If you’re wondering if Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard is a good electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that popular signature model. Surely, it’s a quite expensive axe, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard is an absolutely amazing guitar. It has everything you need – the looks, the feel and the sound. The only disadvantage is the high price – but I’m sure that all fans of Slash and Guns N’ Roses can live with that.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this Gibson axe so good and so popular all around the world. Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate its biggest pros and cons. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard is a high quality signature guitar of one of the most legendary guitarists of all time – Slash. It’s not surprising that it’s extremely popular among a lot of guitar players who love rock music!
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features a solid mahogany body with the AAA flamed maple top. There’s also a really comfortable mahogany neck with an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. This is a huge advantage, because it allows you to shred for hours without getting tired.
The manufacturer decided to equip this model with a pair of two Custom Burstbucker Alnico II pickups, which give you access to an absolutely amazing tone. They offer a lot of sustain and crunch, so they will definitely make your guitar sing. At the same time, they are highly versatile as well.
It is also worth mentioning that Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard is available in a few different color versions: Appetite Amber, Goldtop and November Burst. There are also Anaconda Burst and Vermilion Burst models – they are from the Limited Edition.
When it comes to pricing, just like any other Gibson Les Paul guitar – it’s not a cheap axe. However, considering the fact that this is a signature model of Slash, it doesn’t seem that this guitar is overpriced. In my opinion, it’s definitely worth the money!
Here’s the sound demo.
Comfort & Playability
As I mentioned before, one of the biggest advantages of that axe is a very comfortable neck. It has the ’50s Vintage shape which feels just right. There’s a high chance that it will quickly become one of your favorites!
On top of that, the smooth rosewood fingerboard guarantees an enjoyable playing experience. This is really important, especially if you like to play fast.
Undoubtedly, Gibson really cares about the quality control of that model. It’s very unlikely that you’ll experience any factory flaws or problems with the setup.
High Quality Humbuckers
As you’re already aware, Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard is equipped with the zebra-colored Custom Burstbucker Alnico II humbuckers. This is probably the most important thing that differentiates this Les Paul from other LP’s that aren’t signature models.
Their tone is just incredible! They sound really vintage, warm and crunchy. At the same time, they’re capable of delivering some amazing glassy cleans as well.
Here’s an another sound demo.
Who Is It For?
Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard is suitable for guitarists all levels. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a complete beginner or a professional guitar player – you will definitely notice and appreciate the uniqueness of that high-end axe.
However, since it’s a pretty expensive model, most of the time it’s used by advanced guitarists or die-hard fans of Slash and Guns N’ Roses.
As I mentioned before, the pickups in that axe are very versatile, so this guitar can be used in a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into classic rock, grunge, blues or jazz, you can be sure that the tone of that guitar won’t disappoint you.
Additionally, this Les Paul cuts perfectly through the mix, so it’a great axe for live performances and studio sessions. If you’re looking for a good and reliable guitar to record your next single or album with, this is the way to go.
Lastly, I think that this guitar will be perfect for all passionate guitar collectors. In the end, it’s a signature model of Slash, one of the most iconic guitar players of all time. That’s a pretty cool guitar to have in your collection, right?
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar player will really enjoy playing on that unique model. It’s truly one-of-a-kind and it exceeds all the expectations.
Pros & Cons
Just like any other electric guitar available on the market, Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard has its own advantages and disadvantages. Don’t worry though – the cons of that axe are highly subjective, so there’s a high chance that they won’t matter to you anyway.
Pros
- Perfect For Fans Of Slash
- Beautiful Finish
- Sounds Fantastic
- Highly Versatile
- Case Included
Cons
- High Price
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be considered as major advantages of that model. It has the looks, the sound and the feel. On top of that, it comes with a high quality hardshell case and it’s perfect for fans of Slash and Guns N’ Roses. How can you argue with that?
On the other hand, it seems that the high price is the biggest disadvantage of that model. This is a high-end signature guitar, so as you can imagine, it costs a lot. Surely, it’s the only thing that stops a lot of guitarists from adding it to their collections.
