les paul custom, classic, or standard:

Charlie Bernstein · March 23rd, 2005, 06:14 PM

what's the difference?

Joe-Bob · March 23rd, 2005, 11:37 PM

There are several differences, the biggest one is neck shapes.

Colo Springs E · March 23rd, 2005, 11:59 PM

.....including the year.

Standards are, well, the "standard." In general, I would say this is the LP that most LP-lovers really want. I think they normally have a fatter 50s neck profile, but that may vary by year, I'm not sure.

Technically, the Custom is a notch above, but a lot of people don't always see it that way. Most of the Custom's difference lie in cosmetics, such as double-binding (top and bottom), block inlays, fancy inlays around the headstock, etc. Sometimes, Customs are said to be all mahogany instead of mahogany w/maple cap; can't say for sure if this is the case.

Classics are typically not seen as quite as desirable as the Standard; not sure why that is. Classics have a slim 60s profile neck, which I really like. Early Classics (early 90s?) had thin binding in the cutaway, and you could see the maple cap; newer ones have a thick binding in that area, for whatever that's worth. Also, older ones did not say "Classic" under "Les Paul" on the headstock; mine does (it's a 2000 model).

Biggest downer on Classics is their stock pickups: horrific ceramic hot pickups that I immediately took out of mine. Put a set of smoot AlNiCos and you're good to go.

Here's a pic of mine w/a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge, and an unidentified (but incredibly BUTTERY) Seymour Duncan in the neck; I'm pretty sure it must be a Jazz:

-Eric

PraiseCaster · March 24th, 2005, 12:05 AM

Ya also got "the Specials" and the Juniors too.

The Specials and juniors have no carved cap or binding, and are more of a no-frills package, stripped down version of the classic/standard/custom. Still a hot rod though!

The Specials come with 2 pups, 2 volume, and 2 tone pots with a 3 way selector.

The Junior's come with 1 pup, 1 volume, and 1 tone pot.

Both Jr, and Specials come in different pup configurations from P90's to humbuckers.

And dont forget the double cutaway models either!

genelovesjez · March 24th, 2005, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

Ya also got "the Specials" and the Juniors too.

And the Deluxe!

PraiseCaster · March 24th, 2005, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genelovesjez

Quote:

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

Ya also got "the Specials" and the Juniors too.

And the Deluxe!

Yes sir, you are correct!

stantheman · March 24th, 2005, 12:10 AM

The Single Cut "Special" has Neck Binding.
Have Ya noticed how tough it is to get one of the Re-issue Single Cut Specials ??
Out of EVERYTHING that's ever been reissued those just
might be THE best from Gibson.
Plus they're cool.

David Barnett · March 24th, 2005, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

Ya also got "the Specials" and the Juniors too.

The Specials and juniors have no carved cap or binding, and are more of a no-frills package, stripped down version of the classic/standard/custom. Still a hot rod though!

The Specials come with 2 pups, 2 volume, and 2 tone pots with a 3 way selector.

The Junior's come with 1 pup, 1 volume, and 1 tone pot.

Both Jr, and Specials come in different pup configurations from P90's to humbuckers.

And dont forget the double cutaway models either!

Specials and Jr.s seem to be the most comfortable Gibson guitars for guys who are primarily Telecaster players.

David Barnett · March 24th, 2005, 12:23 AM

For some reason, Customs seem to be popular with hardcore players and shredders, and the guys who tune down to C#. I think the ultra-flat ebony fingerboard must be conducive to metal shredding techniques, as well as the low, wide frets.

I hate Customs, 'cause I don't like they way they look, and you can't play blues licks on 'em. I've never heard a decent clean tone out of a Les Paul Custom either.

Customs have come in some truly dreadful colors, too, like that silver/black sunburst.

Colo Springs E · March 24th, 2005, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Barnett

Customs have come in some truly dreadful colors, too, like that silver/black sunburst.

....that color ("Silverburst") is in HIGH demand right now.

I made about $800 or so off of one that I bought locally and threw on eBay a couple years ago. Most profitable purchase I've ever made.

That one had started "greening" too; yech!

-Eric

Robin Nahum · March 24th, 2005, 07:01 AM

...which I'm really enjoying ogling, aside from the headstock inlay.

http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/lespaul/lpsu.html

But no more guitars! (Or amps!)

