Having owned a fair cross section of Les Pauls, spanning from cheap imitations to Gibson's own 2020 "standard" line, I can say without reservation that this guitar is on a different astral plane, as it should be for the price.
This is the sound I hear in my head. It is articulate, responsive, resonant. I have spent hours playing it unplugged marveling at its clear voice. Then you plug it in, and it exhibits none of the undesirable "wooliness" of lesser 'Pauls. From snarling tones on the bridge pickup to luscious bluesy tones on the neck, the pots are wonderfully accurate and the pickups are beautifully voiced.
As for the ageing: I am traditionally skeptical of "relic'd" guitars. In buying this I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I am so glad that I did, because it is even more tasteful in person than any photo could capture. To my eye, Tom Murphy and his lab have created pure mojo with the ultra light ageing. As you handle the guitar, it's clear that it will further age in your own unique playing pattern, the lacquer particularly wearing in that wonderfully comfortable way in spots where you play the most. I would almost call the ultra light finish "relic ready" insofar as it's not beaten up, but it has gotten a little help on the journey to looking like your guitar. Whatever the new ageing process is for Murphy, I am a convert.

If you are looking at Les Pauls, and particularly if you're contemplating the difference between a standard and a custom such as this: take the plunge, you will not be disappointed.

A big thank you to my Sales Engineer Todd Cotten, who was immensely informative, patient, and helpful in the process of my choosing this guitar.

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