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Guitars > Electric Guitars > Solidbody Guitars > Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus (Desert Burst)

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Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus (Desert Burst) (No Longer Available)

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, AAA Flamed Maple Top, Burstbucker Pro Pickups with Coil Taps, and Hardshell Case - Desert Burst

Sorry, the Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus (Desert Burst) is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

From Our Research Team:

A Les Paul That's Far More Than Standard!

You can't beat the Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus solidbody electric guitar for iconic vintage tone with uncompromising playability. You'll love the 2012 Les Paul Standard's premium features, like the "Modern" weight-relieved body that's lighter in weight but still packs ample sustain. The mahogany neck sports a '60s profile for fast and fluid fretwork, and the compound radius rosewood fretboard makes the Les Paul Standard perfect for both rhythm and lead roles. And with dual Burstbucker Pro pickups, with coil tapping to switch between humbucking and single-coil operation, you'll have all the classic guitar tone you can handle with the Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus!

Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus Solidbody Electric Guitar at a Glance:
  • Mahogany body with AAA flamed maple top
  • '60s neck profile with compound radius fingerboard
  • Burstbucker Pro pickups with coil taps

The Les Paul recipe for sustain - mahogany body with AAA flamed maple top
Gibson's Les Paul Standard Premium Plus gives you the robust sustain you need for hot liquid solos and massive power chords. What's Gibson's secret? A major part of the Les Paul's tonewood recipe is the fusion of a maple top - AAA flamed maple on the Premium Plus - on a mahogany body. This combination is largely responsible for the legendary Les Paul sound, as well the LP's reputation for being rather heavy. But fear not! Modern weight relief has been scientifically applied to the Les Paul Standard, giving you all the sustain, without the pain.

'60s neck profile with compound radius fingerboard
Many guitarists consider Gibson's Slim Taper neck the most playable Les Paul neck ever made. On the LP Standard Premium Plus, it's joined by a compound radius fretboard for ultimate playability. The fingerboard is rounder near the nut for easy chord-grabbing and rhythm playing. As your playing heats up and moves up the fretboard, the radius flattens out for easier runs and big, big string bends.

Pickups deliver true Les Paul sound - and then some
The 2012 Les Paul Standard Premium Plus features Burstbucker Pro pickups that give you everything you need for a classic humbucking sound. But there's more! The volume and tone knobs feature a push-pull configuration that allows you to choose between classic humbuckers and single coils. You can run both pickups alongside each other in or out of phase, and you can even send the bridge pickup directly to the jack output for added volume and brightness.

Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus Solidbody Electric Guitar Features:
  • Color: Desert Burst
  • Genuine LP sound and looks with modern features
  • Classic mahogany body and AAA flamed maple top deliver singing sustain
  • Modern weight relief lightens the load without sacrificing tone
  • '60s neck and compound radius fretboard for playing without fatigue
  • Burstbucker Pro pickups kick out smoky humbucker tones
  • Push-pull controls allow coil tapping for single-coil spank

You get classic plus modern with the 2012 Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus guitar!
Specification Detail
Manufacturer Part Number LPNSTDPDBCH1

Les Paul Standard Premium Plus (Desert Burst) Image Gallery

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Be the first to review this product

A dream come true

by Andrew Clapp from Auburn, WA
November 8, 2012
Music Background: 20 year hobbyist, local band.
After 20 years of wishing, I finally ordered my first Gibson. I had always been a fan of the flamed maple tops, and when I saw the new 2012 Standards, I knew I had to have one. No other company post... read more [+]s high res photos of the guitars so you can carefully look them over. I really like how Sweetwater takes the time to do this. My sales associate Geoff Allen was very professional and efficient. I knew these guitars sold quick, and Mr. Allen really made an effort to make sure I was completely satisfied with my guitar. He even called me after to ensure everything was perfect with the guitar.
The Standard is perfect. The flamed maple top is stunning. It truly is a piece of art in itself. When I'm not playing the comfortable speedy neck or messing around with all the push/pull pots I just stare at it. Heck, it even smells good, like warm marshmallows.
The tone out of the Standard is amazing. World class product. I am very proud to own my 2012 Gibson Les Paul Standard and equally impressed with the level of service I received at Sweetwater. close [-]

Excellent Made Gibson

by Joseph V. Nauyalis from Illinois
September 19, 2012
Music Background: Hobbyist / Semi-Pro Musican
First off, I want to thank Mr. Paul Bates for all his help in purchasing my new Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus. Mr. Bates went beyond in helping make a smooth transaction for the purchase. Okay... read more [+], my first Les Paul was bought 40 years ago. So I can compare them. I am very happy with the action , fit and finish on the new Gibson. The weight relief that was done is fantastic. It seems like it is about 1/2 the weight. So with various injuries it is a welcome addition. The pickups,and tone controls (plus splitter/phaser) are very responsive , Overall Gibson has made a hit with this Les Paul model. I have 47 years of playing guitar with many years playing with models that include Gibson, Gretch, Epiphone Elitist, Fender, G & L, Carvin, Martin, Yari, and Ovation, close [-]

