If you’re wondering if Gibson Les Paul Tribute is a good electric guitar or not, look no further! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that popular model. It’s one of the most affordable Gibson guitars, but is it actually worth it?
The truth is that Gibson Les Paul Tribute is a fantastic electric guitar. It has everything you need – a great tone, a beautiful finish and an affordable price. It’s definitely worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Les Paul Tribute model so good and so popular. Firstly, we’ll start with the detailed specifications and the overview of this model. We’ll also have a look at the main pros and cons of that guitar. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Gibson Les Paul Tribute is a classic LP electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitar players out there. It’s a really beautiful mode which exceeds all the expectations and what’s important, it’s available at a relatively low price.
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features a mahogany body with a maple top, a comfortable maple neck and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. The neck has a rounded shape and it feels great, so it allows you to practice for several hours without getting tired.
The manufacturer equipped this model with two really good pickups: 490R Humbucker (neck) and 490T Humbucker (bridge). Both of them sound equally awesome and they give you access to the classic sound of a Les Paul guitar. As you’re probably aware, it’s designed for rock music!
It is also worth mentioning that Gibson LP Tribute looks fantastic from the outside too. It has a classic aesthetic and it’s really well made. What’s more, it’s available in a few different color versions: Satin Tobacco Burst, Satin Iced Tea, Satin Honeyburst and Satin Cherry Sunburst.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not exactly a cheap guitar – in the end, no instrument manufactured by Gibson is cheap. However, this is one of the most affordable Gibsons that you can potentially get, so it seems like a real bargain. Surely, it’s worth the money!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Gibson Les Paul Tribute is suitable for all-level players, so it doesn’t really matter if you’re an experienced player or not. I’m sure that even amateurs will notice the undeniably high quality of that axe.
However, since it’s a pretty expensive instrument, it’s most often used by more advanced and professional players. This is a great instrument to play gigs and record with!
Just like any other Les Paul, this guitar is designed for rock music. It’s ideal for all rock genres, so whether you like alternative rock, grunge, punk or even metal, you can be sure that it will be a great choice for you.
Additionally, since it’s one of the most affordable Les Pauls offered by Gibson, it’s also recommended for all players who are looking for the best value for the money. If you can’t afford getting the more expensive Gibson Les Paul Standard, the Tribute model will be perfect for you.
Overall, the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy playing on that guitar. Although it’s not the best electric guitar in the world, it still offers a fantastic value and it’s not overly expensive. It’s definitely worth every cent!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons
Just like any other electric guitar, Gibson Les Paul Tribute has its own advantages and disadvantages. Still, it seems pretty clear that this model has far more pros than cons! What’s more, its cons aren’t even that serious.
Pros
- Great Tone
- Comfortable Neck
- Cheaper Than Other Gibson Les Pauls
- Amazing Sustain
- Case Included
Cons
- Minor Quality Issues
When it comes to advantages, it’s all pretty clear – the LP Tribute is a well made and great sounding electric guitar suitable for all lovers of rock music.
Apart from the fact that it’s cheaper than other Gibsons, it also comes with an included case. That’s a big advantage, because it will save you a lot of time in the future.
On the other hand, some guitarists report that these guitars sometimes have minor quality issues such as a poor setup or a dry fretboard. These things can easily be fixed, but they can be annoying, especially if you’re an amateur and you don’t know how to adjust it.
A few years ago, there was a lot of controversy around the quality control in Gibson’s factories in the US. Some of their guitars were made really poorly. However, things have changed since then. The directors of Gibson have learned their lesson and they significantly improved the quality of their products.
That’s why I believe that the advantages of Gibson LP Tribute definitely outweigh the disadvantages of its model.
There’s just not much to complain about, especially considering how great this guitar sounds and looks!
Gibson Les Paul Tribute vs Gibson LP Standard
As I mentioned before, the Tribute model is one of the most affordable Les Pauls made by Gibson. It is often compared with the far more expensive Gibson Les Paul Standard. But which one of them is actually better?
