Gibson Les Paul Standard Review – More of the Same?
While you have to careful about picking up your music history from \”Guitar Hero,\” even playing the super-popular video game for five minutes will teach anyone that the Gibson Les Paul is an inescapable part of rock and roll history. Since its introduction, the characteristic design and sound have been part of the landscape of popular music, especially rock and blues. Although the shape and basic sound have remained the same, Gibson has made slight changes to the particulars, from neck thickness to pickup selection.
Only a couple of years ago, Gibson presented a number of alterations in the best-selling Les Paul Standard series. Some of these revisions have been well-received, others not so much. So, what has changed, exactly?
The modifications include a new chambered body, enlarged neck tenon, Dunlop Strap Locks, TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece, Neutrik locking output jack, Grover locking tuners, Bourns pots, asymmetrical neck, and a Plek instrument setup. If you\’re intimate with Les Pauls (I\’ve owned a more \”traditional\” model for years), then the first thing you\’ll detect about the revised model is its weight, which is certainly attributable to the chambered body.
We were moderately afraid that the chambered body would have a negative effect on the tone, but, fortunately, it didn\’t happen. The trademark Les Paul sustain was here in all its glory, as was the distinctive thick, meaty tone. We were glad, though, that the instrument was a bit lighter. If you\’ve played with a Les Paul strung over your shoulder, you know what we mean.
Normally, I swap out a stock tune-o-matic bridge with a TonePro locking bridge, so it was nice to find that as a standard option here. We were also agreeably surprised with the standard setup, owing to the Plek machine setup, we imagine.
We did have to make a modest truss rod adjustment, but for a guitar that was transported halfway across the country, that\’s general procedure. For the record, though, this guitar was ready to take to a gig straight out of the box. Not bad.
The finish was really gorgeous. Having opted for the flamed top in Heritage Cherry Sunburst, we tried to find some issues with the finish, but none could be found. We were also glad that they didn\’t obscure this pretty top with the pickguard, but it\’s included if you want it installed.
The neck profile has also undergone a transformation. It now has an asymmetrical profile, which is thicker on the bass side and thinner on the treble. Though it sounds a bit odd, the end result is a nice one: enhanced playability.
It\’s sort of a cross between a 50\’s profile and a 60\’s profile, but in one instrument. We don\’t know if we should thank Gibson or Plex, but the fretwork was the finest we\’ve seen from a stock Gibson, as was the setup.
Since the Gibson/Marshall combo is so time-honored, I resolved to test the new Gibson Les Paul Standard with a JCM 800 half-stack. While it\’s unquestionably hip, the chambered body does add something of a 335-type sound to the mix. It may or may not be your cup o\’ tea.
The Burstbucker pickups seemed to be a pretty nice fit, since they are aggressive and dark by nature. There are certainly some definitive Les Paul tones to be found here, though the chambered body/Burstbucker combination has its own unique flavor. To each his own. We liked them.
We have to say, though, that there were a couple of things we just didn\’t care for. Gibson chose to include Neutrik locking input jacks, for example. Some folks love them, but we\’re not fans. Still, the Neutrik jacks are high quality, so we appreciate that at least.
Same goes for the PCB mounted volume and tone pots. In fact, all pots, the pickups, the selector switch, and the jack are all connected to a main PCB board via pluggable connectors. While it\’s cutting-edge in a way, it could also greatly impede switching a pot or swapping pickups. We were left rubbing our heads on this one.
Despite these niggles, we found the new Les Paul Standard to be worthy of the name. If the changes seem a bit too much for you, then Gibson has released a model called the \”Les Paul Traditional\” which is just a Les Paul Standard without the new changes. If you\’re more of a traditionalist, then the Les Paul Traditional might be more your speed. Regardless of your preference, there\’s a Les Paul for everyone in Gibson\’s guitar lineup.
If you are searching for the absolute cheapest price on a used or new Gibson Les Paul Standard, then you must visit Ray\’s Guitar Shop, which offers the lowest prices on all used and new guitars. It doesn\’t matter if you\’re searching for a Fender Stratocaster, an Epiphone G-400, or a PRS Custom 22, Ray\’s Guitar Shop has what you\’re searching for!
