Thanks to everyone for the info and commentary. I had an Epiphone on layaway (it sounded beautiful for the price), but a couple days later I found a Gibson Les Paul Tribute in the satin honey burst and it played really well so I bought it and cancelled the Epiphone. I figured I should just get what I really want and so far I’m really happy! Fit and finish is excellent and the time is great! Very clean and warm with that full sound that sustains forever. Maybe not quite as hot as it would be with in covered pickups though I like the look of covered and it rocks plenty even with my small practice amp.

At half the price of the standard with a tone to me that sounded pretty much the same, I feel that this is a steal at $1200. I actually like the satin finish and it’s a little thinner and lighter than the standard and classic as well which is good for me.

Here’s a pic



Still have to get it professionally set up as I didn’t have time when I picked it up though it is pretty well set from the factory it seems already.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LincolnSixEcho,

try the Epiphone line.

a great friend of mine bought a 350, upgraded the pickups and tweaked it some.

He uses it amongst others while on tour with Emmylou Harris as her lead guitarist

I just bought a Les Paul from the custom shop

write me and I might be able to answer some questions

The covers aren't the important factor in the output of the pickups. The type of magnets and windings are what matters.

Is there a good guitar store near you? They would be a good source of help. Plus, they might have some variants for you to play and listen to.

I don't know much about Les Pauls., other than that they weigh about 457 pounds.

60s is a more aggressive attack and hotter output. 50s is a little mellower. All are humbuckers but different kinds. They also have a different neck taper so it will also be about playability for you.

https://www.reidys.com/blog/gi...hats-the-difference/

Second on the Epiphone suggestion. Most people, myself included can't tell the difference between a true Gibson and an Epi anyway. The different models have slight differences in neck size, hardware options, pickups, etc. The Studio model will be the most basic (cheapest), it doesn't have the fancy finishes and the wood might be different too.

Some models have coil splitting on the pickups, which basically turns a humbucker into a single coil. I have a Standard Pro with this feature, can't say I really use it though. Might be good for Blues and stuff but I don't play any of that. The stock pickups will be fine for most general use, but if you need more high end and/or gain for metal you'll probably want to upgrade to a hotter Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio set.

Remember you can always change pickups and hardware, so go play some and find the model/style that feels best, and then if you want to tinker with the sound you can always swap stuff out.

Good stuff so far thanks for the info. I’m leaning towards the 60’s model. The pickups I’m looking at that come with it are the 490R and T by the way.

Also found out about the Tribute model, which is like half the price of the standard. Other than finish and a couple materials differences I’m not sure what’s really different.

I've owned at least 15 guitars with humbuckers including three Gibson Les Pauls, a Gibson SG, and this is where you are going:



My advice is to go every store you can and place your hands on the guitars. Your ears and hands are all that matters.

Not that it matters, but this is the one I kept:

Gibson is not what it used to be. I wanted one in the 90's and could not fine one where the quality was anywhere close to the the asking price. And the never ending parade of "historic classic reissue" models has gotten absurd.

If you want a Les Paul sounding 2 humbucker guitar there are many fantastic builders that will provide a much better guitar for the money. A mainstream choice is the PRS Singlecut. Heritage Guitars has the old Gibson factory in Kalamazoo Michigan and makes great guitars that are more "Gibson" than anything Gibson makes since they moved to Nashville.

If you want to get into boutique brands, Nik Huber, Don Grosh, Collings, and several others are outstanding.

That Gold Top is nice! I also liked the Black Beauty. Gibson is doing much better now quality wise than they were in the 90s.

I always wanted a Les Paul but no longer playing in a band meant that I couldn't really justify the cost. I ended up with a Les Paul '60s Tribute 2016 T, a USA made real deal Gibson for $899 new. I was always into the minimalist guitars and this just worked for me.

It has the typical Les Paul tuning stability issues but it is still my favorite guitar.

Great stuff guys! Yeah I have to play more if them I think. That gold top is awesome! Also nice to see someone who likes the tribute.

I have two Gibson Les Pauls: a 1978 Standard in Natural finish and a 2003 Classic in a Coppertop finish. I love them both.

I really like a slim neck profile. Thankfully, both of my Les Pauls have slim necks. They each feel differently, but they both feel good to me. My best friend is all about the ‘50s neck profile, but I just can’t get used to the feel.

I’d heard people talk about being able to tell the difference in sound with the covers on. I really can’t distinguish between covered/uncovered. I like the way it looks covered, but your mileage may vary.

I’m a neck pickup player. I just love the smoother sound, but it’s nice to be able to switch to the bridge to cut through. I’d thought about getting push/pull pots and coil splitting, but I don’t know how much actual use I’d get out of that.

Good luck with your search!

I have a 2010 LP Custom in ebony with gold hardware. I removed the pup covers and then replaced the bridge pup with a SD JB with gold poles and four conductor wire. I redid it with 50's wiring and will eventually coil split it with a push/pull pot. It's a beauty, but it's 11 lbs and would be painful to wear for a full gig.

I prefer a lighter guitar. If you like a LP, get one, but I bought a really nice ‘61 Reissue SG Standard from Wildwood Guitar about a year and a half ago. I know they’re not the same, or Gibson wouldn’t make both of them, but this is a beautiful guitar with mother of pearl fretboard inlays and vintage keystone tuners. I get the LP mystique, but this covers the double humbucker tomes I wanted, costs less and looks beautiful. Oh, and it weighs about 6# too.

I tried to post a picture, but I’m not at home, and can’t resize the picture from my iPad.

I am in the Check out the Epiphones before you buy a Gibson camp.

I have gotten a 60s Tribute, a 50s Standard, and a Standard in the last few months and am totally satisfied with them. They cover all the bases, and all of them for less than the cost of the Gibson.

Bob

Make sure the LP body and weight really suits you. The SG is another good option. All have some economical versions too. The finish may not be as nice but it gets you in the LP game.

My Epi Tribute has Gibson 57s for pups. I am about a whisker away from swapping them out for some Probuckers.
Yeah, I think they are that good. Real warm and cozy.

Bob

I have heard the epiphanies are nice for the coin. Maybe I’ll look at them again. That red one is NICE rbert0005!

I think the Tributes make up the difference in price using simpler finishes and cheaper multi-piece wood construction that is weight relieved.

Note, I did not mean cheaper as in low quality. It is just more expensive to get a single large piece of mahogany than it is to get multiple smaller pieces and join them. The joined pieces are often stronger anyhow.

https://huberbreese.com/produc..._sid=9168a1fb7&_ss=r

Still nice looking even if satin!

Lots of eye candy
https://huberbreese.com/search...e=product&q=les+paul