forever!

contace me if you need further info.

2005 Gibson Les Paul Std. in Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish. Funny though, the top really looks to be AAA instead of AA that it's supposed to be. Maybe somebody had a rough night and grabbed from the wrong pile that day...

Originally when I walked into my local Sam Ash dealer I had no intention of buying an LP. However, I spotted this beautiful LightBurst std and asked to play it. It was the one. I began paying it off in chunks as to not cause a problem at home. I already have WAY to many guitars. Then one day I get a phone call from Ash telling me the guitar was stolen! They also told me they had scoured their stores to find me a suitable replacement and to please come in and check this other one out.How bizarre is this?! So I did. When I saw the replacement I was absolutely floored. It was stunning. Anyway I had to replace a whole bunch of shit to get it to my liking. It sounded great but needed a few tweaks

I bought the guitar and changed a bunch of stuff on it. Removed pickguard as to not obstruct the incredible flame on the top. Installed all gold hardware including Grover 106G locking tuners, TonePros Superbridge with locking studs and Graphtech StringSaver saddles,Gibson custom shop NOS tailpiece and studs, jackplate, Dunlop dual design straplocks,and a matched calibrated set of Seymour Duncan Full Shreds in zebra. For the most part, the factory set-up was pretty good and my tech didn't have to do much to it. Everything was clean. Good solid workmanship

This guitar is a serious weapon, solid as a rock, and sweet as molasses. I only ever take one axe with me to gigs. All my guitars get beaten pretty good but they're also well maintained. Take care of your babies and your babies will take care of you. A little tough love goes a long way. 100% dependable. No worries.

Never had any major issues with Gibson, but everytime I had to call them they seemed eager to be helpful.

Playing for 34 yrs. This is, by far, my favorite. It goes Gibby LP> Boss TU-2> Dunlop Crybaby> Tech 21 GT-2> Rocktron Hush> Digitech X MultiChorus> Digitech X DigitalDelay> 2 Marshall 1959slpx heads> 2 Marshall 1960A cabs> 2 Marshall 1960B cabs> Monster Rock cable throughout. Talk about Mowdown At the Hoedown! This is a wonderful, solid instrument that is a great platform by itself or if you need to mod it to suit your needs. In my opinion, build quality is the most important thing and this guitar has it in spades. Rock solid!

Finish Translucent black, AA maple Top, mahogany body and neck,
2 burstbuckers pro humbuckers, 2 tone controls, 2 volume controlls, three way toggle switch

This ist definitively a rock guitar. John sykes and Doug Aldrich would be proud of it. There were several les paul standards in the music store, where I bought it. I tested them all, some of them had a nice bluesy sound, fantastic if you are into the led-zepp thing. The one I picked up had that punchy and loud tone, that fits perfectly for highgain shredding solo flights.

The action was very high, which is probably normal when a gibson leaves the factory. To me this is more or less a matter of taste. So this is nothing to be concerned about. The top is AA as I pointed out. The finish is translucent black, which means it is black and the grain of the top shines through.

No problems so far

No problems so far.

I play almost 30 years guitar. I own a fender strat 50 anniversary limited edition from 1996, which is absolutely great. I have also a hamer archtop limited blue. I think they only made 20 worldwide. I also own a gibson les paul standard DC from 1998 in trans green. My new one makes my collection "complete". Hopefully my next Gas - attack (gear aquisition syndrom) won`t come too soon.

The tone, the look, the feeling of the new one is great. I play it over two marshalls jcm 800. My favorite kind of music is classic rock. I listen to all kinds of rock (from jimi hendrix over led zepp to zakk wylde and steve vai). My new gibson gives me that classic rock tone.

This is an update to my previous review dated 12/1/2006. I purchased a new (not previously owned) 2001 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Honeyburst (read about it in the older post). One item I got wrong there was the neck profile - it was advertised as a "60's neck" but after I did some research, I learned that the 2001 Standard had only ONE profile: the '59 "rounded" which is between the fat early 1950's and the thinner 1960. It has a very lovable round character that gives it a vintage vibe.
After I got it, I took it to my local luthier for some repair and finishing work on the neck and bridge, plus a complete pro-setup.
I like the features - It's a LES PAUL!

It sounds even better than before. It really sings and sustains now. I can hit a chord and it rings out long and loud; individual notes stay with me through loooong and wiiiide string bends, and are still there for some tremolo at the end.

As I said before, the body was perfect, but the fretboard and bridge were a mess. I took it in to my local pro luthier (Mike Lull of Bellevue Washington) and he did the following:
*Installed a new bone nut, to replace the original nut which was cut too low.
*Gave the frets a crown and polish - they had tarnished from the guitar just sitting unplayed for six years.
*Reworked the fretboard to remove the glue that oozed out and dried, polished out some file marks, etc.
*Gave the trussrod a tweak to get it right.
*Installed new bridge saddles with properly spaced slots (Gibson paid for these on warranty).
*And a new set of .10 strings.

After I got it back, the thing came to life - the resonance had improved another 50% as did the sustain. It felt and sounded like a different guitar acoustically. Sounds great plugged into my Marshall combo. It really is a keeper now. The only little items are that two of the gold top-hat knobs would slide right off the shafts if turned over. Easily solved with a bit of putty. And there is something in the control cavity that rattles a tiny bit if I shake the guitar, and I can't find it with the cover off - seems to be under the metal plate. Not a big deal, but still shows the sloppy finish work from Gibson USA.
I should not have to get this much work done to a world-class guitar with a high price tag.

