Les Paul Classic Custom Review

'60s neck profile, '57 Classic pick-ups, Grover Keystone Tuners, Baked maple fretboard w/ 22 frets, acrylic inlays. All-in-all, a well-built guitar! I'm very impressed with this guitar, Gibson is scoring a home run on this one, that's for damn-sure!

Features:	9.5
Sound:	9
Action:	9.5
Reliability:	10
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9.3
Reviewer rating:	9.5
Users rating:	9
Votes:	50

overall: 9

Reviewed by: WinterOrb, on december 19, 2012

Price paid: C$ 2200

Purchased from: L&M

Features: Made in 2012 USA - Ebony Finish - 60s neck - 57 Classic Pickups - Baked maple fretboard with 22 frets - Acrylic inlays - Tune-O-Matic bridge - Grover Key stone tuners - 2 Volume and 2 tone controls - Split Diamond inlay - Solid body with weight relief, for those that don't know it has holes drilled into the body to remove some weight. The baked maple does the job just fine, I know this is a big debate amongst the non-purists. This guitar is flawless and looks great. This could be called the "Working mans Custom". // 9

Sound: I play using a Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 50 and also run a Blackheart Handsome Devil. The guitar sounds good. Not as clear as my Gibson Standard, but can cover most songs that I play faithfully. When the gain is cranked you'll never know the difference. People say it is a bit bright, but if you know how to run your amps EQ and the tone knobs on the guitar you can fix that, if to your ears you think it needs fixing. I almost prefer to have it over bright so I can adjust accordingly than not having the option. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: The setup came surprisingly good out of the box. Pickups were set fine. The guitar came to me flawless. The guys at the store know how particular about quality that I am, so they make sure to send me only the best specimens. My only complaint is that the truss rod cover is angled a bit at the top screw, so that it leans at a small angle. I really like how shiny the guitar is and the 7 ply binding looks great. The baked maple fretboard doesn't clash with the color. My board came really dark. I was concerned that when it was sent it may be lighter in color. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This guitar looks and feels like quality and should withstand the coming apocalypse. In fact, I plan on using it as my shield when the world starts to end (assuming it ends December 21st). Strap buttons on Gibsons are a joke, I replace them all with Schaller strap locks. The finish should last a long time. The pots so far have held up nice (no scratchy-ness). I've had the guitar for almost a year now and haven't had any problems. I doubt any major issues will come up unless I accidentally break something. // 10

Impression: I play anything that sounds good to my ears. Rock, Blues, Classic rock... Anything really. This guitar can cover it all. It may have some issues with Metal though. I bought my first guitar in 1994 and have been playing on and off ever since. I also own a Gibson Les Paul Standard and an American Fender Standard Strat. If stolen I would probably try to get another one. Overall I'm very satisfied with this guitar and if you want it you'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands. I'm sure if you're lucky enough to get one you'll feel the same way about it as I do.

// 9

overall: 10

Reviewed by: gerrygtr62, on november 09, 2012

Price paid: $ 2047.00

Purchased from: Guitar Center, Fountain Valley, CA

Features: Looks like it was made between 2011-2012 - finished in antique natural... '60s neck profile, '57 Classic pick-ups, Grover Keystone Tuners, Baked maple fretboard w/ 22 frets, acrylic inlays... All-n-all, a well-built guitar! I'm very impressed with this guitar, all the reviews and accolades are well-warranted, Gibson is scoring a home run on this one, that's for damn-sure! // 10

Sound: Oh, man, this thing rips through my duo of Blackstars... I was initially concerned playing thru my solid-state Peavey Vypyr 15 combo [sounded sterile, plus wasn't able to execute pich harmonics, LOL!]... It gives out great, sparkly clean tones, awesome lead tones on both positions... This thing is dead-quiet, no microphonic feedback/noise whatsoever. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: Action right off the bat was low and fast, I couldn't ask for anything else, really. Pick-up were set just fine... Frets looks Stellar and shiny. Contruction is flawless, except for a minor binding issue inside the cutaway. Other than that, it looks sweet, love it overall! // 10

