Gibson Les Paul Guitar Buying Guide
Now that you have decided on a guitar this Les Paul Guitar Buying Guide can assist you in the model that is best for you. Since 1957 when Les Paul introduced the humbucker pickup electric guitars were greatly improved by eliminating electrical feedback. There are about 127 models that have been produced since 1952.
The Les Paul has been popular among many musicians due to their playability, sound, look and historical value. The basic design elements are a single cutaway, a solid mahogany back and carved maple top, a set-in mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard and a lacquer finish. It measures 24 3/4 inches, has 22 frets, a 3 way pickup switch, 2 tone and 2 volume controls, a fixed bridge and 2 humbucker pickups. There are a few exceptions in some models.
Most Les Pauls have carved maple tops in flame, plain, quilt or solid finish styles. The finish color will vary according to the model. The neck is usually mahogany with a slim taper from the 1960's or a rounded from the 1950's. The fingerboard, also known as the fretboard, is made from rosewood or ebony and the inlays are either block, trapezoid or dot. Two pickups, usually humbucker, are modern and P90 single coil.
Historic humbuckers come in the Burstbucker Types 1,2 or 3, the Burstbucker Pro, the '57 classic, the '57 classic plus and the mini humbucker. If there is binding, color and number of plies vary by model are are on the body, neck and headstock. The hardware comes in nickel, chrome or gold finishes. The bridge and tailpiece are either wraparound (one piece) or tune-o-matic/stopbar. The knobs are either top hat or speed. The tuners are either Grover, Kluson or Schaller.
If money is no object you can have your Les Paul custom built to your specifications. All Gibson Les Pauls are made in the USA. The three families are the Studio, the Standard and the Custom. The Standard is the modern version of the 1958 and 1959 that was reintroduced in 1970. The Studio is the same construction as the Standard but is a stripped down version with 490R/498T pickups, no binding, decal instead of pearl logo on headstock and no figured top. It has a rounded '50's neck that is a bit slimmer. The Custom is the same as the 1958 Standard with upgrades of an ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlays, gold hardware, 7 ply binding on the top, 5 ply binding on the back and 7 ply binding on the headstock. There are additional models as well.
Gibson USA builds custom guitars out of the finest mahogany. You can even have a VOS or vintage original spec created for you with nitrocellulose finish treatment to give it that vintage patina. Each VOS piece is historically accurate. Signature models are created with the specs of famous artists like Jimmy Page and Zakk Wylde.
In 1957 Gibson acquired their competition Epiphone. The Beatles used the Epiphone Casino. The differences between the two guitars are the country of origin. Epiphones are made outside of the USA. Epiphones have polyurethane finishes. Alder and mahogany are used in the body. There are more mids and bass in an Epiphone.
The Les Paul is a very desirable guitar known for their sound and ease of playing. They are a beautiful instrument to look at and to handle. Anyone would be thrilled to own one, you just need to decide which one to choose.