Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s HCS

I got this 2021 Les Paul Standard in heritage cherry burst today, after waiting a fair month. Even though I researched extensively and knew what to expect this guitar still blows my mind. Right out of the box the setup is optimal, the nut cut properly, that the guitar stays in tune and allowed the factory setup to be low with proper intonation. The pickups are amazing giving the instrument a beautiful warm but clear voice. For the first time I have a use for a tone control knob on a Gibson which functions like a presence control on an amp. The tuners are firm and precise. The volume controls are linear and feel great just like the toggle switch. My guitar has a perfect cherry burst color with a small deep circle of red and a gradient towards yellow. The flame top is just beautiful with the flame stripes being visible accents on the whole body, but unobtrusive nevertheless. The neck profile is solid, but not chunky, just right for a real guitar. Gibson strap and case are beautiful as well. I am in love with this guitar, tonally and in terms of quality. Thanks Gibson USA & Thomann!

I should start by saying that I am an LP purist. I believe that this guitar has had its pinnacle in 1959 and we should don't deviate from the perfection handed to us by the Gods of the years passed.

So I was really excited when Gibson announced the new series without push-pull knobs, split coils, weight relief, and other satanic creations.

I own some seriously expensive & vintage guitars, but this one proved that it can punch above its weight.

Almost everything is perfect - color, wood, frets, binding, knobs, etc.

Where did they mess up? The pickups. The PU's are almost on par with Epiphone (not in a good way). Cleans sound flat, drive sounds over the top. Basically this here is the bottle neck that strangles the guitar & doesn't allow it to fulfil its potential.

Thankfully, in a way Gibson did us a favour - there are so many really good PAF clones on the market & this provides a wonderful opportunity to something that will be perfect for this guitar.

Personally, I went for the Bareknuckle Mules - the perfect LP PAFs IMHO.

To sum it up:
- Perfect build quality
- True 50s Les Paul, just the way it should be
- Looks gorgeous & plays incredible (thanks for the PLEK, Gibson)
- Will last you a lifetime & never disappoint
- Just change these burst buckers & invest into some quality PAF's that will do this guitar justice

I just bought a second one of the Gibson Les Paul ’50s Standard. I think this says it all, there is no need for further arguments or endorsement from me.
As stated in a previous review referring to my Gibson Les Paul ’50s Standard Tobacco Burst, if you lay your hands on it, you will not touch any other guitar after. As I won’t touch anything else, there is no choice for me but to keep buying and playing these beautiful instruments in my upcoming days.

The Gibson Les Paul ’50s Standard gave me all I needed from a period correct Les Paul and a good basis for pickup modifications and tone experiments housed by the same instrument with chunky but extremely easy to play neck and a proper (some would say rather heavy) weighting body that makes me feel alive. The guitar “just feels right in my hands” from the moment I grab it.

Thank you, Gibson, for making, once again, guitars that we love and thank you, Thomann, for making it possible to buy these instruments also in Europe with a click of a mouse.

Please note that this review comes from a Gibson Les Paul devoted player and does not want to take away anything from the merits and value of other brands and instruments. There are many great instruments on the market suitable for different styles and needs, but for me the Gibson Les Paul ’50s Standard is the number one choice. The heritage cherry finish just has that must have look that will tell your story trough the scars of rock gained through the years of use in your hands.

Rock On!

I am senior guitar player and my first Gibson LP Deluxe I bought 40 years ago. I still keep and play on good amount of electric guitars and have about 8 of them " Pleked". My first impression about that particular LP Standard: heavy and thick body, small frets (1mm x 2,3 mm), fingerboard harsh like todays rosewood. Overnight soaking fingerboard by linseed oil, strings change for my gage and first judgement: perfect intonation, easy to make my action 1,5E1, 2,0 E6, endless soustain (acoustic sound), perfect frets settings, tuners and overall job. Playability superb. Pug in: Super Reverb - fantasic sound, Marshall JTM - absolute ROCK ESSENSE. And now I know why I bought that Wonder - to have and play the best blues-rock guitar ever made. That it is fantastic that Gibson decided to make back Les Paul Standard 50s. To underline importance of this guitar first song I played was "Hideway" note-for-note EC and Bluesbreakers version from 1964 !

Finally decided to take the plunge after watching & reading MANY reviews! I?m not disappointed! It sounds amazing & is much easier to play than I thought it would be.
I?m glad I decided on this model over the others, I love the 50?s neck feel & the whole guitar just looks stunning. Great quality case with a nice hidden compartment with some goodies & even a photo of the guitar at the factory. Also, the whole thing smells SO good!
We have friends staying with us at the moment but I?m not seeing too much of them as I can?t put the LP down!!
I?m looking forward to many years playing this guitar.
Great work Gibson.