From Our Research Team:

The "Time Warp" Les Paul

What can we write about the Gibson Les Paul that hasn't already been written? It all comes down to this: Ever since its introduction in 1952, the Les Paul has had an impact on both guitar players and on music itself. What started out as Gibson's answer to the introduction of solid body guitars in 1950, turned out to be perhaps the most influential of them all. What started out as a simple gold-top guitar has turned into a veritable rainbow of colors, in configurations to meet everyone's needs, wants and yes, even budget. It's a rock and roll icon. Think '60s Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Mike Bloomfield all the way up to Slash with Guns N Roses or Velvet Revolver. Yeah, it's really that cool. Now, the Les Paul Standard Faded is really interesting, because Gibson looked at just how those original colors faded over the decades, not just because of age, but also because of all the hot, smoke-filled clubs they were played in night after night. And you know what? They really nailed it. Gibson craftsmen hand rub the traditional finishes until they have the weathered look of an original. One look and you'll feel like you're going back in time, opening the case of a 30-year-old guitar with tons of history under its belt. Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded at a Glance:

• Carved AA flamed maple top in faded Honey Burst finish over a mahogany body with single-ply cream binding
• 1960s slim-taper mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard
• Two BurstBucker Pro pickups with Alnico V magnets, no covers

A True Vintage Look and Feel! In 1958, the Les Paul went from a simple gold-finished, painted top to a cherry sunburst finish over a carved maple two-piece top. The majority of the tops were actually pretty plain, while others - the ones collectors now pay astronomically high prices for - could be found with beautifully figured, two-piece flamed maple tops. Actually, it was the carved top that set the Les Paul apart from the "competition." That continued through the instrument's long and storied history. The Les Paul Standard Faded Series takes you back in time. Using modern production techniques, combined with a bit of hand crafting (and maybe a little magic), these guitars have the look and feel of a Les Paul with tons of history. The colors have faded and the finish has dulled to a burnished satin feel, just like an authentic vintage Les Paul. How do they do that? This one's a faded Honey Burst. Fast 1960s Slim-taper Neck Profile The first Les Pauls had huge necks, but by 1960 the neck underwent several modifications until it became what's known as the slim-taper design, which many of today's players actually prefer. Okay, we made fun of the slim-taper necks more than once or twice, but it is in keeping with more contemporary tastes, so pick the neck that suits your playing style and individual preferences. Of course, the neck is mahogany, so it's absolutely rock solid and the rosewood fingerboard with those classy pearloid trapezoid markers has that warm, classic Les Paul feel while still allowing easy access to the upper frets so you can really dig into your solos! Two Fat, Smoky BurstBucker Pro Pickups Look, when you're talking about a Les Paul, you're talking about that big, fat, smoky humbucker sound. Forget all those thin "out-of-phase" guitar sounds that the session players overused in the 1980s and (sad to say) right through much of the '90s. That's not for you, is it? Of course not. You've got that fast '60s slim-taper neck in your left hand and you're grabbing big chunky chords and soloing all up and down the fingerboard. You want that Les Paul sound, not some wishy-washy compromise (though it's okay for some people, just not you). So Gibson put two huge-sounding BurstBucker Pro pickups on this baby with hot Alnico V magnets. Players like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page believed that humbuckers sounded better with the covers off, so that's what Gibson did on these special faded editions. But it's still all about the tone! Les Paul Standard Faded features:

• Color: Honey Burst
• Top: Carved AA flamed maple
• Back: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with 1960s slim-taper profile
• Fingerboard: Rosewood with pearloid trapezoid inlays
• Number of frets: 22
• Pickups: Two BurstBucker Pro pickups with Alnico V magnets
• Controls: Two each tone and volume with three-way pickup selector switch
• Machine heads: Green Keys
• Hardware: Nickel plated
• Case: Black reptile pattern hardshell

Gibson: Don't Mess with a Good Thing Gibson guitars have been around for well over a century. When guitarists are looking for an outstanding combination of superb tone and playability along with great looks and gorgeous finishes, the choice for most of those 100 plus years has been Gibson. From their amazing collection of fine acoustics to the electric guitars that literally rewrote music history, Gibson guitars have been on almost every chart-topping album from artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Cream and Led Zeppelin. These "first call" instruments also cross an enormous array of diverse styles, from folk and country to blues and hard rock. With that resume, it's not surprising that so many of Gibson's best-selling instruments have changed little over the decades. Because there's just no sense in messing with a good thing!

Specification Detail Manufacturer Part Number LP6FHBNH1