Gibson Les Paul Standard | Shootout - '50s, '60s, and Modern

The Les Paul Standard is a classic guitar that almost every guitarist has or dreams of having in their collection. The classic tone is a staple in rock and roll, and the feel of the instrument in your hands is second to none. Mike Rock seeks to show you the differences between 3 amazing models; the '50s, the '60s, and the Modern. Which one will be your favorite? Let us know below!

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Shootout

Sam Ash Music’s Shootout series offers a look at two or three similar products to showcase the subtle differences and let you decide for yourself which piece of gear reigns supreme.

[mauser]

I received a 60's Standard from Sweetwater. It areived in tune. After playing it for an hour yesterday mimicing Albert King and Dicky Betts I put it away. I got up extra early this morning to play and it was still dead on 440 E tuning. Loving this guitar.

[astrophotonics]

Been dealing with Sam Ash for years, 4 LP's, 6 Strats, 4 Marshalls, always a good experience. Looking to get a 50's Lp now. love reviews from old guard players like this guy, no BS involved, knows what he's talking about.

[mgorange]

Normally I don't watch the commentary when looking at guitar vids but I listened to this whole thing. This guy was really good. Sounded like a regular dude that's just stoked on some cool guitars and no time for BS

[festushaggen]

A well done no nonsense approach for showcasing these beautiful guitars. Love Les Pauls.

[rogercraggs]

Why does every guitar reviewer play with overdrive? I've owned 36 Les Pauls ranging from an original '57 goldtop, '58 cherry sunburst, 70's deluxe, all sorts of re-issues and standard production l.P's, Traditionals, and V.O.S They are are all different in tone, playability, feel etc. but I know instantly i play it NOT PLUGGED IN if its "Got it" that feel that stands out when its a good 'un. then I play thru a clean channel on an all valve amp, and this is where you can really hear the nuances and tonal range and sensitivity of the guitar. It tells me so much more than cranking up the drive ever will. If its not great clean, then It will never be a stand out guitar cranked, as overdrive masks so much of the subleties. Great tone primarily comes from the wood and the player, The best compliment I ever received after a gig was when a guitarist friend who's playing was much admired, Took my elbow and said.... "Great TONE Rog, Great tone!" Meant more to me than anything that I had been told before regarding my playing. SO... dear reviewers, PLEASE OH Please lets hear them clean, Then by allmeans crank 'em up.

[Kjetil_MB]

The Bourbon Burst finish is so amazing!!

[sttvbn]

I picked up a 50’s Heritage Cherry yesterday. A Sweetwater special with a AAA flame top. Beautiful guitar. Yes the top added $300.00 to the price.

[bobbwest]

Outstanding clear explanation and demonstration of the differences between three flavors of Les Paul produced today! The features and differences were explained in a way that even I can understand. Mike’s superb playing was quite a treat as he demonstrated the various tonal possilities of these guitars. Bravo Mike! Great video — I learned a lot.

[stratolestele]

Man, after 45 years of playing and buying/selling/keeping electrics, these new gen of traditional Les Pauls have knocked me over.

I ordered a '19 60s Standard online (why not? If I didn't like it, I send it back and ask for another.) and it remains in the top 3 of my ridiculously large collection.

Just a few months ago, my Sweetwater rep told me about a new 2021 Classic blem. The blem consisted of scratches around the 3-way. Once I knew I wanted to keep it, I polished out the scratches in about five minutes.

I "knew I was going to instantly rip out the pcb pots and electronics" and replace them with my preferred traditional handwired bits. Coil-splitting? Out of phase? Blower switch? As if! Not in one of my Les Pauls! Well the joke was on me. I Iove every single thing those push-pull pots do. I may only use them 10% of the time, but when the tune calls for it, I have the tool. When I don't need it, I don't know it's there.

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks after all - at least this old dog.

[pierpaololucchesi]

I own a 2020 LP Studio...I'm waiting for the 50's ordered 1 month ago. I've choosed the 50's 'cause I prefer it compared to the 60's (nothing to say about the 60's) but money talks...so...I can't wait! Les Paul forever!

[timtaylor]

Just picked up the 50s Standard. Fantastic.

[AshishLimbu]

This was by the most informative review ... no bullshit, no gimick... respect \m/

[guyincognito]

I love that he was playing Dead Boys' Sonic Reducer.

[stacey_rh]

This is very informative. Best job by far I have seen in explaining these particular new pauls. Thank you!

[JB]

Great video! I just bought a Slash 2021 in November Burst. People say it's a 50's, but it does have different pickups. But man, it plays and sounds great. Couldn't be happier. I also have a 2019 Standard, which they should have called a Modern. It has the push pull pots and is weight relieved and Grovers, but for some reason Gibson calls it a Standard. I also own Core PRSs, and Fenders, and a Suhr, but for some crazy reason, I keep coming back to Gibson. Why is that??

[mickeymice]

I'm glad phil asnelmo's voice double demo'd this, seems like a cool dude!

[andrewf]

Bourbon Burst ‘60s just purchased today. I played it for a few hours last weekend and really liked it, but wasn’t sure I needed it.

I don’t need, but the want was strong enough to pull the trigger.

[paulcowart]

Great pulled the trigger on a 50's model in Heritage Cherry burst I got lucky and was willing to wait a while till I found one the right weight Lol and behold I found one pretty quick 8.4 lbs...a lot of them I was looking at even the CS and Murphy Lab models were over 9 lbs I was surprised and was pleasantly surprised when found one at 8.4 I guess the stars were aligned lol cause I was taking a road trip so actually got to stop off at Nashville to give it a whirl and scooped her up

[bengordon]

I have owned 100s of Gibson les pauls from the 50s too now I have too say the 2020 Les paul is one of the best modern Gibson les pauls made too date, Gibson really up there game the neck feel is second too none, nut work is tight , simple electronics and great finishes, solid bodies and sound great ... My 2020 60's Ice tea is absolutely beautiful and weighs 9.2 lbs solid body my go too guitar now .

[alanhunter]

Good honest show and opinions. I own an early 2019 standard cherry burst. It’s a strange one it has all the switching options of the HP but no auto tuners or cutaway heal joint. To me it’s the ultimate modern Gibson. I must have tried about 20 les Pauls before choosing my one. If you want the modern switching you have it if you don’t like it or don’t want it just don’t use it.