Ryan's Gig Guide - June 2019

again, personal preference will be the dictator here. The pick- ups mounted in the 50’s model are more likened to a PAF, with a lower output and less pokey sound than the Burstbucker 61’s in the Standard 60’s. Raun- chy, meaty tones are achievable from both with the 60’s having a little extra hot sauce and bite. The finish options also differ; the 60’s Standard comes avail- able in Iced Tea, Sunburst and Bourbon Burst whereas the 50’s comes in Heritage Cherry Sunburst,Tobacco Sunburst and a Gold Top. It is worth noting that the Standard 50’s GoldTop has an additional variation that comes loaded with P90 pickups. The combination of a Mahoga- ny body with a Maple top, has made up the foundations of the Les Paul from its birth.The com- bo make up the building blocks of its DNA that most of its an- cestors have at their core. It is an integral part of this guitar’s sound and aesthetic. The AA Maple top is displayed in every model except the obvious Gold Top. The bursts draw the eye in and the binding perfectly frames the maple as if it were a piece of artwork on display. Each grain has taken years to form and its beauty has only been unlocked by chance. Even though these tops are ratedAA they do differ quite dramat- ically. From the reserved, loosely splat- ted flame to the bold, tight dynam- ic flames that could be ex- pected from a much higher graded top. Each piece of wood has its own story to tell and it is worth taking some time searching for one that calls out to you. The Gibson Les Paul is woven tightly into many branches of music, but perhaps the place it holds most acclaim is in rock. Its shape has become an indis- pensable part of many rock musicians image. The thought of Slash wielding anything other than a Les Paul is un- settling. This design has seen folklore and legends surround it. Stories told of famed Les Pauls that have been passed between iconic players, makes it feel that with- in these guitars lies something that can only be harnessed by a select few. People spend tens of thou- sands of pounds trying to get their hands on originals and close to that on some rec- reations. So why would you mess with the classic formula that makes the Les Paul what it is? This is the question that has been plaguing many fans of the fabled shape. Gibson have tried bringing new innovations to their line of instruments, every year redesigning a new model, but no more. Some recent dramatic events, which go deeper than this article could fathom, led to a com- plete change in mindset from the guitar giant. So what does this innovative behemoth of a guitar manufacturer have in store for us? They are making the Gib- son Les Paul Standard more standard. It might not sound revolutionary but it is what gear nerds have been aggres- sively mashing their keyboards about (in a united frenzy of forum filling hatred) for years. Gibson’s ideas and innovations have not been inherently bad but it will be refreshing to finally see this company do what they do best and make a fantastic bog standard in- strument. Do not panic if you are a fan of modern appoint- ments, as there is a Les Paul Modern line running alongside the Standard series. They will not however, bear the same whacky technology that has been seen strapped to some of Gibson’s more recent prod- ucts. So the Standard is well and truly back! In the Standard range now lie two models, the 50’s and the 60’s. So, let’s grab these beasts lovingly by the neck and give them a strum! The new standards are not weight relieved, which has resulted in one big chunk of resonant goodness. However, just like the good old days, you are now at the mercy of the cut of wood when it comes to how back destroyingly heavy the guitar is. All guitars are going to weight and resonate differently as no two pieces of wood are the same. These differences make up a large part of the magic connection that players have with their in- strument and why it is so im- portant that you go to a shop and play a few different guitars yourself.These differences are a little more apparent when large chunks of the wood have not been removed from the inside of the guitar, which is ef- fectively what Gibson’s weight relief process is. So what sets apart a Standard 50’s from a 60’s?The neck pro- file is one of the major differ- ences.The 60’s profile is a little more slender and is often, but not always, preferred by faster players.The 50’s neck has a lit- tle more wood to it.A deeper curve that fills the palm of the hand. Think of the 60’s pro- file like a Kit Kat and the 50’s profile a KitKat Chunky. Most people would devour both but they will most likely have a preference. Now the elec- tric bit! Whack the jack into its respective holes and turn the amp up… loud. There are a lot of factors that manipu- late the sound in an electric guitar but the factor with the most prominent tonal fla- vour is the choice of pick ups. These guitars will sing you the same song in two completely different voices. Both a tonal parade of sonic brilliance but REVIEW: Gibson Les Paul Standard By Adam Roberts Local stockists... www.ryansgigguide.com rgg Jun 2019 29 www.ryansgigguide.com 28 rgg Jun 2019