Telemaniac · March 24th, 2005, 08:57 AM

. . . . and the Studio . . . .

Colo Springs E · March 24th, 2005, 09:00 AM

....early 90s I think, actually have ebony fretboards. Studios are great values.

Some--not sure from what era--had slightly thinner bodies than standard LPs.

-Eric

JJRaccoon · March 24th, 2005, 09:18 AM

I like the DC Studio Mahagony but I wish I still had my very first guitar, A Hondo II Les Paul.

Sarge · March 24th, 2005, 09:49 AM

I have a 1981 SilverBurst Custom and it has begun "greening". Yes, they are in demand and I've been offered 3k for it. I'll never sell it. It's in mint condition, looks beautiful and sounds simply awesome. I can't get a bad sound out of it. I guess it's like Antigua, pink or other strange colors, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Granted the LP Customs forte' is in heavy over-driven tone, but through my Soldano ROS I can get very clean and blues tones.

FMA · March 24th, 2005, 10:46 AM

I'm not a huge LP fan, but a guy a play with has an old Deluxe -- the model with the mini-humbuckers -- that I love. Great sounding guitar.

TG · March 24th, 2005, 11:03 AM

My all-time favorite Les Paul tone (and I'm only assuming from the tone and the period that it WAS a Les Paul) is the tone Jeff Beck got on 'Rock My Plimsole'. The one in 1968 with Rod Stewart on vocals. That song alone tempts me to get a Les Paul.
Someday maybe I will.

Charlie Bernstein · March 24th, 2005, 01:01 PM

thanks, gang! just what i was wondering. if i stick around tdpri long enough i'll know everything. even got a new vocab word - greening! never had a guitar green on me, but maybe some day...

cb

PraiseCaster · March 24th, 2005, 06:03 PM

It is in my opinion the best of both the Special, and the Standard (Carve top variety).

Its called "The Paul".

It was only built for a very short time (most likely 77-80, I think).

It has a Satin Walnut finish.

No carved top, but you get a nice bevel for your right arm.

Chunky neck, two humbuckers, and the selector switch down by the volume/tone controls.

It wasnt as heavy as a carved top, but not quite as lite as the special.

I had one, and I'm kicking myself for getting rid of it. The only Gibson that I liked better than that was my 59 LPjr.

March 23rd, 2005, 06:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Charlie Bernstein Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Augusta, Maine Posts: 2,525	les paul custom, classic, or standard: what's the difference?

March 23rd, 2005, 11:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Joe-Bob Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 46 Posts: 3,893	There are several differences, the biggest one is neck shapes. __________________ Music is the language of God.

March 23rd, 2005, 11:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 5,204 5 Photos	Depends on a lot... .....including the year. Standards are, well, the "standard." In general, I would say this is the LP that most LP-lovers really want. I think they normally have a fatter 50s neck profile, but that may vary by year, I'm not sure. Technically, the Custom is a notch above, but a lot of people don't always see it that way. Most of the Custom's difference lie in cosmetics, such as double-binding (top and bottom), block inlays, fancy inlays around the headstock, etc. Sometimes, Customs are said to be all mahogany instead of mahogany w/maple cap; can't say for sure if this is the case. Classics are typically not seen as quite as desirable as the Standard; not sure why that is. Classics have a slim 60s profile neck, which I really like. Early Classics (early 90s?) had thin binding in the cutaway, and you could see the maple cap; newer ones have a thick binding in that area, for whatever that's worth. Also, older ones did not say "Classic" under "Les Paul" on the headstock; mine does (it's a 2000 model). Biggest downer on Classics is their stock pickups: horrific ceramic hot pickups that I immediately took out of mine. Put a set of smoot AlNiCos and you're good to go. Here's a pic of mine w/a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge, and an unidentified (but incredibly BUTTERY) Seymour Duncan in the neck; I'm pretty sure it must be a Jazz: -Eric __________________ Think I'll pack it in and Buy a pickup Take it down to LA...