It feels as solid as a guitar can be. I do not care about the short neck tenon. The thing is rock solid. It's heavy, and feels like a serious piece that will easily outlast me. I don't gig with this - it's just for my own entertainment. I'll will this to my son when I depart.

I've called with questions, and they answer every time. They paid for the new bridge saddles on warranty, so I'm happy.

I love this guitar. It has the right LOOK, the right SOUND, and feels as solid as granite. As I said before, I play bass with gigging bands, and most of my gear is pro-level bass. With bass, I prefer to go with MODERN - which is far superior to vintage for my tastes.
I wanted an electric guitar just for the pleasure of playing at home or with friends. With guitar, I prefer the vintage vibe. The Les Paul is the one I have always wanted the most - I prefer the sound, look, and feel far more than Fenders. A Gibson Les Paul played through a Marshall amp is one of life's great pleasures, and is iconic - like a Harley Davidson, or my old 351 V8-powered Ford Torino. I just wish it had come from the factory finished like it is now.
If I ever lost my Les Paul, I would look for another one - maybe next time I'd look at a Historic '59 reissue.

it's a les paul standard... 50's neck, lightburst finish, pair of burstbucker pro V's, wieghs 9.8lbs, you know the drill....

I don't know why I kept bypassing the Les Paul...(probably the weight of the damn things!) but this is THE tone for my solid body axe.

I've been playing ES-335's for years now, and have grown very favorable to that rich gibson sound. However, the search for a solidbody guitar has been one of 3 years of trial and error. I've been searching for something specific, and I finally found it in the stock LP standard.

Clarity, but with big huge bottom filled bite, and some nice clear top mids. This guitar will sustain for days (hell you can feel it the first time you smack that E chord!) and even when playing 'expensive' jazz chords that only Andy Summers wouldn't find daunting with a pretty heavy overdrive you can still hear every note!

I play my electrics like an acoustic gutiar and I often use awkward chord voicings (piano trained...so powerchords aren't really part of my approach) and every other solid body I've plugged into just came out muddy or too bright... one extreeme or the other, but never int the middile.

The LP gives that all to me.

I give it an 8 because sometimes it can get a lil muddy when I really start to dig in, or too bright on the bridge pickup when I'm crashing on the first position open chords.

Installed a Graphtech 'Ghost' piezo bridge to get more tonal options out of the guitar (as my Es-335 has the same bridge...unfortunatly the Paul dons't like the piezo as much as my ES)

I did an action/intonation adjustment right off the shelf (which it was sitting on for two years), of course I tune a half-step down, use 12-52 gauge Elixers, and like my action closer than what Gibson's 'facotry spec' is, so it took a little work.

Once I was done I found a bit of a buzz in the first through thrid positions on the 3rd and 2nd strings. A lil fret crowning from my local tech helped solve that problem though, and all is well.

The finish is georgeous, and really shines depending on what the lighting conditions are. The flame top is stunning, and the light-burst finished really brings out that flame!

I lowered the pickups a bit to match the output of my ES-335.

A gibson isn't a gibson until the headstock is broken off.... it's just a rule of thumb that I have learned to accept....

n/a

I love Gibson's to death... I've grew up with the Fender flag flying high in my household, but my first guitar was an Epiphone, and since them almost all of them have been part of the Gibson family.

But getting to this LP has been a long and trecherous journey of pickups, solder, wiring, and headaches. I've gone with Fender HH Telecaster DLX's, Gibson SG Supreme (with super distortions), Gibson SG Standard (with P94's), to Godin LG's (both P90 and HMB's), to Fender '62 Tele Reissues (with EMGs or Noiseless's), and even rocked a PRS Custom 24 (stock...but the worst of the bunch for sound in my opinion...great playability though!....but the LP has got to have the most defined tone, and the one that compliments my ES-335 the best.

Stolen? Lost? Busticated? hell...as soon as I could afford it...another LP Standard would be coming home!

features are kickass. just like all the greats say (beck for example). you can coerce any sound out of this thing, you just have to know how and where to push it. it's like a supercar... just owning a ferrari doesn't make you a good driver. but put a good driver in a ferrari and watch out!!

tone and volume for each pickup. toggle switch. what more do you need? set neck. arch-top cap. setting the intonation on LPs has always been a little more tricky than a strat... but strats are kind of the LEGOs of the guitar world... remind you of your childhood, easy to switch around. fun to throw all over the place and smash. how many strats have you seen that HAVEN'T been modified?? and they're EASY as hell to modify too. i guess that's one draw to the fenders. LPs aren't quite so easy to modify, but they're rock solid and versatile... more the swiss army knife of the guitar world. require a tad bit of maintence and know-how, but it will get you out of any bind.

like all good guitars, get some strap-locks installed, strap on a long piece of leather, and grab your choice of pick, and you can rock outta the box (if you got any skills).

i play it through a cranked bassman or marshall.
only effects are a roger mayer spitfire (and a korg tuner).

ok, so like any guitar. SPEND THE EXTRA CASH AND GET IT SETUP RIGHT BY A LUTHIER!!! unless you're very good with setup yourself, just get it done right. NO guitar comes "setup" from the factory. each player likes his action lower/higher, pickups hotter/colder, etc etc. sometimes you just get lucky and find a strat hanging on the wall that's setup how you want it, so you may buy it. but maybe the next guy to come in hates the way it plays and puts it back. so if it isn't "perfect", take it to a luthier and tell him how you play (unless he knows you and knows how you play... then just take it in).

so my girl is the most beautiful, singing, resonating piece of wood i own. unlike a strat, if you're going to buy a LP you HAVE to search for one. all guitars are not made equal, and LPs are no different. you may be able to buy a $500 strat and be ok having it sound mediocre compared to his brothers, but you do NOT want to spend thousands on a mediocre LP when you could take a little extra time and search for "the one." i kept my 2000 in the bank for almost 2 years while i serached and played and listened. and when i found "her" it was the best feeling i've had associated with music. that's what the greats did, and that's where people fuck up. they didn't have the Les Paul myth to sway them back then... "ohhh LPs are so great." that shit didn't exist back then. they picked up an LP, plugged it into a cranked tube amp (and if the LP was a singer) said "OH MY GOD!! this fucker can SING. BAM!!! they were hooked.

so there was nothing wrong with the sound. i'm not not a tone-junky, like a lot of LP owners (looking for that gary moore, jimmy page, blah blah blah sound) but i do love some good tone. so the tune-o-matic ate my strings up. the nut, like all my other guitars pissed me off a bit on big bends. there wasn't anything wrong with the tailpiece but i was sick as hell of it falling off and hitting my guitar everytime i changed the strings that the tune-o-matic chewed the shit out of. the burstbuckers and 50s neck made for a thick meat and potatoes rock sound. but that's not what i wanted. i wanted nasal and grinding (ala billy gibbons). so cleaner pups were the verdict. so here's what i changed: grover tuners (i don't care about the holes on the back of the headstock where the originals were). tusq nut. polished frets. lowered the action on a new string saver tonepro bridge. aluminum locking tailpiece. pups went to a crystal clear Seymour Antiquity 6.5k. and then a Gibson '57 Plus neck. (i'm not really sure if i like the Antiquity that much yet... but the '57 plus is ROCK solid). 500k pots and RS guitar works wires/caps (so what if i changed the pots, i'd do it on a $2000 custom shop strat too). the results... exactly what I want. i don't care how you think it sounds. i don't care if all the collectors say it's not worth as much anymore. an LP is a guitar. guitars are not one size fit all. guitars are meant to play the shit out of... unless you're a collector... then you put them on your wall. don't be afraid to change it to how you want it... and then you can make music how you want it. period.

you can make almost any guitar setup the way you want it. my LP was super close to how i like em tho (that's why i bought her... DUH!!) so it wasn't too hard to do the extra bit of tweaking. LP standard appointments are enough to make any guitarist's mouth water.

built like a pornstar

i don't care... all large companies are pricks. and some small companies suck ass too.

a million. no, just kidding. but to me,it's my dream guitar, cuz i made it a search and a quest for the guitar that made my ears and fingers happy. and she's it. she's just great. more than money or metal or wood or plastic. it's got a soul now, and makes me smile everytime i see her. i started as a bassist. and still am at heart. i played lots of older fender p-basses. so for a guitar i don't like it light and double cut quite as much. (double reminds me of basses too much, and light doesn't feel right). so heavy and single cut makes me feel "at home." that's just me. that's why LPs are my favorite. not for everybody tho.

what then do you spend the extra money on? proper setup? perfect sound? best wood in the universe? fuck no!! yes, some of it's for the name. just like custom shop fenders are "for the name." what you spend the money on is irrelevant. it's owning a guitar that makes you want to play all the time. i have teles that do it. an SG that does it. a Jazzmaster that does it. all slightly tweaked to make me happy. and my LP is the same... it fits me fine.

Mine's the desert burst finish which loows ace. All standard straight from the factory kit. I bought the 50's neck model as I like the chunkier feel.

Obviously you know what you're getting with a LP. Not the most versatile of guitars but it does offer a very rich full bodied tone with bags of character. The pickups have so much output it's unreal. Both humbuckers sound real nice at high volume with the tone rolled back.

Finish is generally good but there were a couple of minor imperfections that I didn't expect on a guitar of this price. Some minor marks and scuffs of the binding and a couple of lumps and bumps, all be it very small, on the back of the neck. Obviously none of this impacts the sound or playability of the guitar but still, when I spent this much on a guitar I didn't expect these little flaws. "My other guitar is" (sounds like a bumper sticker!) a vintage strat and that was perfect. I'd say the build quality of the Fender is much better than the Gibson and I really didn't expect that to be honest!

I don't know if this is normal but I'm having real trouble keeping a nice shine on the hardware. It's all got a bit of smudged look to it which sucks. I need to find a good metal cream or something to bring back the shine.

Also, each string has cut a small groove in each of the saddles. This may be normal, I don't know but it just makes me think that maybe Gibson have cut a few corners and opted for a cheaper metal or something.

It plays well straight out of the box. The action was easy to lower and all controls etc feel solid.

It all seems very solid (judging by the weight). The only thing that worries me is how long the finish will last. I know guitars are for playing and not looking at but hell, I want mine to look fresh for a good while yet!

No comment really. The only info I requested was a serial number check to provide me with some more information about the guitar as the dealer didn't know a huge amount about my model. A fella from Gibson got back to me pretty quickly with a whole bunch of info so I was pleased.

