I own far too many guitars. I’m a record producer who owns a studio, and I also play session guitar, so that justifies it to some degree. But in reality, I am fully aware that GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is a major factor.
I’m not going to get into numbers - because that would be far too embarrassing - but it’s a lot. I own at least three, but usually a lot more, of the four electric guitar standards - Fender Strat, Fender Tele, Gibson Les Paul, and Gibson 335. I also own one, or usually many more, of the lesser-known guitars by both these brands - Jaguars, Jazzmasters, SGs, Firebirds, Flying Vs, etc., etc.
I also won a variety of other ‘classics’ and not-so-classic guitars, such as vintage Epiphone Casinos and Coronets, Rickenbackers, Mosrites, Schecters, PRS, Danelectro, Ibanez, etc., etc., etc. And don’t get me started on acoustic guitars, that’s a whole other story!!!
I assure you that I’m not listing all these gorgeous guitars to show off, not at all. I just want you to realise that I own, and have extensive experience in playing all the guitars listed. And that, to me personally, the Gibson Les Paul is the best guitar in the world!
So, let’s find out why I feel this way by answering…
Why is the Les Paul the Best Guitar you can buy?
The basic Gibson Les Paul design has not changed since it was introduced in 1952. Yes, the pickups have changed from P90s to PAFs, the bridge was improved with the introduction of the Tune-o-matic, etc. But in its most basic form, a Les Paul you buy in a guitar store today is incredibly similar to one you could have bought in 1952.
1952 Les Paul Goldtop
Before you get defensive of your Tele, Strat, or whatever guitar, I know that this is also the case with other classic designs. My point is that, for whatever reason, Gibson got the solid guitar just about perfect with its first attempt. And a certain jazz guitarist, by the name of… you’ve guessed it - Les Paul - was a major factor in the perfect design of the instrument.
The Les Paul Legacy
I’m not going to do a deep dive into Les Paul’s accomplishments, both as a musician and an engineer; it would be enough to fill a book. In fact, a number of great books have been written about the genius. If you’re interested, simply do a search on Les Paul to fill your boot with info about his life, musical prowess, and amazing inventions.
But, in a very condensed nutshell, Les Paul…
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Invented multi-tracking - recording multiple tracks on different parts of magnetic tape, which became the standard in all recording studios until the 1990s.
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Pioneered Overdubbing and Sound-on-Sound - recording on top of previously recorded tracks, enabling new creative ways of recording
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Released numerous worldwide hit songs which showed off his guitar virtuosity, such as ‘How High the Moon’ and ‘Vaya Con Dios.’
‘How High The Moon' - Les Paul and Mary Ford
And…
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Along with the team at Gibson, he created the legendary Gibson Les Paul Guitar
Fun Fact: A common question amongst us guitar geeks is which guitarist has the most signature models. Lots would go for Slash, because Gibson has created so many different variations, and all of them have sold very well. Others would say John Petrucci for his Musicman Majesty series. Another likely winner could be James Hetfield, who has the record for the highest number of ESP signature models, currently standing at 84. But the actual answer is, of course, Les Paul - more Les Paul guitars are sold in one year than any other signature model has sold in a decade! And strangely, nearly every Slash signature guitar ever sold by Gibson or Epiphone was also a Les Paul signature!!!
Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Custom Shop 1990
It’s therefore, without doubt, that the Gibson Les Paul was conceived and designed by a genius, which has to give it major kudos in our search to find the best guitar ever.
Next, we have the…
Les Paul Sound
Nothing sounds like a Les Paul, the construction - usually a very heavy piece of solid mahogany with a carved maple top - and a pair of humbuckers, produces the sound that has shaped rock music since it was created. But a Les Paul isn’t just a rock machine, it’s been featured in most electric guitar genres, from reggae to pop, jazz to blues.
The list of guitar legends who favor a Les Paul over any other guitar says it all…
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Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
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Slash (Guns ‘n’ Roses)
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Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)
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Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
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Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)
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Bob Marley
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Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day)
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Joe Bonnamassa
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Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne)
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Ace Frehley (Kiss)
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Mick Ronson (David Bowie)
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Frank Zappa
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Duane Allman (Allman Brothers)
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Neil Young
Plus, many, many, more…
Les Paul Playability
I find a Les Paul to be the easiest electric guitar to play, I like the shorter scale than you find on most Fenders, and the super low action that seems to be so easy to achieve on the guitar. But playability is a very personal thing, and I’m sure Stevie Ray Vaughn would hate my set-up.
