TEST: Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded

Recently, a young guitarist asked me if I could give him a recommendation regarding a Les Paul. There were so many different models on the market and he had no idea what the differences were and why the prices differed so much. In fact, Thomann alone has over 50 different models in its online store and the German Gibson website has 77 different models in its portfolio. I admit, even an experienced LP player like myself was probably a bit easier to please in the past with the classics Custom, Standard, Deluxe and Junior, all in different colors. The current latest edition of the most successful signature guitar in the world goes by the name of Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded and it takes an unusual approach.

The concept of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded

The guitarist's brain is truly a special one, containing at times convolutions that any other instrumentalist can only note with a shake of the head, or can you imagine a keyboardist or drummer being particularly keen when the varnish on his instrument is chipped, the paint yellowed or the hardware rusted? OK, the 2,000 hours of stage presence with a six-digit number of kilometers of transport distance does not necessarily want to look at his instrument, but just a good number of fans of the two founding fathers of the electric guitar, Fender and Gibson, love the vintage look of an instrument and can not make friends with the high gloss polish of a factory-new instrument so at all.

Add to that the peculiarity of various neck finishes that sweaty hands virtually stick to the back of the neck, and many musicians find this annoying. Aware of this, Gibson has now introduced the "Faded" models, where the typical standard Paulas have some "wear and tear" already at factory delivery, without going into the heavy aging department.

But first, let's start with the "standards of a Standard", which Gibson friends should be familiar with anyway, hence only a rudimentary listing. But wait, first an important point, it is a (subjectively considered) "real" Les Paul, which means the body is not chambered and therefore also gives a stately weight of about 4.3 kg. Yes, it is a high weight and yes, Lester Polfus aka Les Paul wanted it that way and yes, the comparatively high weight is an integral part of the classic LP sound, as the wood mass clearly influences both the resonance point and the vibration behavior. Let's not misunderstand each other, there are much lighter instruments, which, for example, with a through-neck show a comparable sustain behavior, but when it comes to the typical midrange and vibration behavior of a Les Paul, a solid body is always superior to the hollowed variant.

Otherwise, the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded impresses with a classic mahogany armada, consisting of a one-piece, glued-in neck plus a two-piece bookmatched mahogany body. The fingerboard is rosewood as always on Standard instruments, the two-piece AA top is maple, which is bound with a one-piece binding on the top and extends over the neck as well, the whole with the short scale length of 628 mm and 22 medium jumbo frets. P.S. If you ever had the luck / misfortune to play a LP Custom Fretless Wonder, you know how low you can grind frets :-)

The bridge / stop tailpiece is now made of aluminum, the tuners are from Grover's Rotomatic series and have Kidney Buttons as tuning pegs. In order to featurn the "used" character a bit, the two 60's burstbuckers were shipped without caps and the pickguard was omitted altogether. The circuit is classic 3-way without coil tapping, plus 2x Volume, 2x Tone, the whole hand-wired with Orange Drop Capacitors. Special strap locks were not included with the instrument, but a strap and a practical multitool are included. The instrument is delivered in a high-quality Gibson case, which is kept in the classic brown and no, the lining is not pink or purple this time.

It is also very positive to note that Gibson after its restructuring, which was completed some time ago, has raised the manufacturing level back to the regions, which has led to the legend status of the series from the fifties and sixties. The workmanship of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded is impeccable, the components very high quality, the overall appearance a real pleasure.

The finish of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded

But now let's get to the special feature of the instrument, the faded finish. The entire instrument is covered with a satin nitrocellulose lacquer, which is less resistant to external influences, but does not restrict the vibration behavior of the instrument like simpler lacquers. In addition, the instrument receives the so popular aging much earlier, which is very much appreciated by many users.

In particular, the neck of the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded gets through this varnish a much "woodier" feel than you know it from the classic LP necks. I wouldn't go so far as to say this is a natural neck with occasional oiling, as was practiced on some Ibanez models of the eighties, but the SlimTaper profile of the neck does indeed get a very intense feel.

The subtle yellowed finish is supposed to give the instrument the touch of a long and carefully played-in instrument, which is of course not possible at factory delivery, as not a scratch adorns the varnish and the appearance comes across flawlessly even. However, as soon as the respective user has left his personal imprints on the instrument, this instrument will, as expected, fade into aging more quickly than the analog high-gloss variants, where it takes considerably more work to drive the varnish into saturation accordingly.

In practice

What could be written about a Les Paul that is not well known to every guitarist? Whenever Gibson has tried to give the Les Paul a more "modern" look in its 120-year history, the shot backfired, so users can really be happy to be able to purchase the majority of the LP portfolio in the classic approach. The same approach with all its advantages also comes to bear on the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded, which can be recognized without a doubt already in dry play. The combination of solid mahogany insert in combination with the short scale length allows a sustain-rich low-mid sound, which depending on the amplifier is responsible for countless hits of the sixties and seventies, after they had clearly lost the fifties to the eternal competitor Fender. After the collapse of popularity in the eighties, it was thanks to Guns'n'Roses and their snotty rock that the LP model took off to new heights. It is not without reason that the majority of the "Signature Signature" series consists of various models that are manufactured for Saul Hudson (Slash). Can you actually "sign" a signature guitar twice? No matter.

