What is the specific finish on this model?

This guitar features a bold Ocean Blue finish that is translucent to highlight the natural grain of the AA figured maple top.

Does this Les Paul have weight relief?

No, this model features a solid mahogany body with no weight relief, adhering to the traditional construction methods of the 1950s for maximum sustain.

What type of neck profile does it have?

It uses a rounded 50s-style mahogany neck, which provides a thicker, more substantial feel compared to modern slim neck profiles.

Which pickups are installed in this guitar?

The guitar is equipped with a Burstbucker 1 in the neck position and a Burstbucker 2 in the bridge position.

What kind of capacitors are used in the wiring?

The electronics are hand-wired using Orange Drop capacitors, which are favoured for their vintage-style clarity and dynamic response.

What is the fingerboard material?

The fingerboard is made from Indian rosewood, a classic choice for Gibson guitars that offers a smooth playing surface.

How does the AA figured maple top affect the guitar?

Beyond its striking visual 'flame' or 'quilt' patterns, the maple top adds a degree of brightness and top-end clarity to the naturally warm sound of the mahogany body.

Is the Ocean Blue finish a vintage colour?

While the guitar's specifications are based on the 1950s, the Ocean Blue finish is a modern aesthetic choice that updates the classic design.

What is the typical price range for this specific model?

In the UK market, this model typically retails for approximately £2,699.

What kind of music is this guitar suited for?

Thanks to its PAF-inspired Burstbucker pickups and solid construction, it is highly suited for rock, blues, and jazz where sustain and dynamic touch are required.

How does it compare to the Les Paul Standard 60s?

The 50s model features a thicker neck profile and Burstbucker 1/2 pickups, whereas the 60s model typically has a SlimTaper neck and different pickup voicings.

What notable artists have been associated with Gibson Les Pauls?

The Les Paul has been used by a wide array of legendary musicians including Les Paul himself, Duane Allman, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Brian May.

Gear article

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top Ocean Blue

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top is a premium solid-body electric guitar featuring a distinct Ocean Blue finish and an AA figured maple top. Designed to replicate the specifications of the 'Golden Era', it utilises a solid mahogany body without weight relief and vintage-style electronics for authentic sustain and tone.

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Background and Design

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top represents a return to the foundational design principles of the late 1950s. Unlike modern variations that often include weight relief chambers to reduce mass, this model is constructed from a solid mahogany body. The 'Figured Top' designation refers to the AA-grade maple used for the instrument's cap, which displays a natural wood grain pattern enhanced by the translucent Ocean Blue finish.

Historically, this specific aesthetic deviates from the traditional Sunburst finishes of the 1950s, offering a contemporary bold visual while maintaining the structural integrity of the original series. It stands as a revival of the legendary design that defined the rock and blues genres.

Technical Specifications

The instrument is built with a mahogany neck featuring a rounded 50s-style profile, which is thicker and more substantial than the 'SlimTaper' designs found on 60s models. This is paired with an Indian rosewood fingerboard, providing a classic tactile feel and aesthetic.

The electronics are a highlight of the build, featuring Burstbucker 1 and Burstbucker 2 humbucking pickups. These are designed to emulate the 'Patent Applied For' (PAF) pickups of the mid-20th century. The controls are hand-wired and include Orange Drop capacitors, which are selected for their ability to maintain clarity and a smooth dynamic response when adjusting the volume and tone pots.

Sound Character

Due to its solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany construction, the guitar is noted for its high levels of resonance and sustain. The combination of mahogany and maple produces a balanced tonal profile: the mahogany provides warmth and depth in the low-mid frequencies, while the maple top adds brightness and 'snap' to the attack.

The Burstbucker pickups offer a vintage voice characterized by a medium output. This allows the guitar to produce clean, woody tones when played through a low-gain amplifier, while maintaining definition and 'growl' when pushed into overdrive.

Market Position and Alternatives

Positioned at a retail price point of approximately £2,699, this model targets professional musicians and serious collectors seeking a vintage-spec instrument with a unique finish. Within the Gibson catalogue, it sits alongside the Les Paul Standard 50s P90 (Tobacco Burst), which offers a different tonal palette via single-coil pickups.

When compared to other high-end electric guitars, it offers a contrast to Fender's offerings, such as the Eric Clapton Stratocaster or the American Professional II Stratocaster. While those instruments typically feature bolt-on necks and longer scale lengths, the Les Paul Standard 50s provides the shorter 24.75" scale and set-neck construction synonymous with the Gibson brand.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the specific finish on this model?: This guitar features a bold Ocean Blue finish that is translucent to highlight the natural grain of the AA figured maple top.
Does this Les Paul have weight relief?: No, this model features a solid mahogany body with no weight relief, adhering to the traditional construction methods of the 1950s for maximum sustain.
What type of neck profile does it have?: It uses a rounded 50s-style mahogany neck, which provides a thicker, more substantial feel compared to modern slim neck profiles.
Which pickups are installed in this guitar?: The guitar is equipped with a Burstbucker 1 in the neck position and a Burstbucker 2 in the bridge position.
What kind of capacitors are used in the wiring?: The electronics are hand-wired using Orange Drop capacitors, which are favoured for their vintage-style clarity and dynamic response.
What is the fingerboard material?: The fingerboard is made from Indian rosewood, a classic choice for Gibson guitars that offers a smooth playing surface.
How does the AA figured maple top affect the guitar?: Beyond its striking visual 'flame' or 'quilt' patterns, the maple top adds a degree of brightness and top-end clarity to the naturally warm sound of the mahogany body.
Is the Ocean Blue finish a vintage colour?: While the guitar's specifications are based on the 1950s, the Ocean Blue finish is a modern aesthetic choice that updates the classic design.
What is the typical price range for this specific model?: In the UK market, this model typically retails for approximately £2,699.
What kind of music is this guitar suited for?: Thanks to its PAF-inspired Burstbucker pickups and solid construction, it is highly suited for rock, blues, and jazz where sustain and dynamic touch are required.
How does it compare to the Les Paul Standard 60s?: The 50s model features a thicker neck profile and Burstbucker 1/2 pickups, whereas the 60s model typically has a SlimTaper neck and different pickup voicings.
What notable artists have been associated with Gibson Les Pauls?: The Les Paul has been used by a wide array of legendary musicians including Les Paul himself, Duane Allman, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Brian May.