All user reviews for the Gibson Les Paul Custom

Who does not know them?

USE

Idem

SOUNDS

We like it or not ...

NOTICE GLOBAL

A word to talk about the Les Paul Custom that everyone knows: I scrutinized from all angles a LP Custom Silverburst 2007 a buddy just bought.
The findings are alarming: the gradient is irregular, table multiplied binding ruling from the slapdash, the serial number (CS ... since these models are from the "custom shop" Gibson) briefly buffered in using white paint that has drooled all over .. I still can not believe (I play on a Orville By Gibson LP Custom, the finish is well above the current Gibson) ... Otherwise, it sounds the same, nothing wrong about that.
Decidedly, spend more than € 3,000 for not better finish the sub-brand Epiphone (I'm not exaggerating, I have an Epi LPC 2008 recently to have fun with the violin), there is cause to regret his decision. The "Custom Shop" Gibson actually sounds like a commercial argument, youtube videos show a factory mass production and gigantic workshops ... We are far from the image "artisanal" we would like to make us swallow. The price / quality ratio is one of the most Aberant I saw .. (the seller was also too dismayed, but before the request of a fan of Adam Jones, you have to work).
I like Gibson, but Gibson in his greatness. Gibson and visibly in recent years are often the image of the LPC CS ... Gibson made good guitars, but you have to get several years back ... a member of AF often said "the price is forgotten, the quality remains "... wait a few years to see the head of Gibson 2000s ...

This is Gibson, so it's amricain. In addition, this model as a Custom one can be sr provenance of the instrument ... you can almost smell the cigar Uncle Sam in tui .. . I who am not a pro-amricain, the wolf I shot my. But, the finishing work is very flavou this Les Paul Custom 1990 I focus on the year of manufacture of the beast, insisting on the fact that date year 1990 and not 2000. Indeed, it appears that the 2000 Custom t have a little bcles as finishing and sound quality of the instrument ... but nevermind.
So of course, is equipped with two humbuckers Gibson 498T and 490R, its old Tune o matic bridge and its 4 knobs (volume and tonality for each pickup).
The body is mahogany, and that's for sure, this wood is not the most lgers. Thus the instrument weighs 4.8 kgs so his (roughly the equivalent of a low), but you get used to very quickly, and that's including the Dtail that offers Les Paul Custom all their heat in sonorits ... but we'll get.



USE

To the question "Is the handle for a pleasant stratophile or tlphage Fender?", We can, I think, respond by ngative. For a very fast follower sleeves Ibanez, this is not the panacea. It's all a matter of habit.
For attention, I did not say either that Gibson was making only good innings bcherons play punk rhythms. Indeed, the handle me right away sembl very pleasant in the bass, mdiums, and treble. I was yet accustomed to playing on an Ibanez John Petrucci handle 24 cases, and all that stuff ... and the handle of the Les Paul seemed even more enjoyable (I protects me jets stone, but this is only my opinion)!
This is a guitar and renames easy to see why: the game, as rhythmic solos, is very pleasant.



SONORITS

I use it to play jazz, blues, rock, funk, and many other styles. This is my guitar of reference. I think it excels in all styles, both clean sounds that saturs.
The neck pickup gives us its clear sound very dry, and its saturated powerful sound very rich in harmonics, the middle position gives us a clear sound perfect combination of the two single coils of neck and bridge pickups and the neck pickup is ideal for jazz and blues. Let us add that the sustain is incredibly long and that each sound is a veritable dlice the listening (when your amp is rgl of course).
I brought out in the clear on my SR Technology Jam 150 (which I also use for my banjo, psaltery, and my electroacoustic guitar), and will provide me with a bientt Vox Tonelab LE to exploit saturs sounds and effects. I played before on a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.



NOTICE GLOBAL

I possde this guitar (which is precisely this qi is the same picture on the description of the model) since 2006 and I still fall in love every time I take it out of its tui and I play ... well, I combl. In addition, this guitar is of extraordinary beauty (especially when you love dgrads sunburst and fittings sleep).
Only BMOL, Gibson does not really know how in the low-cost or discount. When we want a Les Paul in quality (who is a Custom), and that is fed up with Epiphone model, we must break the bank and 1800-2000 to find the luxury of poss der a Les Paul Custom built in those years l. I'm not talking about antrieurs models, including 70 years, which have become vritables collection instruments.
That said, the Les Paul has its own personality that does not suit everyone. Aisni, it is better to try and be sr of his choice before acqurir.

