Can anyone give me a semi-concise overview of the Gibson Les Paul line?

[Alex W]

The whole Les Paul Studio 50s tribute feeding frenzy has got me looking at the overall Les Paul product line out of idle curiosity. (Translation = still brainstorming on how to justify a purchase to my wife.) But the whole product line is so vast that it's hard to wrap my mind around it, and on top of that they are pretty darn expensive.

I'm not asking anyone to exhaustively describe every single Les Paul, but I'd like to know, for example, which model is akin to a '52 Reissue Telecaster in terms of quality and historic features, and which models are maybe more akin to a Fender Custom Shop Nocaster in terms of that extra little bit of quality. I frame it in these terms simply because I know the Fender product line and these two Fender instruments are what I'd use as benchmarks for the other Teles. If I knew which Les Pauls were more or less analogous I'd start my search by playing these models.

Also, do Les Pauls have different neck thicknesses, fingerboard radius and fret sizes like Fenders do?

[scantron81]

Originally Posted by Alex W

The whole Les Paul Studio 50s tribute feeding frenzy has got me looking at the overall Les Paul product line out of idle curiosity. (Translation = still brainstorming on how to justify a purchase to my wife.)

You and me both, brother.

[Cheesehead]

Got my 50s Tribute. Love it.

To your OP, I'll let someone else answer.

[Scantron08]

These would be akin to the '52 Tele:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Elec...bute-1952.aspx

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Elec...top-Gloss.aspx

Note two P-90 pups, and the wrap-around bridge on one, and the trapeze on the other. Modern LPs have a separate tailpiece and "tune-o-matic" bridge. Most have standard humbuckers, as well.

Here's a more affordable option:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Elec...s-Tribute.aspx

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Elec.../Features.aspx

For brand new, 2010 guitars, it seems Gibson with these guitars and Fender with the American Specials are responding to the economy.

[Scantron08]

Also, I believe 10" radius is standard for all LPs, and maybe for all Gibson electrics. (And ... possibly for their acoustics, too?) I don't know about frets, but I think they are all standard as well at medium jumbo.

However, the neck thicknesses will vary. They tend to be thicker than their Fender counterparts, although there are certainly exceptions to this.

[KevinB]

The Studio Tribute also caught my interest, but I couldn't find one in any local stores.

A week ago though, I checked out 7 Les Paul Traditionals and brought one home with me. The Traditional has the chunkier 50s style neck, and is quite period correct without costing north of $5K like most of the Custom Shop models. This model sells for about $2300 although you can usually get a couple of hundred off that. The guitar is very beautiful and totally flawless - in fact all 7 I tried were, it was a tough choice picking one out - and it plays like a dream.

Gibson's website is particularly good (much better than Fender's) for specs and details. Check out Wildwood and The Music Zoo's inventory. They both have great photos on their websites. Gibson necks have 12" radius and medium jumbo frets. The profiles are typically the 60's "slim taper" style or the chunkier 50's style, which my Traditional has.

Here's a quick photo I took of mine...

[skeksis]

Mmmm... not my expertise but here's a shot:

Main line:
Studio: a range of starter models, usually no binding and other cheaper finishing details.
Standard: modern version of the real deal.
Classic: like a Standard, but with hotter pickups.
Custom: High end model, sometimes slightly different recipe.
Historic Reissue Traditionals: close replicas of the vintage models from various years (see below). Big $

Then you have some custom shop type variations, usually based on specs from certain years.
54 usually means gold top, wrap bridge, p90's
56 usually means gold top, tune-o-matic bridge, p90's
57 usually means gold top, tune-o-matic bridge, humbuckers
58 usually means burst, TOM bridge, humbuckers, fat necks
60 usually means burst, TOM, humbuckers, thin necks

Branch models include:
Juniors (flat top, 1 pickup)
Specials (flat top, 2 pickups)
a lot of oddities from the 70's
a bazillion lesser known variants from the last couple decades
SG types

[Alex W]

KevinB: that's a beautiful guitar.

Thanks to all for their replies. Now I've got some good 'meat and potatoes' information to start with.

