Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Neck Electric Guitar

June 3, 2007 by Jo Minor 


The Gibson Les Paul Standard is advertised as the “industry standard.” A beautifully crafted guitar, it is available in a wide array of gleaming lacquer finishes. It is also available with either a fat, round 50’s neck or a slender, fast 60’s neck, which is the model shown here.

The Gibson Les Paul Standard was the name of the first of the Les Paul electric guitars produced by Gibson. In 1952, jazz guitarist Les Paul designed and endorsed a solid body electric guitar with a rounded body and a single cutaway for accessing the higher frets. The top of the guitar was gold tone, and the back of the body was mahogany. It was known as the Gold Top Standard, and remained in production a few years, until a sunburst maple top replaced the gold.

The Standard was reintroduced in 1976 after being replaced by other models in the 60’s. The neck design in the 50’s was wider and rounder, but in the 60’s, the wider neck was replaced by a slimmer, flatter one. The Gibson Les Paul Standard guitars available now have your choice of neck style. The 60’s neck is probably the choice of most rockers who wish to move fast on the fretboard and travel up and down the neck like lightening.

The current model available is faithful to the specs of the original, right down to the design of the pickups. You can even get it in gold!

Advantages: The Gibson Les Paul Standard has been called the best crunch guitar anywhere, with no parallels, and has good sustain, too. It’s very suitable for any 60’s or 70’s style rock. The 60’s neck is slim and fast which helps you play your best. You won’t find a better looking guitar anywhere. The detailing and handmade craftsmanship are extraordinary, and the AA figured maple top with transparent finish is just beautiful in all colors. The solid ebony version gleams, and costs a few hundred dollars less.

The color selection is gorgeous. With the exception of the Ebony and the Gold Top, the flame maple wood grain shines through the translucent lacquer. Transparent colors include Heritage Cherry Sunburst - a red rimmed guitar in sunset colors. (That’s Heritage Cherry shown in the picture above.) Light Burst is like Cherry only less intense. Desert burst is a natural brown sunburst design. Latte Cream is a creamy colored burst design darker around the edge. Iced Tea is a golden brown burst design, and so is Honey Burst. Solid, non sunburst style, colors include Amber (almost orange-gold), Root Beer (rich brown), Cayenne (deep red), Wine Red (an even deeper red), and Gecko (yellow-green).

The hardshell case it comes in is very nice. The guitar fits snugly into it so that it won’t get banged up during traveling and gigging. The company support and warranty are very good. And about the price - remember, most people keep their LP Standard for many years.

Disadvantages: Les Paul style guitars are known for being heavy, and the Standard with 60’s neck is no exception. Some people feel that Gibson guitars are simply overpriced. They do carry high prices, which may or may not be warranted. The heel joint is located in such a position that it can be hard for some players to access the highest frets. The Gibson Les Paul Standard with 60’s neck is very versatile, but might not be the best choice for playing jazz, according to some.

Here’s a different sort of disadvantage that has been mentioned. You have to play right or the crisp clear humbucker pickups will pick up your mistakes. They are extremely sensitive. Of course, this means you know when you mess up, and can practice better than if the sound was so muddy you didn’t notice the flubs.

Specs:

  • Mahogany body, rounded with a single cutaway
  • Carved AA maple top
  • Single-ply top binding
  • Mahogany neck
  • Neck joined at the 16th fret
  • 60’s slim taper neck profile
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • 22 frets
  • 24.75 inch scale
  • 1.695 inches wide at the nut
  • Pearloid trapezoid inlays
  • Single-ply fingerboard binding
  • Nickel plated hardware
  • Stopbar tailpiece
  • Tune-o-matic bridge
  • Gold top hat control knobs
  • Green key tuners
  • Two BurstBucker Pro pickups with Alnico V Magnets
  • Pro I at the neck and Pro II at the bridge
  • Two volume controls
  • Two tone controls
  • Three way toggle switch
  • Brite wire strings in .010 to .046
  • Available in a left handed model
  • Black reptile pattern hardshell case with dark gray plush interior
  • Silver “Gibson USA” logo on the case

Click here to see some beautiful photos of vintage Les Paul Standard guitars and other vintage Gibsons.

Musician’s Friend runs some excellent articles about various instruments. Here’s what they have to say about the Gibson Les Paul Standard electric guitar.

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