GIBSON LES PAUL

The Gibson Les Paul is a solidbody electric guitar originally developed in the early 1950s. The Les Paul was originally designed by jazz/pop guitarist Les Paul.
In 1950, after the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson Guitar president Ted McCarty brought guitarist Les Paul into the company as a consultant. Les Paul was a respected innovator who had been experimenting with guitar design for years to benefit his own music. In fact, he had hand-built a solid-body prototype called "The Log", a design widely considered the first solid-body Spanish guitar ever built, as opposed to the "Hawaiian", or lap-steel guitar.
The Les Paul guitar line was originally conceived to include three models: the regular model (nicknamed the "Goldtop"), and the Custom model, which offered upgraded hardware and a more formal black finish. However, advancements in pickup, body, and hardware designs allowed the Les Paul to become a long-term series of electric solid-body guitars that targeted every price-point and market level except for the complete novice guitarist. This beginner guitar market was filled by the Melody Maker model, and although the inexpensive Melody Maker did not bear the Les Paul name, its body consistently followed the design of true Les Pauls throughout each era.
Beyond shaping and body design, there are a number of characteristics that distinguish the Gibson Les Paul line from other electrics. For example, in a fashion similar to Gibson's hollow-body instruments, the strings of Les Paul guitars are always mounted on the top of the guitar body, rather than through the guitar body, as seen in competitor Fender's designs. The Gibson also features a variety of colors, such as Wine Red, Ebony, Classic White, Fire Burst, and Alpine White. In addition, the Les Paul models offered a variety of finishes and decorative levels, a diversity of hardware options, and an innovative array of electric pick-up options, some of which significantly impacted the sound of electric music. For instance, in 1957, Gibson introduced the "humbucking pickup" which revolutionized the sound of the electric guitar, and eliminated the 60-cycle noise (hum) which had previously plagued amplified guitars.
In the mid 1980s, Gibson changed ownership and began manufacturing a range of varied Les Paul models to suit different user needs. The 1980s also saw the end to several design characteristics that were classic to the Les Paul, including the volute and maple neck. However, due to consumer demand, The Gibson Les Paul guitar is available today in an array of choices, ranging from guitars equipped with modern digital electronics to classic re-issue models built to match the look and specifications of the guitar's earliest production runs from 1952 to 1960.


Gibson Les Paul Faded Review:

Features : 7 Made 2002. American. Like most (every?) Gibsons. 22 frets (again, like most Gibsons). One piece mahogany body (flat top). 490R and 498T pickups (see more under "sound"). It comes with those cheapy green Gibson tuners. Very small neck (I like it, personally). The finish wears to my body oils, which some may find to be a damper, but I personally find intriguing. I've (as of recently) been experiencing a few tension problems with the bridge, but nothing that can't be fixed with just a few minor adjustments. Nothing exceptional here, but for the price, I'm under the persuasion that this can't be beat.
Sound : 8 I play many different styles. Light to hard. Everything in between and beyond. I'm playing it through a Carvin solidstate 2x12 combo. Which makes it sound kinda crappy. But through my bandmate's JCM 900/ 1960TV this baby can sing. Props to Gibson for their choice of pickups here- the 490R & 498T. Same ones currently used on the Les Paul Custom, if that says anything (haha...). This baby works really well with any kind of effect (I'm admittedly not as experienced as some in this field). As much as any Gibson. The tone has sounded a bit brittle under certain (far-from-optimum) conditions, but generally sounds thick and warm, while retaining that vital clarity. It can push pretty darn hard, too.
Action, Fit, & Finish : 7 The guitar came surprisingly well set-up. Made a few preference-based adjustments, as should be expected, but very well fit off the bat. I have had,as menitioned before, a few tension problems (well... hardly "problems," actually) within the past couple of months (I've owned it for two years). Gibson seems to be really random in this category. I've played many that played exceptionally fine, straight off the sale floor. I've played others that just flat-out sucked, here.
Reliability/Durability : 7 I've found this guitar to be quite solid. It could be labeled as "soft," meaning that, due to the mahogany and thin finish, it gets scratched and banged very easily. But in terms of it holding up, I haven't had to worry. And I've given the bugger a beating.
Overall Rating : 8 Despite its apparent flaws, I've found mine (and a couple others) to be quite fine instruments, for no more than I paid. Professional tone at a bargain price.