- In which country she does doing? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France ...)
Mine is a 2008 model, makes the Custom Shop (it seems to me that before 2004, these guitars were produced in standard workshops)

- How many frets, what kind of microphone and their configuration?
22 frets, 2 humbuckers 490R / 498T

- What type of bridge (Floyd, Wilkinson ...)?
Fixed bridge

- What are the rglages (volume, Tone slecteur micro ...)?
A volume / Tone by microphones + three switch positions
These components are of very good quality made to last in time.

- What type of race?
Hose-like rounded which is well in hand

USE

- Is the handle enjoyable?
Question subjective .... personally I'm more comfortable on the handle on a flat handle typ Ibanez. Once rgl action is very low and without frieze.

- The access to acute (desti- nations most recently freight) is it easy?
Is clearly not an ergonomic guitar on this map. But ... I personally played some solos between the 20th and 22nd in the box so I mad.

- Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?
The guitar is heavy (4.6kg) but with a good strap passes, even during long RPTES or concerts.

SONORITS

- Appropriate your style of music?
I play mostly rock so it fits perfectly. Whether its clear or on saturated it provides!

- With what (s) amplifier (s) or effect (s) do you play?
Laney VC30 + Blackstar HT Dual

NOTICE GLOBAL

- How long have you use it?
I use it for 6 months.

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
I like the particulirement sonorits and aesthetics of the guitar.
I like less weight and ergonomics compar a Start, but it is a sacrifice to make if you like the sound.

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
Oh yes ... I had two Gibson LP Standard + Japanese (Tokai, Bacchus, OBG ...)

- How do you report qualitprix?
Clearly bad new. As used against it is rather good.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice ...?
Oh yes, it's perfect.

************************************************** *********
Regarding the advice I've read below:

- Those who complain about the finish: a guitar to try before you buy. When we can put more than 2000 in a guitar one is more 50 train ... Indeed some guitars are poorly finished, but at the Custom Shop (> 2004) is rather rare.

- Dissolves varnish guitar .... and everything is cast: why did you buy, you'd lose money? With the varnish, it is actually soft, marks quickly, but the nitro lacquer allows you to leave the wood to breathe (unlike plastic coatings that form an opaque shell around the guitar).

- Those who say c'tait better before ... I have a lot of custom test before taking mine and he has very bad models in all periods. It must arrter with gnralits in this genre and TRY!

In what country was she made? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France ...)?
I hope USA.

see the documentation for the other questions.

UTILIZATION

The handle is it nice? a little big
Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)? heavy

Access to acute (recent freight) is it easy? it is a Les Paul
Gets it easy to sound good? it is a Les Paul (!)

SOUNDS

Are they suitable for your style of music? Yes
With what (s) amplifier (s) or effect (s) do you play? Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special

What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "bold", ....)? Rock / rather saturated

What are the sounds you prefer, any
you hate? nothing

OVERALL OPINION

Since 2006, I have others and I tried a lot.
I bought this guitar in 1984 that we stole it that I notice a model of 1978, and since I played on other guitars and I finally make up my mind I ordered a to Paris and I waited almost 6 months to get it and I am very disappointed, because the problem of "microphonic" kept me up sound and I ended up going to a luthier and then spend 80 € varnished which is poorly done besides every 3 years must go through the box maker to correct the handle and I wonder if we did not sell me a Chinese version at the importer Gibson Pigalle (I even the certificate that comes with it). this is a guitar that I like and it sounds pretty nice to play whatever the handle a little big for my taste (1950).
Brief view of the problems I will never buy a new guibson if I want vraiement it will be one of 70 see 80.
How would you rate the quality / price? Too bad

With experience, you do again this choice? absolutely not

Guitar USA, year of manufacture approx. 1984.

Les Paul Custom with all the specific characteristics of this guitar, microphone and acastillage gold.

UTILIZATION

Channel super nice, fast. You can adjust the set of strings closer to the frets that it borders.
The guitar is heavy, like all Les Paul of this type.

SOUNDS

Sound without distortion is OK but not great, a little "muddy" for my taste. on the other hand with distortion ... it moves!

OVERALL OPINION

Guitar bought in 1992, used. I replaced the nut that was the problem. I bought this guitar because having a Gibson was a dream kid. I have since bought other guitars, luthiers in particular, and Gibson has lost its glam ... A Trussart or DBZ Bolero bill are equal or better and their sound and look are on top!