I've always wanted a LP so I was pleased to add one to my (small) collection. The strat is definitely a nicer guitar to play (obviously this all comes down to personal preference) and it just feels better than the Gibson. But, as far as owning a piece of axe history, it rules. Sounds great and is nice to play, especially for rhythm work.

If it was nicked I'd definitely replace like for like as it is an awesome guitar. As far as reccomending one to a friend I'm not sure. It just depends how much of a Slash / Joe Perry / Peter Green freak they are. That was my inspiration.

Les Paul Standard. You know the features so no need to go over them. Mine is the Honeyburst color and it's a looker, too! Got the Burst Bucker Pro pickups and the tapered 60's neck. It's a used 2006 model and other than a mild case of buckle rash it looked brand new. Has all the features I need.

This is my first Les Paul Standard. I've been wanting one for years but held out until the right one came along with the right price. I play it thru a Marshall DSL 50 head with a 1960 BV cabinet using 2, UK 25 watt Celestion Greenbacks and 2, 30 watt Weber Blue Dogs. (Great combination. Got a Weber Beam Blocker in front of each speaker too. REALLY helps). Effects are a Barber Direct Drive SS, a Digitech Bad Monkey (both set for a low to medium crunch, an Aphex Compressor all going into the amps input. Got a Boss GE-7 EQ and a Boss digital Delay going into the loop. Between the amps clean channel, the pedals and the amps Ultra Channel I've got a good variety of tones going.

I really like these Burst Bucker pickups and see absolutley no need to change them. Once you've got the pickups set to the proper heights you can get some great tones going. Anything from Beatles to Stray Cats to Led Zep to Van Halen is no problem. Tighten things up with a bit of compression and you can go even further. Country, funk...even a bit of Hendrix. (I said just a bit!) The pickups balance out very well with each other and they compliment each other very good as well. I could gush on and on but there's no point. I think they're great as is. (And I've changed the pickups in every other guitar I've owned). Oh yeah...they are NOT wax potted so depending on how much gain you've got going you might notice a tad of microphonics happening.

Well I'll tell ya, after hearing so many horror stories about Gibsons production line quality I was a bit hesitant about buying an LP Standard. Once I spotted this guitar I looked it over and over and then some and in all honesty the ONLY flaw I found were two slight little gouges (very, very small) in the fretboard that could have been cause by anything. The Honeyburst finish is gorgeous on the maple top with not one flaw. I love the color on the mahogany back as well. Kind of a deep reddish brown. The Binding is top nothch. Very well crafted. The neck feels about as rock solid as they come. Action from the 60's taper neck is a JOY. My God, but this guitar plays so great with no effort. Once I bought it a tweaked the action a bit to get it closer to my liking, but that took about 10 minutes, along with adjusting the intonation. No sweat.

I've had the guitar for about 2 months now and I do have to take it in for a proper setup. I prefer not to take aguitar in right away but rather play it for a while to get it broken in a tad. The frets do have to be leveled off a bit because there is a bit of a high spot around the 2nd and 3rd freat on the high E string only. I know a great tech so I'm not worried about it.

As far as reliability my only real gripe about this guitar is how the tuning goes crazy with slight temperature changes. For example, the temperature differance between the upstairs and basement in my house is about 2 to 3 degrees. If I keep the guitar upstairs all the time there's no real problem. But if I take it from upstairs to the basement the high E, B and G strings go nuts for about half an hour. Sharp, flat....all over. But once the guitar gets use to the temperature change the tuning is very stable. So now I just keep it in the basement all the time, just so I don't have to put up with re-tuning it for half an hour. But in all fairness I know of a few life-long LP players who've said the same. They told me "get use to it."

Never dealt with them except for one e-mail I sent them. Never got a response back.

Okay, a slight rant here. I don't understand Gibsons business practices these days and how they're trying to squash out the little guys. Henry, what the hells wrong with you? These small store owners (the ma & pa's if you will) have been around a lot longer than the super market guitar stores have been. Doesn't loyalty mean anything to you guys anymore? I personally know of one fellow who owns his own music store, and he had to drop Gibsons because of the demands they were placing on him. He said Gibson use to be great to deal with and it seemed like overnight it went from a love to a hate relationship. That's "hate" as in THEM hating him. Why, Henry?

Gibson may make some great guitars but they have no right to slit the throats of the good people who've long been there for them by selling their products. I hope they don't start doing the same for the employees who actually make Gibson guitars. I personally prefer the small stores myself. I've been to the "BIG STORE" twice and both times could'nt wait to get out of there.

Opinion: Cruel.

Okay, rant over. As I said, this really is a great guitar and I'm glad I waited for this one to come along. Compared this one to a lot of other Les Pauls and this one just had that special something. Les Pauls just balance out so well too when playing. Nothing is in the way, like toggle switches or knobs. Makes playing that much more enjoyable.

I think this guitar was meant for me. Of what I gather from the store I bought it from, one guy bought it then returned it a about two months after owning it. Then another guy bought it, put it in layaway for 90 days then decided he did'nt want it. The ANOTHER guy also put it into layaway for about 30 days then came into some financial difficulties and couldn't buy it. Then I came along. Tried it and felll totally in love with it. Compared many others, went back a week later, it was still there so I bought it. When I was told of it's "history" I thought that maybe there was something wrong with it but there is not ONE thing wrong with this guitar. It's well made, it plays great and it sounds great.

