Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s P90 Electric Guitar - Gold Top Reviews

My son bought one of these for me for Father's Day-knowing that I used an original'55 Goldtop as a teenager in the early'70's. Though I wish I'd kept it… my old '55 had its share of tuning and playability issues. This modern interpretation is great. Same chunky neck, a great tone, with none of the issues. I refretted it with 6100's-turning a great guitar into a spectacular one!

I saw four of these gold tops so I just kept looking at the pictures until one spoke to me…I had mentioned my reservations to the sales rep about buying a guitar online without playing it first.This thing sang acoustically right out of the box …I adjusted the bridge and P 90's to my liking and I love it. One of the best sounding guitars I've ever played.

Purchased this exceptional instrument back in November 2022, and I must enthusiastically state that it truly excels. Having coveted this guitar for quite some time, it now stands proudly among my collection, which includes a PRS Custom 24, a 96 Fender Stratocaster, and a Gretsch hollow body. Upon initial use, it became evident that this guitar necessitates a brief adjustment period to optimize its tone – a transformation that yields remarkably favorable results. The P90 pickups imbue it with a distinctive character, offering a bold bass response that seamlessly blends a captivating crunch with exquisite top-end chime. I must commend the remarkable service provided by Nich at Sweetwater, as the instrument arrived in impeccable condition, a testament to their attention to detail in shipping.

What are you waiting for?

I remember before MTV and Youtube was around, watching Barry Bailey live absolutely scorch this guitar on a video covering 'Spooky' with ARS. Please see the video, it is outstanding. I was backstage with them and up close right in my face with Georgia Rhythm. Even when I was a baby, all I wanted was a guitar. After watching that, I knew 'which' guitar. And now-- I have it. It is solid as a rock. The setup is perfect. But more than anything. It is VERY heavy and thick; which is what I want. The P-90s growl with that amount of solid mahogany and they shine too. I've run it through all-tube amps. Orange, Fender and Vox. It changes with each amp. This (might be) is my final guitar purchase. It's absolutely impossible to find a flaw. That's what I tried to do: find a flaw. There aren't any.

Best guitar of the current standards Gibson is making in my opinion. Played them all. It may never happen, but if Gibson one day produces a standard LONG NECK TENON guitar again I'll save up for one with humbuckers. I think it would be a big seller in the 50s, 60s, and 70s standards. Until then this is probably my last new Les Paul. Who could ask for anything more? Thank you Gibson, Sweetwater, and Rob Kramer!

Very happy with this purchase. I've owned a Les Paul studio and a Les Paul traditional pro. I almost always go with stained sunburst finishes but I was struck by the gold top look with the P90s. The difficult choice was that the model comes in humbuckers or P90. I own a ES-330 with P90s, I really like the sound and response and I'm a big Grant Green fan. Is it for everyone? No. As my friend put it, the P90s fit the style I have developed and my playing technique. On the Les Paul I find the P90s have a more scooped mid sound and are less high output and likely to breakup (I.e. it's a single coil)but still have the neck and bridge sound I expect from a Les Paul. I play clean or with minimal gain so I don't notice the hum. Lots of sustain. I see no defects in the manufacturing process, very clean work. It's heavy which you get from a Les Paul. Neck is rounder and thicker than the 60s Les Paul neck and the necks I've had on a PRS custom 24 and 408. It's probably about the same as my ES-330 slim harpo and slightly thicker than my ES-275. It's all what you are use to, I've primarily played hollow body jazz guitars for the past several years so it feels great but if I was still use to my old PRS guitars I would think it was to thick. Set up wise, it came with high action. I put on the 12 gauge thomastik strings I use and I am comfortable adjusting the action and intonation. Using a stew Mac flat edge the neck is nice and straight. I dropped the action down to Gibson specs, high E side basically down as far as it could go, and no string buzz. Plays really well with action really low. And minimal need for intonation adjustment, was able to dial it in dead on with polytune, and I've rechecked it and intonation had kept and stayed in tune. Sounds different but good with diverse amps, solid state Henriksen, tube Mesa and tube fender. Case is nice new brushed beefier latches.

Just received a 50's Standard Goldtop with p90's and it's everything I thought it would be. It played beautifully right out of the box and just is amazing to look at. For those worried about the gold finish, it looks way better in person than in photos. I think it will fade to that Bullion gold as the nitro finish ages. This is my first Gibson guitar and I could not be happier about it! Also huge thanks to my Sales Engineer Roger Arroyo for taking care of everything and keeping me updated with the packing and shipping process.