Main characteristics:

Gibson Les Paul Custom, ebony black, gold hardware.
Made in the USA (Gibson Custom, Nashville, TN).
Body: Mahogany (without resonance chambers, but with "classic" 8 holes strategically placed to reduce a little-and-weight-balance a little-guitar)
Table: Maple
Neck: Mahogany
Key: * Richlite
Profile: 1950's Rounded
Body-neck joint: glued, Long Neck Tenon
Frets: 22 types
Scale: 24.75 "
Nut: Corian (acrylic polymer) technology plek
Head with inlay "plit diamond" pearl
Pickups: Two Gibson humbucker pickups. Pickup: Gibson 498T double coil Alnico V Humbucker. Neck Pickup: Gibson 490R double coil Alnico II Humbucker
Controls: 1 volume by micro, 1 micro tone, 3-position selector
Bridge: Gibson TonePros Locking Tune-o-matic Nashville
Tailpiece: Gibson TonePros Locking Stopbar
Tuners: Grover Kidney Tuners
Gold hardware
Color: black, white 3-ply binding table, back, head, easy to handle
Verni: nitrocellulose gloss (gloss)
Black pickguard with white binding two folds (just confusing as it should be with the rest of the guitar)
Accessories: Gibson Custom Shop case black (Made in Canada)
Original strings Gibson tie 010046


UTILIZATION

A Les Paul "classic" as it has "flaws", if true, well known in terms of ergonomics game: heavyweight, no cutting of the body with a stop at the back that you mark the coast access difficult to acute after the 15th to 17th case, an imbalance (moderate) to the lower body (straplocks recommended), maybe a toggle switch located less than a Stratocaster when you want to instantly switch from a microphone to a other ... The varnish-beautiful-is rather weak (sensitive to scratches etc..) And appears "sticky" or rather an indefinable sensation not necessarily pleasant at first touch (when you sweat a little etc..). All this is clear enough when we played so far on Fender Stratocaster ... and then little by little to tame the beast, for it is really this: you get used to it (fits?) ... The handle patina and touch is excellent and it is really nice, very comfortable. The weight is a bit forgotten (except perhaps if you play long standing? A very good belt as the Gibson Modern Vintage and guitar seems to have lost two pounds, and more!) ... And visual and sonic character does the rest: what a sound!

SOUNDS

What a sound! What sustain! Both pickups are typed, various complementary. One begins to finally-use volume and tone of the guitar to build his own sound. Beautiful clean tones, round, a pickup more powerful, sharp and with a clean soul snapping a middle position as it should ... with little equipment, but if possible, good quality, perfect guitar for blues, rock, heavy-blues/heavy-rock that I love, but ultimately versatile enough to play a little all styles (except perhaps classical and heavy metal instrumental shredders ...).
My amp: Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister TM18H with baffle TM112C (simplicity, and the rest of the guitar is a good set!). Additional Effects: Suhr Riot distortion for more "modern", TC Electronic Hall Of Fame (reverb) and Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble (+ wah Fulltone). With all (just) that: simple-including volume and tone of the Custom-to an already great range of interesting sounds settings.
I love all the sounds of my Les Paul!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for eight months, and learning my guitar, week after week, makes me love him a little more each day! The defects erase the pleasure felt by playing and listening to the sound it provides. Its warm, delicate vintage without being ridiculous in modern records, preferred to that of a '57 and a '58 Goldtop YOUR tested in parallel. Forgotten my old Ibanez JS100! As for my American Deluxe Stratocaster: I still love its beautiful clear sound and comfort, but I naturally put to play Hendrix and the Red Hot Chili Peppers on my Les Paul ... it is a sign that never fails! I love everything about this guitar, even the button Richlite *: after the disappointment of not having a good old noble wood fibers, I find it rather elegant (dark color, very close to the wood) and comfort really extra (over the material will probably be better in time for the wood). A little too fast here wear gold finish where the left hand is placed in most cases, but good brands will wear it a vintage charm, recalling that she was born in 1954 and accompanied the whole story rock, and still accompanied by beautiful way today.
More classic, typical, Les Paul Standard today; excellent despite significantly lower than signatures and other prestige lines price is a choice I do it again, finally with a good quality / price / performance, with a little history (Gibson, the Rock) that was in the hands ...

Manufacturing Rican for a custom that seems logical, fixed bridge as almost all the Les Paul, 4 knobs (volume and tones) and a selector microphones.

