Gibson Les Paul Standard 2019 - what's the furore?
Here is a picture of the new Gibson Les Paul Standard 2019 model. In the snazzy looking Blueberry Burst. Not possibly the colour I'd choose if I was buying this guitar but interesting and actually quiet innovative for a production guitar finish - you've got a standard burst idea - i.e. fade from light to dark from the centre out to the edges and a colour transition from the neck joint to the base of the instrument.
Now - if you search on the Internet for Gibson Les Paul Standard 2019 - you'll find a whole host of articles and videos with people in melt down. I've not seen this level of hate for Gibson Les Paul since the addition of robot tuners and the height adjustable brass nut.
I thought I write and give my take on this... firstly by talking history.
Exhibit one the original Les Paul model as introduced in 1952. (from GuitarHQ.com)
Let us roll on to 1957.
(This is actually Snowy White's guitar that he has used throughout his career with Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, Thin Lizzy etc.).
Note the changes - the original bridge was a disaster. Les Paul wanted the trapeze model but the strings are under it not over making palm muting at the bridge a mighty bit tricky. So firstly it was replaced with a simply stop bar and the neck angle in the body changed to go over the top. Then another year or so later Gibson went with the familiar tunamatic and stop bar arrangement to allow better ease to intonation during set up. The other big change is that by 57 the Humbucker pickups had been introduced replacing the original P90s. Look at this guitar and the 2019 model.... there's the heritage.
But.... We've not yet hit the "golden" years - the burst years. At the end of 57 Gibson dropped the "gold top" finish, which had been the only finish available since introduction (barring very rare custom orders from the factory) and introduced the cherry sunburst finish.
Here is a classic example from 1959 - in a book I actually own which is yes simply page after page of Les Paul bursts from the late 50s to early 60s.
Now... one thing I've heard a lot of moaning about on the forums and youtube is that this year's model isn't a "classic" standard. Now... here's the thing. The Les Paul Standard as a model actually never appeared until 1975. This was when Gibson realised many people were routing out Deluxe model's to take standard format humbuckers. The Deluxe was introduced in 1969 after the brief appearance of a P90 model that had looked very like a 1956 model. The deluxe continued the "gold top" and a cherry sunburst theme. In the mid 70s a few companies, notably Dimarzio, were offering replacement pickups and people were often putting these in routed out Deluxes to look like a late 50s model - which were by then the holy grail of guitars with Jimmy Page among many others using them. (Btw Deluxes used a routing in the body similar to a P90 route but fitted into via a clever ring a small humbucker - essentially left over Epiphone pickups from the 60s.
So - if you want an original "Standard" replica you actually want a 1975 copy - with the 70s pickups - not PAFs, the volute on the back of the neck ... etc. all things many consider as backward steps in the Les Paul evolution.
The 2019 model - the complaints...
The complaints I hear most are...
Push Pull knobs. Yes traditional Les Paul models until only very recently only offered the one sound - the humbucking pickup. Let's look at the competition... I'll pick PRS as they are the obvious one, USA based production of their core models (as they call them). Since the initial intro of the PRS custom and single cut models (likely competitors to Les Paul models) they have had multi switching options - either via 5 position switches to give various humbucking and single coils in combination or via coil tap (or split) modes via a push pull on the tone control(s). I'd also point to other near competitors - Gordon Smith in the UK. I have their Graduate 60 model (a 2002 one) which has coil taps (and a no load control on the vol too) which offers the coil tap option.
Dip switches - to go along with the push pull knobs inside the guitar is a way to alter which coils are used on which setting etc. clearly not something you can do on the fly when playing live but allows you to tailor the optional sounds to what you prefer. Honestly I think that is brilliant - it makes the thing so much more versatile and if you are a recording guitarist doing sessions maybe a god send one day - if you remember to carry the screwdriver you need to get into the back.
BTW - you can just leave all the switches in the standard position and never use them... you know what it'll sound like... a Les Paul!
I really see the Standard as the guitar Gibson want to compete against PRS Customs and Singlecuts. Now PRS continually update their models, different switches, pickup updates, tuners, colour options etc. To me Gibson want the Standard to be a versatile sounding (hence the switches etc.) colourful (like PRS) high spec production guitar. It is exactly that. To me they are hamstrung by some limitations of the original design - for example the top fret access - although they could modify the heel to be like the Alex Lifeson Axcess model.... and why not? Probably because they fear the backlash. Gibson's only fault is not clearly saying - this is our modern PRS beater and pushing the heritage tag on the Traditional model.
