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Audiofanzine FR
Published on 12/02/08 at 16:47
(Originally written by Minimok/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Mine is a Standard Plus build in 2005. Its main attribute is the zebra AA top with red wine finish. Made in the USA.
All other features are typical for post 2000 Standard models: Burstbucker Pro Alnico V neck pickup and a Seymour Ducan bridge pickup (customized by the previous owner).
Tune-O-Matic bridge with nickel finish.
60's-type neck (slimmer than a '50 neck). It's great but I'm used to Strat necks!
Update from 12/03/2008: I replaced the Seymour Duncan pickup with a Burstbucker Pro pickup (original pickup) to get the original Gibson Standard sound.
UTILIZATION
Typical Les Paul playability. It's almost as if you would play with a flat acoustic guitar with a cutaway! The guitar is quite heavy. It tends to fall back when you play sitting. I recommend you to play it with a strap both while sitting and standing.
But you'll get rapidly used to this guitar!
Terrific neck! The '60 profile is very pleasant if the action is not too high. Access to upper frets is not easy so avoid it!
SOUNDS
The sound is the main asset of this guitar. The neck pickup produces a smooth sound, the combination of both pickups sounds very interesting for clean and crunch rhythm parts, the bridge pickup sounds very punchy with a fat distortion but that might be the effect of the Seymour Duncan pickup!
As a summary, high-quality pop, rock and blues sound. Choose another guitar for heavy metal!
Update from 12/03/2008: Now that the guitar is equipped with a Bursbucker bridge pickup, I get a typical vintage distortion sound compared to the Seymour Duncan, which sounded more modern. I wanted to have the "original" version of this Les Paul. The Burstbucker is perfect for old school rock but the response is less accurate than with the Seymour Duncan. The Seymour Duncan sounded better for Greenday songs, for example.
I bought a Marshall JCM 2000 DSL-401 amp and it is the perfect match for the guitar!
OVERALL OPINION
I was a Strat fan but I don't regret having changed to Gibson! It's a very versatile guitar except for funky rhythm parts. I think this guitar belongs in the basic guitarist set along with a Strat because both instruments have very different personalities.
I tested an Orville by Gibson before buying the real one. It was a '91 Custom model. Both guitars are alike but the original Gibson instrument has more sustain and a nicer finish. Perhaps it's a psychological thing but the original does sound better. No nonsense, no endless sound possibilities, no futuristic bridge, just an easy-to-use guitar and pure joy.
The value for money isn't that good because some parts could have a better quality. I made a good deal when I bought it because the previous owner broke the neck and got it repaired by a professional (so you can hardly notice it).
Mine is a Standard Plus build in 2005. Its main attribute is the zebra AA top with red wine finish. Made in the USA.
All other features are typical for post 2000 Standard models: Burstbucker Pro Alnico V neck pickup and a Seymour Ducan bridge pickup (customized by the previous owner).
Tune-O-Matic bridge with nickel finish.
60's-type neck (slimmer than a '50 neck). It's great but I'm used to Strat necks!
Update from 12/03/2008: I replaced the Seymour Duncan pickup with a Burstbucker Pro pickup (original pickup) to get the original Gibson Standard sound.
UTILIZATION
Typical Les Paul playability. It's almost as if you would play with a flat acoustic guitar with a cutaway! The guitar is quite heavy. It tends to fall back when you play sitting. I recommend you to play it with a strap both while sitting and standing.
But you'll get rapidly used to this guitar!
Terrific neck! The '60 profile is very pleasant if the action is not too high. Access to upper frets is not easy so avoid it!
SOUNDS
The sound is the main asset of this guitar. The neck pickup produces a smooth sound, the combination of both pickups sounds very interesting for clean and crunch rhythm parts, the bridge pickup sounds very punchy with a fat distortion but that might be the effect of the Seymour Duncan pickup!
As a summary, high-quality pop, rock and blues sound. Choose another guitar for heavy metal!
Update from 12/03/2008: Now that the guitar is equipped with a Bursbucker bridge pickup, I get a typical vintage distortion sound compared to the Seymour Duncan, which sounded more modern. I wanted to have the "original" version of this Les Paul. The Burstbucker is perfect for old school rock but the response is less accurate than with the Seymour Duncan. The Seymour Duncan sounded better for Greenday songs, for example.
I bought a Marshall JCM 2000 DSL-401 amp and it is the perfect match for the guitar!
OVERALL OPINION
I was a Strat fan but I don't regret having changed to Gibson! It's a very versatile guitar except for funky rhythm parts. I think this guitar belongs in the basic guitarist set along with a Strat because both instruments have very different personalities.
I tested an Orville by Gibson before buying the real one. It was a '91 Custom model. Both guitars are alike but the original Gibson instrument has more sustain and a nicer finish. Perhaps it's a psychological thing but the original does sound better. No nonsense, no endless sound possibilities, no futuristic bridge, just an easy-to-use guitar and pure joy.
The value for money isn't that good because some parts could have a better quality. I made a good deal when I bought it because the previous owner broke the neck and got it repaired by a professional (so you can hardly notice it).