Gibson Les Paul Supreme - Review

Gibson Les Paul Supreme - Review

Gibson Les Paul Supreme Review

I bought this in 2008 - what a superb guitar - and you know what - it is not even a custom shop model!

Admittedly this is a limited edition and one of probably the last being made (2008) but it is easy to see that this guitar has cost big money and time to make. The Supreme is a hollowed out Les Paul, with no holes on the back for fitting the pots etc., and the back is finished as awesomely as the front - perfect.

Everything about this guitar speaks quality (like the Spotlight Special also featured on this site) and how I bought this for the price I paid I cannot figure out (cost was $3200) so if you can get your hands on one I recommend it wholeheartedly. The sounds are also as you would expect with a better tendency to hang on to the note than even a regular Les Paul has - probably due to the hollowing inside the body.

It's also interesting to note that the Supreme has gold colored frets! It is just one of those models that has been made irrespective of the cost of the thing. These are all hollowed out at the factory and then the two halves are stuck together. The wiring is fed in through the jack hole so there is no back plates on a supreme - just a fully figured back as the front is - and this one is awesome as you can see. They stopped making them with this colouring so you can only get the regular stuff now and I don't think that looks the part.

It's a great guitar to play - the notes will hang in there all day. Neck profile is a rounded D shape - not really metal, but you can do that too if you want. I would describe this guitar as suitable for Blues and Classis Rock - to which it excels.

Here is the Gibson speak and the specs: The new limited edition Les Paul Supreme features highly figured maple - the Les Paul's trademark - on the back as well as the top. The Supreme has a chambered mahogany body for a lighter feel. It features custom binding on top, back, fingerboard and headstock and split-block inlays on an ebony fingerboard.

Technical Info:

Made in Nashville - Body Species: Chambered mahogany body - Top Species: Carved AAAA maple (translucent finishes only) - Back Species: Carved AAAA maple (translucent finishes only) - Center Block Species: Mahogany - Binding: Seven-ply top, Three-ply back

Neck Species: Mahogany - Profile: Rounded - Peg head Pitch: 17° - Thickness at 1st fret: 0.818 in. - Thickness at 12th fret: 0.963 in. - Heel Length: 0.625 in. - Neck Joint Location: 16th fret - Headstock Inlay: Abalone globe with Pearloid 'Supreme' banner - Headstock Binding: Five-ply
Fingerboard Species: Ebony - Scale length: 24 3/4" - Total Length: 18.831 in. - Nut Width: 1 11/16 in. - Width at 12th fret: 2.062 in. - Frets: Gold-tinted alloy/22 - Inlays: Pearl split blocks - Binding: Single-ply

Hardware Plating Finish: Gold - Bridge: Tune-o-matic - Tailpiece: Stop bar - Knobs: Gold Speed - Tuners: Grover Keystone

Electronics Neck Pickup: 490R Alnico magnet hum bucker - Bridge Pickup: 498T Alnico magnet hum bucker - Controls: Two volume, two tone, three-way switch

Case Exterior: Black Reptile Pattern Hard shell - Interior: Black Crushed Velvet with Black Shroud - Silkscreen: Silver 'Gibson USA' logo - Brass truss rod cover, Gold fret-wire

I would rate this at 9 out of 10 - it borders on perfection with what is actually a unique design and not run of the mill Les Paul - lighter too!

Here's what I think are the best bits:

• Sound Quality
• Construction is Superb or should that be Supreme
• Excellent Value for the Money
• Nice and Light - this thing resonates superbly
• Great Action so easy to play

As long as Gibson continue to make Les Pauls like this for this price these boys are here to stay. Some criticise Gibson, but I think that this quality is as good as anything you can buy - not least as good if not better than most PRS.

While it is true that PRS do make some of the best guitars in the world - the price is also the best - which makes PRS often a not so great brand - especially when compared to the quality, price, overall vibe etc. that this guitar exudes in buckets. In my experience PRS CAN do it - but these days they are a little arrogant, self centred and they ripped off the Les Paul basic design, no matter what anyone says - and that's a fact.

So - come on Gibson, keep making them as good as this one and there's no threat except in your own minds...