Always wanted a gold top LP and I'm so glad I opted for the p90 version. These pickups have all the guts and bite you expect, delivering endless amounts of harmonically complex sound with plenty of sustain. This is my fourth guitar from Sweetwater and all have been winners. As a comparison I have a 2021 LP standard unburst and this guitar rocks just as hard but with its own character. If you're hesitating on buying this guitar, don't, get one now and join the p90 club.

Is there anything else that crackles with the wide open sting of a P-90? And, especially when it's so nicely paired with such an elegant goldtop Les Paul like this? Solid Mahogany and classic soap bars... That is a hard combo to beat!!
Gibson got this model just right back in the 1950s, and there really wasn't any need to reinvent the wheel here. That being said however… I can attest to the exquisite craftsmanship on display with this new guitar. My 2022 is flawless.
A dark rich gorgeous rosewood fingerboard combined with smooth chunky, (but not too fat) 50's neck, feels just right!
This instrument is a flows with ease through all genres: punchy-punk, jammin-jazz, raunchy-rock, clean-country, and even a little metal-mojo!!
Hey...just get one already.

Can't say enough great things about this guitar. Always wanted one and Gibson has stepped it up with the quality. But the best part of this experience was the my sales rep Jimmy Itela. Just really took the time and had patience with me as I made this purchase. Big props to Jimmy Thanks!!!!!!

I bought a Gibson Standard 50's Les Paul with P90's guitar from Sweetwater and I could not be more pleased with the overall experience. This purchase followed making the same purchase with a competitor, which I returned promptly.

What I got with the competitor: A guitar advertised as new, delivered with a noticeable case of buckle rash and a scuffed up case. Zero accessory bits & pieces that should come with the guitar. No proactive communication during the backorder period.

What I got with Sweetwater: Proactive communication with competent and helpful substitutes outside of normal business hours for my usual 'Sales Engineer' throughout the backorder period. High Res photos of my guitar via email. A new guitar and hardcase in pristine condition. Multi-tool. Strap. Polishing Cloth. Owners manual. 55 point checklist documentation. Keys to the hardcase...AND....a Baby Picture of my guitar! (hard copy of my new baby on Sweetwaters tech table)

This is the 2nd guitar I've ordered from Sweetwater and I have zero regrets, complaints or niggles in both cases. It's your money, but I know what kind of purchasing experience I want to support.

I've had my eye on this guitar for a couple of years now. The itch never seemed to go away. Ordered one earlier this year, and I've had it for about a month now. I've owned and played countless guitars, and this one is up at the top with my 335. Took a little getting used to the chunky neck! But it plays wonderfully and sounds incredible. I definitely don't regret going the P90 route. They are glassy, yet warm and fat. So many great tones. AND, if you really want to, I believe the mini humbuckers fit in this as well if you want another future option. Overall, the guitar was definitely worth the wait. No complaints here! Just a happy guy with a great guitar that will be a staple in my collection! P.S. Shout out to my Sweetwater Rep Brad for keeping me posted on the guitar's status during the wait!

Owned a few Epiphone Les Pauls in my 20s, and always loved playing them. Finally decided it was time to step up to a Gibson and WOW - I couldn't be happier. I savaged back and forth on the humbuckers vs. P-90s, and am so glad I went with the P-90s. They sound awesome. I've been able to plug in and play, as well are lay down some tracks with my home-recording setup, and both ways sound so good. The gold-top look has always caught my eye, and it looks just as good in person. Anyone looking to expand their tonal range beyond the standard single-coil pickups or humbuckers, the P-90s are a great option. I will be playing this as much as possible going forward.

Just received this guitar last week, including the optional set-up. Sweetwater must have done the set-up in the kitchen while cookies were baking. I've stayed away from Les Paul's, until I saw the P-90s. The tones run from light Jazz to spanking Rock. I can't put this thing down. Kenneth Lindsey was a big help, and I'm impressed with Kenneth, Sweetwater and this guitar. Thanks I'll be back.

When you pick up this guitar it feels solid, well-crafted and balanced. As you pull it in and examine the beautiful fit and finish, your hands confirm what your eyes are were saying all along. This guitar feels as good as it looks and plays even better! It is an intimately responsive instrument that sounds even better than it looks! Gibson really nailed the P90 for this guitar! Expensive but well worth the money! This guitar is seriously fun and won't get pushed out of your playing lineup. It's a keeper!

