Gibson Les Paul Standard 2016 T Electric Guitar - Fireball

The Gibson Les Paul was the guitar I wanted before I even knew what one was. Jimmy Page played one, as did Peter Green and <insert iconic guitarist of choice here>… As such I dare say buying a proper, full-fat Gibson Les Paul Standard is more about desire and perceived heritage, than it is about the need for a quality guitar. But even telling myself this was not enough to put me off. After months of contemplating, price checking and review reading, I finally took the plunge and bought a 2016 Gibson Les Paul Standard in ebony (black in marketing speak) when the prices dropped after the release of the 2017 models.In spite of this massive heart over head indulgence, I’d like to think I’m no misty eyed fan-boy and I made the purchase well aware of Gibson’s sometimes wobbly reputation for quality control and made damn sure I gave it thorough inspection after delivery. Fortunately all was well with my example, paint finish was good and it had the tell tale nitro smell of marsh mallows. Set-up was pretty much spot on straight out of the fur lined case, but as mine had been sitting in a warehouse for a year the strings and frets were a bit dull (documentation includes manufacture date and a pic of your guitar on the set-up bench). A string swop (a breeze with the locking Grover tuners) and a neck clean later things were good to go. Plugged in it sounded great, all the pots worked cleanly and the asymmetrical neck feels great (to me, YMMV).While there were no problems with my particular example there are some apparently typical Gibson quirks. The plastics don’t match colour – the binding is a different cream to the pick-guard, pick-up rings while the truss rod cover bright white. The pick-guard is roughly finished (it also came attached on mine). There’s a tiny bit of dimpling in the lacquer near the neck/top join (its minor, but it wouldn’t be there on a PRS). And then there’s the ‘nibs’ on then end of the frets – which although a Gibson ‘thing’, I would prefer it if the fret wire to go all the way to the edge of the neck binding (like they do on the HP version).But overall I am happy with my Les Paul Standard, sure it’s not the most sensible purchase I’ve ever made but I love it’s looks and it plays great.

The Les Paul Standard 2016 Ebony came with a few issues, in particular: the guitar had fret buzz - on the 6th or low E strings, around the first , second and third fret, the frets were unpolished. After fighting with the intonation for a while I gave up. So I wrote, before the return, to Amazon about the issues and I ended up taking mine to Master Luthier Agostino Carella (Gibson Warranty Service Center) in Acquaviva delle Fonti, Italy. Now it's the best playing Guitar I have ever owned. I love it !! Thanks to Amazon for customer satisfaction, but allow me to say a particular word of thanks to the Gibson Warranty Service Center, Agostin Custom Guitars, for his excellent, scrupulous and professional work.

I recently purchased the Heritage Cherry Sunburst LP and it brought me every ounce of pride I expected and then some!As I opened the case I was greeted with the sweet smell of the nitrocellulose finish and the guitar glistening like an Ibiza sunset. I've seen comments on the finish quality and I experienced nothing but perfection and I couldn't recommend this guitar enough.Only downside is amazon dropping the price by £200 before I'd even received it! That's why I've given 4 and not 5 stars

The most amazing guitar I have ever owned, this is one of things that I've wanted since seeing Slash play as a kid. The push pull pots are a brilliant idea, so many tones, really love the bypass too, really gives a nice kick. The guitar is amazing, really impressive. So why 4 stars? The nut looks like it was glued in by a slap dash 5 year old, not something I expect from such an instrument. Overall I'm happy but I expected a bit more from the finish.

I have the much slated 2015 model with the auto tune. This is a very pretty guitar and sounds great. However our of the box it needed a full set up which I am not equipped to do. The tuning was all over the place. Once in tune at the nut it was out of tune all over the fretboard. Had I taken it to a shop for a professional set up, perhaps it would have been fine. But I have had no such issues with the 2015 and I like the tuners for their ease and precision. This does look better but not as user friendly. If you are an expert you will probably have a better experience.

Bought this for an amazing price from the warehouse and it was perfect! I had a 2015 standard before and didn't get on with the wider neck. Moving to this was a revelation. The sound is so much better than the 2015, with a warmth and resonance that just didn't exist on the 2015 guitar. Plays like butter and looks amazing. She is a lifer ;-)

Fantastic guitar, especially at the Amazon price. A lot of tonal possibilities, sustains really well compared to my American Strat. Dunno about previous years, but they did a good job om this, no lacquer over-spilling. Great guitar.

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