Nevertheless, I still believe that this is a fantastic guitar, even though it’s expensive. In my opinion it’s not overpriced at all. Sometimes you just have to pay a bit more if you want to get the best gear available on the market!
Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s vs Slash Standard
A lot of guitarists who are looking for a high-end Gibson Les Paul often can’t decide whether they should get the Slash Standard version or the Standard ’60s version.
Both of them are considered as premium guitars, but which one of them is actually better?
Well, the truth is that it’s really difficult to pick a clear winner of that battle – it’s a really subjective! These guitars are great, but they sound and feel a little bit different.
Personally, I’d choose the Slash Standard model – it has a bit thicker neck and it sounds a bit more dynamic to me. However, if you don’t like this kind of vintage necks, the ’60s Standard LP will be also a fantastic choice for you.
Here’s a really good video that compares the tone of both of these guitars – feel free to check it out below.
Cheaper Alternatives
If you don’t like the sound of Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other fantastic electric guitars that also deserve a lot of attention.
Of course, choosing a new axe will depend on your own personal preferences and most importantly, on the size of your budget. Here’s a few more gear recommendations based on my own experience.
Alternative Option #1 – Gibson Les Paul Studio
Gibson Les Paul Studio is one of the most affordable and most popular Les Paul guitars that are currently manufactured by this brand. This particular model is a bit more expensive than the cheapest LP Tribute, but it’s still more affordable than the LP Standard.
What makes it so cool? Well, it has everything you need! Gibson equipped that model with a set of 490R/498T humbucking pickups which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. Glassy cleans and screaming leads – it can do it all.
Although it’s not the best Gibson guitar in the world, it’s definitely one of the best alternative options for those who can’t afford getting the Gibson LP Standard. It may not be as good as the Slash Signature model, but it will definitely inspire you to become a much better guitar player.
Alternative Option #2 – Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar
There’s an another really cool signature guitar that also deserves a lot of attention – it’s the Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar. Although it’s not a Les Paul guitar, it’s still a perfect choice for rock, hard rock and grunge music.
The guitar features an alder body and a very comfortable C-shaped neck. There’s also a bound rosewood fretboard, which feels really smooth. This is really important, because it significantly enhances the playability and comfortability.
In comparison with Gibson Les Paul Standard Slash Signature, it’s a bit more affordable. So if you’re searching for a high quality axe and your budget is not that high, perhaps this Fender will be a good choice for you!
Overall, I have no hesitation in recommending this axe to all guitarists who are searching for a good and reliable axe with two humbuckers.
Alternative Option #3 – Epiphone Les Paul Special VE
If you’re on a very tight budget, you should definitely check out the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE. This is actually one of the cheapest Les Paul guitars that you can currently find on the market!
Obviously, this is a budget electric guitar, so you can’t expect it to be as good as the Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard. Nevertheless, although it’s a cheap guitar, it offers a surprisingly good quality.
I had the pleasure to test this guitar out on my own and I was particularly impressed by the comfortable neck of that axe. It has a very cool satin finish, which is very easy on the fingers.
Overall, it’s not the best guitar in the world, but it’s more than enough for any amateur players who just wants to practice some easy riffs at home.
FAQ
Where is Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard made?
Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard is manufactured in the United States.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes, it’s an excellent guitar for beginners, but considering how expensive it is, it’s probably not the most optimal choice.
What is the nut width of that guitar?
The nut width of that guitar has 43mm.
What is the scale length of that guitar?
The scale length of that guitar has 24.75″.
Where can I find out more about Gibson guitars?
If you want to learn more about Gibson guitars, make sure to visit their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Gibson Les Paul Slash Standard is a truly exceptional electric guitar which exceeds all the expectations. Although it’s not a cheap model, I’m sure that all fans of Slash will be extremely happy to add it to their own guitar collections. If you have the budget for it – go for it!
What do you think of that axe? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were looking for. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
