Incoming Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s From Sweetwater

[toomanycats]

This beautiful thing should be here either Thursday or Friday. If it's a keeper I'll be gigging it this weekend.

What with all the negative talk about Gibson's shoddy craftsmanship and poor quality control circulating for the last several years, it stood to reason that they would need to over-exceed expectations if and when they began digging themselves out of that deep hole of ill will, resentment, and bad publicity. Or at least that's the way I rationalized it.

Yesterday my suspicious hunch confronted reality when I spent several hours in a local brick and mortar store playing three different Gibson 2020 '50s Les Paul Standards. They were all fantastic, like really good. They had everything I like in a Les Paul: The full heft of a non-weight relieved body; Burstbucker 1 & 2 humbuckers; 50s wiring; Klusson tuners; a real rosewood fretboard; and an ABR-1 bridge. This is the formula! They got it right! Gibson climbing out of the hole!

But don't take my word for it . . . just listen to Mark Agnesi, the man everyone loves to hate almost as much as Scott Groove:





I had to chuckle upon reading one Youtubers comment on this video:

"Holly ! Gibson is making a Les Paul?! That’s a great idea!"


Several years ago I swore I would never buy another brand new guitar. For a run of guitars to be good enough to tempt my cheapskate aZZ, six string slumming, pawn shop trolling self to go back on my word . . . well, it must be pretty darn good.

To be completely honest, the guitar I ordered is a demo model. I'm no skinflint, but I'm not stupid either.


The exact guitar I ordered is shown in the pics below. That's a pretty darn nice top in my book.

[uwmcscott]

Very nice looking LP you have on the way there. I like the light back too, glad to see them doing those again. May it arrive safely and quickly! I’ve always had excellent service with Sweetwater.

[Gear_Junky]

Looks awesome, here's hoping that it's a keeper! While personally I don't drool for a gibby, I do think that les pauls are special and awesome. A part of me just wants an un-modded LP (no extra switching, classic bridge, classic pafs, maybe vintage wiring, and a classic finish like yours).

My interest in behavioral economics suggests that at least some of this whining about quality might be due to the fact that many people have not consciously realized the loss of purchasing power of their money. I am not talking about straightforward inflation. When adjusted for that, USA Fender and Gibson guitars were always expensive. But the current economy, even before the methodical destruction of it due to humanitarian health reasons, means that many people earn far less than Americans did in previous decades. So in effective terms people are buying a more expensive guitar and so they have higher demands for it. Plus the power of the perception of "the good old days" cannot be denied. Based on your description of the guitars you tried at the store it sounds like these factors aren't affecting you, which is great - hope you get to enjoy an awesome guitar

[Gear_Junky]

I also just watched the video above and I liked how Mark went over the details - sure, he's hyping it, but I felt it was a constructive and informative way to hype (1 sounds like 1, 4 sounds like 4 and 10 sounds like a flamethrower). Enjoyed the joke about tuners, too. One thing I'd want to know is whether the tone controls are wired "vintage" or "modern" way. He did say "hand soldered", so there's no reason for them to opt for modern (there's a theory that this started because it was easier to use the same pots with the same lug soldered to ground for both volume and tone, when dealing in production quantities).

[golem]

Congrats [mention]toomanycats[/mention] .

It looks stunning.

I can totally understand people disliking Scott Grove. Mark? He went from working one of the most famous vintage guitar shops to a sweet job at Gibson. I'm happy for him and I'm often critical of Gibson (but want to see them improve and succeed).

[Partscaster]

Congratulations TMC. It sure looks nice.

[OMB]

The light back is nice! I wish I liked LesPauls but they are not comfortable to me. ENJOY!

[toomanycats]

One thing I'd want to know is whether the tone controls are wired "vintage" or "modern" way. He did say "hand soldered", so there's no reason for them to opt for modern (there's a theory that this started because it was easier to use the same pots with the same lug soldered to ground for both volume and tone, when dealing in production quantities).

I'm ashamed to admit that I get confused by this sometimes. Part of the reason is that I've alternately heard 50s wiring referred to as either, A) Configured such that treble and clarity are not lost when the volume knobs are decreased, or alternately, B) Configured so that the bridge volume knob and the neck volume knob operate independently.

