What is the specific finish on this Gibson Les Paul model?

The guitar features a 'Blueberry Burst' finish, which is applied using a glossy nitrocellulose lacquer. This finish is designed to enhance the natural beauty of the AA figured maple top while allowing the wood to breathe and age naturally over time.

What type of neck profile does the Les Paul Standard 50s have?

This model features a rounded 50s vintage mahogany neck. It is generally thicker and more substantial than the 'SlimTaper' profiles found on 60s-style models, offering a classic feel for players who prefer a larger grip.

What electronics are used in this specific guitar?

The guitar is equipped with hand-wired audio taper potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors. These high-quality components are chosen to provide superior clarity, warmth, and a smooth roll-off for both volume and tone controls.

Is the body of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s solid or weight-relieved?

According to the manufacturer description, this model features a solid mahogany body. Unlike some modern Les Paul variations that use chambering or weight relief, this '50s' tribute maintains the traditional solid construction for maximum sustain.

What hardware is included on this model?

The guitar features nickel hardware, including a classic ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and an aluminium Stop Bar tailpiece. These components are intended to replicate the functional and aesthetic standards of the 1950s.

Which artists are associated with the Gibson Les Paul?

The Les Paul has been used by a diverse range of legendary musicians including Les Paul himself, Duane Allman, Paul McCartney, and John Lee Hooker. Other notable users across various genres include Dave Grohl, Brian May, and Taylor Swift.

How does the AA figured maple top affect the guitar?

The AA figured maple top is primarily a visual upgrade, showcasing intricate wood grain patterns. Tonally, the maple top adds a degree of brightness and 'snap' to the warm fundamental tone provided by the mahogany body.

What is the typical price range for this specific model in the UK?

The typical price range for the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top Blueberry Burst is approximately GBP 2399 to 2399, reflecting its status as a premium, American-made instrument.

What fingerboard material and inlays are used?

This guitar features a rosewood fingerboard. It is decorated with traditional acrylic trapezoid inlays, which are a signature visual element of the Les Paul Standard series.

How does this model compare to a Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster?

While both are professional-grade instruments, the Gibson features a solid mahogany body and a shorter scale length compared to the Stratocaster's alder body and longer scale. The Gibson is typically known for more sustain and warmth, while the Stratocaster offers a brighter, 'quackier' tone.

What is the significance of the ABR-1 bridge?

The ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge is the original design used in the 1950s. It allows for individual string intonation adjustments and is anchored directly into the body (often via thumbwheels), which many purists believe improves tone transfer.

Is the Les Paul Standard 50s suitable for beginners?

While a beginner can certainly play it, this guitar is positioned as a high-end professional instrument due to its price and specifications. It is generally sought after by serious enthusiasts and professional musicians looking for vintage-accurate features.

Gear article

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top Blueberry Burst #230250158

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top Blueberry Burst is a premium electric guitar that pays homage to the golden era of solid-body guitar design. Identified by serial number #230250158, this specific model features a solid mahogany body, an AA figured maple top, and a distinctive glossy nitrocellulose finish.

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Overview and Construction

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top is built to the specifications that defined the electric guitar's influence across multiple generations of music. The foundation of the instrument is a solid mahogany body, paired with a striking AA figured maple top. This combination provides both the structural durability required for professional use and the aesthetic appeal of natural wood grain, visible through the Blueberry Burst finish.

The guitar features a mahogany neck with a vintage 50s rounded profile. This chunkier neck shape is preferred by players who enjoy a more substantial feel in the hand. The fretboard is crafted from rosewood and is adorned with traditional trapezoid inlays, maintaining the classic visual identity of the 1950s era.

Electronics and Hardware

Internally, this model is equipped with high-quality components designed to preserve signal integrity and tonal warmth. It utilizes hand-wired audio taper potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors. These components are selected to ensure that adjustments to volume and tone are smooth and musically responsive, preventing the loss of high-end frequencies when rolling back the controls.

The hardware is finished in nickel, contributing to the vintage aesthetic. This includes an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge for precise intonation and an aluminium Stop Bar tailpiece, which is a hallmark of the 1950s construction style known for its resonant properties.

Sound and Character

The combination of a mahogany body and maple top typically results in a sound characterized by a rich, warm low end and a crisp, biting treble. Because of the 50s-style wiring and Orange Drop capacitors, the guitar is designed to deliver clarity across all registers. The vintage-style electronics are voiced to capture the 'warmth' associated with early rock, blues, and jazz recordings, providing a wide dynamic range that responds well to the player's touch.

Market Context and Alternatives

Positioned at a typical price point of GBP 2399, this model competes in the professional-tier market. Within the Gibson catalogue, it serves as a traditional alternative to the Les Paul Standard 60s, which features a slimmer neck profile and different hardware.

Outside of the brand, it is often compared to other high-end signature or professional models. These include the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster or the Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster. While those models offer different tonal palettes and scale lengths, the Les Paul Standard 50s remains a primary choice for players seeking the specific sustain and thickness of a dual-humbucker mahogany instrument.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the specific finish on this Gibson Les Paul model?: The guitar features a 'Blueberry Burst' finish, which is applied using a glossy nitrocellulose lacquer. This finish is designed to enhance the natural beauty of the AA figured maple top while allowing the wood to breathe and age naturally over time.
What type of neck profile does the Les Paul Standard 50s have?: This model features a rounded 50s vintage mahogany neck. It is generally thicker and more substantial than the 'SlimTaper' profiles found on 60s-style models, offering a classic feel for players who prefer a larger grip.
What electronics are used in this specific guitar?: The guitar is equipped with hand-wired audio taper potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors. These high-quality components are chosen to provide superior clarity, warmth, and a smooth roll-off for both volume and tone controls.
Is the body of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s solid or weight-relieved?: According to the manufacturer description, this model features a solid mahogany body. Unlike some modern Les Paul variations that use chambering or weight relief, this '50s' tribute maintains the traditional solid construction for maximum sustain.
What hardware is included on this model?: The guitar features nickel hardware, including a classic ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and an aluminium Stop Bar tailpiece. These components are intended to replicate the functional and aesthetic standards of the 1950s.
Which artists are associated with the Gibson Les Paul?: The Les Paul has been used by a diverse range of legendary musicians including Les Paul himself, Duane Allman, Paul McCartney, and John Lee Hooker. Other notable users across various genres include Dave Grohl, Brian May, and Taylor Swift.
How does the AA figured maple top affect the guitar?: The AA figured maple top is primarily a visual upgrade, showcasing intricate wood grain patterns. Tonally, the maple top adds a degree of brightness and 'snap' to the warm fundamental tone provided by the mahogany body.
What is the typical price range for this specific model in the UK?: The typical price range for the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top Blueberry Burst is approximately GBP 2399 to 2399, reflecting its status as a premium, American-made instrument.
What fingerboard material and inlays are used?: This guitar features a rosewood fingerboard. It is decorated with traditional acrylic trapezoid inlays, which are a signature visual element of the Les Paul Standard series.
How does this model compare to a Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster?: While both are professional-grade instruments, the Gibson features a solid mahogany body and a shorter scale length compared to the Stratocaster's alder body and longer scale. The Gibson is typically known for more sustain and warmth, while the Stratocaster offers a brighter, 'quackier' tone.
What is the significance of the ABR-1 bridge?: The ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge is the original design used in the 1950s. It allows for individual string intonation adjustments and is anchored directly into the body (often via thumbwheels), which many purists believe improves tone transfer.
Is the Les Paul Standard 50s suitable for beginners?: While a beginner can certainly play it, this guitar is positioned as a high-end professional instrument due to its price and specifications. It is generally sought after by serious enthusiasts and professional musicians looking for vintage-accurate features.