So my take on this is this...
If you want a more traditional Les Paul that looks much more like the late 50s versions then buy the Les Paul Traditional.
Btw - that is $600 cheaper in Gibson's price list!
This is the bit I'm lost on - if Gibson didn't offer the Traditional then I could possibly see the argument from those complaining about this. But it is like Fender - they offer the current Professional series, with a more modern two post vibrato system, modern pickups etc. but they also offer the American Original series where you can buy something built to modern standards but with the old world look etc. If you like an old style trem (like me) then look at that as an option.
Alternatively Gibson (like Fender) also have incredible custom shop offerings of painstaking recreations of the holy grail guitars we conservative bunch of guitars all want. Like this one example.
Actually Gibson call this one The Holy Grail. Now the only issue you have here is the prices.
Les Paul Standard - $3,399
Les Paul Traditional - $2,799
The Holy Grail - $6,499
So yes the custom shop one is over twice the price of the Traditional. You pays your money and all that.... btw the custom shop offer many other limit options where the sky is the limit pricewise. Oh you could save up about $250,000 and just buy an original I suppose.
Although there is a Custom Shop 58 model at a reasonable (ahem!) $4,999.
My Opinion...
To me the Standard, even when it was the Les Paul Model in the 50s, has been the evolving modern model. If you don't want that then buy the option Gibson have created for you - the traditional.
Would I buy a 2019 Les Paul Standard? No.
Why? Well to start I have a 2007 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Which I'm very happy with. It has no coil taps it is in boring standard black etc but I always actually preferred the black custom vibe - blame live albums like Frampton Comes Alive and Live and Dangerous where Frampton and Robbo both sported black customs. Then if you could find one in the UK it would have cost you about £650 which was a fortune to me. A gold top deluxe was more often seen in the shops near me at about £500 - still too much for a penniless teenager! But in my mind it was black custom or gold top deluxes that I always craved as a youngster.
Also I have a Gordon Smith Graduate 60 - slightly rawer sound and coil taps for versatility (oh and a brass adjustable nut too... decades before Gibson declared it a new innovation). Also way way lighter than the Gibson.
Also I bought a PRS CE 22 some years back. Now it is lighter than the custom by a mile, better high fret access, lovely colour, has a five way switch giving versatile sounds and has a really reliable functioning trem. To be honest if I can only take one guitar to a session/gig it would be this one every time as it'll tick every box I'm likely to be presented with. Now the new standard might get close with those extra sound options but... no trem ... and a trem on a Les Paul that would be sacrilege ... ;-)
I thought I write and give my take on this... firstly by talking history.
Exhibit one the original Les Paul model as introduced in 1952. (from GuitarHQ.com)
Note the changes - the original bridge was a disaster. Les Paul wanted the trapeze model but the strings are under it not over making palm muting at the bridge a mighty bit tricky. So firstly it was replaced with a simply stop bar and the neck angle in the body changed to go over the top. Then another year or so later Gibson went with the familiar tunamatic and stop bar arrangement to allow better ease to intonation during set up. The other big change is that by 57 the Humbucker pickups had been introduced replacing the original P90s. Look at this guitar and the 2019 model.... there's the heritage.
But.... We've not yet hit the "golden" years - the burst years. At the end of 57 Gibson dropped the "gold top" finish, which had been the only finish available since introduction (barring very rare custom orders from the factory) and introduced the cherry sunburst finish.
Now... one thing I've heard a lot of moaning about on the forums and youtube is that this year's model isn't a "classic" standard. Now... here's the thing. The Les Paul Standard as a model actually never appeared until 1975. This was when Gibson realised many people were routing out Deluxe model's to take standard format humbuckers. The Deluxe was introduced in 1969 after the brief appearance of a P90 model that had looked very like a 1956 model. The deluxe continued the "gold top" and a cherry sunburst theme. In the mid 70s a few companies, notably Dimarzio, were offering replacement pickups and people were often putting these in routed out Deluxes to look like a late 50s model - which were by then the holy grail of guitars with Jimmy Page among many others using them. (Btw Deluxes used a routing in the body similar to a P90 route but fitted into via a clever ring a small humbucker - essentially left over Epiphone pickups from the 60s.