This isn't my first Les Paul, but it is my first Les Paul with P90s. It sounds terrific. Perfect for blues and classic rock. Warm and mellow but with a fantastic growl with a bit of gain or overdrive. This guitar is a just a joy to play. I have several post-bankruptcy Gibsons. I'm a fan of what Gibson has been producing since 2019, and this Goldtop is no exception. Excellent quality. I'm very happy with this guitar. Thanks to Sweetwater and to Reid Bright for the outstanding customer service.

Bought this guitar for the P90s. They are everything I expected. This guitar has tons of vintage bite but with amazing clarity. Stunning range of tones - country twang, rock, 50s rockabilly. Crank it up a bit and it really screams. The action is excellent. I compared it to a Custom Shop historic Les Paul I own - the differences in craftsmanship were few and minor - the edges on a few frets were slightly rougher on the Standard vs the CS. Beyond that, the workmanship is outstanding. Gibson is putting out custom-shop level quality at half the price with these LP Standards. So glad I bought it! Sweetwater service was great, as always.

This Les Paul Standard 50s P90 Gold Top is a great guitar.
There is no weight relief on this model and mine is a bit of a weighty matter indeed. It is beautifully crafted and immaculately finished. The neck is beefier than my other Les Pauls and is a joy to play. The piece of Rosewood for the fretboard is particularly nice.
I always love P90s for the tone. Although single coils, noise is very minimal compared to other singles. The clean tone On this guitar is rich and full and deep and simply Lovely. Cranked through high gain tube amps, it becomes downright savage. Brutal aggression. Dirty. Love it!
I know many say that the long held belief that weightier meant increased sustain is not true. I don't know. I do know that this guitar has sustain til the end of time. It is actually amazing. I own and have owned way too many guitars both cheap and high dollar. I never owned one that could ring as long as this one does. A single clean note can just ring and ring. Very alive in the hands.
Great guitar.
I am pleased.

The P 90's are everything I have ever read about. Taking the authentic Les Paul sound and giving it another twist. Of course the neck feels amazing the action is set to my liking straight out of the box. The Gold Top looks are one of a kind and I am looking forward to many hours of enjoyment.

This is my first high-end Gibson guitar. I've followed all the talk about "Gibson is back" and "QC is much improved". and finally decided to pull the trigger on this guy......a bucket list purchase of sorts......the guitar is simply gorgeous - the mahogany back is a work of art - the fretwork is perfect, the binding as well. The P90's sound as great as all the demos on line.

I've had high end Taylors (Solid body and T5z) - and the Les Paul Standard blows them away as far as the look, feel, playability and overall experience. Without a doubt this is my new #1 instrument.

Thanks to Sweetwater - as usual, you guys make it easy!

Sound, feel,weight,look,.........Incredible............

I am stunned at how amazing this guitar is. I knew it was going to be something special, but I truly wasn't prepared for just how much. Gibson has returned to their roots and are making guitars that you simply won't want to put down. By walking away from the weight relief they've made a heavier instrument (just shy of 10 pounds), but the benefits to the sound quality are immediately apparent. Sustain is nothing short of epic and frankly, the weight feels good. It's comfortable, not excessive. This guitar is smooth and sweet. I have six others. This is my first Gibson LP and I love it. The nitro finish, the precision feel from the PLEK'd neck, the P90's..... just WOW. I can't say enough about the quality of service from Mike and the team at Sweetwater. Top of the line and unmatched in the industry.

I just got my dream guitar, a Les Paul w/P90 pickups. Brian is my rep, he has always been very helpful and is very knowledgeable, the service I get from him is one of the many things that keep me coming back to Sweetwater for all my equipment needs.

I love my new guitar! The finish is more beautiful in person than in pictures. I like the neck, it feels great. I also love the P90 pickups!

Thanks to my engineer Charlie Davis! He makes purchasing gear easy. Also, very quick service-my gear was at my home in less than 48 hours

from ordering! Thanks also to all the staff-inspectors, testers and packers, all who make buying from Sweetwater a great experience.

Guitar arrived in great shape. I have purchased a number of guitars and amps through Sweetwater. Chuck and Chris have always done their best to make my shopping experience a rewarding experience.

