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Gibson Les Paul
- Cross Model Comparison
As
a Gibson Les Paul lover, you might have realized
that four Les Paul models, the LP Standard, LP Classic,
LP Custom, LP Deluxe and LP Studio look very much
like each other. In fact, without proper inspection,
and if not for the name on the headstock, it is
quite difficult to tell them apart. Its fine if
you're buying a new guitar, but some second-hand
purchases can be confusing, especially when the
name on the headstock is missing. So here we'll
do a head-to-head comparison between the models,
and see if you can spot the differences. Take the
LP Standard as the base to compare with the other
models. Note the color coding for the similarity
and differences.
All
the LP models have 3 standard
features, which are:
- Body
- all LP's have a carved maple top and mahogany
back
- Scale
/ nut width - the standard for almost all Gibson
guitars are 24 3/4" scale and 1 11/16"
nut width.
- Control
- they all have 2 volume, 2 tone and a 3-way switch.
And
then there are some common
features for most models, wich are:
- Fingerboard
/ inlay - 22 fret rosewood/ Pearloid trapezoid
- Bridge
/ tailpiece - Tune-o-matic/Stop bar
- Pickups
- 490R Alnico magnet humbucker and 498T Alnico magnet
humbucker (NOTE: R stands for rhythm - the neck
pickup, and T stands for treble - the bridge pickup)
Each
model also has many other not so identical parts,
but these may vary and cannot be used as a solid point
of reference.
However,
each model has distinguishing
features such as:
1)
LP Classic - the ABR bridge. The only model
with a ceramic magnet humbucker. It looks like the
normal magnet humbucker without a steel cover.
2)
LP Custom - the only one with an ebony fingerboard.
Ebony is darker in color and easy to distinguish.
Also has pearl block inlays instead of trapezoids,
and the inlays starts from the first fret. The Custom
is also the only guitar with binding on the headstock.
3)
LP Deluxe - the only model which features
2 mini-humbuckers. These pickups are smaller and
give the guitar a vintage feel and sound.
4)
LP Studio - the inlays are trpezoid, but
at a smaller 3/4 scale. This guitar has no binding
whatsoever.
5)
LP Standard - nothing. If you see a LP with
none of the distinguishing features above, it's
most probably a LP Standard!
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Gibson Les
Paul
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Body
|
Standard
|
Classic
|
Custom
|
Deluxe
|
Studio
|
| Carved
maple top, Mahogany back |
Carved
maple top, Mahogany back |
Carved
maple top, Mahogany back |
Mahogany
back, carved maple top |
Carved
maple top, Mahogany back |
|
Neck/Profile
|
Mahogany/Rounded |
Mahogany/1960
Slim taper |
Mahogany/'59
Rounded Les Paul |
Mahogany/1959
rounded Les Paul |
Mahogany/1959
asymmetrical slim taper |
|
Fingerboard/Inlay
|
Rosewood
22 frets/
Pearl trapezoid |
Rosweood
22 frets/
Trapezoid |
Ebony
22 frets/
Pearl block (from 1st fret) |
22
fret rosewood/
Pearloid trapezoid |
Rosewood
22 frets/
3/4 scale trapezoid |
|
Scale/Nut
Width
|
24-3/4"
/ 1-11/16 |
24
3/4" - 1 11/16" |
243/4"/111/16" |
243/4"/111/16" |
24-3/4"
/ 1-11/16 |
|
Binding
|
Single-ply
top and fingerboard |
Single-ply
top and fingerboard |
Multi-ply
top, back and headstock, single-ply fingerboard |
Body
and fingerboard |
None
|
|
Bridge/Tailpiece
|
Tune-o-matic/Stop
bar |
ABR/Stop
bar |
Tune-o-matic/Stop
bar |
Tune-o-matic/Stopbar |
Tune-o-matic/Stop
bar |
|
Hardware
|
Chrome
or Gold |
Nickel |
Gold |
Chrome/Vintage
tuners |
Chrome
or Gold |
|
Pickups
|
490R
Alnico magnet humbucker
498T Alnico magnet humbucker |
496R
ceramic magnet humbucker
500T ceramic magnet humbucker |
490R
Alnico magnet humbucker
498T Alnico magnet humbucker |
Dual
mini-humbuckers |
490R
Alnico magnet humbucker
498T Alnico magnet humbucker |
|
Controls
|
Two
volume, two tone, three-way switch |
Two
volume, two tone, three-way switch |
Two
volume, two tone, three-way switch |
Two
volume, two tone, three-way switch |
Two
volume, two tone, three-way switch |
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$3,306
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$2,537
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$3,996
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$2,922
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$1,691
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Value Buy
( with 6 months financing option )
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Picture
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CG
Main 
