As you all know, talking about Gibson means talking about the big leagues. It is one of the most legendary and iconic electric guitar brands, and it has served as the reference for hundreds of models built by instrument makers all over the world. You need to know the Les Paul production lineage well to avoid mistakes, because under the "Les Paul" name there is a wide variety of models that differ from one another clearly and decisively (in price, too).
After wowing guitarists with the Les Paul Standard, Custom and Gold Top, the company kept using the famous name (so well received by the market) for a wide range of models. Clearly, not all of them enjoyed the same success as the celebrated trio (Standard, Custom and Gold Top).
On the one hand, the company has reissued several guitars, starting in 1968 with the relaunch of the Gold Top, followed by the Heritage Standard (1980-82), the Pro Deluxe (1977-83), the limited-edition Custom 54 (1972-73), the Gold Top (1987) and the Standard 58 (1985). The company has also celebrated various anniversaries with limited-edition commemorative models.
Another way the Les Paul has been "reproduced" is through the variants Gibson has brought to market, such as the Recording (1971-79), the Artist (1980-81), the LP XR2 (1981-82) and so on.
Given how competitive the industry is, practically every company has been forced to look for cheaper, more accessible models for musicians. At times this has led to some "contradictory" situations, since certain models rose so much in value that guitarists could no longer afford them. The most sought-after Gibsons ended up in vaults as investments for the "well-heeled." It seems absurd for guitars made for musicians to end up out of their reach, although it is quite a tribute when demand drives an instrument to such extreme values.
Today, the Gibson Les Paul catalog includes the following versions:
Les Paul Supreme
Les Paul Standard
Les Paul Classic
Les Paul Studio Baritone
Les Paul Studio
Les Paul Special W/Humbuckers
Les Paul Double Cuts
Les Paul Melody Maker
Within each of these categories, every model comes in its own subdivisions.
Today we focus on the guitar on our test bench, the GIBSON LES PAUL SPECIAL W/Humbuckers, which we have in hand for review.
Gibson Les Paul Special
This model goes back a long way: there was already a Special in 1955, conceived as a "budget version" and made of mahogany. The 1955 model had two P90 pickups.
The guitar on our bench, part of the USA range, follows the same build approach as an affordable version of the Les Paul. Its body and neck are mahogany, it has a Tune-o-matic bridge and it comes with two Alnico humbuckers: the 490R and 498T.
When we talk about budget models, we naturally mean savings compared with the most expensive Les Pauls, which can cost three times as much (at the very least). We had already tested guitars from this family of mahogany Les Pauls, such as the Les Paul Double Cutaway FADED, which received our ISP award last year.
Construction
A few days ago I was talking with a well-known luthier who repairs and sets up many of the guitars that pass through your hands, since he is the official service center for several well-known brands. He told me he had the impression that quite a few current instruments at reasonably moderate prices, that is, between €700 and €1,000, had amazing quality, and that he really did not find such a huge difference compared with others at €3,000 or €4,000. We agreed that the difference most likely lies in the wood drying process (production methods), and even in the raw material itself, which could mean that a poorly "dried" guitar tends to warp over time, so that it stays in perfect condition for less time than a more expensive guitar (one built with top-tier drying and manufacturing processes).
Although mahogany is not one of the most expensive woods (nor one of the cheapest), I find it a perfectly good material for building instruments. I have never been to the factory and have not had the chance to see how each wood responds to treatment, but I have been able to experiment with and play plenty of guitars, and I have clearly noticed significant differences in finish, sound and stability depending on the wood used. I think mahogany is a wood that responds well, and in my experience it has a positive effect on the instrument.
Sound
The dynamics of this guitar carry the typical Les Paul sonic signature: a rich, thick, powerful and dense sound with lots of sustain. In other words, you feel the power of a Les Paul in your hands when you plug in the Special. I could not help comparing its sound with the Faded Double Cutaway. Since the construction is identical in terms of woods, I wondered whether the difference would be noticeable. Given the different electronics, since the Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway has "super vintage" P-90 pickups, we went looking for the differences in sound.
My impression is that, within a thick, heavy vibe in both cases, the Special and its Alnico 490R and 498T pickups deliver more punch. I find them creamier, fatter and, if anything, better suited for "battle." You notice similarities between the two instruments when playing them, but this "Les Paul Special" model, with these pickups, proves to be a great tool for heavy sounds.
I find it interesting to get to know and tell apart the sounds of different pickups, and even the tonal differences of the same pickups installed in different guitars. To share audio samples that help us appreciate these sounds, I am posting on www.ispmusica.com (in this review) several MP3 clips of the P-90 super vintage pickups installed in an SG Classic, and of the 490R and 498T installed in a Les Paul Custom.
Wrapping up the sound comparison between the two, I could not say which one is cooler, since they are fairly similar, and the point that sets them apart will appeal to you more or less depending on your style and what you are after.
Within the thick sonic personality typical of these guitars, there are paths open toward sharper tones. For example, imagine you want an open color with delicate, bright, cutting arpeggios; you can do that perfectly well by using the right pickup combination and adjusting their tone. Obviously, this instrument does not belong to the "glassy" family, because although you can sketch out that kind of idea, there is always that "dark" sound with a trimmed attack that is so characteristic of Gibsons. Even so, the tonal flexibility of the Les Paul Special is surprising.
Before closing the sound section, I would like to stress how rich in harmonics this instrument is. When you play a distorted solo, it is easy to get different sounds and harmonics depending on the intensity and position of your fingers or pick, which gives us extra expressive tools. I like that.
Feel and finish
This guitar gives me good vibes. It is well finished and its intonation is spotless. I think it is a step up if you are playing midrange guitars, since it feels solid and robustly built. What stands out is how easy it is to play, how balanced its tuning is, how well the strings blend without harshness, the medium pressure you need to apply on the fretboard (at least with the set of strings currently installed) and a strong personality, not only in its sound but also in the feel of the instrument compared with other Gibson models.
As for the body finish, it has a matte look. This is an interesting result, especially on a black guitar. Although I personally prefer the glossy look of Les Pauls with a pickguard (perhaps because of a classic view), I recognize one clear advantage of this finish: fingerprints do not show on the surface, and your guitar always looks "clean."
Tuners and bridge
The tuning stability and good intonation along the fretboard are complemented by the precision of the tuners. They are smooth but firm, with a precise balance point and a good ability to bring each string to the perfect tension.
As for the bridge, I wonder how much of a powerful vibe you would get by combining a tremolo with the thick Les Paul sound. We could not answer that question in our tests, since this guitar has the typical simple, fixed Tune-o-matic found on Les Pauls. It is a sturdy system, with no frills, but effective given the character of the instrument.
Conclusions
Even if this rubs some people the wrong way, and without taking anything away from the fine work of other companies, what guitarist does not dream of owning a USA Les Paul? I think the answer is very few. One of the legends in your hands, at a fairly affordable price. True, with the Special you are only halfway there, since the real luxury lies in the Custom, Standard, Gold Top and so on, but the satisfaction, and the road toward your "killer" Les Paul, can start right here.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Gibson on its track record, because even in its most competitive models (price-wise), it shows real seriousness and a product that does not disappoint.
