Gibson recently introduced an updated and improved version of the venerable, 50-year-old Les Paul - the new Les Paul Standard.
The new Standard, priced from $3,074 to $3,306 - depending on finish, is as close to a late '50s 'burst as Gibson has made in standard production since the halcyon days of the late 1950s. The instrument features a smaller vintage-shaped peghead, Kluson keystone tuners, and, for you LP aficionados, the original sized, small binding in the cutaway.
The version Gibson sent me had a AA-grade, flame maple top, which put me well on the way to reproducing the feel, look and vibe of an old Les Paul.
But wait, there's more. Gibson also has installed its new "Burst Bucker" pickups, which feature alnico 5 magnets and staggered windings on each coil for a more open, airy, vintage tone than the old Standard's 490R and 498T humbuckers.
The neck profile is available in two shapes: the "Fat 50s," which to me felt thinner than a 1958-59 Historic (though not by much), and a thinner taper 1960 profile. Kudos to Gibson for finally making two neck shapes available on the same model.
The finish on the review instrument was beautiful-a nice, warm cherry sunburst that seemed to have a nice patina on it right out of the case. The top was perfectly figured with mild hints of deep 3-D flame-no maple-on-steroids flame here. I also appreciated the elegant understatement of its look; I like guitars that look like guitars and not Wall Street office paneling.
The new Standard versions with the translucent finish, AA flame maple tops do not have the their attractiveness hidden under a pick guard. If you want it on (the included pickguard is located in the case), it has to be installed. Only the ebony model features an installed pickguard.
As with all Gibson USA models, the finish is old-fashioned nitrocellulose, and gone are the lurid lipstick red and brassy vivid yellow of recent sunburst finishes. The colors here are toned down and look warm and sensuous; you want to play it just for its sheer classic beauty.
Why am I raving so much? Well, because before now, the only way to get this much vibe, accuracy, and tone in a Les Paul meant a hefty bag o' cash for a historic series LP, or a major inheritance or lottery windfall for an original '50s 'bucker-equipped Les Paul. I applaud Gibson's decision to offer these desirable features on the more affordable LP Standard.
The Audition
I played the new Les Paul over several weeks in a variety of settings with different amps; I was impressed.
Playing the LP through a 1967 Plexi Marshall 50-Watt head, it was pretty much instant Sixties British Blues Master Tone. The neck pickup was fat and creamy, and the bridge pickup had a bright treble clarity with definition and airiness.
Through a 1956 tweed Fender narrow-panel Pro the instrument had "Texas Tone City" fat harmonics and a searing treble grind with clarity - without the dryness of ceramic pickups. The alnico V burst buckers really deliver the goods.
Finally, through a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier head and Marshall 4x12 this thing crunched big time. The neck pickup was a tad muddy with this amp, but the lead tone from the bridge pickup was killer-tight, focused, and well-defined.
Conclusion
If you've been holding back on buying a previous production Les Paul because of sticky feeling necks and overly hot pickups (the Classic for example), you owe it to yourself to check out the new 2002 Standards. Take it from a dyed-in-the-wool, vintage guitar fan-this new guitar rocks!
For more information, contact Gibson at 615-871-4500; or visit the web site, www.gibson.com.
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