Les Paul Standard - convinced this Strat fan!

Prior to a recent trip to New York I did a little research regarding prices of musical instruments. Much to my delight, I noticed that the Euro to Dollar exchange rate was very much in our favour. This advantage, added to the fact that almost everything is cheaper in the US than in Europe, made it clear that now was the time to finally pick up a Les Paul!

The majority of my 21 years of guitar playing have been on various Fender guitars, my mainstay being a battered '90 USA Standard. I have always felt comfortable playing Fenders, and have become used to their quirks. However lately I have really started getting into slower, more "toneful" playing - something that Gibson-type guitars facilitate (not that you cannot get such tones out of a Fender, but that is not the point of this review).

Up until this point, dropping $3000+ on a Les Paul (approximately the price here in Dublin after VAT) was not feasible. I have always wanted one, but the time was never right. Until this trip to New York, that is.

With my wife's blessing, I ordered a sight-unseen Les Paul Standard, with the fatter '50's neck, from Zzounds. Now I know that the vast majority of people would rather see their guitar before they purchase it - this is totally rational and understandable. However, I being in Ireland I didn't have this luxury. Also, I have noticed that after 21 years of playing I can basically get "my sound" on any guitar I pick up. Granted, they nicer the instrument, the easier it is!

Zzounds shipped the guitar (for free I might add) the very next day, and upon our arrival in NY it was there waiting for me.

Now, to anyone that has been used to Fender or other guitars, the whole new guitar experience is something else with a Les Paul. For starters, after I uncrated the guitar, I opened the form-fitted case (very nice - even has a combi-lock) and noticed my guitar was protected with a "shroud". Coming from the Fender world, this was new. Also - the smell was wonderful. New guitar smell! The nitrocellulose lacquer and wood smell was really pleasant, much different from my previous "new guitar" experiences.

The guitar itself was everything I had hoped for. I had ordered a Translucent Amber model with a carved AA maple top. It has a beautiful carved maple top with wonderful figuring - it depends on how much light hits the guitar and at what angle for the various features of this wood to be revealed. The colour is absolutely gorgeous, a warm, golden colour - almost orange in certain lights. It contrasts well with the nickel hardware and rosewood neck. The pick guard was not installed on the guitar, and I do not intend to put it on. With a top this gorgeous it would be a shame!

Even the back of the guitar, an afterthought on most models, is attractive - a rich, brownish-red mahogany.

I played the guitar acoustically first. The first thing that struck me was how small the guitar seemed compared to my Strat! I had become so used to the relatively flat body of the Strat that the new, curvaceous Les Paul was a totally foreign feeling at first.

The neck is much thicker than those of my other guitars, but it is a joy to play. Because it has a shorter scale length than my Strats, it is much easier to play than I assumed. The frets are just the right height - perhaps a little higher than on my other guitars, as I often found myself going sharp from too much pressure on 1st position chords.

Plugged in, the guitar is pure tone. It is soooo easy to dial-in a classic tone. Just playing around with my amp (Zvex Nano Head into a Laney 1x12" cab) I was immediately able to conjure up classic '70's sounds. After years of fighting with other guitars to get decent tone, this was pure luxury.

The Burstbucker V pickups are more than suitable for my needs (everything from power pop to classic rock). They are clear and clean up nicely at lower volumes. As a matter of fact, playing the Les Paul on cleaner amp settings has been a revelation. I assumed that because of the humbuckers that the clean tone would be somewhat muddy, but it is clear and warm. Although it is not as sharp as a Strat and you do not have as many pickup combinations, those that you do have with the Les Paul are distinctive and not lacking in warmth and clarity.

With tube distortion full blast, this guitar sings. Gary Moore-esque sustained notes are a blast. The pure tone that comes out of this guitar makes you just want to hold a note for days.

That being said, you can really shred on this guitar as well. Do not be fooled by the thick '50s neck - with action adjusted accordingly you can really fly on this guitar.

This guitar is so much fun to play. The construction and materials used give it has a substantial, stable feeling that makes me want to hold on to the notes and savour them rather than blaze through as many as I can. Many people complain about the weight of Les Pauls, but for me it really is not an issue. It is heavier than my other guitars by about 3 pounds, but with a decent strap this is not noticeable.

The fit and finish of the guitar, even straight out of the box, is flawless. Not a scratch or blemish anywhere. The intonation is spot on. The only thing I had to adjust was the treble-side pole height on the bridge pickup, as the high strings were just not loud enough.

I am very satisfied with my Les Paul, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their sonic palette. It is so much fun to play and sounds so good that it has completely recharged my creative batteries! Don't get me wrong - now that I've discovered the luxury of a Les Paul I'm not suddenly a Strat basher. I still love my Fenders, but it is just that great tone and playability are so easy with this guitar!