UTILIZATION

The handle ... I will never make me. This beautiful Les Paul was a pickaxe handle or shovel as you want. Not very easy to play, or it must have giant hands.
I did not like it at all this round and that is why I sold it ...
The sound is huge, everything sounds very rock ... whatever the choice of micro config (neck or bridge or both), but good with a good amp that goes without saying.
Access to acute is not great for my taste .. I prefer by far the stratabound ... much easier to use.
Other fault ... the handle varnish after a few songs live becomes unplayable due to the sweating. The hand grip and it becomes very uncomfortable to play ... no more fun for me.

SOUNDS

Sound side, as mentioned above, no complaints ... big sound very fat and well defined even if slightly mushy ... it sounds good rock or hard rock. That said it is also capable of enquiller blues or any other style.
Aside his lens .. you pass ... there is no way to have a decent clean sound ... well always comparing with a strat for example.
I use a Bogner Ecstasy 101B amp which is a reference for those who know this amp ... with the rock sounds were at the party! again, for clean sounds, I changed guitar ...

OVERALL OPINION

I played less than a year ... because after playing many different guitars and high quality, I have not had fun. I prefer by far my EVH Wolfgang (U.S.) or my Charvel Custom Shop and are far easier to play and sound clear as well (even better for what is one of my Charvel Legacy).
So I bought this guitar because it was a myth and I wanted to have one, but frankly, except the sound was good, the rest ... blah ... very heavy, a pickaxe handle, a handle uncomfortable as varnish, lacquer which marked easily on the body ... well no ... frankly, I do not do it again this choice despite the high production quality .. it can not remove them. But it stops there!
PS / it seems that there are 50 'thinner and easier to play such sleeves ... to test.

Made in the USA - depending on the serial number engraved on the handle, you know the exact place and date of manufacture - I bought new in December 1982 PARIS 14, at Gaïté Music (I think the store n longer exists, unfortunately). This is not really the color I wanted, but it was only this one promotion (20%) and I took it as a Marshall JMC 800 single body. Paid 8,800 francs (which corresponds to about 3000 euros today).

I tried a few times because I was immediately conquered by the sustain due to the weight of this guitar. It weighs its weight. The handle is extra thin, flat enough ... the strings are very low, but it does not frieze ... you can play it fast enough on the handle. I love it.

Plugged into a tube amp, you immediately recognize the sound of the Gibson Les Paul Custom ...

UTILIZATION

The neck is super nice.
Easy access to acute and sublime.

SOUNDS

You can play everything with: Hard rock, funk, jazz, metal, but it may also be preferable to have active pickups ...

I love all the sounds as well pickup, neck pickup or mix of both.

OVERALL OPINION

I always handle is always the same, the sound too. Probably due to some scratches waistband and other buttons.
This was my second guitar after Aria Pro 2. I've had a Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster which is different but also excellent. By the same.

Although today it may be worth 3000 euros (I do not know) I think this guitar has nothing to do with the other great guitars Fender, Ibanez etc ...

Without hesitation I would do this choice.

With a Les Paul custom GIbson 1979 aged red wine, handle very typical late 70's Gibson ... ebony fingerboard 22 frets, pickups T TOP (tim shaw), highly rated microphones!

UTILIZATION

Quite late innings against other GIbson other times by ... weighs against its weight, 4.9 kg for mine .... 2h show we feel the past ...

SOUNDS

Sound level is the foot ... the best sound you can get! its a dream we quickly forget the weight ... Gary Moore / Slash and company ... we find the grain! anyway mine equipped with T TOP (vintage) because recent studies have a more modern sound ....

OVERALL OPINION

purchase without regret!

Usual characteristics of a LP.
Regarding the specific model, it is white with black triple binding, the hardware is gold, the microphones are 490R and 498T humbuckers ... and the oysters are large rectangles.

With regard to natural wear: beige varnish turns fast enough, the golden leaves room for the rigging of the silver chafing ... it slips nicely with the game Question of view, but I find more and more beautiful.

This is very subjective, but for me it is simply aesthetically perfect, this is THE guitar! And it is largely for this "aura" we chose this guitar.

UTILIZATION

Gibson Les Paul, it's been! So I'll just remember the aspects that must be overcome to tame the myth:

This is a guitar heavy, we feel that it has been on the back
The patent (beautiful!) Glue a little at the rear of the handle.
The angles are not saving the right forearm.
Access to acute (from the 15th fret) is complicated.

This is really not a guitar "comfortable", or a bear, or play!
And installation of ... straplocks is simply indispensable as the size of attachments is ridiculous.

But right before his meme talk, we forgive him these details immediately as we feel that the object is held between the hands is not a simple guitar ... It's hard to describe, it was love at first sight or not

I had heard of problems holding agreement certe, but after a very légé shot at the lime of Sol nut it has been exemplary.

