If you’re thinking about getting the Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s and you’re not sure if it’s worth it or not, look no further! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that high-end guitar. It’s one of the most popular Gibson guitars out there, but is it actually worth it?
The truth is that Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s is a fantastic electric guitar. It certainly looks, sounds and feels like a high-end model. It’s a perfect axe for any passionate guitarist who’s looking for an exceptional LP-style guitar.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Les Paul Standard ’50s so good and popular. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specifications and the main advantages of that model. Additionally, we’ll see if it has any flaws. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s is a high quality electric guitar that exceeds all the expectations. This model is ready to rock – it looks spectacular, it feels amazing and it sounds very powerful.
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features a mahogany body with maple top, a mahogany neck with vintage ’50s profile and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard which guarantees an enjoyable playing experience. There’s also the ABR-1 Tune-o-matic bridge which increases the tuning stability.
The manufacturer decided to equip this model with a pair of really effective Burstbucker Humbuckers. These pickups are really versatile, although they’re mainly designed for rock and metal riffs. Surely, all lovers of these genres will appreciate that amazing, vintage tone!
It is also worth mentioning that the LP Standard ’50s looks fantastic from the outside too. The overall attention to detail is absolutely amazing in that model. Additionally, Gibson used the gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish on the body, which is an another massive advantage of that guitar.
When it comes to pricing, just like any other Gibson guitar – it’s not that cheap. However, considering how good and versatile this model is, it’s definitely worth the money. In the end, the gear from the highest shelf is never budget-friendly.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s is suitable for all-level guitarists. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting out or if you’ve been playing guitar for the last 10 years – you will definitely appreciate the high quality of that model.
However, since it’s a pretty expensive guitar, it’s mainly used by intermediate and professional musicians. This is a great axe to play gigs with! It also works perfectly fine in any studio environment, so if you’re often recording – you won’t be disappointed.
It is also worth mentioning that just like any other Les Paul guitar, it’s perfect for heavier genres of music. If you’re into rock, punk, grunge or metal, you will really enjoy playing on that Gibson model. These Burstbucker humbuckers are perfect for these genres and they give you quite a lot of punch.
Undoubtedly, this Gibson model is designed for guitarists who know what they’re searching for. If you want the best gear available on the market, this is the way to go.
I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will be amazed by the overall quality of that Les Paul. There’s just not much to complain about! The high price may be a disadvantage, but trust me – it’s worth it.
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of Gibson LP Standard ’50s
Since the overall quality and finish of Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s is very high, it’s really difficult to find any major flaws of that guitar. It comes with a great setup and it’s ready to rock straight after unboxing.
It seems that the only con of that model is the high price. Some guitarists claim that Gibson guitars are overpriced, but I don’t agree with that statement.
Apart from that, there’s just not much to complain about. It looks and sounds amazing, so how can you even argue with that? This is a dream guitar for many guitarists, so it’s totally understandable that it’s not cheap.
Comparison With The ’60s Model
For those who are not aware, Gibson also manufactures an another excellent Les Paul which is very similar – it’s the Standard ’60s model.
Both of these guitars are truly exceptional, but they look and sound slightly different. It’s difficult to clearly determine which one of them is better, because it’s all really subjective.
Personally, I prefer the ’50s version a bit more. It sounds sweeter and more vintage to me. However, the ’60s model seems to be a bit brighter, so it may be a better choice for musicians in bands who want to efficiently cut through the mix.
Don’t get me wrong – both of these guitars are from the highest shelf. The differences between them aren’t that easy to notice, so I highly encourage you to take some time to consider both of these models.
Here’s the direct comparison of these two guitars – feel free to check it out below.
Comparison With Epiphone
Getting a brand new Gibson guitar can be really challenging – especially if your budget is limited. A lot of guitarists who don’t want to wait for several months to eventually save up on that guitar decide to choose the Epiphone Les Paul Standard instead.
Is it better? Well, that’s debatable. It’s definitely way cheaper and it still sounds good, so that’s why it’s so popular among the guitarists all around the world.
If you’re an absolute beginner, you can definitely choose the Epiphone Les Paul Standard for yourself. This is a fantastic instrument to start with. But if you’re looking for the best gear on the market, getting the Gibson will always be a good idea.
Here’s a really good video that compares both of these guitars – check it out below if you want to see and hear more about the differences.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other really good electric guitars out there that are far more affordable. Of course, it all depends on what kind of music you want to play and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few more gear recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Gibson Explorer Custom. This is an another fantastic high-end electric guitar designed for all lovers of shredding. If that’s your kind of vibe, you should definitely have a look at it. The only disadvantage is the price – it tends to be quite expensive.
Additionally, you can also check out the Fender Player Plus Meteora HH. This is a brand new model by Fender which becomes more and more popular every month. Just like the Gibson Les Paul Standard, it’s equipped with a pair of powerful humbuckers which are perfect for all lovers of high-gain. In addition, it’s way more affordable than the Gibson!
If you’re on a very tight budget and you know that this Gibson is out of your reach, perhaps you should consider getting the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE. This is one of the cheapest Les Pauls available on the market and it’s actually not that bad. Of course, it’s not as the LP reviewed in today’s article, but it’s more than enough for beginners.
FAQ
Where is Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s made?
Gibson Les Paul Standard is made in the USA.
Is Gibson Les Paul good for rock and metal?
Yes, Gibson Les Paul is a perfect guitar for rock and metal!
Where can I find out more about Gibson guitars?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of electric and acoustic guitars, check out the official website of Gibson.
Summary
As you can see, Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s is a truly unique high-end electric guitar. This is one of the best LP-style models that you can potentially get, so I highly encourage you to check it out. It’s really difficult not to fall in love with that guitar!
What do you think of that Gibson? 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. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