March 24th, 2005, 12:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 4,355 16 Photos	And dont forget, ...... Ya also got "the Specials" and the Juniors too. The Specials and juniors have no carved cap or binding, and are more of a no-frills package, stripped down version of the classic/standard/custom. Still a hot rod though! The Specials come with 2 pups, 2 volume, and 2 tone pots with a 3 way selector. The Junior's come with 1 pup, 1 volume, and 1 tone pot. Both Jr, and Specials come in different pup configurations from P90's to humbuckers. And dont forget the double cutaway models either! __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

March 24th, 2005, 12:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
stantheman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 5,021	The Single Cut "Special" has Neck Binding. Have Ya noticed how tough it is to get one of the Re-issue Single Cut Specials ?? Out of EVERYTHING that's ever been reissued those just might be THE best from Gibson. Plus they're cool. __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

March 24th, 2005, 12:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: LIttle Rock, AR Age: 52 Posts: 5,431	For some reason, Customs seem to be popular with hardcore players and shredders, and the guys who tune down to C#. I think the ultra-flat ebony fingerboard must be conducive to metal shredding techniques, as well as the low, wide frets. I hate Customs, 'cause I don't like they way they look, and you can't play blues licks on 'em. I've never heard a decent clean tone out of a Les Paul Custom either. Customs have come in some truly dreadful colors, too, like that silver/black sunburst.

March 24th, 2005, 07:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
Robin Nahum Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 57 Posts: 1,710 13 Photos	.... and the Supreme... ...which I'm really enjoying ogling, aside from the headstock inlay. http://www.gibson.com/products/gibson/lespaul/lpsu.html But no more guitars! (Or amps!) __________________ RN

March 24th, 2005, 08:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
Telemaniac Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wokingham, England Age: 56 Posts: 1,253 2 Photos	. . . . and the Studio . . . . __________________ Growing old is mandatory . . . growing up is optional

March 24th, 2005, 09:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 5,204 5 Photos	Some Studios.. ....early 90s I think, actually have ebony fretboards. Studios are great values. Some--not sure from what era--had slightly thinner bodies than standard LPs. -Eric __________________ Think I'll pack it in and Buy a pickup Take it down to LA...

March 24th, 2005, 09:18 AM	#14 (permalink)
JJRaccoon TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Punta Gorda, Florida Posts: 83	I like the DC Studio Mahagony but I wish I still had my very first guitar, A Hondo II Les Paul.

March 24th, 2005, 09:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 53 Posts: 3,549	LP SilverBurst I have a 1981 SilverBurst Custom and it has begun "greening". Yes, they are in demand and I've been offered 3k for it. I'll never sell it. It's in mint condition, looks beautiful and sounds simply awesome. I can't get a bad sound out of it. I guess it's like Antigua, pink or other strange colors, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Granted the LP Customs forte' is in heavy over-driven tone, but through my Soldano ROS I can get very clean and blues tones.

March 24th, 2005, 10:46 AM	#16 (permalink)
FMA Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,134	Deluxe! I'm not a huge LP fan, but a guy a play with has an old Deluxe -- the model with the mini-humbuckers -- that I love. Great sounding guitar.

March 24th, 2005, 11:03 AM	#17 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 47 Posts: 4,500 7 Photos	My all-time favorite Les Paul tone (and I'm only assuming from the tone and the period that it WAS a Les Paul) is the tone Jeff Beck got on 'Rock My Plimsole'. The one in 1968 with Rod Stewart on vocals. That song alone tempts me to get a Les Paul. Someday maybe I will.

March 24th, 2005, 01:01 PM	#18 (permalink)
Charlie Bernstein Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Augusta, Maine Posts: 2,525	more or les! thanks, gang! just what i was wondering. if i stick around tdpri long enough i'll know everything. even got a new vocab word - greening! never had a guitar green on me, but maybe some day... cb

March 24th, 2005, 06:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 4,355 16 Photos	There is another "Paul" ....... It is in my opinion the best of both the Special, and the Standard (Carve top variety). Its called "The Paul". It was only built for a very short time (most likely 77-80, I think). It has a Satin Walnut finish. No carved top, but you get a nice bevel for your right arm. Chunky neck, two humbuckers, and the selector switch down by the volume/tone controls. It wasnt as heavy as a carved top, but not quite as lite as the special. I had one, and I'm kicking myself for getting rid of it. The only Gibson that I liked better than that was my 59 LPjr. __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace