Les Paul Standard Faded Review

This modell is outfitted with the new BurstBucker Pro pickups with Alnico V magnets producing the most authentic, vintage Les Paul tone of any previous Standard pickups. They produce more bite and a seductive 'airy' tone with both pickups on.

Features:	9
Sound:	10
Action:	8
Reliability:	9
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9.1
Users rating:	8.5
Comments:	81

overall: 9.8

Featured review by: Dyuha, on february 03, 2006

Price paid: $ 2000

Purchased from: Musician's Friend

Features: Gibson craftsmen hand-rub the traditional sunburst finishes on the new Les Paul Standard Faded models. A satin treatment gives the Standard Faded the weathered look of an old favorite without the wear and tear. The Standard is outfitted with the new BurstBucker Pro pickups with Alnico V magnets producing the most authentic, Vintage Les Paul tone of any previous Standard pickups. They produce more bite and a seductive 'airy' tone with both pickups on. // 10

Sound: This guitar deserves a 10+ when we talk about its sound. Its sustain is just unbelievable, its pinch harmonics are sweet, the BurstBuckers Shine on this baby, they produce the most authentic LP tone. It has a nice bite to the tone: fairly smooth and solid lows, and sparkly highs. Obviously, this guitar was made for classic hard rock sounding - and this baby covers it amazingly. It's just a great sounding instrument. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was set up perfectly. The slim '60s neck allows your hands to feel nice and comfortable when moving quickly. The frets are nicely finished. The flame on the maple looks absolutely amazing. It's a Gibson! These guys hardly could palm off a badly adjusted instrument on you. // 9

Reliability & Durability: Very solid guitar. The finish is thin and seems to be wearing well, it's standing up well to pick scratches and all the hardware still works perfectly. Once again - it's a Gibson. So be sure, this guitar will last for years. You can rely on it without any doubts. // 10

Impression: With the look and feel of an old friend and the sound of a tonal dynamo, this gorgeous instrument sports a smaller, Vintage headstock and slim taper, '60s-style neck. Don't be fooled even though it's faded - it's still a nice looking instrument and it's really a quality guitar! You should at least give it a chance. // 10

overall: 8.4

Reviewed by: hvpiratevninja, on march 23, 2007

Price paid: $ 1500

Purchased from: g.c.

Features: 2005 Les Paul Std., with the faded finish. It has all the usual appointments that a Les Paul typically has... really pretty flmaed maple capped mahoganny body, cream binding, zebra striped burstbucker pro pickups, rosewood fretboard, trap. inlays, everything on mine is stock except for the tuners which I had replaced with grovers! And the pickup rings and knobs etc., I'll come back to that. Pretty much, the things I didn't like about it, cosmetically and the tuners, I replaced. // 8

Sound: Sounds wonderful. I really do love the way it sounds. This one has a chunky, yet still chimey sound too it, it rings and resonates really nicely. Unplugged, it's loud, louder than most guitar, plugged in, it is still loud. Although the pickups are 'Vintage-ish' specs, they are still hot enough to cut through effects. I've owned a lot of guitars and this one definitely sounds the best out of all of them. I could go on for days about it. I do wish I could put both pickups in parallel via some sort of push/pull pot, but that is something for a later date. The pickups do have a little bit of buzz on them, but meh, it's not enough to whine about. The grover tuners give it a bit more sustain, and the way I have it set-up makes it a little snappier and brighter, which contrasts nicely with the woods dark-nasally sound. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: I have a setup that is a bit different than out of the box. I wrap the strings around the stop-bar the way Jimmy Page and Zack Wylde do, it corrects the tension I think, it also gets rid of that nasty nasal sound that happens when the strings come into contact with the bridge on their way back to the stop-bar, check it out, you'll see what I mean. I also have the stop-bar going as low as possible without touching the body. Again, if it touches the body, it gets nasally, too much nasally is bad. The finish is really thin and tacks dings and dents very easily, that is, if you press your nail on the finish, it leaves a mark, easily scratched. But, whatever, it's part of the sacrifice for a thinner finish that breaths and moves better than most. When this guitar gets older, it's going to sound better than most Vintage ones, I think. // 7

Reliability & Durability: It's very dependable. I've never broken a string or have anything freak out on it. It's fairly straight forward with few moving parts, so I think that helps. Like I said earlier about the finish though, it scratches easily. I couldn't really see anything going horribly wrong with it, ever, maybe the pots might get scratchy eventually, but I think that would be about it, and that happens with all guitars. // 8

Impression: I'm happy with this guitar. Perfectly happy. I feel like I don't need another guitar, although I may want a bunch, this is 'the one' for me. I replaced everything that I wanted to on it. The pickup rings were cream colored, but I switched them to black. I also took off the pickup selector ring all together and replaced the pickup switch tip with a black one. The knobs were also replaced with dark amber colored ones instead of the gold. The tuners, which I mentioned earlier, several times. // 9

Comments

[PyroPlegic]

tom morello uses one of these in that "original fire" video...but his solo is f**ked up...in my opinion.

[bluesblaster]

yet another version of one of the most overrated guitars on the planet

[niguitars.com]

+1

[dudeman_andy]

Les Pauls are the best!

[guitaringsailor]

yet another version of one of the most overrated guitars on the planet

Maybe it's not overrated it's simply one of the best guitar designs ever made and thats why everyone holds them in high steam and the sound is really great I have one myself and it kicks everything else i ply on on ass

[Norse_Iron_King]

if the Les Paul is one of the most overrated guitars, than the Fender Strat is #1.

[fastmguy]

I don't think strats are overrated...LPs aren't necessarily overrated either. Just overpriced.I mean you could almost get 2 USA strats for the price of 1 gibson.

[makuserusukotto]

fastmguy wrote:

I don't think strats are overrated...LPs aren't necessarily overrated either. Just overpriced.I mean you could almost get 2 USA strats for the price of 1 gibson.

and you also get twice the guitar with the gibson,

[fastmguy]

I guess thats a matter of opinion really...i prefer strats anyway (not to put down LPs just my preference)

[tom-the-lawn]

makuserusukotto :
fastmguy wrote:

I don't think strats are overrated...LPs aren't necessarily overrated either. Just overpriced.I mean you could almost get 2 USA strats for the price of 1 gibson.


and you also get twice the guitar with the gibson,

I disagree
the gibson has a kind of better tone
but the gibson is also really heavy with a medeoker neck
while the strat has a great neck and is really light

[makuserusukotto]

tom-the-lawn wrote:

makuserusukotto :
fastmguy wrote:

I don't think strats are overrated...LPs aren't necessarily overrated either. Just overpriced.I mean you could almost get 2 USA strats for the price of 1 gibson.


and you also get twice the guitar with the gibson,


I disagree
the gibson has a kind of better tone
but the gibson is also really heavy with a medeoker neck
while the strat has a great neck and is really light

depends on what model you get, some are weight relieved, some are chambered, and there three or four different necks

[cynicalstereo]

It's hard to compare the two.

The Fender Strat is a very different guitar than the Gibson LP.

It's really just a matter of personal preference, and has nothing to do with one guitar being better than the other.

[proguitarist11]

bluesblaster wrote:

yet another version of one of the most overrated guitars on the planet

hm, lets see. how many guitarist now, and in the past have used this guitar and other versions of this guitar. Shut the **** up unless you're better than Slash, Jimmy Page, Paul McCartney and an ass load of other people. do you even play guitar? and if so, wut kinda guitar do you have?

[Josh Duren]

the reason gibson's are so expensive is because they are handcrafted, and almost litterally perfect. tour one of the gibson factories and you will see that they do not settle for any less than perfect.

[rcmaster0072002]

i like cheese, and LP's, and strats. can't we all just get along like one big happy family. (cheese eating family)

[fastmguy]

To proguitarist11: If you want to quote names the strat has way more masters than the LP...Hendrix Gilmore Clapton (yesi know he used to play gibson...but now he sees the light) Malmsteen Eric Johnson ...steve vai used to play a strat (see the green meanie) satrianis favorite 2 guitars in the world and what he started on are teles...SRV...um...i could go on if i thought about it probably but whatever. And I'm still not saying LPs suck I'm just saying most of the masters use/used Strats.

[Born 2 Slash]

I own an Gibson LP Studio and I think that Gibson guitars are the best for my taste. Sure they do have so weight but I am can bench 225lb so I really don't have a problem. Rock On!!!

[Lastlarf]

You know guys, one day I would like to see a review for an LP or a Strat which is not followed by a boring argument about which is better. I have played both guitars, and both are great. They are just different. If you can't read a review of a guitar without turning it into a pissing contest you need to do some real growing up.

[Ibzman]

Josh Duren wrote:

the reason gibson's are so expensive is because they are handcrafted, and almost litterally perfect. tour one of the gibson factories and you will see that they do not settle for any less than perfect.

They arent handcrafted from piece to piece. The fact is their price is too high. For the same money, I can buy a kickass PRS Custom 24 that sounds 10x better and has an incredible touch.

[fastmguy]

Even though i was in the "pissing contest" i'm with lastlarf >.>

[fastmguy]

Oh and for the record i got to play one of these today...nice guitar just doesn't suit my style

[Rocker1_1]

bluesblaster wrote:

yet another version of one of the most overrated guitars on the planet

how about i play one they are the best guitar out there so shut the hell up

[cukd7x-a2-]

This is really similar to the one Slash uses in the Sweet Child 'O Mine video

[sorrykid77]

it looks like a pretty

i wanta touch it

[\m/(--_--)\m/]

sorrykid77 wrote:

it looks like a pretty

i wanta touch it

This guy just made fools of you all. Great comment man.

[pinky_demon]

proguitarist11 wrote:

bluesblaster wrote:

yet another version of one of the most overrated guitars on the planet

hm, lets see. how many guitarist now, and in the past have used this guitar and other versions of this guitar. Shut the **** up unless you're better than Slash, Jimmy Page, Paul McCartney and an ass load of other people. do you even play guitar? and if so, wut kinda guitar do you have?

Haha i agree with you all the way...

[goldenphoenix1]

guitars suck
gatorade's better
anyone play a home brand guitar?

[BaSs`DudE]

:
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[mercurymay]

guitars suck
gatorade's better

haha nice. Yeah Les Pauls are gorgeous. I've never actually played on a Gibson Les Paul, just on a friend's Epiphone. I'm having issues with figuring out how to do pinched harmonics. Can anyone teach me?

[AlastorBR]

Gibson is going downhill, and they've ALWAYS been hit and miss. Pete Townshend had to play 20+ before finding the good one. All the people on here who say that LPs are the best guitars in the world just because Slash, Page, etc. used one are stupid. It's all a matter of opinion. I HATE les pauls, every one I've played is pure shit. But that's just MY opinion. Any one who thinks that they're perfect guitars just because Gibson made them obviously do not know a lot about guitars. Like I said above, they are hit and miss guitars, honestly.

[proguitarist11]

AlastorBR wrote:

Gibson is going downhill, and they've ALWAYS been hit and miss. Pete Townshend had to play 20+ before finding the good one. All the people on here who say that LPs are the best guitars in the world just because Slash, Page, etc. used one are stupid. It's all a matter of opinion. I HATE les pauls, every one I've played is pure shit. But that's just MY opinion. Any one who thinks that they're perfect guitars just because Gibson made them obviously do not know a lot about guitars. Like I said above, they are hit and miss guitars, honestly.

well then what kind of guitar do you think is good? everyone who's said that Gibsons are shit hasn't told me what guitar is better. I'm waiting to find out what this God guitar is. And don't even tell me it's a Fender Strat.

[Rocker1_1]

i think gibsons are the best but my second chiose would be a paul reed smith, thoose arnt half bad but there still no les paul

[guitar_lvr]

you cant over rate a les paul their the best sounding/looking guitar their is, period.

[l)ragonForce]

BaSs`DudE wrote:

:
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i like ur smiles

[jumpmanhat]

that guitar looks beautiful..
LPs cant be overrated, its been used by so many Great musicians who know their shit!

[BreakingTheGirl]

[BreakingTheGirl]

It works!

Yeah, anyways proguitarist is a cock.

[ReeseKillsHIV]

I play a Fender, and have played Les Pauls.
I prefer the Fender by a longshot, although it might just be my personal preferences.
I wouldnt buy this guitar in a million years, for that price.

[ArcherTheVMan]

PyroPlegic wrote:

tom morello uses one of these in that "original fire" video...but his solo is f**ked up...in my opinion.

agreed, it just doesnt have the same presence as his solos usually do.