Well, it’s really tough to say which guitar clearly wins that battle. It’s all really subjective – some guitarists will prefer the cheaper Tribute axe over the high-end Standard model.
In my opinion, Gibson Les Paul Standard sounds a little bit better.
It is equipped with a pair of better humbuckers which sound absolutely powerful. However, it doesn’t exactly mean that the LP Tribute is a worse guitar – it all depends on your own preferences.
If you’re not a professional player, you can definitely start with the Tribute model, use it for a couple of years and once you reach a certain point, aim for the higher model. That probably makes most sense, unless you have an unlimited budget!
Here’s a really good video that compares both of these models – feel free to check it out below!
Gibson Les Paul Tribute vs Epiphone Les Paul
The Tribute model is also very often compared with a lot of various Les Paul models manufactured by Epiphone.
It seems pretty clear that Gibson LP Tribute is on a higher level than most of the LP’s made by Epiphone. However, there’s one model that can compete with it – it’s the Epiphone 1959 Standard.
Here’s a great video that compares both of these guitars – feel free to check it out below.
If you want to read more about the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard, feel free to check it out on Amazon or Thomann below.
My Thoughts
I have to admit that I’m really impressed by this Gibson LP model. Since most of other Gibson guitars are usually worth a few thousand of dollars, this particular really stands out from the rest.
As an intermediate guitarist, I’d be really happy to use that axe during live shows or rehearsals with my band. And since it cuts perfectly through the mix, it’s also a perfect choice for recording the guitar parts for EPs and albums.
Additionally, I’d love to point out the fact that this guitar has a satin finish on the neck – this is a huge advantage! It’s a really subjective thing, because some players may prefer gloss necks, but in my opinion the ones with satin finish feel much more natural.
I have no hesitation in recommending the Les Paul Tribute model to all guitarists who are searching for a great sounding and reliable electric guitar. There’s an extremely high chance that you’re going to love it!
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Gibson Les Paul Tribute or you simply have a feeling that this guitar won’t be a good fit for you, that’s not a big deal! There’s still quite a lot other fantastic guitars at this price level that are also worth checking out. Still, it all depends on what exactly you’re searching for and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few more recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out my article about 10 Best ESP LTD Guitar For Rock And Metal. This manufacturer makes a lot of excellent and affordable LP-style guitars and Superstrats, so if you love heavy riffs, there’s a high chance that your dream guitar is somewhere on that list!
Alternatively, if you really enjoy playing metal music, you should definitely consider getting the Ibanez RGA42HP. This is not a LP-style guitar – it’s a Superstrat. However, it’s designed specifically for high performance. If playing really fast is your thing, this model may be an excellent fit for you. Additionally, it’s a bit more affordable than Gibson Les Paul Tribute!
There’s also Fender Player Telecaster HH, which is an another excellent option for those who are looking for a great sounding electric guitar with a pair of powerful humbuckers. It sounds different than any other regular Telecaster, but it still has that iconic twang. Undoubtedly, it’s a great alternative for a lot passionate guitar players!
However, Gibson Les Paul Tribute already has everything that you need from a high quality electric guitar. So it will always be a good idea to stick with that model!
FAQ
Where is Gibson Les Paul Tribute made?
Gibson Les Paul Tribute is manufactured in the United States.
Is Epiphone better than Gibson?
Epiphone manufactures great and affordable guitars, but in most cases Gibson guitars will always win with them. The difference is pretty clear – Gibson guitars are better in every aspect. On the other hand, Gibson guitars tend to be way more expensive.
Where can I find the best hard case for a Les Paul guitar?
If you’re searching for some of the best hard cases for your Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul, check out this article on my blog.
Where can I find out more about Gibson guitars?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of guitars, check out the official website of Gibson.
Summary
As you can see, Gibson Les Paul Tribute is an absolutely amazing electric guitar. Although it’s not the best Les Paul model in the world, it’s definitely worth checking out. Especially if you’re looking for the most affordable LP with the Gibson logo on the headstock!
What do you think of that model? 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’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
