Gibson Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar (With Case) (Vintage Sunburst)

by Gibson

Product Features

• Carved maple top
• Mahogany back
• 496R ceramic humbucker in the front
• Plain cream pickguard

Product Details

• Item Weight: 29 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 29 pounds
• ASIN: B0002MSWRO
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,415 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

Guitar legend Les Paul and Gibson teamed up in 1952 to produce the guitar that set the standard for solidbody electrics. In the 1990's Gibson and Les Paul still enjoy the most successful endorsement agreement in the history of the guitar, and the Les Paul Standard is still the Industry Standard.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, a true star, October 16, 2008

By 

C. Willms (Saint Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gibson Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar (With Case) (Vintage Sunburst)

The Features
It's a Les Paul... It has 2 pickups 4 knobs and a switch. The pickups are the 500T at the bridge and the 496R in the neck position. It sports the 60's slim tapered neck which was a selling point for me and my short fingers. The tuners are the classic green key Klussens. The trapezoid neck inlays have that greenish tinge and the pickguard has that annoying "1960" stamped into it.

The Sound
Wow! I had no idea what to expect as I have never played a guitar with this pickup combination. It sounds fantastic. It is really suited for heavy, overdriven and screaming leads and power chords, but it sounds equally sweet clean. In fact, I waited to write this review until I had a chance to do some recording with it. I am absolutely thrilled with the sound! In my practice studio I have only a POD and small practice amp so I couldn't sign off on the sound until I did some studio work. It is excellent.

The Quality
I had read way too many reviews complaining about QC problems with modern Gibsons - so plunking down nearly 2 grand was a leap of faith. I am happy to report this unit is flawless. As for the action, well, I will have to have a pro set-up done before I pass final judgment. I do think the frets are a little too high and need some dressing, but as I play it more the less and less this bothers me.

The Quibble
For this kind of money you'd think Gibson could throw in strap locks.

Overall
This is one beautiful guitar. The quality is excellent although I think it is overpriced by at least $500. (This is true for most high end guitars). I love the sound and the playability is great and gets better the more I play it. I love the 60's slim tapered neck. My other main axe is an American Standard Strat which I have been playing for 16 years so moving to the Gibson was quite alien at first. Now, I find these guitars, which really couldn't be more different from each other, are complimentary. Neither of these plays as well as my 1970 ES335 - which is like cutting butter with a hot knife - but they each have a unique sound I could never get out of my ES335. Overall the Gibson Les Paul Classic is a fine instrument. My only real complaint is that ridiculous "1960" stamped into the pickguard - I will at some point replace it.