[Deacon Blues]

apples and organes. i guarantee your favorite guitarists use fenders, gibsons, and PRSs. different strokes for different folks.

[Stratmike]

It'a a beautiful axe. I play a Strat but who wouldn't want to add a Les Paul to their collection. Totally different guitar with its own sound.

[alrange]

There is no best guitar in the world because both the Strat and LP suit different kinds of music and the guitar that suits your song/style is the best one.

[blueskid99]

strats and les pauls are for different kinds of people.i personally prefer the strat...

[wtf isnt taken]

its hard to look at a Les Paul n say u dont like it cuz god they r good lookers. I've never played a gibson, only my frends 3 epi les pauls n they r all around great guitars for any kind of music buh i think that if u looked, u could probably find a guitar better suited to u. i love to shred n i couldnt imagine doin it on anything other than my Dean Z =]

[wtf isnt taken]

i love to shred n couldnt imagine doin it on anything other than my Dean Z =]. my freind as an Epi Les Paul with an Emg81/81 set up n its amazing buh Les Pauls jus seem too universal. Same=Lame

[Yngwie #1]

Why hasn't any one mentioned Jackson or ESP? those are the fastest guitars on the planet. I prefer USA Jacksons, they have the fastest necks.

[proguitarist11]

BreakingTheGirl wrote:

It works!

Yeah, anyways proguitarist is a cock.

sorry i offended you. just stating an opinion.

[RocknEf'inRoll]

What I dont understand is the dude who first said Les Pauls are overrated, his name is BluesBlaster...hmmm, isn't the Les Paul the kind of blues tone and sustain? I'm not against other guitars, but in my opinion, Les Pauls define what blues guitar is all about. Their sound gives off the soul to blues and allows you to "talk" to your audience with it's pure sexy tone. Just my opinion as a blues/classic rock guitarist.

[RocknEf'inRoll]

*king ^^^^

[flyingv_m3]

i agree and disagree with everyone. i think lp's are tone monsters and sound incredible. however, i would say that gibson is losing its touch. b/c my lp is a '92 stndrd and it plays real nice and everything is groovey and what not, but when i go to stores to test new ones out, it kinda disappoints me b/c i end up only liking like 1 or 2 out of the bunch that are there b/c they dont play better or as good as what i got right now, which i think is pretty nice by my standards.

to everyone who loves gibson and hates fenders, i say your stupid. gibsons are supposed to be the best, true, but they really arent always. their quality control is terrible these days, fender i would say is a bit better in that aspect. but either way, i cant compare a les paul really to a strat b/c they are so god damn different. the strat is tonally like way way way different. like, there are some things that i only play on my strat b/c it sounds good and natural that way, same with my gibson. so the bottom line is, neither is better, its personal preference and style. anyway, to rockin roll-i would say lps are definetely overrated, srry buddy, sure they epitomize what a heavy blues tone sounds like, but i mean, eric clapton is like the king of blues to me, and he has used mostly strats. im not saying its better, but i mean, blues doesnt have to sound like a les paul. if it hits your ears and you get a blues induced orgasm, whether its from an lp or a strat, its the shit either way

[AlastorBR]

well then what kind of guitar do you think is good? everyone who's said that Gibsons are shit hasn't told me what guitar is better. I'm waiting to find out what this God guitar is. And don't even tell me it's a Fender Strat.

Guitars I've played that I find to be better?

Fender Jazzmaster
Malden Holly Keyser (current guitar)
Strat
PRS

Look man, I don't know what you meant by the guitar god comment, but I don't find myself to be a "guitar god". I don't consider myself to be high and mighty just because I don't like gibson LPs. It's just my personal preference that I don't like LPs. Sorry if I came off strong, but from the ones I've played, the supposedly "high end" ones, have been shit, and I don't like them. That doesn't go for all LPs, but I'm just basing my opinion off the ones I've played. All companies make some shitty guitars, and some good ones. No company is perfect.

I mean, I love my Malden Holly Keyser. It's a $600 Korean made guitar, but for me, it plays twice as good as any LP I've played.

Cheers.