However, I must add that when I present a Les Paul to a guitarist in the studio who normally plays a Fender, because we need a dirty rock sound. After a few minutes of adjusting to the slightly shorter scale length, they often say, ‘Wow, this is easy to play!’
Therefore, I do think that most guitarists find them easier to play than Fenders. Paul Reed Smith guitars come close in terms of playability, but they just don’t have the soul that a Les Paul possesses.
And finally…
The Les Paul Look
Les Pauls are, unquestionably, the coolest guitar shape ever! If you ask a child to draw an electric guitar, they will draw a Les Paul, not a Strat. The shape is ingrained in us from a very young age.
It is also the perfect poster guitar - featuring Jimmy Page, Slash, Zakk Wylde, etc. with their Les Pauls hung low adorned over walls worldwide as young guitarists look up at them, hoping to play like them one day and wishing they could own the most cherished of all guitars - the Gibson Les Paul!
But, Can You Improve a Perfect Guitar?
So, you own the ultimate guitar, a Les Paul. But unfortunately, not everything is created equal. If you happen to be the proud owner of a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul, a ‘R’ Re-issue, or anything similar, then you more than likely don’t need to think about changing anything. It’s already as close to perfection as possible.
However, most guitarists don’t have limitless funds and can’t afford to own a guitar that is worth more than their car! Therefore, they go for a nice Epiphone Les Paul, or one of the more affordable Gibson Les Paul ranges, such as a Tribute, The Paul, Studio Lite, Modern Lite, LPJ, etc.
This is where some quality upgrades can really make a difference to your guitar, making it not only nicer to play but also sound better. This is especially the case if you are having any problems with the guitar. One common fault is the not-too-well-designed tuning machines, which always seem to slowly deteriorate until your strings can’t be tuned anymore, or the tuner falls apart. And this problem doesn’t only affect cheaper Gibsons; I’ve replaced the tuners on quite a few of my Les Paul Standards.
My personal favorites are the Guyker GK-D-502SP 3R/3L Dopamine Color Guitar Locking Tuning Machines, as shown below…
Most guitarists go for tuning machines in the traditional chrome or nickel finish, but why be so boring? Let your personality shine through with these high-quality, colorful tuners. My favorite colorway is the Blue and Purple with a Blue Button, but there are much less blingy options, such as Red and Gold with a Red Button, or customize them yourself! If you’re more of a traditionalist, they are also available in good ol’ chrome, gold, or black.
They feature a 1:21 gear ratio, a sealed die-cast zinc alloy housing and handles, and brass shafts, plus their locking mechanism ensures that you are perfectly in tune and stay that way.
For more Tuning Machine recommendations, take a look at the Best Guitar Parts to Build a Les Paul.
Pickups
Personally, I love both PAFs and P90s, so I don’t change the pickups on any of my Gibsons. But if I only had one guitar, that probably wouldn’t be the case. Plus, depending on what style of music you play, especially heavier riff-based genres, you might want a higher-powered humbucker to give you more dirt.
Guyker GGL 6-String High Power Guitar Pickup Set
I’ve covered the subject at length in my look at the Best Pickups for a Les Paul Build, so check that out to find the perfect Les Paul pickup for your playing style.
Then, there’s the Nut…
Not a part that most guitarists take that much interest in, but they should. An old, tired nut will affect your tuning stability, and changing the nut construction material could give your guitar the little bit of tonal edge that you’ve always wanted.
Guyker Guitar Nut Height Adjustable Bell Titanium Nut Replacement for LP
I’m not going to go in-depth on the subject, but if you’re interested in finding out more, check out my thoughts on the 7 Best Nuts for a Les Paul Build.
There are lots more modifications you can make to a Les Paul, some sonic, some for playability, and some purely cosmetic. For more info, check out the Best Guitar Parts to Build a Les Paul.
Wrapping it Up
There you have it, I’m standing proud, and stating categorically that in my opinion, the Gibson Les Paul is the best guitar the world has ever seen. Nothing else I can add that hasn’t already been said, so that’s it, I’m afraid!
So, grab a Les Paul and Rock On!
