What is the neck profile on the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s?

The guitar features a 50s Vintage mahogany neck profile. This is a thicker, more rounded shape compared to modern slim neck designs, offering an authentic vintage feel.

Does this guitar have weight relief?

No, the Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top features a solid mahogany body without weight relief. This design choice is intended to maximise resonance and sustain.

What pickups are installed in this model?

This guitar is equipped with Gibson Burstbucker pickups. These humbuckers are designed to provide a vintage-style tone with warm lows and clear, sparkling highs.

What kind of capacitors are used in the wiring?

The guitar is hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors. These are high-quality components known for providing precise control over the tone and volume sweep.

What does 'Figured Top' refer to?

It refers to the AA-grade maple used for the top of the guitar. This wood features a 'flame' or 'tiger stripe' grain pattern that is aesthetically desirable and unique to each instrument.

Is a case included with the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s?

Yes, the guitar comes complete with a durable Gibson hardshell case. This ensures the instrument is protected during transport and storage.

What is the typical price for this guitar?

The typical price range for this specific model is approximately £2,499. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and specific regional taxes.

How does this compare to a Les Paul Standard 60s?

The 50s model has a thicker neck and Burstbucker pickups, whereas the 60s model typically features a SlimTaper neck and 60s Burstbucker pickups for a slightly different feel and output.

What genres is this guitar suitable for?

Due to its versatile Burstbucker pickups and rich sustain, it is suitable for almost any genre, including rock, blues, jazz, and pop.

What is the body construction of this model?

It consists of a solid mahogany body and a carved AA figured maple top. This combination is the classic formula for the Les Paul's signature sound.

Who are some famous users of the Gibson Les Paul?

Notable users include Duane Allman, Brian May, Dave Grohl, and Paul McCartney. It has also been used by pop artists like Taylor Swift and rock icons like Eddie Vedder.

What finish is used on this specific serial number?

This model features a Cherry finish on a figured maple top. This classic look highlights the wood grain while providing a vibrant, traditional aesthetic.

Gear article

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top (Serial #227130397)

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top is a premium solid-body electric guitar that recreates the specifications of the instrument's original golden era. It features a solid mahogany body paired with an AA figured maple top and is equipped with Burstbucker pickups for a vintage-voiced output.

See live prices

Background and Design

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top is designed as a tribute to the foundational designs of the 1950s. Eschewing modern weight relief techniques, this model focuses on the traditional construction methods that defined the early solid-body era. The 'Figured Top' designation refers to the AA-grade flame maple cap, which provides both a distinctive aesthetic appeal and a bright tonal contrast to the mahogany base.

This specific model is finished in a classic Cherry Sunburst style, emphasizing the natural grain of the maple. It represents a return to form for Gibson, focusing on the specifications that made the instrument a staple in recorded music history.

Technical Specifications

The core of the instrument is a solid mahogany body, which provides the weight and sustain characteristic of the 1950s originals. The neck features a '50s Vintage' profile, which is notably thicker and more rounded than the '60s SlimTaper counterparts, appealing to players who prefer a substantial grip.

The electronics suite includes a pair of Gibson Burstbucker pickups. These are designed to replicate the characteristics of original PAF (Patent Applied For) humbuckers. The circuitry is hand-wired and utilises Orange Drop capacitors, ensuring a consistent and precise roll-off for both the volume and tone controls.

Sound and Character

The combination of tonewoods and electronics results in a rich, resonant sound. The mahogany body delivers warm lows and a thick midrange, while the AA maple top adds a 'snap' to the attack and sparkling highs.

The Burstbucker pickups provide a versatile palette, ranging from smooth, woody jazz and blues tones in the neck position to biting, aggressive lead sounds in the bridge. Because of the hand-wired electronics, the guitar maintains its tonal clarity even when the volume is rolled back, making it suitable for a wide range of genres including rock, blues, and pop.

Notable Users

The Les Paul Standard platform has been utilised by a diverse roster of legendary musicians. Historical figures such as Les Paul himself and John Lee Hooker helped establish its presence, while rock icons like Duane Allman, Brian May, and Paul McCartney have used the model to define their respective sounds.

The guitar's versatility is further evidenced by its use across varied genres by artists such as Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder, Taylor Swift, and Mick Jagger. Even in contemporary pop and international contexts, the model remains a preference for performers like Falco and Guus Meeuwis.

Comparative Analysis

Compared to contemporary alternatives like the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster or the Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster, the Les Paul Standard 50s offers a shorter scale length and a heavier, fixed-bridge construction, leading to increased sustain and a thicker tonal profile.

Within the Gibson family, this model differs from the Les Paul Standard 50s P90 variant by utilizing humbucking pickups instead of single-coil P90s, resulting in a quieter operation at high gain. For players seeking a more modern or aggressive aesthetic, alternatives like the Fender Jim Root Telecaster or the Kurt Cobain Jaguar offer different ergonomic and electronic configurations.

Artists who play it

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the neck profile on the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s?: The guitar features a 50s Vintage mahogany neck profile. This is a thicker, more rounded shape compared to modern slim neck designs, offering an authentic vintage feel.
Does this guitar have weight relief?: No, the Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top features a solid mahogany body without weight relief. This design choice is intended to maximise resonance and sustain.
What pickups are installed in this model?: This guitar is equipped with Gibson Burstbucker pickups. These humbuckers are designed to provide a vintage-style tone with warm lows and clear, sparkling highs.
What kind of capacitors are used in the wiring?: The guitar is hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors. These are high-quality components known for providing precise control over the tone and volume sweep.
What does 'Figured Top' refer to?: It refers to the AA-grade maple used for the top of the guitar. This wood features a 'flame' or 'tiger stripe' grain pattern that is aesthetically desirable and unique to each instrument.
Is a case included with the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s?: Yes, the guitar comes complete with a durable Gibson hardshell case. This ensures the instrument is protected during transport and storage.
What is the typical price for this guitar?: The typical price range for this specific model is approximately £2,499. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and specific regional taxes.
How does this compare to a Les Paul Standard 60s?: The 50s model has a thicker neck and Burstbucker pickups, whereas the 60s model typically features a SlimTaper neck and 60s Burstbucker pickups for a slightly different feel and output.
What genres is this guitar suitable for?: Due to its versatile Burstbucker pickups and rich sustain, it is suitable for almost any genre, including rock, blues, jazz, and pop.
What is the body construction of this model?: It consists of a solid mahogany body and a carved AA figured maple top. This combination is the classic formula for the Les Paul's signature sound.
Who are some famous users of the Gibson Les Paul?: Notable users include Duane Allman, Brian May, Dave Grohl, and Paul McCartney. It has also been used by pop artists like Taylor Swift and rock icons like Eddie Vedder.
What finish is used on this specific serial number?: This model features a Cherry finish on a figured maple top. This classic look highlights the wood grain while providing a vibrant, traditional aesthetic.