[fastmguy]

you know i think people that play LPs are just lying to themselves to make themselves believe that theyre the greatest guitars ever....you know....caue they payed the highest price ever...whatever

[k1ng_pooh]

omfg, i hate LP's there so generic. its almost a rule that everyband needs a Gibson. When Slash an who ever else used it, it wasnt so over rated and it was cool but know i can't even look at it. makes me sick

[PVAM]

i wish i was rich like you guys

[k1ng_pooh]

ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE BEST BRAND OF GUITARS IS GRETSCH

[Eamon Fethers]

i luv LP's but the 2 comments before me r 100% correct... gretsch r the greatest guitars on this planet!!!

[garrettwichert]

I think instead of pulling the names of individuals out of our collective asses and throwing them at each other, we should agree that a Strat/tele, with their thinner, brighter sound, and a Les Paul with the fuller more rich tones sound amazing when played in harmony with each other. Thank you for the chance to post the single longest run-on sentence on this page...

[funky.monk]

Garrettwichert also wins the award for best spelling on this page too. I've never had the fortune (or money) to play a Gibson LP but after trying other Gibsons I have to say the quality is amazing. However, I would take a Strat any day. Sorry to all of you Gibson aficionados.

[Cazz3000]

I really can't compare a strat and a gibbo. 2 completely different guitars that suit different peoples playing styles and of course, personal preferences. I own this new LP and loved it from the moment i played it. I also own a mexican strat that i have had for years, also loved it as soon as i played it. I wont compare these 2 guitars, to be perfectly honest why do people compare these 2? Why not compare it with something completely different like Ibanez? Not saying you should, just a suggestion.

[Lord Lustinhell]

5 words: Les Pauls Rule / strats suck! it's a general reality like... like ummmm the sky is blue and 2+2=4 gibsons give the best tones ever u cant compare a stupid little strat to them!

[Iggy_vg]

I don't see where this arguing going. I own two strats (Deluxe Ash '06, American standard '93), one tele (Deluxe '06) and this one's LP Standard faded '05. Every one of them is different. Every one has it's own sound and feel. I prefer the '93 Am.standard but I like all of them. But, for someone else this guitars can be crap. If you like that good, if not still good.

[AlastorBR]

5 words: Les Pauls Rule / strats suck! it's a general reality like... like ummmm the sky is blue and 2+2=4 gibsons give the best tones ever u cant compare a stupid little strat to them!

No,you can't compare. The tone between the two is completely ****ing different. Strats and LPs aren't better than each other because you say so. e_e

[Agent_00Funk]

Lastlarf wrote:

You know guys, one day I would like to see a review for an LP or a Strat which is not followed by a boring argument about which is better. I have played both guitars, and both are great. They are just different. If you can't read a review of a guitar without turning it into a pissing contest you need to do some real growing up.

Quote the win. Les Pauls are great guitars, and so are Strats and etc. Its just all in preference in what you prefer.

[cerveza]

yeah i don't agree with the two being compared... they are 2 completelt different guitars. i do prefer les pauls, however, but for all those who say they don't like les pauls because they are heavy... SUCK IT THE FUCK UP ladies!!!

[Original Fire]

rcmaster0072002 wrote:

i like cheese, and LP's, and strats. can't we all just get along like one big happy family. (cheese eating family)

PLease Just SHut your Mouth .

[mitch311]

I own one of both. They're both awesome.

[Kurt_Rosenwinkl]

Every (decent) guitar player knows comparing a LesPaul to a strat is pointless, they are 2 completely different guitars and give you completely different sounds. People who hate gibsons cant afford them, people who hate strats are people who can afford gibsons. Either way, you talk to any good respectable guitar player, they will say the same thing.

[bls4life8]

les pauls are sweet but deans are way sweeter

[stevie_blues]

comparing a strat to a les paul is a bit sensless. personally ive never played a strat. after having played on a couple of different LPs even a 3 pickup artisan with 2 PAFs i can say that i prefer the phat LP sound to that of the thin strat sound. as with anything - quality costs more - thats why LPs are more expensive.

[stevie_blues]

but then again - i cant say i disagree with Hendrixs' sound. i guess it all comes down to the musician.

[Orneblad]

gibson les paul and fender stratocaster? phf! i say SQUIER STRATOCASTER! best guitar ever built. eh?