First I,d like to send out some love to Chuck whose online business model is absolute genius. The 55 point check alone should alleviate all concerns about ordering expensive equipment online... but everything else including warranty service is superb as well. Next some love for my personal sales/sound engineer Alan Finkbeiner who bade me to hold fire for this very guitar. The SE" are valuable resources that Sweetwater provides free...be sure to take advantage of that.

Alan and I often talked about the real les Paul of old. No dip switches, no titanium adjustable nuts, no weight relieved body, no push pull pots and no custom shop trying to make you believe that somehow their mahogany, maple, rosewood and humbuckers were worth thousands and thousands more. Fortunately, Gibson was listening. They did it. They produced just the plain old sweet les Paul Goldtop goodness of my youth and it plays and sounds great! You can"t really say that a $... guitar is cheap or even inexpensive, but I would stack this guitar up against any custom shop product.

Thanks Alan. You can"t imagine how close I was to spending money that I didn"t have to for the equipment I want and need. Had you not been on top of new and upcoming Gibson product I"d be eating beans a lot more often

1) Lets start with what most say about this non-weight relief Les Paul. I urge you to speak to a Sweetwater Sound Engineer. Matt checked all the inventory and I got one that weighs 8.6lbs. The lightest one in my inventory.
2) I owned a 70s with Minis back when I was young...was looking for a replacement. I concluded I liked the 50s style specs better...and after reviewing the output difference on the minis vs. the P90s...I went with the P90s...so glad I did. They sound fantastic with overtones that only they can provide. they sing! Hence the "review title".
3) The craftmanship is amazing! especially the no flaws in the Gold Top finish.
4) After inspection and playing...I will be making ZERO adjustments to pickup height, neck relief, action, intonation, and etc. Absolutely perfect for me...and I'm a picky guy.
5) The neck is not a slim taper (have many of those). Needed something different; great choice, fits my hand nice with plenty room to spar...it is not a club neck at all.
6) Electronics are exceptional and work very well with smooth roll off as it should be.
7) A straight up Les Paul Standard without all the Gimmicks...but full of Mojo

It goes without saying,it sounds wonderful.It now plays as well as it sounds after I fixed the worst set-up I've encountered in over 40 years.The bridge was set as high as it would go on the bass side and as low as it would go on the treble side with the pick-ups tilted to match.The pleking paid off as I have the action fairly low and all the notes ring very clean.The nut is cut well and the paint is nearly perfect.There's a lot of rough tool marks on the heel of the neck and one knob has a large wad of glue visible in the clear part of the top.Overall QC is pretty good for Gibson, better than the 3 Rickenbackers I've returned in the last few years.If you can accept a few minor imperfections,it can't be beat.

I have heard so many people say that tone is in the fingers. When I bought this guitar my fingers got so much better. I was a bit shocked from the first strum, my fingers are now so articulate, rich and clear. I wasn't really expecting this. The tones from this guitar go from warm, rich and resonant on the neck pick up to bright and downright quacky on the bridge pickup. With the pickup selector in the middle my fingers can find quite a range of tones when they blend using the volume and tone knobs. I expected this to be a good guitar for blues, and it is. It is great when using a slide. What surprised me, is how good this guitar is for funk. I can really put a clean edge on my chords to the point where it almost sounds like I have some slapback dialed up.

One not small drawback to this guitar. It has a tendency to accumulate static charge especially around the edges and at the input. This causes quite a bit of crackle. I blame the nitro finish and the plastic piece around the input. This is really annoying. I know Gibson touts the nitro finish as superior and as a selling point. I really think a thin coat of poly is better. None of my other guitars have this issue and they are all poly finishes. I also don't have to worry about damaging the finish if I go from cold outdoors to unpacking and playing my guitar in a warm room.
Time to stop typing I need to save my new fine fingers.

I have owned high end Electric Guitars. I never had a Gibson because there quality of work was substandard compared to other high end brands I owned, like Duesenberg, Surh, Fender, Gretsch. All my guitars have perfect nut work, even a Squier that I own have better work than this Gibson. I am very disappointed with Gibson, they were supposed to better there quality control, but I guess they haven't. Now I have to spend time and money to get this worked by a local luthier and fix this. Another thing that drives me insane is that Gibson don't want to take responsibility of this issue. The problem was at the D String. Thank God for Sweetwater To give me a discount to cover all the repairs expenses from this matter.