SOUNDS

I'll avoid the pile of superlatives .... But p .... n! this sound, this sound .... this is beautiful: ')

For a brief description:
The microphone is particularly acute flattering saturated, there is a real grain perfect for all styles of Rock. Volume 10, tone 10 is Gibson's big!
The microphone is more suitable for serious cleans sound is round, it is soft while maintaining a true presence. Here the tone control makes sense, it is very clean.

Overall, it was a fat and rich. To imagine the weaknesses, the sound is not enough for slamming funk, and not accurate enough for metal.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3 years, and I'm never bored. Difficult to crack for another guitar after this one.

I was on a Ibanez JS100 forward, easy to play relaxed. And honestly, the week that followed the purchase of the Gibson made me doubt as the difference in comfort was huge. But after this adaptation time, hard to go back ... What a pleasure to play, what sound sensations!
Another black spot, I was not far from discomfort when completing the check ... I still have cold sweats.

But hey, this is THE LEGEND, it deserved: a little muscular shoulders, is forgetting rash on the forearm, we eat potatoes for a few months, and a serious Gymnastics hands for access to Acute ... and it is finally adopted.

Being reasonable, there is necessarily better or cheaper ... being reasonable. But how regret purchasing this kind of jewelry: D!

This review is for a USA made Gibson Les Paul I bought from a local music store. Mahogany neck and body with a maple top and rosewood fingerboard. Black with gold hardware, Gibson 490R and 498T humbuckers. 2 humbucker, 3 way selector switch and all the rest of your typical Gibson Les Paul features. Got this for a great price as the dealer was on hard times and needed to move stock. Wasn't in the market for this but couldn't resist.

UTILIZATION

I have to say that newer Gibsons get a bad rap from many guys I know. Maybe with the new fret boards I can see that but this thing is a great playing and extremely well made guitar with the old wood. I have another custom shop Les Paul and it definitely gives it a run for the money. Very good attention to detail compared to some I see sitting in some of the chain music stores for sure.

SOUNDS

The guitar plays perfectly but I will say this, I hate stock Gibson pick ups. Maybe for some styles of music, these are sufficient but for hard rock or metal, I definately needed something hotter than the stock pick ups provide. I swapped them out for a MotorCity Detroiter in the bridge and an Suhr Aldrich in the neck and holy moly this thing rips! I like the fact that it is significantly lighter than my other Les Paul but does not lose any of the great sustain and tone I can get from it with exactly the same pick up configuration.

OVERALL OPINION

Love everything about the look and feel. For the price I got it for, it was absolutely perfect and worth the money. I would never pay the $3,999 price tag that usually comes with these as no guitar is worth that kind of money. Being that I got it for a fair price, I will say it was well worth it. Having played many Les Pauls in the past, this is right up there with the best of them so in my own mind I put to rest the bad things that are said about newer Gibson products. As I said before, the pick ups weren't my thing so I swapped them out and now the thing is near perfect. In my case, I would easily recommend this guitar to anyone looking for a solid axe to play.

Made in Nashville, TN, USA (older models made in Kalamazoo, MI, USA)
Color: Ebony, Alpine White, Wine Red, others
Body Type: Solidbody
Neck Wood: 1-piece mahogany, set and glued into the body
Neck Shape: rounded profile
Top Wood: Carved maple top
Back Wood: Solid mahogany back
Machine Heads: Metal tulip tuners
Fingerboard: Ebony
No. of Frets: 22
Scale Length: 24-3/4"
Position Markers: Pearl block inlays
Pickups: 490 Alnico (R) and 498 Alnico (T) humbucking
Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone
Pickup Switching: 3-way selector switch
Bridge/Tailpiece: Nashville TOM/Stopbar bridge/tailpiece
Hardware: Gold
Custom Shop case included
Bound fretboard, body top, and body back

UTILIZATION

This is a perfect guitar. For anyone that likes the Les Paul style, this is the bee's knees, the cream of the crop, the top banana. Nothing sounds, feels, looks, or plays quite like it. From year to year, there are little quirks, little tiny idiosyncrasies that one can look for, but for the most part, this is a guitar that has remained unchanged in design since the late 1950s. The neck plays like pure, silky butter.