So - if you want an original "Standard" replica you actually want a 1975 copy - with the 70s pickups - not PAFs, the volute on the back of the neck ... etc. all things many consider as backward steps in the Les Paul evolution.
The 2019 model - the complaints...
The complaints I hear most are...
- Colours
- Push Pull knobs
- Dip switches
Push Pull knobs. Yes traditional Les Paul models until only very recently only offered the one sound - the humbucking pickup. Let's look at the competition... I'll pick PRS as they are the obvious one, USA based production of their core models (as they call them). Since the initial intro of the PRS custom and single cut models (likely competitors to Les Paul models) they have had multi switching options - either via 5 position switches to give various humbucking and single coils in combination or via coil tap (or split) modes via a push pull on the tone control(s). I'd also point to other near competitors - Gordon Smith in the UK. I have their Graduate 60 model (a 2002 one) which has coil taps (and a no load control on the vol too) which offers the coil tap option.
Dip switches - to go along with the push pull knobs inside the guitar is a way to alter which coils are used on which setting etc. clearly not something you can do on the fly when playing live but allows you to tailor the optional sounds to what you prefer. Honestly I think that is brilliant - it makes the thing so much more versatile and if you are a recording guitarist doing sessions maybe a god send one day - if you remember to carry the screwdriver you need to get into the back.
BTW - you can just leave all the switches in the standard position and never use them... you know what it'll sound like... a Les Paul!
I really see the Standard as the guitar Gibson want to compete against PRS Customs and Singlecuts. Now PRS continually update their models, different switches, pickup updates, tuners, colour options etc. To me Gibson want the Standard to be a versatile sounding (hence the switches etc.) colourful (like PRS) high spec production guitar. It is exactly that. To me they are hamstrung by some limitations of the original design - for example the top fret access - although they could modify the heel to be like the Alex Lifeson Axcess model.... and why not? Probably because they fear the backlash. Gibson's only fault is not clearly saying - this is our modern PRS beater and pushing the heritage tag on the Traditional model.
So my take on this is this...
If you want a more traditional Les Paul that looks much more like the late 50s versions then buy the Les Paul Traditional.
Btw - that is $600 cheaper in Gibson's price list!
This is the bit I'm lost on - if Gibson didn't offer the Traditional then I could possibly see the argument from those complaining about this. But it is like Fender - they offer the current Professional series, with a more modern two post vibrato system, modern pickups etc. but they also offer the American Original series where you can buy something built to modern standards but with the old world look etc. If you like an old style trem (like me) then look at that as an option.
Alternatively Gibson (like Fender) also have incredible custom shop offerings of painstaking recreations of the holy grail guitars we conservative bunch of guitars all want. Like this one example.
Les Paul Standard - $3,399
Les Paul Traditional - $2,799
The Holy Grail - $6,499
So yes the custom shop one is over twice the price of the Traditional. You pays your money and all that.... btw the custom shop offer many other limit options where the sky is the limit pricewise. Oh you could save up about $250,000 and just buy an original I suppose.
Although there is a Custom Shop 58 model at a reasonable (ahem!) $4,999.
My Opinion...
To me the Standard, even when it was the Les Paul Model in the 50s, has been the evolving modern model. If you don't want that then buy the option Gibson have created for you - the traditional.
Would I buy a 2019 Les Paul Standard? No.
Why? Well to start I have a 2007 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Also I have a Gordon Smith Graduate 60 - slightly rawer sound and coil taps for versatility (oh and a brass adjustable nut too... decades before Gibson declared it a new innovation). Also way way lighter than the Gibson.
Also I bought a PRS CE 22 some years back. Now it is lighter than the custom by a mile, better high fret access, lovely colour, has a five way switch giving versatile sounds and has a really reliable functioning trem. To be honest if I can only take one guitar to a session/gig it would be this one every time as it'll tick every box I'm likely to be presented with. Now the new standard might get close with those extra sound options but... no trem ... and a trem on a Les Paul that would be sacrilege ... ;-)
I love this stuff. Glad to see you post again.
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