The legendary Les Paul, pioneer developer of the solid body electric guitar and—ultimately—rock and roll as we know it, checked out the newest model of the guitar that bears his name this week at New York City’s famed Iridium Club, during Paul’s weekly two-show engagement.
Paul is seen here playing Gibson USA’s new 2008 Les Paul Standard—an elegant revision of the iconic model, with several updates and new features that make it the best Les Paul Standard ever produced.
Based on research from consumer feedback and a drive to uphold and enhance the legacy of the Les Paul, Gibson USA’s 2008 Les Paul Standard sets a musical instrument benchmark for excellence and achievement, beginning with a new asymmetrical neck profile that makes it one of the most comfortable and playable necks ever offered on any guitar. The neck also features an enlarged neck tenon for maximum wood contact between the neck and body.
Locking Grover tuners are also a first for the Les Paul, giving the 2008 Standard an improved gear ratio of 18:1 and making string changes a snap. All newly designed controls, including custom-made, gold-plated potentiometers made by Bourns, one of the industry’s leading makers of guitar electronics, give the 2008 Standard a new level of sonic clarity and intensity. It also utilizes the revolutionary Plek system—a computer-controlled setup that carefully measures and dresses each fret, accurately measuring the height between the fingerboard and each string, virtually eliminating string buzz and providing unbeatable playability. Other features include a set of Gibson's traditional Burstbucker Pro humbuckers featuring Alnico V magnets.
During the session at the Iridium Les Paul's praise of Gibson USA's newest model was heard throughout the club and the highly respected musician played a few chords on what he called a "great new model from Gibson."
For more information on the 2008 Gibson Les Paul Standard, click here.
Photo Credit: John Ostrosky