Gibson Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar

June 3, 2007 by Jo Minor 


Gibson Les Paul electric guitars have become something of a legend, and the Classic embodies all the characteristics that make these high-quality axes famous. The Gibson Les Paul Classic is available in several styles, including the LP Classic antique and the LP Classic Custom. The LP Classic electric guitar retails for $2598 to $3018. It is advertised as the hottest, fastest, most gorgeous LP you can play. It’s a screaming fast machine for the rock guitarist.

Les Paul is a jazz guitarist who began designing and building solid body electric guitars in the 1940’s because he was not satisfied with the electric guitars of the thirties. His first guitar was made of a length of fence post - a common piece of a four-by-four. His purpose in experimenting with solid wood body guitar design was to cut down on feedback from the amplified sound resonating in a hollow body, and to improve the sustain of the string tone by keeping it from getting lost inside the acoustic body. For looks, Paul added a Epiphone jazz guitar body to the four-by-four and called the creation “the Log.”

Leo Fender was also experimenting with solid body electric guitars, so the two brands, Fender and Gibson (who signed a contract with Les Paul), began their competition to create the most popular electric guitars and to corner the market. The two brands do differ in some basic ways. One is that Gibson LP’s and others tend to have humbucker pickups, while Fenders lean toward single coil pickups. The two produce different sounds, so every guitarist has his or her favorite that fits the style they play.

Advantages: Cosmetically, this guitar is a gem, and what’s more, you get to pick from seven different colors and/or finishes. Yes, you read that right. This guitar comes in seven different colors. And they are all really attractive. The nickel hardware complements all the various gleaming wood tones, but the ebony model is dressed up with flashing gold hardware and pick guard. There are even a couple of metallic finishes - Bullion Gold and Copper.

You can also check out the added options available with the version called the Gibson Les Paul Classic Antique. This guitar is equipped with the well known and powerful ‘57 PAF humbucker pickups, and has all those cool vintage touches that make it look like a guitar from yesteryear. But for a really gorgeous axe, the Classic Custom is a beauty. It’s finished in gleaming antique ebony with shining gold trim. It too has the ‘57 classic humbuckers that are so well-loved.

The LP Classic is recommended for virtually any style of music, being very versatile. The small neck is fast and easy to get around on. Plus, it’s great for smaller hands. Reported to have better tone than the other LP’s.

Disadvantages: Well, for one thing, the price is going to push many wanabe Gibson owners out of the market! (Most owners do say it’s worth it if you can scrape up the cash, though.) Like other Les Paul models, the guitar is heavy, and can wear you out during a long gig. If you sit down with it, you might find it unbalanced. You’ll just have to try it to see how you feel about it.

Also, the set up, as it comes from the factory, might have some buzz and have to be adjusted. Another complaint sometimes heard is that the finish on the neck is not that smooth. This quibble about finish happens occasionally with Gibsons because they use lacquer instead of polyurethane because the sound is better with a lacquered finish.

Specs:

  • Carved maple top body
  • Mahogany body back
  • Single-ply top binding
  • Mahogany neck
  • 1960 style slim tapered neck
  • Neck joined at the 16th fret
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • 24.75 inch scale
  • 22 frets
  • 1.695 inches wide at the nut
  • Neck width 2.062 inches at the twelfth fret
  • Yellow pearloid trapezoid inlays
  • Single-ply fingerboard binding
  • Nickel plated hardware on all colors but Ebony, which has gold
  • Stopbar tailpiece
  • Tune-o-matic bridge
  • Amber top hat knobs
  • Green key tuners
  • 496R Ceramic Magnet Humbucker pickup at the neck
  • 500T Ceramic Magnet Humbucker pickup at the bridge
  • Two volume controls
  • Two tone controls
  • a three way switch
  • Brite Wire strings, .010 to .046
  • Black reptile pattern hardshell case with white plush lining
  • Silver Gibson USA Logo on the case

Here’s a list of well known musicians who play Les Paul and other varieties of Gibson guitars. Musician’s Friend includes 172 user reviews, if you want to do a really thorough search of people’s opinions about the Gibson Les Paul Classic electric guitar.

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Comments

One Response to “Gibson Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar”

  1. alf on January 17th, 2009 9:37 pm

    hello..how collectable is a leo les paul 1981..is this model very close to a 59 les paul specs,how many made,what r they worth on the vintage market at this time ,r they poplar,also is a 1968 les paul gold top the first rissue ,,can this model be changed to 59 specs with vintage hardware,what does aguitar tradre fetch on the vintage market these days ,r they collectable and how many made thanku for ure time,,i just get so excited when i talk gibson ,,bye

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