Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s model is a modern version of a classic electric guitar. It takes inspiration from the design and look of Les Paul guitars made in the early 1960s. This instrument is constructed with a focus on replicating the tonal characteristics and playability associated with that period. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

Body Construction:

• Mahogany Body: The foundation of the Les Paul Standard 60s is a solid mahogany body. Mahogany is a tonewood known for its dense, resonant qualities, contributing to the guitar’s warm, rich tonal output and substantial sustain.
• This model usually has a solid body made of mahogany. It does not have a weight-relieved design. This contributes to the instrument’s weight and tonal density.
• Maple Top: A carved AA figured maple top is affixed to the mahogany body. This maple top serves both aesthetic and sonic purposes.
• Visually, the figured maple, often displaying flame or quilt patterns, provides a striking appearance.
• Sonically, the maple top adds brightness and clarity to the guitar’s tone, complementing the warmth of the mahogany.
• Finish: The guitar is finished with a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer. Nitrocellulose lacquer is a traditional finish that allows the wood to “breathe,” which some players believe enhances the guitar’s resonance.
• The finish is also known to age and wear over time, which many players find desirable.
• Various color options are available, that replicate the classic finishes of the 1960s.

Neck and Fingerboard:

• Mahogany Neck: The neck is also constructed from mahogany, ensuring tonal consistency with the body.
• The neck is set into the body, a construction method that contributes to the guitar’s sustain.
• SlimTaper Neck Profile: The neck features a SlimTaper profile, a characteristic of 1960s Les Pauls. This profile is designed to provide a comfortable and fast playing experience.
• Rosewood Fingerboard: The fingerboard is made of rosewood, a tonewood known for its smooth feel and warm tonal properties.
• The fingerboard has a 12-inch radius.
• Frets and Inlays: The guitar features 22 medium jumbo frets.
• Acrylic trapezoid inlays are used to mark the fret positions, replicating the classic Les Paul aesthetic.
• Nut: The nut is made of Graph Tech.

Hardware:

• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic Bridge and Aluminum Stop Bar Tailpiece:This traditional bridge and tailpiece combination is essential to the Les Paul’s design. The ABR-1 bridge allows for precise intonation adjustments, while the aluminum stop bar tailpiece contributes to the guitar’s sustain and tonal transfer.
• Grover Rotomatic Tuners:Grover Rotomatic tuners provide stable and reliable tuning.
• Control Knobs:Gold Top Hats with Silver Reflector & Pointers.

Electronics:

• 60s Burstbucker Pickups:The Les Paul Standard 60s is equipped with 60s Burstbucker pickups, designed to replicate the tone of vintage PAF (Patent Applied For) humbucker pickups.
• These pickups deliver a classic Les Paul tone, with a balance of warmth, clarity, and midrange presence.
• Hand-wired Electronics:The control circuitry is hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors, which are known for their consistent performance and tonal characteristics.
• The controls consist of two volume and two tone knobs, along with a three-way toggle switch.

Sonic Characteristics:

• The combination of mahogany body, maple top, and 60s Burstbucker pickups results in a versatile tonal palette.
• The guitar is capable of producing warm, full-bodied tones with ample sustain, as well as bright, articulate tones with clear definition.
• The 60s Burstbucker pickups provide a vintage-style humbucker tone, suitable for a wide range of musical genres, including blues, rock, and jazz.

Overall Impression:

• The Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s is designed to appeal to players who seek a classic Les Paul experience, with the tonal characteristics and playability of a 1960s-era instrument.
• It provides a bridge between vintage design and modern production quality.
• It is a well respected instrument, that is widely used by many professional musicians.

In essence, the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s is a meticulously crafted instrument that pays homage to a pivotal era in electric guitar design. Its construction, hardware, and electronics are all carefully selected to replicate the sound and feel of a classic Les Paul, while incorporating modern manufacturing standards.