A beautiful Iced Tea, standard les Paul features (Burst Bucker Pro picups). The only thing I miss on Les Pauls is an on/off-switch, but I usually turn the rythm picup volume down and use the picup toggle. Problem solved!

I play in a couple of metal and rock??n??roll bands, through a Mesa Dual Rectifier with a straigt Standard cabinet and a slanted Traditional cab, with a Cry Baby as only effect. I??ve been playing for quite a while and got through a lot of amps and guitars. And now I??m home! This is the guitar for me! I have a Les Paul Studio too, wich is great, but the Standard is better! Even with my amp tuned in to a heavy distorted sound, every single note is there, and the sustain is incredible. I used to break a lot of strings with my other guitars, because I had to use a lot of force to get the punch in the tone I wanted. With my Les Paul, I get the punch without attacking the strings like a furious wood chopper...
It stays in tune, no problems there.

I got this guitar from my father, and he searched through about six or seven guitar shops to get the perfect Les Paul, and he has set in to perfection. I don??t know how it was delivered from the factory.
The finnish is flawless. And for the first time in life i`m worried about belt bucket marks on the backside... I really want to keep this guitar in a perfect condition! But this is a guitar built for playing, and a couple of dents is part of metal gigs. Guitars age beautiful...

This is a dependable guitar, and I trust it to last for a lifetime of gigs. I have replaces the strap buttons to strap locks, wich is a good idea. The original strap buttons aren??t dependable (like on most guitars), and the angle of the strap button by the neck is chritical. if you rise the neck, the strap will most probably slip off with the standard strap button.
I have also changed the direction of the picup toggle. Instead ow working in a vertical direction, i have set it horizontally. That??s because I tend to switching it accidenally while playing wild solos...
Though, I will always bring a backup, but that??s only for emergency if I break a string.

I have never had any reasons to contact customer support

I??ve been playing in bands for about 20 years, and this is definitley the guitar for me. The exception is my garage band, where I use a Gibson ES-335 (another love of my life. Should I get a girlfriend?) . It seems to work better for that style. The Les Paul Standard is a classical, and there is a good reason why: It sounds great, it??s dependable and it??s beautiful!

My new Gibson LP Standard is a 2001 model that had never been purchased, and was absorbed by the internet guitarsale shop when they took over another store's inventory. Being a 2001, it has chrome Grover tuners, 490R/498T h/b, and a nickel jack plate. Nashville chrome bridge with standard stopbar. Gold tophat knobs. I chose one with the '60s neck profile because I like them. It has a honeyburst 2-piece bookmatched plain maple top that has surprises in store when you change the angle of light on it. It will change from a very plain looking flat-sawn grain pattern to a 3-dimensional shimmer with hints of "blister" and a scattering of "bird's-eyes". It appears to be an eastern rock maple from what I know. It really is beautiful in an austere way. The back and neck mahogany are finished in a sweet honey color (not red) which is the way I have wanted one for a long time, but never found in any local guitar shops. So I took a chance and ordered this one without first touching it. The sellers gave me a very nice deal on it. And lastly, it is SOLID and heavy - 9.7 pounds. I seriously doubt they drilled weight-relief spaces in this thing.

I love the sound of the 490R and 498T pickups. The bridge 498 is just hot enough to make serious crunch when used alone, and the 490 neck has the warm, fat, round singing tubular tones we love. The 498 alone has very bright top end and a solid bassy foundation and just enough mids inbetween. It will make the classic harmonic squeals when you ask it to, although I'm still working on that technique. With both p'ups together it sounds nice and fat and FULL. You can dial in all the gain available on my Marshall combo, roll out the mids, and you have the Death Metal chugga-chugg. Or you can ease up on the gain, restore the midrange and sound like Bad Company/Free/Kiss - whatever they play on your local "classic rock" station with the same 101 songs on rotation. It sounds like a LES PAUL. It satisfies like a thick juicy steak.

Here's where I take off 5 points for the neck. As you've seen in countless reviews here, the frets, fretboard, and neck binding on the fret-ends are full of file-marks, there is glue oozed out of some fret slots, and even a chunk of WOOD at the 5th fret. The bone nut was cut too low, and the G, B, and high E strings all buzzed on the first fret. This kind of shoddy work is unacceptable at the prices that Gibson demands, and makes them out to be fakers when they advertise that "only a Gibson is good enough". Bullsheet. Carvin will turn out a flawless instrument for $1000 less. My '05 Epiphone LP Classic has a nearly perfect fretboard and setup for $375 new. The Gibson USA production line apparently has some lousy employees who are NOT luthiers working one of the most IMPORTANT parts of the guitar. I almost sent it back because of this, but I will explain more later.

The body is beautiful, and was made well. With the exception of the bridge saddles - the slots were cut way off and so the string spacing is OFF - again, I associate this with the people who finish the neck/fretboard/strings - the setup part. As for the body and neck woods, it all appears to be solid as granite, and finished very nicely. The top was polished to perfection. There was some ripple on the neck heel as others have noted here as well. But overall it is very, very nice, and SOLID.

So - body woods great, fretboard, neck binding, finishing, and bridge saddles very poor. Shamefully bad setup.

