Every new Les Paul (except the Supreme...) comes standard with G Force, a further step forward in tuning systems that improves on what was already impressive about its predecessor, the Min-ETune. In addition, the new Les Pauls feature a slightly wider neck and a thicker, one-piece rosewood fretboard, specially treated for a smoother, more even feel when playing. The frets have also been reduced a bit (by 27%) to give the hand a more modern feel, and the nut is another new feature: called the Zero Fret Nut, it's adjustable and made of a cryogenically treated brass alloy.
The PLEK system is used in the production of each and every one of them, and to top it all off, they all come with a new hardshell case. Not every model is for every guitarist. So let's quickly run through what makes each one special.
Les Paul Standard 2015
The company's flagship comes this year with a mahogany neck and the aforementioned rosewood fretboard, with a compound radius and frets that run over the binding for that extra bit of playing surface. The body is also mahogany, with modern weight relief, a flame-figured top and a removable pickguard. On the electronics side, there are two Burstbucker Pro 1 and 2 pickups, with push/pull options on the pots for coil tap, phase switching and Pure Bypass. In other words, classic tones with the most modern wiring options, which are on their way to becoming the new standard wiring for Les Pauls. The Les Paul you've always known, only better.
Les Paul Standard Premium Quilt
This is a version very similar to the Standard, but with a slightly different 60s-style neck (asymmetrical slim taper) and a compound radius. The top is also different, an AAA grade with a truly luxurious quilted finish. Ideal for those looking for premium woods and a different look. Les Paul Supreme
Les Paul Supreme
AAA woods on the top and a semi-hollow body, with deluxe f-holes with gorgeous binding, and a neck with an asymmetrical, rounded 50s-style profile. The inlays are crown-style, with frets running over the binding, and it carries a 492R humbucker in the bridge position and a floating one in the neck, with elegant gold covers. Ideal for lovers of semi-acoustic tones, blues and jazz. Also for those looking for a Les Paul with a bit of an ES-335 vibe...
Les Paul Classic
Here we have a slim taper neck with a rosewood fretboard and frets over the binding. Mahogany body in the traditional finish for the 2015 Les Paul, loaded with '61 Tribute Zebra-coil pickups, with a coil split on each volume pot and a mini-switch with 15 dB of Turbo Boost. Oh! And orange drop capacitors on the master tone control. For those who want a gain boost on the same guitar and are looking for sixties neck profiles.
Les Paul Traditional
A 50s-style rounded XL neck (the chunkiest profile) and a solid mahogany body without weight relief, for lovers of the most traditional Les Paul feel and tone (and weight!). Two of the new '59 Tribute humbuckers top off a guitar dedicated to those who seek that 50s magic.
Les Paul Studio
A neck with a slim taper profile, a rosewood fretboard without binding, and a weight-relieved mahogany body with a maple top. No body binding or pickguard. It carries two humbucker pickups, a 57 and a 57 Plus, with a coil split option and orange drop capacitors. In other words, a more restrained and affordable guitar in looks, but with all the traditional flavor and tone of a Les Paul. Heck, it's a Les Paul!
Les Paul Deluxe
Mahogany neck with an asymmetrical round profile, a rosewood fretboard and traditional trapezoid inlays. Mahogany body with traditional 9-hole weight relief, and a maple top with a fixed pickguard. The big news? Two newly designed mini-humbucker pickups, the work of Jim De Cola and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, with split coils and a mini-switch with Turbo Boost. A genuine rock & roll machine that looks boldly back to the 70s but with modern options inside.
LPM 2015
Designed especially for those who want a Les Paul with a modern look and an unbeatable price. There's no binding on its rounded maple neck with rosewood fretboard, nor on its weight-relieved mahogany body with maple top. It has no pickguard either, and it carries two '61 Zebra humbuckers.
Les Paul Less+
We finish with a little gem of this new 2015 line, featuring a medium-density mahogany body with 9-hole weight relief and a maple top, a rounded-profile maple neck with cream binding, and a rosewood fretboard. Two '57 Classic pickups (one rhythm and one lead) with coil split and the mini-switch for Turbo Boost top off a model that Les himself would have been especially proud of.