Reliability & Durability: This thing is, no doubt, built solid, it can withstand anything [I don't think I'll do anything stupid with it, are ya kidding, LOL! ]..strap buttons are strong... Finish looks great. I'm sure I'll be able to depend on it for quite some time... All the Gibsons I've ever had were pretty reliable, I expect the same from the LPCC! // 10

Impression: I play classic/modern covers, so having this guitar will enhance my playing by far... Been playing for well over 35 yrs +... I knew exactly what I was getting and read the rave reviews on this beauty. I love everything about it, was very lucky to have scored this thing, since my local shops didn't have it unfortunately... This is my first Gibson in such a long time [had Studio LP in Alpine White, SG Std in Ebony, SG Special in Ebony, BB King in red, Gibson LP Deluxe, Gibson Spirit]... If stolen or lost, hell yeah I'd get it again. // 10

Comments

[TheDuckMajor]

Man that's an awesome guitar! I'm actually thinking about getting it. What colour did you get it in? I like the cream and the Black.

[DeadlyKombat]

For all tens I expect the guitar to take me out to a nice dinner, too. Maybe I'm just shallow.

[Xomar]

all 10s? really? Thanks for taking the time to correctly evaluate your instrument

[TJWhonley]

I have one. its the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my hands on

[Jj795]

DeadlyKombat wrote on 03/27/2012 - 118 am / quote |
For all tens I expect the guitar to take me out to a nice dinner, too. Maybe I'm just shallow[quote]
And give me a good night in the sack too

[Miyagi84]

DeadlyKombat wrote:

For all tens I expect the guitar to take me out to a nice dinner, too. Maybe I'm just shallow.

No, your just rational... shoot it better do more than take me out to dinner lets just say that lol... this is the problem with Gibsons. I know they are nice guitars, but you plug them in and you expect for the amount of money you have to pay for what comes out there is a large disparity that isn't worth it. If I was a millionaire or had alot of disposable income, thats another thing... but still. the prices are exorbitant.

[K!!LsWiTcH]

you better tell me that you dont like fenders then. i just think that the last review written shouldnt have a ten for reliability and durability if the first thing you did was replace the strap locks cause theyre a joke

[Hells.Mascot]

This is a proper review of this guitar:

[swave75]

Ace Frehley plays one.

[gerrygtr62]

Duckmajor: got it in Antique natural like the pic, but the bakedmaple on mine is darker--I made it much darker using Dunlop 65 Lemon Oil, it looks like ebony now!

[egin3]

I have been pressed. These Gibson Customs are a dream to play, but I also am in love with Ibanez JS1200 and ESP Mii... both have their unqiue sound. I play hard rock. Anyone have their takes on the guitars I mentioned?

[K!!LsWiTcH]

probably the gibson or the js100. hard rock is so broad a term. but youll get better dynamics with those two im assuming the esp has emgs in it

[gerrygtr62]

I'd get the ESP MII or the Eclipse--but with passives--the EMGs makes more geared towards metal

[dukeluke1]

id go the les paul if you want a guitar with passive pups but then again i really hate esp's

[Petepop]

This is one incredible guitar. You can hear me playing mine and check out the tone on my new YouTube video "Astral Acceleration" on the Petepopgtr1 channel. You'll love that classic LP tone on the rhythm pickup.

[fleece]

After searching for a new Gibson for weeks, I wound up spending literally hours and hours reading everything I can about this model. It's perhaps the most universally acclaimed guitar I've ever encountered. The hundreds of reviews I read were so convincing that I bought one. (Just over $1,500 at zzounds.com, so I truly couldn't resist).

My Les Paul Classic Custom (ebony) arrives on Friday, and I am counting the minutes. I will report back. My hopes are very high, and if they are not met, I won't hesitate to say so. But all indicators suggest that this is one of the best bangs for the buck Gibson has produced in a long while (along with the spectacular Midtown Custom, which I already own and love).

[T00DEEPBLUE]

I've played a few. Fantastic guitars.

[frostman14]

i play alot

[Way Cool JR.]

I know it's just a little thing but acrylic inlays instead of real MOP on a guitar that costs over 2k is just silly. IMHO

[gerrygtr62]

yeah, and also having baked maple, but hey, it's a worthy alternative to the rea; Custom, I love mine!!! I've since put on a DiMarzio Crunch Lab in bridge and DAMN, whatta difference!!!!