Typical nitrocellulose finish that looks great so far because it's still new (even though it's an '01). The strap buttons feel solid, the hardware all feels solid, and I love the nickel metal jackplate. It has the feel of a strong, solid guitar that will last long beyond I will. I won't be using this at a gig. I am a bassist in my professional musical life - the guitars are all for my use at home - I love making sound with them, and I am enamored of the FAT HUMBUCKER sound that comes from a good Les Paul. I play almost every day just for my own entertainment.

No contact with Gibson yet.

OK, here's where I'm fortunate - one of the USA's best luthiers happens to run his shop in my neighborhood (Mike Lull) and he is an authorized Gibson repair shop. So before I sent the guitar back, I took it to him. The guitar is now being set right. Gibson will pay for some of it, the guitarsale shop will kick some $$$ for some of it, and I will have a perfectly dressed and set-up neck and bridge when they are finished. I will post another review after I have it back for a few weeks.

I own an Epiphone LP Classic that happens to be one of the most resonant, sweet solid body electric guitars I have ever touched. I bought it immediately after I first held it. Unplugged, it sings like magic. Plugged in, it sounds as sweet as can be for stock Epi components. With volume kept down, it has a voice like an angel. For $375 US brand new - yeah, go ahead and laugh. If you could play it, you'd quit laghing and start making music. I will play around with different pickups as time moves along, because it's a keeper. The fretboard is 100% better than the Gibson I have, and there was nary a flaw on it. Just the usual cheapo electrical components which are easily replaced or fixed.

This Gibson - time will tell once I get to play it with a proper setup. I mostly play bass, and have been gigging with a number of local bands in the Seattle area for years. I own a Carvin LB75 that's all mahogany, I have a nice acoustic bass, a few nice acoustic guitars, and a Modulus Q5 that's only a few weeks from completion. My bass rig is enormous, powerful, and clean. I will play music as long as I can move my hands. Out gigging with the bass, or at home with a guitar, stringed music is my passion. I've always wanted a Gibson Les Paul Standard, and now at age 45, I've got one. Yes, they are overpriced, but - It's an American rite of passage, like owning at least one Chevy small block V8 and one Ford small block V8, or a Harley Davidson. It's an icon, and when I find the right one, I'll keep it until I pass it along to my son someday. I hope it's this one, but who knows - maybe I'll get myself one of those '59 Custom Shop Reissues.....

Les Paul Standard Gold Top 60's neck profile
USA made 2006 - 222nd day
Deluxe Tuners
22 frets, Mahogany Body, maple top and rosewood fingerboard
2 Burstbuckers

I play mostly metal and occasional blues depending on my mood. I prefer palying the old Metallica especially the Kill em All album. I ran it through Korg AX3000G and and a 30 watt Fender speaker. The burstbuckers are just on the right blend for me. Blues on the neck and and screaming solos on the neck. I dont hear any unnecessary noises at all but the sound is fat and ugly. The uglier it sounds, the better it becomes. Apart from shoulder breaking weight of the guitar, evry single appointments on the guitar is a luthier mastery. Nothing on this guitar happen by accident and i might add that its probably the oldest guitar design on the planet. Though, some improvements can be made like the tuners, straplocks,ebony fretboard without spending ??200 more and less heel on the neck. Nothing is perfect and everyone have always something bad and good to say. Eventhough its a flawed guitar, i would still buy it, over and over again.

The way i see it, there were like 15 Les pauls hanging on the wall. All the color options were available. Gold top had always been my home for a very long time for no particular reason. Im just lucky that the factory set up is not that bad. The action is low and there might be some buzzes here and there but i can live with it but the frets needs to be dressed slightly. you can feel the roughness of the frets when you string bending. The 3 switch selector screw was a bit loose. Noine of thse problems exist on a ??1500 guitar. Gibson should double check their guitar before leaving its factory. remember, an instrument poorly set up will always fail. Only thru professional set up any guitars can turn into an instrument you love to play.

This guitar should outlast you. Dimarzio cliplocks is on the way to replace the stock strap button. I dont think its big enuff to hold a heavy guitar like this. Like any other equipment and toys you have, care must taken to ensure the guitar is in perfect working condition. A visit to the guitar tech from time to time would be highly recomended. Protect your investment.

Dont need em yet.

It took me 5 hours to get this guitar and that would mean an endless argument and price matching with the sales people in the shop.I knw alredi what I wanted and as soon as I hold and played the gold top, i knw it was the one. Been playing since I was 6. Started with a ukelele and progressed to the 6 strings. I saved for 8 months to buy this guitar and if ever somebody stole her from me, il beat the shit out the bastard. Folks, buy this guitar. Its too much for a price but dont worry. Youll earn it back.

The finish is notr perfect, you can see some textures. Not big deal. But it should be perfect, this is a Gibson!!!
Tuners are pretty steady. No problems with the truss rod.

Just perfect!!!!

It came with a normal set up, now i do my own set up. No problem at all.
I think the wood is not the best but the sound is awesome.

Finish is a really boring sunburst, Dont like the finish, its top quality but boring to look at. Had the bridge changed for a floyd rose original to make it more versitile and make a shit tuning reliableibility a lot batter. Changed the Kluston tuners for grovers because they are much better and accurate. 24 3/4'' scale which originally had a fat neck until i got some sandpapper and gave it a Zakk Wylde natural feel and made it into a slimmer neck. Came with a gibson hardcase which IS solid. 2005 model with 22 frets and set neck. Has a nice slab of mahogany with a really boring flame top(wish it was quilt). Has two volume and two tone with a three way selecter. Two gicson pick-ups are gone and are in another guitar of mine. Now has EMGs, 60 in the neck and 81 in bridge.