Anyways, on the 2020 Gibson Les Paul '50s I played they retained excellent definition when the volume knobs were rolled back. Some of this can be attributed to the inherent quality of the asymetrically wound Burstbuckers. They tend to be snappy, almost with a single coil quality. But honestly, I don't remember if I checked to see if the volume knobs operated independently. I much prefer when they do.

[mickey]

One thing I'd want to know is whether the tone controls are wired "vintage" or "modern" way. He did say "hand soldered", so there's no reason for them to opt for modern (there's a theory that this started because it was easier to use the same pots with the same lug soldered to ground for both volume and tone, when dealing in production quantities).

I'm ashamed to admit that I get confused by this sometimes. Part of the reason is that I've alternately heard 50s wiring referred to as either, A) Configured such that treble and clarity are not lost when the volume knobs are decreased, or alternately, B) XXXXXXXXXX XX XXXX XXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX.

Anyways, on the 2020 Gibson Les Paul '50s I played they retained excellent definition when the volume knobs were rolled back. Some of this can be attributed to the inherent quality of the asymetrically wound Burstbuckers. They tend to be snappy, almost with a single coil quality. But honestly, I don't remember if I checked to see if the volume knobs operated independently. I much prefer when they do.

I answered your question above.

[Gear_Junky]

I am not an authority on that at all, but yes, your "A)" was what I thought. I thought your "B)" was just called "independent volume controls".
I did the "A" on my Squier Tele and it's nice. I'm not someone who rolls down the volume to play (yet), but it makes it more like a volume at bedroom settings when you don't want to get up to adjust the amp. I think I'll always do this from now on because there's zero cost and same effort (if replacing the pots anyway).

[nomadh]

Those pictures just give me a nice warm feeling all over. IT just looks cozy. Nice after watching tv yesterday.

[toomanycats]

I was just looking at all of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s guitars on Sweetwater at the moment. There are fourteen. Not to brag on myself, but in my opinion not a single one in this bunch has as nice a flame as the one I grabbed. This is including six Standard AAA tops, which have a $200 upcharge. I know that a prominent flame isn't everything when it comes to the list of things that makes a Les Paul great, but I already own a really nice Gibson plain top LP and wanted something flashier this time around.

Another interesting observation is that mine is the lightest of the entire bunch, being listed at 8lbs 13 oz.


My top:

Four other Standards in Tobacco Burst:

Four other Standards in Cherry Sunburst:

Four AAA Standards in Heritage Cherry:

Two AAA Standards in Ice Tea:

[jtcnj]

That is super sweet, enjoy!!

[Gear_Junky]

I was just looking at all of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s guitars on Sweetwater at the moment. There are fourteen. Not to brag on myself, but in my opinion not a single one in this bunch has as nice a flame as the one I grabbed.

They photograph each one? That's nice. I agree. Some of those AAA look like only half of the top is flamed and some are not well book-matched. I could see someone who orders that sight-unseen for the money get disappointed and then bash the manufacturer for that. While someone like you who snatches a nice one will only have praises to sing. Life is like a box of chocolates

[toomanycats]

I was just looking at all of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s guitars on Sweetwater at the moment. There are fourteen. Not to brag on myself, but in my opinion not a single one in this bunch has as nice a flame as the one I grabbed.

They photograph each one? That's nice. I agree. Some of those AAA look like only half of the top is flamed and some are not well book-matched. I could see someone who orders that sight-unseen for the money get disappointed and then bash the manufacturer for that. While someone like you who snatches a nice one will only have praises to sing. Life is like a box of chocolates

That's one of the nice things about ordering from Sweetwater. Once you decide on a model and color you get to choose from amongst whatever they have in stock at the time. You can view the instrument from many angles, zoom in, and compare it with others side by side. They even let you know how much it weighs. I'm not sure if they do this with lower end instruments, like a Squier Bullet for example, but they certainly do it on the pricier stuff.

By way of contrast, if you order the same brand new Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s right now from Guitar Center online you are doing it blindly from a generic photo. It is like dipping into a box of chocolates.

