Gibson Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar > Reviews > Gibson Les Paul Standard : Woman Tone

Author's product rating:   

How well constructed is it?	very well
Appearance	5
Quality of sound	very good
Playability	very playable
Value for money	good

Advantages:	Fat solos and chunky power chords
Disadvantages:	Not as versatile as a Strat, rather heavy and 'uncomfortable' body

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Got this from Melody Music in Kuantan, Malaysia for RM 4 800 (700 GBP or 1 400 USD) back in 1996. It has a heavy mahogany body with a slightly figured arched orange-red sunburst maple top. The body has no upper-bout chamfering where you rest your right arm (as on a Strat); and this does get a tad uncomfortable after a while. I've suffered from painful creases on my forearm after long gigs.

The neck is also mahogany, with a 24 3/4" scale (as opposed to the 25 1/2" scale of a Strat) rosewood fingerboard, pearloid trapezoidal inlays, 22 jumbo frets and a single-ply white-yellow plastic binding.

It came with a hardshell case. The interior is pink plush, while the exterior is a reddish hue embossed with the silver 'Gibson USA' logo. There's an accessories compartment inside the case, complete with a truss-rod wrench.

All the metal hardware appears to be nickel-plated, including the Tone-O-Matic bridge, Stopbar tailpiece and 2 humbucker pickups. The '3-a-side' tuners appear to be 'aged' green Grovers, while the 2 volume and 2 tone controls are of the clear acetate 'gold top hat' variety. Pickup selection is achieved by a 3-way toggle switch on the upper bout of the body.

The guitar came with Gibson Brite Wires (.010 - .046) but still plays like a dream, even with .011 - .049 Ernie Ball Power Slinkys. String bending is smoother and less 'painful' than on a Strat; most probably due to the well-finished jumbo frets, shorter scale length and decreased string tension.

The stock humbuckers are clean and powerful, but never as clear as the single coils on a Strat or Strat clone. Individual polepiece screw height (6 in all) is adjustable with a flatblade screwdriver, while the overall pickup height and tilt can be adjusted with a Philips screwdriver; via the two screws on the plastic mounting rings.

Workmanship and quality of materials is 1st class; no complaints here. Volume and Tone Control taper is smooth and even, with no sudden 'jumps' in volume or inconsistencies in tone as you adjust them up or down; in short : very even and responsive. The toggle switch is virtually silent, with no noticeable pops or clicks as you switch combinations; even at stage volume. I've played it straight into a Mesa-Boogie Studio Caliber and Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus, and the tone is fat, round and full of 'balls' through either amp.

Amp or pedal distortion is where the humbuckers really shine, and especially sweet on the neck pickup with the tone control rolled way back. Even something as ordinary as a Boss DS-1, OD-1 or Ibanez Tube Screamer positively wails when driven by these pickups. When paired with a Boss MT-2 Metal Zone with the mids 'scooped out;' some really vicious tones reminiscent of a Marshall stack are to be had; even through a Jazz Chorus.

However, it took me some time to find a good balance between 'creamy-smooth' and downright 'muddy' on the tone controls. Every pickup combination is useable, although there are only 3 to choose from : neck, neck+bridge; and bridge alone. I would have liked a coil-tap or 'out-of-phase' option; but never dared to cut into this expensive beauty out of sheer reverence for it.

Volume pots and wiring is accessible via a fully-shielded plastic-covered cavity at the back of the guitar, the exposed wood surfaces have also been sprayed with grounded carbon-based shielding paint. The connecting wires are heavy-gauge shielded coaxials, and the soldering work is of high quality; with no evidence of cold or overheated solder joints (from my experience as a repairman).

A word of caution though : this guitar is not really suited for clean, shimmering rhythm work. If what you want is a fat, thick 'woman' tone, amazing sustain and deep power chords; this is the best there is. remember, you have to accept it for what it is; including its strengths and limitations. It isn't really a 'guitar for every season.' If you need to play a wide variety of styles and can only afford 1 guitar, a humbucker/single coil-equipped Strat or Strat clone would be the better choice.