Of course, with the appropriate setup pedal / amp / cabinet / speaker you can elicit good to very good clean or even high gain sounds from the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded, but the real highlights of the instrument are once again the extremely tasteful crunch sounds of all distortion stages up to the classic lead sound. Here the instrument impresses with a massive, powerful basic sound that makes it really hard not to immediately sing "Alright Now" by Free or any hit by Led Zeppelin or Thin Lizzy.

The instrument plays quite well, the neck has enough "meat" without scratching half the baseball bat, although of course the comparatively "shirt-sleeved" transition at the base of the neck still ensures that it is quite uncomfortable to grip from the 15th fret upwards. However, one is compensated with one of the two great sounds in the history of the electric guitar and it is questionable whether there will really be another trademark in the electric guitar sector in the future, which can steal the thunder from the two over fathers in terms of popularity.

Conclusion

With the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Faded, the company introduces an instrument beyond the High Gloss Standard version in its portfolio. The instrument offers a high level in all respects and seamlessly continues the renewed manufacturing quality that Gibson has been demonstrating for some time.

For friends of the classic Gibson tone a must!

Additional Informations:

- Gibson Guitars is a legendary company that has been at the forefront of guitar design and manufacturing for over a century. The company was founded in 1902 by Orville Gibson, a talented luthier who was known for his innovative designs and meticulous craftsmanship. Since then, Gibson has become one of the most respected names in the music industry, and its guitars are played by some of the most famous musicians in the world.

Gibson's early guitars were handcrafted in a small workshop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. These guitars were known for their high quality and unique designs, which incorporated elements of both traditional and modern styles. Over the years, Gibson continued to refine its manufacturing techniques and expand its product line, adding new models that appealed to a wide range of players.

One of Gibson's most famous models is the Les Paul, which was introduced in 1952. The Les Paul was designed in collaboration with jazz guitarist Les Paul, and it quickly became one of the most popular guitars in the world. Its solid body construction, powerful pickups, and sustain-rich tone made it the perfect instrument for rock and roll music, and it has been used by countless guitarists over the years, including Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Slash.

In addition to the Les Paul, Gibson has also produced a number of other iconic models, such as the SG, the Explorer, and the Flying V. These guitars have all played a significant role in the evolution of rock and roll music, and they continue to be popular among guitarists of all genres.
Throughout its history, Gibson has remained committed to quality craftsmanship and innovation. The company's guitars are still handcrafted using traditional techniques, and every instrument undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it meets Gibson's high standards. Additionally, Gibson continues to develop new technologies and designs that push the boundaries of what is possible with a guitar.

In recent years, Gibson has faced some challenges, including financial difficulties and legal issues related to the use of endangered woods in its guitars. However, the company has persevered, and it continues to produce some of the finest guitars in the world. Today, Gibson is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and it remains a major player in the music industry, with a loyal following of musicians and fans around the world.

In conclusion, Gibson Guitars is a company with a rich history and a commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovation. Its guitars have played a significant role in the evolution of rock and roll music, and they continue to be among the most popular instruments in the world. Whether you are a professional musician or a beginner, a Gibson guitar is a great choice if you are looking for an instrument that offers exceptional tone, playability, and style.

- Lester Polfuss, better known as Les Paul, was an American musician and inventor who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of the electric guitar. Born in 1915 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Les Paul began playing guitar at an early age and quickly developed a reputation as a virtuoso performer.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Les Paul began experimenting with ways to amplify his guitar sound, eventually developing his own electric guitar and recording techniques. In 1941, he moved to New York City and began performing regularly with his trio, which featured his innovative guitar playing and use of technology such as tape delay and multi-track recording.

Les Paul's influence on the electric guitar can be seen in his many innovations, including the solid-body electric guitar, which he developed in the early 1940s. This revolutionary design featured a single piece of wood for the body, which eliminated the feedback issues that had plagued earlier hollow-body electric guitars.

In addition to his contributions to guitar design, Les Paul was also an accomplished inventor, holding numerous patents for technologies such as tape echo, reverb, and noise reduction. His inventions paved the way for modern recording techniques and influenced countless musicians and producers over the years.

Throughout his career, Les Paul continued to push the boundaries of what was possible with the guitar, experimenting with new sounds and techniques and inspiring generations of musicians. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and he remained active as a performer and innovator until his death in 2009 at the age of 94.

Today, Les Paul's legacy lives on through his innovative guitar designs, which are still produced by Gibson under the Les Paul name. His recordings and performances continue to inspire musicians around the world, and his inventions have had a lasting impact on the music industry.
In conclusion, Lester Polfuss, or Les Paul, was a true pioneer in the world of music and technology. His contributions to the electric guitar and recording techniques have had a lasting impact on the music industry, and his innovative spirit and passion for music continue to inspire musicians around the world.