Gibson Les Paul Traditional

Does the world really need another Les Paul guitar? After reviewing the new Gibson Les Paul “Traditional”, we’d have to give a resounding “YES”. Leaning heavily on the ‘Pauls from the 80s and 90s we’ve come to know and love, Gibson has recreated the sound, the look and the vibe of another important era in the evolution of the beloved Les Paul guitar. The Les Paul Traditional starts with an un-chambered mahogany body with traditional weight-relief holes for a beefy tone that maintains the resonance of modern Les Pauls. Each “Traditional” comes with Gibson USA’s standard black snakeskin case with plush lining.

Gibson wisely chose to equip this beauty with their highly praised “’57 Classic” pickups in both the neck and bridge position for that warm, fat humbucker sound you can’t get anywhere else. Period perfect Tonepros/Kluson tuners look right and feel right on the beautifully finished headstock with a custom “Traditional” engraved truss rod cover to set off the look. Meant to look “aged” binding, pick guard, toggle switch disc and pickup surrounds along with gold speed knobs, cinch the deal, against any of 7 finishes. Our example, shown here, is the elegant “Desert Burst” finish.

How does it feel and play? It is heavier than heck, as you would expect a real Les Paul to be…..and rightly so considering the solid mahogany, unchambered body and maple top. After all, that’s where all that sustain comes from. The neck feels perfect in the hand and the fit and finish on our test unit was impeccable. Sound? It cries, it snarls, it twangs, and it rings just like you’d expect from an honest to goodness Les Paul.

Overall, we think Gibson has another winner on their hands with the “Traditional”. And although no Gibson Les Paul is cheap, this one isn’t as bad as some and yet looks and sounds better than most.