Les Paul Classic vs Standard Reddit

I see the specs. But I can't understand why the Standard is $500 more than the Classic. From where I sit, the Classic just adds features like weight relief and push-pull pots. No pick-up covers though. Oh, and the truss-rod cover says "classic" instead of "standard".

Same pick-ups. Same tuners. Same nut. Same medium jumbo frets. Same fretboard inlays (unlike the greenish ones on some older Classics). Sure, the Classic has a plain maple top, but I actually prefer that sometimes. Is that all that it is? The plain maple tops? Because of the new Standards I've seen so far are pretty plain too.

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Posted by

Marshall

2 years ago

Are there differences between them? I would like to know!

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733

Not practicing as they should

It's just different really. The Standard has more historic specs and so the market sees it as bit more valuable...

But that's a separate question from which is better. That's purely going to based on your preferences.

If you prefer a chambered body (i.e. a lighter guitar), a thinner neck and things like coil splits etc, then the Classic is going to be the "better" one for you.

I A-B'd the two and preferred the Standard 50s almost entirely due to the neck profile, but I thought both sounded and looked great. And while I generally think coil splits are pointless, I do think the "blower switch" setting on the Classic sounded awesome.

For the money, get a Traditional Pro V.

It's pretty much the same thing as the Modern without the awkward cutaway at the heel and it had modern weight relief instead of ultra modern weight relief.

You still get all the push/pull options on the pots, modern asymmetrical neck and locking tuners at way less money. You can get a satin in the 1600 range brand new if you buy at the right time. The gloss ones I've seen on sale in the low 2's.

It's a lot of guitar for the money. Looks vintage and has a ton of modern options.

I Don't own a Gibson modern but I have played one as I originally was going to buy it as an upgrade for my Epiphone Les Paul modern. Ended up with the Trad pro V satin. Played and felt just as good and I loved the satin neck. Best part was I got it for more than 1500 less than the modern.

Best of luck in your search. I know it wasn't one of your options but it will definitely fit within what you're looking for at a great price.

In my experience a Standard or a Custom plays far better than a Faded or a Studio model. The cheaper Gibsons are still perfectly fine guitars, but the difference is very noticeable if you're used to a Standard and pick up one of Gibson's "budget" guitars.

I have played a Standard for years, and I use a Faded Gibson as a backup. What I notice is:

• The frets feel way better on my Standard

• The feel of the neck is better on my Standard (I've been considering sanding off the finish of my Faded's neck to match the wear on my Standard)

• The sound out of the amp is more... nuanced? Not sure exactly how to describe it, but the pickups on the Faded are much hotter and I notice it don't sound as good at low to medium gain situations.

That being said, I wouldn't pay the new price of a Standard. For that amount of money you can get a truly amazing used Paul. If you can find one from the late 1970s / early 80s, you can even avoid the "weight relief" chambers they riddle modern versions with, while also avoiding the crazy pricing of a Gibson from the 1960s / early 70s.

Lefty player here, been playing for about 13 years and am now finally in the market for a Gibson. As exciting as that is, it’s more stressful trying to settle on one. I’ve narrowed it down to these les Pauls and would love some input as to which one to go with. If I had to choose one gun to my head right now, I’m leaning toward the special. There’s just something about it that’s really attractive, I just don’t know what…but all the other ones are incredibly sexy instruments. Idk though. Thoughts?