I’ve had the guitar for a little while now, have played it everyday, and am totally in love with it. Definitely a keeper!
The single best feature for me is the asymmetrical neck shape which is just ridiculously comfortable for me. Even after playing for a few hours, I don’t have any kind of left hand fatigue. This is what Gibson say's about the shape:
"The 2008 Les Paul Standard debuts Gibson’s newest neck profile—an asymmetrical design that makes it one of the most comfortable and playable necks ever offered on any guitar. The new ergonomically-correct profile is tapered, and designed to be thicker on the bass side, and thinner on the treble side, closely outlining the natural form of the hand as it grips the neck. The 2008 Standard necks are machined in Gibson’s rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. Once the rosewood fingerboard gets glued on, the rest—including the final sanding—is done by hand. That means there are no two necks with the exact same dimensions. So while it still has the basic characteristics of its respective profile, each neck will be slightly different, with a distinct but traditional feel."
All I can add to that is it just feels right to me.
The only change I’ve made is to fit a set of Schaller strap locks. The plain finish LP Standards do not come with these fitted.
The guitar is a comfortable weight, I haven’t actually weighed it, but it feels just a bit heavier than my USA Stratocaster…down to the chambering no doubt.
The set up out of the box was terrific. I’d played the guitar for a long time in the store so I knew what to expect, but even UPS didn’t manage to screw it up! It arrived with a low action and zero fret buzz and a set of 10-46 Gibson Brite Wires. I’ve since strung it with D’Addario 10-46 and raised the action to medium/high as that is my preference. The intonation is spot on, the frets and finish are top quality and if this is an example of what the PLEK machine can do, I’m impressed!
I've read a lot about Gibson's QC issues, but I have to say that all the models I tried, several Standards, Traditionals and Customs were all fine guitars from a QC point of view
I tried all the guitars through a Marshall DSL201 which is a terrific little 20w EL84 equipped combo. I have the 40w version as my main amp.
As a matter of interest, the worst guitar I tried was a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster with a relic'd finish and Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge. It just sounded gritty and shrill and played horribly. It was about £500 more than the Les Paul too.
Anyway, the locking tuners and locking jack do their jobs perfectly well, along with the Tone Pro’s bridge and stop-bar.
Unplugged, the guitar has a very lively acoustic tone, which I always think is a good sign of things to come!
Plugged in, the Burstbucker Pro’s are simply terrific. All the growl and punch I expect from a good Les Paul but with great clarity and super useable tones at practically any combination of volume/tone/pickup settings. I’m really enjoying the middle pickup position for lower gain Page type riffs particularly. The Bourns pots are very smooth and the guitar really does sound good throughout their range.
Cranked through my Marshall DSL401 it becomes apparent that a good Gibson Les Paul and a good Marshall are just made for each other. The kind of words that came to mind whilst I played at various tone/gain settings were "Classic clean", “Warm”, “Creamy”, “Heavylicious!” "Thickery!"...
you get the picture.
I also had the opportunity to play it through a friends Marshall Plexi 100w Super Lead fully cranked...and let’s just say that even though that was several days ago..I can still hear it and feel it…classic rock heaven!. :rawk:
In summary, although the guitar was expensive and there is probably better value for money to be had, It simply was the best guitar I tried out, and I was fortunate enough to have the cash. I honestly haven’t found a single negative yet.
I'll add some pics/new clips in the next few days or so.
The single best feature for me is the asymmetrical neck shape which is just ridiculously comfortable for me. Even after playing for a few hours, I don’t have any kind of left hand fatigue. This is what Gibson say's about the shape:
"The 2008 Les Paul Standard debuts Gibson’s newest neck profile—an asymmetrical design that makes it one of the most comfortable and playable necks ever offered on any guitar. The new ergonomically-correct profile is tapered, and designed to be thicker on the bass side, and thinner on the treble side, closely outlining the natural form of the hand as it grips the neck. The 2008 Standard necks are machined in Gibson’s rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. Once the rosewood fingerboard gets glued on, the rest—including the final sanding—is done by hand. That means there are no two necks with the exact same dimensions. So while it still has the basic characteristics of its respective profile, each neck will be slightly different, with a distinct but traditional feel."
All I can add to that is it just feels right to me.
The only change I’ve made is to fit a set of Schaller strap locks. The plain finish LP Standards do not come with these fitted.
The guitar is a comfortable weight, I haven’t actually weighed it, but it feels just a bit heavier than my USA Stratocaster…down to the chambering no doubt.
The set up out of the box was terrific. I’d played the guitar for a long time in the store so I knew what to expect, but even UPS didn’t manage to screw it up! It arrived with a low action and zero fret buzz and a set of 10-46 Gibson Brite Wires. I’ve since strung it with D’Addario 10-46 and raised the action to medium/high as that is my preference. The intonation is spot on, the frets and finish are top quality and if this is an example of what the PLEK machine can do, I’m impressed!
I've read a lot about Gibson's QC issues, but I have to say that all the models I tried, several Standards, Traditionals and Customs were all fine guitars from a QC point of view
I tried all the guitars through a Marshall DSL201 which is a terrific little 20w EL84 equipped combo. I have the 40w version as my main amp.As a matter of interest, the worst guitar I tried was a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster with a relic'd finish and Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge. It just sounded gritty and shrill and played horribly. It was about £500 more than the Les Paul too.
Anyway, the locking tuners and locking jack do their jobs perfectly well, along with the Tone Pro’s bridge and stop-bar.
Unplugged, the guitar has a very lively acoustic tone, which I always think is a good sign of things to come!
Plugged in, the Burstbucker Pro’s are simply terrific. All the growl and punch I expect from a good Les Paul but with great clarity and super useable tones at practically any combination of volume/tone/pickup settings. I’m really enjoying the middle pickup position for lower gain Page type riffs particularly. The Bourns pots are very smooth and the guitar really does sound good throughout their range.
Cranked through my Marshall DSL401 it becomes apparent that a good Gibson Les Paul and a good Marshall are just made for each other. The kind of words that came to mind whilst I played at various tone/gain settings were "Classic clean", “Warm”, “Creamy”, “Heavylicious!” "Thickery!"...
you get the picture.I also had the opportunity to play it through a friends Marshall Plexi 100w Super Lead fully cranked...and let’s just say that even though that was several days ago..I can still hear it and feel it…classic rock heaven!. :rawk:
In summary, although the guitar was expensive and there is probably better value for money to be had, It simply was the best guitar I tried out, and I was fortunate enough to have the cash. I honestly haven’t found a single negative yet.
I'll add some pics/new clips in the next few days or so.
Last edited:
