Did Gibson Change The Headstock On 2018 Les Pauls

Recently we announced the Gibson U.s.a. 2018 lineup. Consisting of Les Pauls, SGs, Firebirds, a Flying V, an Explorer, and a couple of High Performance guitars, there's something in there for everyone. To read the quick-spec rundown of the models, read our announcement hither. Here, we're going to become into a bit more than detail on each model, to hopefully assist you figure out which guitar's the ane for you.

It's worth noting that all guitars in the 2018 range have transmission tuners, including the High Performance models. Thhe HPs take also got a slightly wider neck, Fast-Access neck heel, adjustable titanium nut and a few other upgrades. All the other models in the Gibson 2018 range accept manual tuners and regular neck width and nut.

The Les Paul Standard is always the flagship model within the Gibson USA range. Launched in the belatedly 50s, it'south an ever-evolving instrument. As years went by, players wanted more than out their guitars, which led to slightly hotter pickups amongst other minor tweaks. The 2018 Gibson Les Paul Standard is a modern guitar, though information technology still very much has a pes in the era that spawned it. Information technology's fitted with Burstbucker Pro pickups – these enhance the vintage PAF audio, with a touch more edge. They're hotter than the BBs in the Traditional, meaning they'll break up a fleck before and the employ of a stronger Alnico V magnet gives them a slightly beefier, chunkier tone. The pickups besides have curlicue tap capability so you can go single scroll style sounds out of information technology too.

The Asymmetrical Slim Taper neck profile means that it's a touch thinner on the treble side making pb work more comfortable. Locking tuners help tuning stability and cryogenically treated frets mean that they'll stand up up to wear better. For 2018, the Gibson Les Paul Standard is available in some new, incredible, eye-catching finishes – Cobalt Burst and Blood Orange Burst, alongside the more traditional, Heritage Cherry Sunburst and Mojave Burst. As you might expect for a guitar of this quality, it comes supplied with a Gibson hardcase. An absolute workhorse of a guitar.

The 2018 Gibson Les Paul Standard High Operation represents the next stage of evolution for this legendary guitar, and is absolutely packed full of nifty features designed to brand guitarists' lives easier. It'due south got the self-tuning mechanism – G-Strength, which has been updated once more meaning that it tunes your guitar at the push of a push, quicker than ever. Similar the regular LP Standard, yous've got push and pull knobs to split the coils still, unique to the HP is the DIP switch within that gives you up to 150 different wiring variations – did someone say versatile? If you desire classic Les Paul tone, worry not – this guitar volition give you that amongst everything else.

The High Performance too features a slightly wider cervix (1.745″ at nut) giving you lot a bit more surface to play on. It's non quite as wide as information technology was in 2015, simply wide enough to notice a difference. I find information technology very comfortable – chords only seem to ring out really well and pb lines area a bit easier to pick out. The neck profile is the tried and tested Asymmetrical Slim Taper, which is a picayune thinner on the treble side. The HP Les Paul Standard has an adjustable titanium nut making tweaks to your action much easier and quicker, which, paired with titatnium saddles also maximise string resonanace.

Y'all'll notice the incredible top on this – AAA+ figured maple which is shown off past all the finishes (Hot Pink Fade is exclusive to the HP range). The Gibson 2018 Les Paul Standard High Performance likewise comes supplied with a really high quality aluminium hard case.

The Les Paul Traditional is the one for the purists. It's loosely modelled on the all-hallowed 58/59/60 models, so information technology's got a adequately chunky Rounded neck profile, non-weight relieved mahogany body with maple top (AA figured, so probably closer to the look of a 59/lx than 58) and pickups that capture that legendary PAF sound. With a touch on of overdrive, the pickups slightly raise the high frequencies – the sound yous've heard on and so many archetype stone records. The 2018 Gibson Les Paul Traditional also has Orange Drop capacitors giving y'all consequent tone – like it was way dorsum when.

It'south available in three archetype finishes, including Tobacco Sunburst which we oasis't seen for a while. You lot as well get cryogenically treated frets making them a bit more hard-wearing, and vintage style keystone tuners. With the guitar, y'all get a classic style Gibson hardcase. The 2018 Les Paul Traditional has a classic spec that one-time-school players will love – it actually does live upwards to its proper noun!

Perhaps my favourite guitar in the Gibson 2018 range. Archetype Les Paul styling with a pair of aggressive, gnarly sounding P90s. These pickups are basically oversized unmarried coils and tin actually cut through a mix. The mahogany body has no weight relief and is topped with a maple cap – classic, old-school Les Paul setup. Playability is dandy with the Slim Taper neck contour and rolled fret bounden. The guitar likewise has Orangish Drop capacitors – these were introduced in the 60s and are heralded as the dons of the capacitor world (if such thing exists) – they requite you lot consistent tone and help lend a touch of clear mid-dial.

The 2018 Gibson Les Paul Classic is reminiscent of the legendary '54 Custom – particuarly in that beautiful Ebony finish! Similar the other guitars in the 2018 Gibson range, the Les Paul Studio benefits from cryogenically treated frets meaning that they'll stand to vesture much meliorate. It also comes supplied with a classic Gibson hardcase.

