GIBSON 2008 LES PAUL STANDARD
November 24, 2009 | Reviewer: Powderfinger’s Ian Haug
Distributor: www.gibsonami.com
I don’t know what it is about this guitar. It just has a certain growl to it. It seems to be “weight relieved” or cavitied, but it does not seem to suffer for it. It will certainly make me suffer a little less from the weight, as Les Pauls are generally ridiculously heavy. All worth it though I think!
This thing looks great. I have always wanted a gold top…and as much as I would like a 1958 one, it probably isn’t a sensible choice for touring with. The price on this one is much more acceptable, and it is NEW! That means nobody’s bad songs have been played on it. No-one has stolen the vast array of songs that this guitar has within itself. They are all for me! I look forward to writing on, and playing this for ever. It feels so solid it will be here till the end of time … Unless some drunken fool knocks it off a stand, because as we all know Les Paul headstocks don’t take too kindly to that.
Anyhow… not much has really changed in LP’s since 1957 or so, but there are some good changes on this one, and some changes that I am less keen on, but they don’t really sway my opinion against the thing.
The locking Grover tuners are really good, and this holds its tune very well. The clear rear switch cover is clear. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to see in there. That stuff is meant to be secret. Also the neutrik jack to stop your lead unplugging is pretty annoying. If I ever forget to tuck my lead in behind the strap, and I pull the lead out by accident live, then I deserve to be embarrassed. The linear tone pots and volume pots do the trick. I like them a lot.
I love the finish on the back of the neck, and the taper on it, and the frets are lovely, although it arrived with a chunk out of one on the 15th fret.
I will fix it. It’s fine. I am not here to complain. The thing in general is tops. One day I look forwards to a/b’ing it with a 58 gold top … so if anyone has one that they want to send me, I will put aside some time, and I will check it out.”