What body woods are used in the Gibson Les Paul Supreme?

The guitar is built with a mahogany body and a AAA figured maple top. This combination is a staple of Gibson design, intended to balance warmth and sustain with brightness.

Does this model feature weight relief?

Yes, this model includes a weight-relieved mahogany body. This design helps the guitar feel lighter and more comfortable during long playing sessions compared to solid-body versions.

What type of neck profile does the Les Paul Supreme have?

It features a SlimTaper mahogany neck. This profile is thinner than traditional 50s necks, allowing for faster movement and a more modern feel.

What is unique about the fingerboard radius?

The ebony fingerboard features a 10"–16" compound radius. It is rounder at the nut for easy chording and flatter at the higher frets to facilitate lead playing and string bends.

Which pickups are installed in this guitar?

The guitar is loaded with a Burstbucker Pro in the neck position and a Burstbucker Pro Plus in the bridge position. These are designed to offer a flagship Gibson sound with modern performance reliability.

What kind of hardware is featured on the Wine Red model?

The Gibson Les Paul Supreme Wine Red is equipped with gold hardware. This includes the bridge, tailpiece, and tuning machines, contributing to its high-end appearance.

How does the contoured heel benefit the player?

The contoured heel provides easier access to the upper frets. By reducing the bulk of the neck joint, players can reach high notes more comfortably than on standard Les Paul models.

What are the fingerboard inlays made of?

The fingerboard features Super Split Block inlays. These are made from mother of pearl, adding a premium aesthetic detail to the ebony surface.

What is the typical price for this model?

The typical price for this Gibson Les Paul Supreme model is approximately GBP 3499. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and stock availability.

What finish is applied to this specific instrument?

This specific instrument features a Wine Red finish. The transparent nature of the finish allows the AAA figured maple top's wood grain to be visible.

Which famous artists have been associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars?

Notable users of Gibson guitars include Les Paul himself, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Duane Allman. Other diverse artists include Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, and Brian May.

How does the Les Paul Supreme compare to the Les Paul Standard 50s?

The Supreme offers modern upgrades like a compound radius, contoured heel, and weight relief. The Standard 50s typically features a thicker neck profile and lacks the high-end cosmetic appointments of the Supreme.

Gear article

Gibson Les Paul Supreme Wine Red #228750080

The Gibson Les Paul Supreme Wine Red is a premium electric guitar that serves as a flagship interpretation of the classic Les Paul silhouette. It features a weight-relieved mahogany body with a AAA figured maple top and is equipped with Burstbucker Pro and Pro Plus pickups for a modern, versatile tonal range.

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Overview and Design

The Gibson Les Paul Supreme in Wine Red is designed to offer a luxury aesthetic combined with high-performance playability. The instrument is constructed with a mahogany body that has undergone weight relief, reducing the physical strain on the player during long performances without sacrificing sustain. The top is crafted from AAA figured maple, providing a distinct visual grain that is complemented by the deep Wine Red finish and gold hardware.

Key ergonomic features include a contoured heel, which is designed to improve access to the higher frets, a common challenge on traditional single-cutaway designs. The aesthetic is further elevated by Super Split Block mother of pearl inlays across the ebony fingerboard.

Neck and Playability

The guitar utilizes a mahogany neck shaped to a SlimTaper profile. This profile is intended to provide a fast and familiar feel for guitarists who prefer a thinner neck compared to 1950s-style instruments. The fingerboard is made of ebony and features a 10"–16" compound radius. This design means the board is more curved at the nut for comfortable chording and flattens out as it approaches the body, facilitating easier string bending and reducing 'fret-out'.

Electronics and Sound

The Les Paul Supreme is equipped with a Burstbucker Pro in the neck position and a Burstbucker Pro Plus in the bridge position. These pickups are designed to deliver the warmth and rich sustain characteristic of the Les Paul lineage while providing enough output for modern genres. The combination of the mahogany body and maple top produces a balanced tone with low-end resonance and high-end clarity.

Target Audience and Comparison

This instrument is positioned for professional musicians and serious collectors who require a versatile tool for the stage or studio. While the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s P90 offers a more vintage-correct experience with a thicker neck and different pickup configuration, the Supreme model prioritises modern comforts like the contoured heel and compound radius. Compared to other premium instruments like the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster or the Custom Shop '61 Telecaster, the Les Paul Supreme offers a distinctively shorter scale length and a humbucking tonal palette.

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Frequently asked questions

What body woods are used in the Gibson Les Paul Supreme?: The guitar is built with a mahogany body and a AAA figured maple top. This combination is a staple of Gibson design, intended to balance warmth and sustain with brightness.
Does this model feature weight relief?: Yes, this model includes a weight-relieved mahogany body. This design helps the guitar feel lighter and more comfortable during long playing sessions compared to solid-body versions.
What type of neck profile does the Les Paul Supreme have?: It features a SlimTaper mahogany neck. This profile is thinner than traditional 50s necks, allowing for faster movement and a more modern feel.
What is unique about the fingerboard radius?: The ebony fingerboard features a 10"–16" compound radius. It is rounder at the nut for easy chording and flatter at the higher frets to facilitate lead playing and string bends.
Which pickups are installed in this guitar?: The guitar is loaded with a Burstbucker Pro in the neck position and a Burstbucker Pro Plus in the bridge position. These are designed to offer a flagship Gibson sound with modern performance reliability.
What kind of hardware is featured on the Wine Red model?: The Gibson Les Paul Supreme Wine Red is equipped with gold hardware. This includes the bridge, tailpiece, and tuning machines, contributing to its high-end appearance.
How does the contoured heel benefit the player?: The contoured heel provides easier access to the upper frets. By reducing the bulk of the neck joint, players can reach high notes more comfortably than on standard Les Paul models.
What are the fingerboard inlays made of?: The fingerboard features Super Split Block inlays. These are made from mother of pearl, adding a premium aesthetic detail to the ebony surface.
What is the typical price for this model?: The typical price for this Gibson Les Paul Supreme model is approximately GBP 3499. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and stock availability.
What finish is applied to this specific instrument?: This specific instrument features a Wine Red finish. The transparent nature of the finish allows the AAA figured maple top's wood grain to be visible.
Which famous artists have been associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars?: Notable users of Gibson guitars include Les Paul himself, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Duane Allman. Other diverse artists include Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, and Brian May.
How does the Les Paul Supreme compare to the Les Paul Standard 50s?: The Supreme offers modern upgrades like a compound radius, contoured heel, and weight relief. The Standard 50s typically features a thicker neck profile and lacks the high-end cosmetic appointments of the Supreme.