This year's Les Paul Studio swaps out the usual 490R/498T pickups for a 57 Classic (cervix) and a 57 Classic + (bridge). They're a bear on brighter and sonically closer to the PAF style pickups that helped make the Les Paul so famous and desirable in the late 50s. What's handy with the Studio is that the pickups are coil-tapped; what this means is that you can pull up on the book knobs to essentially change the pickups to unmarried coils, making it a really versatile guitar.

The Les Paul Studio was originally designed to give yous all the tones that a Standard could, without any of the wink artful thus keeping the price down. That's even so pretty much the example today however what's new for the 2018 Studio is the neck binding – not only does this look really nice merely feels comfortable on your fretting paw also. Like the other guitars in the 2018 Gibson range, the Les Paul Studio benefits from cryogenically treated frets meaning that they'll stand to wearable much better. It also comes supplied with a classic Gibson hardcase.

The Les Paul Tribute is pretty much what information technology says on tin – a tribute to Les Pauls of the past. A solid, non-weight relieved mahogany body and maple top fitted with classic sounding humbuckers give yous that big, bulky tone the Gibson Les Paul is known for. The bridge pickup has plenty of mid-range bite and works actually well with baloney – the cervix pickup is a touch more mellow. Both pickups are wax-potted to lessen the likelihood of unwanted, microphonic feedback. The Slim Taper neck contour is a little thinner than a 50s style neck so information technology's going to comfy for all players.

The Les Paul Tribute is a good pick for players on a upkeep that want a rock-solid, reliable guitar that plays and sounds great. Like the other guitars in the 2018 Gibson range, it'due south got cryogenically treated frets so they'll stand up to wear much better. It likewise comes supplied with a really nice, freshly designed Gibson softshell instance. An amazing guitar guitar for well under a thousand.

The Gibson Les Paul Faded is the most affordable singlecut model within the 2018 range. Information technology'south got a pair of Gibson 490R & T humbucking pickups giving y'all all the classic rock and blues tones you'd expect from a Les Paul. I observe them to be a little more mellow (not quite as bright) than the 57 Classics that are in this year's LP Studio. They've got a fairly medium output, though they're wax potted significant that if you're sticking information technology through a loftier-gain rig, y'all're less probable to encounter unwanted feedback. Jazz and blues players volition love the thick, mellow, warm neck pickup tone and rock players will feel correct at domicile with the punchy bridge pickup audio. This model also has Gibson'south ultra-modern weight relief – this means the mahogany body has strategically routed holes cut into it to make the guitar lighter, without compromising tone.

For players that have lusted after a proper Gibson Les Paul simply don't desire to spend every bit much on a Standard or Traditional, this is a bully pick. Information technology'southward a proper, American-made Gibson Les Paul and dishes out all the tones to bear witness it. Like the other guitars in the 2018 Gibson range, the Les Paul Faded benefits from cryogenically treated frets meaning that they'll stand to wear much better. Information technology also comes supplied with a really squeamish, freshly designed Gibson softshell example. At this price, it represents incredible value for money.

The Gibson SG Standard is 1 of the best selling Gibsons of all time and has been the starting time pick for jazz players and metalheads alike, thanks largely to the mahogany trunk, which lends both sustain and warmth to the sound. The 2018 model has a adequately new prepare of pickups in it – the 61R and 61T. These are based on the pickups found in the original 1961 SGs and capture that sacred PAF tone, but perhaps with a touch more of a modern edge.

The body shape and thickness mean that it's a bit lighter than most Les Pauls, plus the twin cutaway allows for easy admission to the higher frets. This, combined with the Slim Taper neck profile makes it a good pick for lead players that find themselves at the top of the neck a lot. The guitar also benefits from cryogenically treated frets, meaning that they'll stand up to wear much amend. The 2018 SG Standard comes with a hardcase and is available in the classic Heritage Cherry and Ebony finishes, alongside a new Fall Shade.

This is a Gibson SG, like you lot've never seen before. Information technology's made with a mahogany body – every bit yous would expect, however the 2018 SG Standard High Performance also has a AA figured maple cap. Not but does this requite an amazing visual effect (the finishes really popular!), merely it also adds a touch of snap and articulation to the sound too. It's fitted with a 57 Classic in the neck, and a slightly hotter Super 57 Classic pickup in the bridge. These are based on the PAF-era pickups of the late 50s and then volition give you classic tones. If yet, you want tonal variation, the HP SG has push/pull book knobs to give you single-coil style sounds. In that location's also a DIP switch within that gives you an even bigger range of tones, making it an incredibly versatile instrument.

The classic SG double cutaway makes for piece of cake admission to the higher frets, and the Slim Taper neck contour lends itself nicely to lead and rhythm playing alike. Like the other High Performance models we've seen over the concluding few years, the 2018 Gibson SG Standard HP Has Gibson'south self-tuning mechanism on board. Thousand-Forcefulness has recently been updated then that information technology now tunes your guitar, at the push button of a push, quicker than ever. Information technology'south available in four really hit finishes and comes shipped in a superb quality aluminium hardcase.

