HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

C

chr0maticism

New member
Guys...i need your help fast, i'm planning to buy a Gibson LP, but i'm still not sure which one i should choose, a classic one or a standard one?

I want a fat tone yet still has a distinct highs,great for playing solos as well as big fat in your face crunchy rhytm. Thanks guys!!
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

chr0maticism said:
Guys...i need your help fast, i'm planning to buy a Gibson LP, but i'm still not sure which one i should choose, a classic one or a standard one?

I want a fat tone yet still has a distinct highs,great for playing solos as well as big fat in your face crunchy rhytm. Thanks guys!!
Click to expand...

You'll be able to achieve the tones you want from either the Standard or the Classic. The main difference between them is the Classic has a plain top and the Standard has an AA flame top. The Classic has the hotter, cheaper pickups (can't remember the exact ones) and the Standard comes with the Burstbuckers I believe. The last big difference is the fugly inlays that come on the Classic...they are puke yellow, while the inlays on the Standard are your typical MOP looking white.

The Classic I believe only comes with the 60's profile neck, which is slimmer, and the Standard comes with either the 50's or 60's profile. You'll have to decide which profile you like best. The 60's profile is the thinner of the two.

My personal opinion is that the Standard is the better of the two, out of the box and bone stock. The pickups sound better IMO, the inlays look nicer and of course the top is nicer. I also believe the Standards may get a slightly better grade of wood on average than the Classics.

You may want to change the pickups right away, and if that's the case, then either will work fine...it comes down to looks, and of course the Classic is what...$300 or so cheaper? I think I saw them listed at like $1699 new, vs $1999 or $2199 for the Standards ($1999 if you want black).

I think you'll get more bang for your buck if you buy used. You can just simply get more guitar for your money, and a lot of time the pickups and such have already been upgraded on used gear.

Hope this info and opinon helps you a little.
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

Man I honestly don't see the difference between the two. The only difference may just be the aesthetics. You know better finish, different metal on the hardware, binding, etc! Flame finishes are a waste of time and money. The types of flames, curly maple finishes and such that they put on Gibsons are inferior to what you could get for the same or less amount of money on a good custom guitar.

Solid black or gold top LPs are for me. Sorry, but their flames, curlies and translucent finishes suck! Like I said, there are custom axes that will give you much better wood to look at for the $$$! I have to consider also that I will never buy another Gibson unless I gut the electronics out of the thing. So if your gonna have to get work done on the thing to get it the way you want it, then why buy the most expensive model? Why spend thousands and then have to gut the damned thing?

I would be more interested in the playablilty on the neck and the tone. Play both models for a period of time. I think once you get to know them both then the guitar will select you! :chairfall
 
Last edited:
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

I think soundwise there wouldn't be much different. You may want
to change the pickups anyway. Personally, I like Standards better,
but it's just my opinion. I used to play one for years, but nowadays
I only play a Strat. Might have something to do with the fact that
I don't own a LP :)
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

Pups on the Classic are poor IMO, and (if this sort of thing matters to you) I suspect that the Standards will probably keep their value better and have far higher collectability/value in the future when they get a few years under their belt.

That aside, pretty much the same axe - I have seen Classics going for more than Standards on Ebay and in some stores, so obviously some people really like them and are prepared to pay good money for the 60s neck and screaming (read ****ty) ceramic pups.
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

If you'er going to "spruce" it up w/better electronics and such just go with the classic, if your going to leave it stock go with the standard. IMO they're neck to neck, it just depends on your taste. Just my 2 cents but if your going to spend that much on a Les Paul your better off finding a nice used one, or even a vintage one.
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

A little known secret that was exposed on the Les Paul forum board. If you leave a Les Paul Classic in the sun long enough the inlays turn from that ugly yellow/green color to a pearly white.
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

jmh151 said:
A little known secret that was exposed on the Les Paul forum board. If you leave a Les Paul Classic in the sun long enough the inlays turn from that ugly yellow/green color to a pearly white.
Click to expand...

I saw that thread too. Here's the actual pic. It's more of a smoke color. Looks good.
 
Last edited:
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

Bottom line - whichever FEELS best, and has the best acoustic sound. They just aren't that different. And pups will change both in extroardinary way - though I do like the sound of the burstbuckers.

After that it's all about the looks - which may or may not be important to you.

Jeff! Great new avatar!

And does that sunlight thing really work? How long a day, a week a year, what?!?!
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

SchecMan said:
I saw that thread too. Here's the actual pic. It's more of a smoke color. Looks good.
Click to expand...

that was a classic? thats pretty cool! im also curious to know how long of a treatment that guitar went trough to become like that
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

I seem to remember the guy in that thread saying a few days. Leaving it outside a few hours at a time, wrapping the body in a towel and just exposing the fretboard, IIRC.
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

chr0maticism said:
Guys...i need your help fast, i'm planning to buy a Gibson LP, but i'm still not sure which one i should choose, a classic one or a standard one?

I want a fat tone yet still has a distinct highs,great for playing solos as well as big fat in your face crunchy rhytm. Thanks guys!!
Click to expand...



Get a classic because it's cheeper, then use the money you saved and get new pickups: alnico pro IIs for instance.
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

When I was LP shopping, I found more Classics to my liking than I did Standards. Maybe it was just the availability of Goldtops. :D

Now that the un-greening of the inlays trick has been revealed, I'd be a lot more open to a Classic. The ones I tested were all good guitars, but I couldn't get over the mother of uranium inlays.
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

I recently bought a Classic from fellow board member Brewtone.

I'll give a report once I receive it. I'm really curious about the inlay thingy with sunlight...
 
Re: HELP! Gibson LP Standard or Classic?

Go for the Classic. It's a better value for the $$, and they play just as nicely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Do you prefer locked or standard tuners?
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Mincer
Mincer
80's_Metal
Need Help- recommend an acoustic guitar
2 3
Replies
46
Views
2K
jeremy
jeremy
alex1fly
Custom 8/59!
Replies
2
Views
528
EmiAba
EmiAba
J
Help with pickup selection.
Replies
8
Views
366
J.P. Tosca
J
patchworkman
Pickups for [?]SS Strat
Replies
3
Views
334
playas
playas
Back
Top