Original pick-ups were very muffled and wooly under hi-gain but sounded much better under low gain and clean but they had to go cos they weren't an option for the heavy style i play. It goes through a peavey valveking head and marshall 1960 cabs and sounds great, for heavy crushing riffs to clean stuff and nearly everything in between. With the floyd rose, I can do a lot with it. middle switch setting gives a sound almost like the mighty metallica from the puppets, justice era. 8 with the EMGs, 3 with the Gibsons.

The set up from the factory was worse than i expected, but i expected perfection, But everyone has different preferences. I would say that the action was ok because it wasnt high but not low enough for me. The pick-ups came out easily and the thick body easily took the battery clip for the EMGs. The top is bookmatched perfectly but is boring grain. Tuners were a little flimsey and not very accurate or solid. Aprt from that, good.

The guitar stands gigs very well and i have dropped it a few times at practice sessions, nothin happened, very robust finish. The orinignal hardware is gone but the strap buttons have served me well, but i mite get strap locks at some soon, just in case. I always have a back-up, an epiphone standard with same set up, just in case it goes wrong. Its my second main guitar, alongside my ESP JH-2 explorer. I also have an ESP EC-1000 and thats just as relaible as the Gibbo.

Never dealt with them, EMG are helpfull tho, if thats any use

Ive been playing for about 6 years and have a maverick X-1 (old shape, the better one) a V a built myself, ESP JH-2 and an ESP LTD EC-1000VB and an Epi LP standard. This guitar is good but not brilliant, despite the price! If it were stolen or lost then i would save the money and build myself something better.

Standard issue pickups and hardware, with a so so sunburst finish. And a Gibson hardshell case, with a pick guard thrown in.

I love the sound. I've been playing Strats (from no names to Fender's) for years, and it was a joy to finally play a Les Paul. I love the weight, the sustain, the solid feel. My kind of guitar. As someone else said, eveyone should own a Les Paul. Just maybe not from Gibson...

The first Les Paul I got had a bad neck. I took it to get set up, and there was nothing they could do with it. The results of tightening the truss rod were uneven, and they advised me to return it, which I did. Damn shame, as the Les Paul I was given in exchange doesn't look as half as good. Where the first had a nice tiger stripe sunburst effect, this is the typical mis-matched two halves plain looking sun burst. Very disappointed. It also has a loose tone knob, and other poor touches to the finish. This is not a guitar I would have chosen to buy cold in a shop. I haven't taken it to be set up yet, but if it has a dodgy 60's neck again this will be the last Gibson I touch.

It's a solid guitar, and I'm aware of the chances of the neck breaking if I'm not careful. But why Gibson don't fit strap locks I don't know. When you're spending this a mount of money (??1300) on a guitar, small touches like that leave you feeling short changed. I would gig with it, but I'd prefer to gig with a Tokai at a third of the cost (or even a Japanese Tokai at under two thirds).

Not had to deal with them, only the shop that sold me the guitar and through them their suppliers (not Gibson). I wouldn't use either again. And I curse Gibson for shipping a guitar with a great body but a useless neck that wasn't fit for purpose.

I've been playing for 22 years (ouch, that long already?), and own and a handful of other guitars (no name Strat copy, Tokai Strat copy, Fender Strat Deluxe, Gibson SG), and I really wish I had bought a Tokai Love Rock instead of this Gibson. I'd always wanted a Les Paul since trying them way back when, and the sound and weight is great, just not the actual product Gibson sell. At half the price it wouldn't hurt so much.

I think you know what she has - standard issue pickups and hardware. Classic.

Started with a Starforce guitar in 1998, which was fine, especially with a Zoom pedal.

Got into a band at Uni and got a Les Paul Standard (1990/91) Cherry Sunburst.

I used to play it with the Zoom until a friend kindly pointed out "You've got a Gibson Les Paul and a Marshall amp. What the hell do you need effects for???"

He was not wrong.

Flawless finish. Has picked up a few dings here and there over the 16 years we've been together.

Started to lose her sparkle in the late 90s, and the cover of one of her machine heads came loose.


A trip to a luthier spruced her up a huge amount, made her like new.

Used to play in a couple of bands quite regularly, and she always always ALWAYS came through and made me proud.

Very dependable (if bloody heavy) guitar. A real workhorse.

Been playing on and off for about 18 years. More off than on to be honest, but have got back into it big time.

Currently own a Marshall Amp, a Zoom G2 effects pedal thingy, that old Starforce guitar and a Jem 7VWH replica.

She's called Soo

Love the neck on her. After learning something on any other guitar I can come back to Soo and she'll make it damn easy to play anything I sruggled with before.

If I lost her, or she was stolen, I'd be devastated. My grandfather helped me with the money to buy her. My uncle went with me to the shop to buy her. They've both dead now, but I think of them fondly every time I play her.

She's so much more than the metal, wood and plastic she's made from. A constant companion through life.


I have a feeling Soo will be in my future family for generations to come, and that every time she's played she'll sing just as beautifully for them as she does for me.