The 2018 Gibson SG Special is a actually absurd guitar, and is pretty unique. You'll no doubt recognise the legendary double-cut body shape that allows like shooting fish in a barrel access to the highest notes on the fretboard. What's unlike most the Special is that it's fitted with Mini Humbuckers – these give a different sound to regular humbuckers – they're a bear on brighter, and accept slightly less output, meaning that they'll stay clean for a bit longer. Stick this guitar through an overdriven amp though and you lot'll go a nice bite that volition cut through a band mix really well.

The 2018 Gibson SG Special has a nice 60s/70s vibe to it – both sonically and aesthetically. The neck profile is Gibson'due south famous Slim Taper – comfortable for pretty much any player. This model besides has 24 frets, instead of the regular 22. Like the rest of the 2018 models, the SG Special benefits from cryogenically treated frets helping them stand up over time against fret-habiliment. Information technology comes shipped with a softshell case and overall, represents really good value for money.

This is the most affordable SG in the Gibson 2018 range and offers incredible value for money. It's built in America to a high standard so will last y'all for years and years to come. This model is fitted with an 490R humbucking pickup in the cervix and a 490T in the bridge – these are versatile pickups that give yous a large, warm, rounded audio, with enough of an edge to work for stone and metal, as well every bit dejection or even jazz. These pickups combined with the mahogany torso will give yous that classic Gibson sustain also.

SGs have been played by a huge range of players – Angus Young, Pete Townshend, Sis Rosetta Tharpe, Derek Trucks, Tony Iommi and Robby Krieger to name but a few! The double cutaway in the torso makes accessing those really loftier notes on the treble strings much easier and, it'due south a lighter guitar. than most Les Pauls. The neck on this is a Slim Taper – comfy for most players, inluding beginners and in that location'south less wood to get your manus effectually. The Gibson 2018 SG Faded comes supplied with a really overnice, padded softshell instance.

For years, the Gibson Firebird has proved to be a great option for players that want an culling to the Les Paul or the SG. Its shape is instantly recognisable and will help brand yous stand out. The sound is as well unlike to Gibson'south other guitars; the Firebird is fitted with a pair of Mini Humbuckers which accept a little more than bite and top end compared to their regular humbuckers. They've also got a relatively low output giving y'all a really nice clean tone, with a corking bark to them when overdriven. The neck through trunk construction allows the Firebird to sustain really well, lending it nicely to blues and rock players.

The Slim Taper cervix pattern makes it comfortable to play and the cryogenically treated frets will stand up upwards to wearable improve. The 2018 Gibson Firebird likewise comes shipped with a neat quality hardcase too.

The Firebird Studio has a flat body, unlike the other Firebird in the series – it'due south as well got a non-reverse headstock and different pickups. The 2018 Firebird Studio is fitted with a pair of P-90s, which are essentially oversized, high output unmarried gyre pickups giving this guitar a fairly unique sound. They can cutting through a mix really well and have a nice upper mid bite to them, particuarly when overdriven. Dial back on the tone knob though and you'll go a wide range of sounds out of it.

The Slim Taper neck design makes information technology comfortable to play and the cryogenically treated frets will stand up to wear better. The 2018 Gibson Firebird Studio also comes shipped with a neat quality hardcase likewise.

The Flying V is a classic. Beginning introduced in 1958, information technology'southward as radical a trunk shape at present equally information technology was back and then. Rife within rock and heavy metal, it's a guitar that will get you noticed straight abroad. The 2018 Gibson Flying Five is fitted with a Burstbucker 2 in the cervix and an even hotter Burstbucker iii in the bridge. These pickups are based on those produced in the late 50s – back then, information technology was all done using machines that weren't anywhere near every bit precise as they are today. The event was a range of pickups with various outputs; the BB2 and BB3 are quite hot meaning that they'll intermission up sooner – ideal for rock and metal, though they clean up nicely too.

Aside from the look and the sound of the guitar, the 2018 Gibson Flying V plays great also, largely thanks to the comfortable Slim Taper neck profile. The frets are as well cryogenically treated meaning that they'll stand upward to wear much amend. Also included with this guitar is a really expert quality hardcase.

This twelvemonth'due south Gibson Explorer is sure to exist a big hit. It's hugely reminiscent of the 1958-60 Korina Explorers, which now go for crazy money. Instead of korina yet, the body is made from mahogany and is fitted with Burstbucker 2 and iii pickups. These pickups are based on those produced in the late 50s – back and so, it was all done using machines that weren't anywhere near every bit precise as they are today. The outcome was a range of pickups with various outputs; the BB2 and BB3 are quite hot pregnant that they'll break upward sooner – ideal for rock and metallic, though they clean upwardly nicely too.

The Explorer trunk shape is actually unique and has been seen on stages effectually the world artist from U2 to Metallica. The 2018 Gibson Explorer has a Slim Taper neck contour making quick lead piece of work comfortable for your fretting mitt. Information technology also comes shipped with a slap-up quality hardcase.