SOUNDS

Singing, smooth, sensuous sustain meets biting, bold, bright bombast. This guitar can play anything well, from rock, metal, jazz, reggae, ska, country... There are 3 basic tones out of this, as well as variety of variations with the tone pot, volume knob blending, etc, but this guitar can literally sound great in any style of music. I've played this guitar in all manner of setups, in Marshalls, Fenders, Mesas, Bogners, digital amps, solid state, through all kinds of pedals, and no matter what, this guitar's perfect tone soars through.

OVERALL OPINION

This guitar is the classiest solidbody guitar ever made, period. I don't think it's possible to compete in the solidbody realm in terms of sheer elegance mixed with simplistic design - this is a perfect guitar. Anyone that hasn't tried one out yet is committing a grave personal offense to themselves!

During the Norlin era, they made some of my favorite Les Pauls. However, they also made some of the worst ones as well. This particular guitar actually has what is known as the "pancake" body, and it's a huge step back in tone, in my opinion. The guitar features a mahogany body with a maple top, a mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard, 22 frets, trapezoid inlays, binding, a TOM style bridge, two humbuckers, two volumes, two tones and a three way switch.

UTILIZATION

This guitar was heavy; pig heavy. It had like 11 pieces of wood all glued together or something. I couldn't believe how many pieces of wood they threw on this guitar. It was, no joke, in the 12+ lb range, and it just killed my back to play this thing. That's the biggest issue with these pancake body guitars. There are some good ones out there that, despite looking kind of ugly, have a great tone. However, there are ones like these that just can't sound good no matter what you do. It's like a boat anchor. The fretwork on this was average, and considering it wasn't played much, there wasn't a ton of fretwear. The nut needed to be recut, but that's a pretty minor issue considering the rest of the guitar.

SOUNDS

The guitar didn't resonate like a normal Les Paul normally does. For those that don't know, a heavier guitar is not necessarily a better guitar. I find that the lighter ones tend to be a bit more resonant, and it's the lighter ones that tend to be the best in terms of overall tone. These super heavy ones seem to have a very dull tone that doesn't sparkle like the lighter ones do. This particular guitar had the Gibson Dirty Fingers in the bridge but the stock pickup in the neck. The Dirty Fingers is ridiculously high output, and it has tons of sustain, but it seemed to be hampered in this guitar. The neck pickup was too bright for me, and I found myself turning down the tone knob when I was playing leads or cleans.

OVERALL OPINION

Some of these guitars are awesome, but this is an example of one of the bad ones that left the factory around this time. This is also an example as to why people tend to not like the Norlin era guitars. They were very inconsistent, but considering how inconsistent Gibson is today, I guess it's not as much of a shock anymore... If you buy used, be sure to be ready to flip it for that "just in case" moment.

During the Norlin era, they made some of my favorite Les Pauls. However, they also made some of the worst ones as well. This particular guitar actually has what is known as the "pancake" body, and it's a huge step back in tone, in my opinion. The guitar features a mahogany body with a maple top, a mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard, 22 frets, trapezoid inlays, binding, a TOM style bridge, two humbuckers, two volumes, two tones and a three way switch.

UTILIZATION

This guitar was heavy; pig heavy. It had like 11 pieces of wood all glued together or something. I couldn't believe how many pieces of wood they threw on this guitar. It was, no joke, in the 12+ lb range, and it just killed my back to play this thing. That's the biggest issue with these pancake body guitars. There are some good ones out there that, despite looking kind of ugly, have a great tone. However, there are ones like these that just can't sound good no matter what you do. It's like a boat anchor. The fretwork on this was average, and considering it wasn't played much, there wasn't a ton of fretwear. The nut needed to be recut, but that's a pretty minor issue considering the rest of the guitar.

SOUNDS

The guitar didn't resonate like a normal Les Paul normally does. For those that don't know, a heavier guitar is not necessarily a better guitar. I find that the lighter ones tend to be a bit more resonant, and it's the lighter ones that tend to be the best in terms of overall tone. These super heavy ones seem to have a very dull tone that doesn't sparkle like the lighter ones do. This particular guitar had the Gibson Dirty Fingers in the bridge but the stock pickup in the neck. The Dirty Fingers is ridiculously high output, and it has tons of sustain, but it seemed to be hampered in this guitar. The neck pickup was too bright for me, and I found myself turning down the tone knob when I was playing leads or cleans.

OVERALL OPINION

Some of these guitars are awesome, but this is an example of one of the bad ones that left the factory around this time. This is also an example as to why people tend to not like the Norlin era guitars. They were very inconsistent, but considering how inconsistent Gibson is today, I guess it's not as much of a shock anymore... If you buy used, be sure to be ready to flip it for that "just in case" moment.