[Sterling Indigo]

First time Gibson USA owner here with a recent "50's Tribute" purchase. I thought I had missed the boat not having pre-ordered but I got lucky with a post flood buy the day it came online. The "50's Tribute" is a Studio model but a limited run, so only a few hundred distributed worldwide.

I think Wildwood (no afil) has done a decent job of breaking down the multitude of current model Les Paul's on their website: http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/gibson/. You can click on the links to compare price/features, etc...

The differences between "Standard" and "Traditional" are confusing at first glance. same goes for "Supreme" and "Custom" for that matter.

You can see here how many variations there have been just within the Studio line over the years: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Les_Paul_Studio. I get the sense that these limited runs don't get re-run again. Some seem to remain popular like the "Gem's" from the 90's. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the looks of the maple boarded "Raw Power" model but they do have Classic 57 humbuckers in them which are normally reserved for much higher end Paul's.

[scantron81]

Originally Posted by Scantron08

Also, I believe 10" radius is standard for all LPs, and maybe for all Gibson electrics. (And ... possibly for their acoustics, too?) I don't know about frets, but I think they are all standard as well at medium jumbo.

However, the neck thicknesses will vary. They tend to be thicker than their Fender counterparts, although there are certainly exceptions to this.

Wait a minute. Another "Scantron?" Oh man, this is gonna be confusing

[Alex W]

OK so I just got home from trying out some Les Paul Standards and some Custom Shop VOS goldtops, one a '56 and the other a '57. After trying out the Custom Shop models I don't think I could settle for anything else in the way of a Les Paul. Might have to save up for one of those, and be content to daydream in the meantime.

[jjkrause84]

I have to say it....

Have you tried Heritage yet?

[Alex W]

Originally Posted by jjkrause84

I have to say it....

Have you tried Heritage yet?

Only the occasional arch top over the years. I happen to live in the same city as a fiarly large guitar store that carries tons of Gibsons, but they aren't a Heritage dealer.

[studio1087]

I once had a nice talk with a Gibson factory rep. He said that the customer should expect to pay at least $50 at retail for every hands-on hour that a Les Paul spends in the factory.

He said that the wood and cap used on a Studio is every bit as good as the wood used on a Classtic or Standard but the Standard can take 10-22 hours to paint and the Studios and Faded can be painted in 1-3 hours hence the big price gap.

My Classic....



I've had 5 of them. I think the Vintage Mahogany and the basic Studios are very nice. I had a Black faded for a while and to me a Les Paul must have the trapazoid neck inlays. Gotta have trapazoids on a Lester.

This is an old picture of my Faded...



I wished it had the trapazoids.

The Vintage Mahogany Studios always came in Brown or Red but they just started making a black one with trapazoids. Black Les Paul....that's a classic. This would be a great score......



These are $799. Made in Nashville.

Linky - It's the black Satin one.

[ac15]

Originally Posted by Alex W

Also, do Les Pauls have different neck thicknesses, fingerboard radius and fret sizes like Fenders do?

Just to add to the detailed info others have provided, I own a 54 goldtop (Custom Shop) and the neck is chunky. The guitar has small, vintage frets. It's a great guitar and I like the stock P-90's even though I've tried just about all of the major boutique P-90's.

[Alex W]

Originally Posted by ac15

Just to add to the detailed info others have provided, I own a 54 goldtop (Custom Shop) and the neck is chunky. The guitar has small, vintage frets. It's a great guitar and I like the stock P-90's even though I've tried just about all of the major boutique P-90's.

I guess that '56 and '57 have similar necks and frets? The two that I played were very comfortable, and in general were fantastic from the first chord. I'm thinking seriously about getting one and am wrestling with what pickups I liked the best, P-90s or PAFs.

[ac15]

Originally Posted by Alex W

I guess that '56 and '57 have similar necks and frets? The two that I played were very comfortable, and in general were fantastic from the first chord. I'm thinking seriously about getting one and am wrestling with what pickups I liked the best, P-90s or PAFs.

Not sure about the comparison between 56 and 57 necks/frets. They are probably similar to my 54 (chunky necks and small frets). It's a super comfortable guitar for me. I really favor P-90's (I have three guitars with p-90's). My only humbucker guitar is a Gretsch White Falcon, but those humbuckers are way different than the ones you'd get in a Gibson.