What finish is used on the Les Paul Standard 50s Plain Top?

The guitar features a hand-applied nitrocellulose lacquer finish. This finish is preferred for its vintage-style sheen and its ability to age naturally over time.

Which pickups are installed in this model?

It is equipped with calibrated Burstbucker 1 and Burstbucker 2 pickups. These are designed to capture the specific character of original 1950s PAF humbuckers.

What kind of electronics are used inside the guitar?

The guitar uses high-quality audio taper potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors. These components ensure a consistent and musical response when adjusting the volume and tone knobs.

What is the typical price for this Gibson model?

The typical price for the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Plain Top in Ebony is approximately £2,199. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and regional taxes.

How does the 'Plain Top' differ from other Les Paul Standards?

The 'Plain Top' lacks the high-intensity wood grain figure (flame) found on 'Figured' models. Instead, it offers a solid, uniform look which is then finished in bold colours like Ebony.

Does this guitar feature a rosewood or ebony fretboard?

Despite the 'Ebony' colour of the body, the fretboard is made of rosewood. This provides a traditional feel and a warm tonal contribution to the instrument.

What type of tuners are used on this Les Paul?

The guitar features Vintage Deluxe tuners with keystone-style buttons. These are chosen to match the aesthetic of the 1950s originals while providing modern reliability.

Is the neck profile thin or thick?

As a 50s model, this guitar features a more substantial, rounded neck profile compared to the 'SlimTaper' necks found on 60s-style Gibson models. It is designed to feel more filling in the hand.

Has this guitar been used by famous artists?

The Les Paul platform is used by a vast array of legends including Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Duane Allman. Other notable users of Gibson guitars include Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, and Brian May.

What hardware bridge system is included?

The guitar uses a classic Tune-O-Matic (TOM) bridge and a stop bar tailpiece. This system is known for its excellent sustain and ease of adjustment for intonation.

What kind of tone can I expect from the Burstbucker pickups?

You can expect a vintage-voiced sound with Alnico warmth and 'creamy' mids. They are versatile enough to deliver clear clean tones or powerful, biting distortion.

How does this compare to a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?

The Les Paul offers a thicker, humbucking sound and a shorter 24.75-inch scale length. The Stratocaster typically features single-coil pickups and a longer 25.5-inch scale, resulting in a brighter, more 'twangy' tone.

Gear article

Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Plain Top Ebony

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Plain Top is a premium solid-body electric guitar that returns to the classic design principles of the late 1950s. Featuring an Ebony finish and a hand-applied nitrocellulose coating, this model is equipped with Burstbucker pickups and vintage-style hardware to deliver traditional Gibson performance.

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History and Background

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s represents a deliberate return to the 'Golden Era' of Gibson manufacturing. Following a period of various modern specifications, Gibson reintroduced the 'Standard' series to satisfy players seeking historically accurate features without the price point of the Custom Shop Historic Reissues.

This specific 'Plain Top' iteration introduces a bold selection of colours, including the Ebony finish, to the standard line. While Les Pauls are frequently associated with figured maple, the Plain Top models offer a cleaner, more understated aesthetic that harks back to the solid-colour finishes of the 1950s.

Design and Hardware

The guitar is built with traditional tonewoods, featuring a mahogany body and neck paired with a rosewood fretboard. The Ebony finish is protected by a hand-applied nitrocellulose coating, which provides a vintage sheen and allows the wood to resonate more freely than modern polyurethane finishes.

Key hardware components include: * Vintage Deluxe Tuners: Period-correct aesthetics with reliable tuning stability. * Tune-O-Matic (TOM) Bridge: A classic design for precise intonation and sustain. * Gold Top Hat Knobs: Retro-style controls for independent volume and tone adjustment. * Internal Electronics: The use of Orange Drop capacitors and audio taper potentiometers ensures a smooth, musical roll-off for both volume and tone.

Sound Character

At the heart of the guitar's sound are the Calibrated Burstbucker pickups. These are designed to replicate the legendary Patent Applied For (PAF) humbuckers found in the late 50s.

Characterised by Alnico magnets, these pickups provide a 'creamy' vintage warmth suitable for clean jazz or blues. However, they are also designed with enough 'bite' to handle high-gain distortion, making them versatile for rock and heavier genres. The combination of the solid mahogany construction and these pickups results in the thick, sustaining tone synonymous with the Les Paul name.

User Profile and Comparisons

This instrument is primarily aimed at serious enthusiasts and professional musicians who prefer a substantial 50s neck profile and traditional electronics.

Compared to modern alternatives like the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster or the Jim Root Telecaster, the Les Paul Standard 50s offers a shorter scale length and a heavier body, resulting in a different tactile experience and a darker, fuller frequency response. For those seeking a different vintage flavour, the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s P90 version provides a brighter, single-coil snap, whereas the Plain Top Ebony remains the standard choice for those desiring classic humbucking power.

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Frequently asked questions

What finish is used on the Les Paul Standard 50s Plain Top?: The guitar features a hand-applied nitrocellulose lacquer finish. This finish is preferred for its vintage-style sheen and its ability to age naturally over time.
Which pickups are installed in this model?: It is equipped with calibrated Burstbucker 1 and Burstbucker 2 pickups. These are designed to capture the specific character of original 1950s PAF humbuckers.
What kind of electronics are used inside the guitar?: The guitar uses high-quality audio taper potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors. These components ensure a consistent and musical response when adjusting the volume and tone knobs.
What is the typical price for this Gibson model?: The typical price for the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Plain Top in Ebony is approximately £2,199. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and regional taxes.
How does the 'Plain Top' differ from other Les Paul Standards?: The 'Plain Top' lacks the high-intensity wood grain figure (flame) found on 'Figured' models. Instead, it offers a solid, uniform look which is then finished in bold colours like Ebony.
Does this guitar feature a rosewood or ebony fretboard?: Despite the 'Ebony' colour of the body, the fretboard is made of rosewood. This provides a traditional feel and a warm tonal contribution to the instrument.
What type of tuners are used on this Les Paul?: The guitar features Vintage Deluxe tuners with keystone-style buttons. These are chosen to match the aesthetic of the 1950s originals while providing modern reliability.
Is the neck profile thin or thick?: As a 50s model, this guitar features a more substantial, rounded neck profile compared to the 'SlimTaper' necks found on 60s-style Gibson models. It is designed to feel more filling in the hand.
Has this guitar been used by famous artists?: The Les Paul platform is used by a vast array of legends including Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Duane Allman. Other notable users of Gibson guitars include Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, and Brian May.
What hardware bridge system is included?: The guitar uses a classic Tune-O-Matic (TOM) bridge and a stop bar tailpiece. This system is known for its excellent sustain and ease of adjustment for intonation.
What kind of tone can I expect from the Burstbucker pickups?: You can expect a vintage-voiced sound with Alnico warmth and 'creamy' mids. They are versatile enough to deliver clear clean tones or powerful, biting distortion.
How does this compare to a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?: The Les Paul offers a thicker, humbucking sound and a shorter 24.75-inch scale length. The Stratocaster typically features single-coil pickups and a longer 25.5-inch scale, resulting in a brighter, more 'twangy' tone.