[Hoppusorange]

rcmaster0072002 wrote:

i like cheese, and LP's, and strats. can't we all just get along like one big happy family. (cheese eating family)

I agree!
+1

[forgodandcounty]

i like les pauls, i prefer gibson over every other type of les pauls. Stratocasters are great but every one ive played has made me feel a longing for the LP because it just doesnt growl and i mean i play the blues alot but i just dont think it sounds like it as much agression or drive in the stratocaster which i think the lp has the just right mix. It is just case and if we all played les paul the world would be a shitter place but i think the les paul is better as it suits my tastes why are people arguing over this who cares were all guitarists save it for the violinists

[KenG]

I've owned both styles as well and excepting the fingerboard radius and scale length differences, it is a matter of personal taste. Fenders have always been cheaper due to Leo's brilliance in designing a manufacture-friendly instrument (i.e flat top on body, bolt-on neck with straight headstock and less expensive woods - maple and poplar vs mahogany, unbound wood). This made his products more affordable to people in general and helped make the Strat/Tele popular. Gibson's design is more like a fine violin and requires more crafting (carved top, glued in set neck with angled headstock, binding everywhere, the finishing has to done altogether i.e. all pieces assembled - not separately as is done with bolt-on necks etc.) Strats are nearly indestructible because of design while Les Pauls need more care and attention as mahogany is more affected by changes in climate/seasons/age and is less dense than maple. I prefer Gibson style myself but as many have noted, their quality is not always the best. I was looking at a LP Studio the other day in Long&McQuade (>$1700.00 CDN) that had visible finish flaws around the neck to body area on the otherwise,beautiful, highly figured top! What a shame! I've also seen these types of visible defect on other LPs as well. To me it seems that Gibson design is better but harder to do well, while Fender design is simpler but easier to achieve better quality. Your money, your choice. By the way, Eric Clapton loved his original Les Paul which was stolen prior to the Cream tour forcing him to switch guitars. When he switch to Fender, he was hardly at his playing peak having been thru a serious time with heroin! (of course he recovered all his talents over time afterwards!)

[FenderDenter]

The les paul is more suited for blues, classic rock and an odd variety of combinations while the stratocaster is for country and punk, etc.

[FenderDenter]

I myself have played a few 2007 les pauls and they all were of horrible quality the only good one was the EPIPHONE custom

[Racehead]

I have a perfectly setup '76 Strat with a Kahler on it that I've owned for about 15 years now and it's pure sweetness. Truly the nicest playing Strat I've ever had in my hands and I've played MANY.
I've always loved LP's so I went to Guitar Center to buy a new one. I played almost every LP they had and just about settled on a new Silverburst Classic custom when I decided to wandered over to the PRS section.
I came home with a used '04 Tobacco burst Custom 24 that just outplayed every LP that was in the store. Payed $1700 for it and man this thing is perfect and I've been gigging with it for about 6 months now.
Well I went back to Guitar Center with 2 of my brothers ( one is looking for a new acoustic ) and while I was there I noticed a used wine colored Custom shop LP that was staring at me so I picked it up. After an hour on it plugged into the new Marshall JVM410H I realized that I was in love. They wanted $2800 for it and I didn't have the cash and so didn't buy it, but if I would've had the green the LP would've followed me home that day.
Moral of the story ? They're all 3 great guitars even though they're very differant from one another. I have noticed a large differance in LP's but I attribute that to the fact that the LP is handmade while the other 2 are machine/computer made. You really have to look to find that perfect LP, but when you finally find it .....

[HIPCHIP]

I play Strats and LP's and like the LP Standard Faded a bunch. It's a different sound and feel from my Strats and I enjoy them both. I don't think you could go wrong with this guitar.

[HomerSGR]

So I tried one out yesterday in the local music-store and liked it so much that I asked them if they could put it away, and if everything goes as it should, it will come home on friday!

[per-rock]

nice guitar want to buy it can somebody send mail me if it is a good guitar(REALLY)

[Rockn'rolldad]

I just recently bought one and I love it. it sounds great, plays great and is cheaper than a regualr standard. Gibson is a high end name brand so it's true that you don't only pay for quality, you're also paying for a guitar that says Gibson and has that USA stamp on the back. I love it, I think it's awesome guitar and it will hold it's value better than any other name out there.