Same deal with Rondo. When I first came into the AGF/Rondo fold, and was a greenhorn who didn't know any better, I once made the naive request of Kurt that he open a box and inspect my guitar before he sent in to me. Oh boy, did I get schooled real quick in the ways of Rondo. In Rondo's defense, the lack of interaction Kurt has with the instruments in the warehouse is part of what keeps costs down for consumers. In this sense a "b stock" is a safer purchase, because you do get to see the actual instrument you'll receive.

The real kick in the nuts is that your random SX Callisto CUS has a nicer flame top than pretty much any Gibson LP for sale on Sweetwater. Granted, the top on the Callisto is just a veneer, but still, they're really nice. Ain't that right [mention]Partscaster[/mention]?

[Gear_Junky]

I was just looking at all of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s guitars on Sweetwater at the moment. There are fourteen. Not to brag on myself, but in my opinion not a single one in this bunch has as nice a flame as the one I grabbed.

They photograph each one? That's nice. I agree. Some of those AAA look like only half of the top is flamed and some are not well book-matched. I could see someone who orders that sight-unseen for the money get disappointed and then bash the manufacturer for that. While someone like you who snatches a nice one will only have praises to sing. Life is like a box of chocolates

That's one of the nice things about ordering from Sweetwater. Once you decide on a model and color you get to choose from amongst whatever they have in stock at the time. You can view the instrument from many angles, zoom in, and compare it with others side by side. They even let you know how much it weighs. I'm not sure if they do this with lower end instruments, like a Squier Bullet for example, but they certainly do it on the pricier stuff.

By way of contrast, if you order the same brand new Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s right now from Guitar Center online you are doing it blindly from a generic photo. It is like dipping into a box of chocolates.

Same deal with Rondo. When I first came into the AGF/Rondo fold, and was a greenhorn who didn't know any better, I once made the naive request of Kurt that he open a box and inspect my guitar before he sent in to me. Oh boy, did I get schooled real quick in the ways of Rondo. In Rondo's defense, the lack of interaction Kurt has with the instruments in the warehouse is part of what keeps costs down for consumers. In this sense a "b stock" is a safer purchase, because you do get to see the actual instrument you'll receive.

The real kick in the nuts is that your random SX Callisto CUS has a nicer flame top than pretty much any Gibson LP for sale on Sweetwater. Granted, the top on the Callisto is just a veneer, but still, they're really nice. Ain't that right @Partscaster?

You got it! Yep, it's really not feasible on lower cost guitars to make individual postings/photos. Especially SX or Squier Bullet priced ones. No way. But the sellers are far more cooperative once you call to complain - it's like they outsource the inspection to you. And then, if it plays nice but has issues... the world is your b-stock

[Spike]

Great looking LP. As much as I hate Gibson’s business practices, I LOVE a good looking/playing Les Paul. Congrats.

[glasshand]

Yeah, I'm with Spike here - I throw Gibson some shade, but there's no question that when they get it right, they can really get it right.

Interesting to look at the range of colors there: some of the Heritage Cherry models could be in the Cherry Sunburst lineup and vice versa.

[Longblacktie]

It looks great, hope it plays equally as good. There’s not much better than a good LP.

I’ve been gassing for one of the Pelham blue ones with the same specs as yours, but out of the budget right now

[toomanycats]

It looks great, hope it plays equally as good. There’s not much better than a good LP.

I’ve been gassing for one of the Pelham blue ones with the same specs as yours, but out of the budget right now

The only Pelham Blue I see is from the Les Paul Modern series. Cool, stunningly beautiful guitar. But it's very differently spec'd than the Standard 50s I ordered.

The Modern is actually very similar to a high end Agile, with compound radius ebony fretboard, contoured neck heel, Grover tuners, hotter pickups, GraphTech nut, Nashville bridge, and push pull coil tap pots. I think it has real mother of pearl inlays too. Wait a minute, is Gibson actually now copying Agile?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... m-blue-top

[toomanycats]

It's here!

http://www.aguitarforum.net/viewtopic.p ... fa53301909

[Partscaster]

The real kick in the nuts is that your random SX Callisto CUS has a nicer flame top than pretty much any Gibson LP for sale on Sweetwater. Granted, the top on the Callisto is just a veneer, but still, they're really nice. Ain't that right @Partscaster?

That is right. Those SX Callisto STD+ DS (dessert sunburst?) are amazingly beautiful. And the Goldtop has very nice fine grained sparkle flecks in it.