Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded 60's - FHB

In 1958, the Les Paul went from a simple gold-finished, painted top to a cherry sunburst finish over a carved maple two-piece top. The majority of the tops were actually pretty plain, while others - the ones collectors now pay astronomically high prices for - could be found with beautifully figured, two-piece flamed maple tops. Actually, it was the carved top that set the Les Paul apart from the "competition." That continued through the instrument's long and storied history.

The Les Paul Standard Faded Series takes you back in time. Using modern production techniques, combined with a bit of hand crafting (and maybe a little magic), these guitars have the look and feel of a Les Paul with tons of history. The colors have faded and the finish has dulled to a burnished satin feel, just like an authentic vintage Les Paul. How do they do that? This one's a faded Honey Burst. Fast 1960s Slim-taper Neck Profile The first Les Pauls had huge necks, but by 1960 the neck underwent several modifications until it became what's known as the slim-taper design, which many of today's players actually prefer.

Okay, we made fun of the slim-taper necks more than once or twice, but it is in keeping with more contemporary tastes, so pick the neck that suits your playing style and individual preferences. Of course, the neck is mahogany, so it's absolutely rock solid and the rosewood fingerboard with those classy pearloid trapezoid markers has that warm, classic Les Paul feel while still allowing easy access to the upper frets so you can really dig into your solos!

Two Fat, Smoky BurstBucker Pro Pickups Look, when you're talking about a Les Paul, you're talking about that big, fat, smoky humbucker sound. Forget all those thin "out-of-phase" guitar sounds that the session players overused in the 1980s and (sad to say) right through much of the '90s. That's not for you, is it? Of course not. You've got that fast '60s slim-taper neck in your left hand and you're grabbing big chunky chords and soloing all up and down the fingerboard.