2012 Les Paul Standard

by David Greenfield from Atlanta, GA
June 7, 2012
Music Background: 30+ years of playing -- currently playing in two local bands ranging from straightforward blues/rock to a Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac tribute band.
Having been a Fender player for most of my 30+ years of playing, I had always loved the sound of a Les Paul, but my playing favorite was a Strat. However, during a recent trip to Memphis I visited the... read more [+] Gibson factory and had a chance to play one of the new 2012 LP Standards. Let's just say I was floored. The guitar practically plays itself. Playability simply does not get any better than this.

Plus, the guitar just sings -- even unplugged. Simply amazing tonal qualities. Then you add in the coil tapping capabilities on both pickups and the plethora of tones available is almost overwhelming.

I've owned several guitars over the years, and this is simply the finest. I've even had guitarists in the audience at recent gigs I've played come over just to ooh and aahh over the finish on this guitar -- as good as it looks in the pictures, it looks even better in real life!

Though I will never abandon my beloved Strats, they're going to be a little lonelier going forward.

One the service side at Sweetwater -- it has been top notch all the way. Kudos to Ryan Holquist for being able to answer my questions prior to purchase about the LP's Plek setup and for helping to handle an issue with one of the Grover tuners that I encountered within the first couple of weeks of getting the guitar. The locking tuner on the 6th string would not tighten when I restrung the guitar. After reporting it to Ryan, I had a replacement direct from Gibson with just a few days.

Bottom line: I am more than impressed with the new guitar and with Sweetwater! close [-]

The new 2012 is the best Les Paul yet!

by Scott Nelson from Seattle, WA
October 10, 2012
Music Background: Working musician
I just bought my 2012 Les Paul Standard - this is a fantastic guitar and I have plenty of experience with high quality guitars. In my collection I have 3 PRS's, Tele, Strat, Gretsch 6120 Brian Setzer... read more [+], Gibson Flying V Traditional Pro and this new Les Paul. I had a 2000 Les Paul Standard in Heritage Cherry that was a very good guitar, but not ideal. It played great but a bit heavy and the pickups were so hot that I'd have to turn down to 2 just to clean it up a bit (thru Mesa Dual Rectifier). I sold the Cherry Les Paul to help finance this new one and I don't regret it for a minute. I'm a regular gigging musician, with stage and studio experience so I'm no novice.

I took in my old LP to the store to compare the two side by side. The 2012 pickups are much better than the 498T/490R combo. They are fuller, cut through better, cleaner string articulation yet still super ballsy. The coil tapping and phase switch are excellent additions to the tonal palate. The full bypass is ok, not amazing but still good to have. The asymetrical neck is expertly crafted and plays like butter after I adjusted it to my comfort level, which is pretty low with zero fret buzzing. Weight on mine is very light for a LP, 8lbs 3oz. Cosmetically, it's a stunner. I have the desert burst and the flame on mine is great. There are a few very minor imperfections, which I can live with, which is why I gave the 4.5 rating. All 3 of my PRS guitars are flawless (the absolute best quality control in the industry), but this Gibson is close. I'm really happy with this guitar and the people at Sweetwater are fantastic to work with. close [-]

Great Guitar!

by Rick from Los Angeles, CA
July 24, 2012
Music Background: Hobbyist
Love this guitar!

HOW IT PLAYS: Neck feels great. On the thinner side, but not too skinny. Slightly asymmetrical, but really comfortable. Fretwork is excellent. The guitar also ba... read more [+]lances well in your lap. Other LPs have always tended to lean back heavily for me, which I found annoying. But not this model. It's also chambered, so not too heavy.

HOW IT SOUNDS: Great HB tone from the bridge pickup and good tone from the neck. The neck pickup is a bit muddy to my ear, which is why I'm giving this 4.5 stars instead of 5.0. The coil taps are OK, but if I want a single coil sound I'm still going to grab my Tele or Strat. What I really like, however, is the out of phase settings. This produces very interesting and usable tones I don't get from my single coil guitars (ala Jimmy Page / Zeppelin).

HOW IT LOOKS: The finish is unbelievable on this guitar! I got the desert burst (premium plus) and it has an almost 3D effect to the flame that is really gorgeous. All the binding is clean and well done. It's a beautiful instrument.

VALUE: Not a cheap guitar, but definitely worth the price to me.

I can highly recommend this guitar! close [-]

I haven't had this level of attention from any other venue I have ever dealt with. This should be the benchmark all business learn from. Fast shipping, and very accurate. The communication is world class. You guys rock.


Robert, Chester, VA
See Also: Solidbody Guitars , Gibson , Gibson Solidbody Guitars

Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus (Desert Burst)

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