Mine is a modified 1978 from the Kalamazoo Factory. I got it used about 2 years ago and it had different pickups and different tuners. The pickups were Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbuckers, which I have since exchanged for overwound Golden Age humbuckers. I also added a Bigsby B-7 and am going to put in a passive overdrive cube on one of the tone controls. It's got a tobacco sunburst finish with a good deal of playing wear in a few spots and the usual dents and dings. It also has a maple neck and rosewood fret board.

The usual Les Paul sound. The Overwound Golden Age humbuckers are pretty fat sounding compared to the Seymour Duncan's that were in it when I got it. Sounds pretty good clean and sounds great through some overdrive. Has nearly endless sustain, even with the Bigsby.

When I got it, it had .009-.042 strings tuned to E flat...I promptly removed them and put on a set of .011-.055 (now .012-.058) and tuned it back to standard. The intonation was fine and the neck didn't budge when I switched to the heavier strings. The finish was in pretty good shape when I recieved it. It had a bit of buckle rash on the back and a few dings on the front. Now I've worn through the finish in a few spots on the top and I've added to the buckle rash on the back.

It's pretty sturdy. I'm sure in it's 28 years it's been tossed around and it's still in one piece. It has some jumbo strap buttons on it which hold any strap on pretty well, too. The finish wore off pretty quick, but I play harder than most people, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Haven't dealt with them and I don't think they'd do anything for a '78 anyway.

It's a Les Paul...you buy them because they're Les Pauls. The '70s are often considered the dark ages for Gibson, but I'm happy with this one. I play the hell out of it and it keeps on going.

1992 model, "Heritage" Cherry Sunburst. Much pinker looking & less subtly flamey than the more recent Ice Tea, Root Beer etc finishes. Canadian hardcase with the plush pink Bishop's gown style fuchsia drape. Purchased new in '92. Crappy strap-buttons were the first thing to go. Replaced with Dunlop straplocks. I remember the Dunlop screws were a little too small so I solved that by filling the screw-holes with industrial strength super-glue. Hey, it did the job. That was at least 13 years ago & they've held like a rock ever since. Took me a longtime to remove the stock mudbuckers & 300K volume pots, though. Wish I'd done that WAY sooner. 5 points off for the 300K pots & crappy straplocks. Does that seem harsh? I paid the equivalent of $1500 for this.
Very heavy guitar & I'm in no way convinced that this improves tone or sustain, as a previous reviewer claimed. I have a poly-finished Jap Burny LP Custom that is at least 2 lbs lighter & sonically pisses all over this in every way imaginable.

I made do with this as my main axe for many years, but if I'm honest with myself I was never truly happy with it. I guess I wanted to justify having spent two summer holidays working in a sawmill while in school to treat myself to this, so enamoured was I with the myth of the Gibson Les Paul. No fool like a young fool, I guess. Over the years I've used it with just about every type of Marshall (ah, how those myths die hard), toured in a punk rock band (how quaint it all seems), played blues covers, you name it. Just always sounded too dark, muddy & strangled. Harsh too. Convinced myself this was normal, not knowing any better. Upon finally getting a Tokai that sounded & played approximately 23 times better (having cost a third of what I paid for this Gibson) I was embarassed into springing a small fortune for a pair of Duncan Antiquities & some proper 500K audio volume pots to make Americas's finest sound worthy of it's gilded name. And.....................
The Tokai still sounds better.
Weirdly, the stock 498T/490R pups sounded great when I put 'em in an alder bodied Epiphone Flying V, so I can't blame this solely on the pups. The Les Paul with the Antiquities meanwhile sounds like warm mud as opposed to cold mud so you could call it a partial improvement.

Always been a little buzzing here & there. I use 11s & I like a fairly low action but I don't exaggerate either, y'know? Had to do some filing on the saddle of the A string as it was a butcher. Many tuning issues, particularily on the G string (oo-er missus etc). One of the knobs (oo-er missus etc) kept falling off at one time but it hasn't done so in a few years now, so we'll call it a draw. I must be on the 12th toggle switch cover by now.
Still, it's been a fucking Volvo compared to a Gibson Les Paul Special I had for a few years, that I thankfully managed to sell a few months back (no, I'm not proud).

Ok, it definitely shines here. Very well made. I've toured with this guitar all over Europe in all seasons & all sorts of atmospheric conditions & though I've taken good care of it, she's obviously high quality & you can feel it as soon as you pick her up. This should definitely not be a taken as a given on all Gibsons however. My $900 special looked ill & fucked by the time I sold it with 9 years of use on the clock. Finish on this one has only recently started to age to that nicely worn look which looks even cooler with the Antiquities. Strap locks are MANDATORY & Gibson should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for not making them standard issue. As per any Gibson, watch the headstock.

Another reviewer said it best:
"Never dealt with the company. I'm sure they've more than earned their reputation as complete assholes though."
Not sure who said it, but it was in this thread. Poetry!

Been playing 17 years, 14 of them with this. It's been with me through it all & I've the muscles to prove it from lugging the bastard around. Have thought many times of selling it, but the bitch of it is I'm quite attached to it after all this time. If lost or stolen I'd be more pissed off about the monetary value than the sentimental one though, to be honest. And I definitely wouldn't replace it with another Gibson unless it was an original 50s job & I found myself in some parallel universe where I could afford one.
I don't exactly HATE anything about it (nothing that I haven't already replaced anyway) but what I love most is the fact that it's worth enough to get me an early 80s Tokai Love Rock if I sold it. For now.
I still love Les Pauls, but I'm too experienced to give a shit about the name on the headstock.