Q&A:17 Gibson Les Paul 60s Standard (Burst-buckers) or Les Paul 50s Standard (P90s) Which One?
Gibson Les Paul 60s Standard (Burst-buckers) or Les Paul 50s Standard (P90s) – Which Would You Choose?
I recently purchased a Gibson Les Paul 60s Standard fitted with 60s Burst-Bucker pick-ups and finished in a “Custom Shop Top” Honey Burst and from my perspective it perfectly sits alongside my Les Paul 50s Standard Gold Top fitted with P90 pick-ups.
In this video I briefly show an overview of the main differences between these two guitar models and go onto do a series of side-by-side tone comparisons – clean and overdriven. While both guitars have a full sound and pack a punch, the Burst-Bucker pick-ups have a smooth sustain very much lending itself for that classic rock lead guitar tone.
As someone who grew up in the early era of Gibson and Fender guitars, the Les Paul is of course one of the most recognisable guitar shapes in the world and despite it’s aging design it is still highly sought after by every level of guitar player. I will admit, the Les Paul was a guitar I personally just could not get on with – back in my performing / recording days in the 70s and early 80s – despite; that like so many, I always liked the look of them.
Today, some 40 years on as I return to playing and recording, I find both the 50s and 60s Les Paul Standards have a place on my guitar rack in the studio, giving me tonal choices depending on the music project in hand… Enjoy!
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In Q&A 18 Video (Questions & Answers Video 17) I take a look at 2 guitars with different pick-up types – Gibson Burst-Buckers v Gibson Classic 57s – https://youtu.be/aslDjKWPxlo
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Originally posted by UCIzLPebyg0H23oOP9qrDEoQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIOYehHAm7o
Well I certainly sympathize with anyone who has to choose between these two. I love the goldtop, but in a fire I would grab the burst. Partly because I'm a Page fanatic, but also partly because it was my first nice guitar, it was my fortieth birthday, and it was what I always pictured in my head. So it stands to reason the fact I sympathize with anyone who has to choose, is high praise indeed for the goldtop. I love both necks, the slimmer one is a bit more of a natural fit and faster for me, but the 50s neck is my favorite feeling neck in the whole house, even over the nocaster. The only thing I don't like about them is the paint. It's much too much paint! The 60s burstbuckers, or 61 burstbuckers as I believe they've changed the name to, are my favorite factory pickups made right now, I think they're great. But why on earth can't we just get good old fifties wiring?! Blows my mind you have to pay over 3K for a guitar wired properly let alone a 50s reissue wired properly LOL Anyway that's an easy enough fix, and the paint thickness isn't the end of the world, I love my gibbies they're awesome and now we're twinkies lol That might be an American colloquialism idk, it means our guitars match.
Excellent. I'm heavily into the P90 sound at the moment, because of my SG acquisition, but the Burst-buckers sound great too. I can see why you wanted them both in your sonic arsenal. Did you keep the LP double cut?
Hi Stu; I had to check, my Gretsch 5220 weighs 8.5 pounds and I had to buy a 3" strap for it as it dug into my neck, so 10lbs…yikes! The P90 is bright, the BB are fuller, honestly if money is no issue then both would be the go to as they both fill a hole, but forced to choose it would be P90. It would suit 50s and RaB better, the BB just scream 60s Hendrix. Cheers.
Hey Stu, never really went for the gold tops. Love the honeyburst though. Its almost as pretty as my ice tea burst.
The burst buckers are the same on my LP too, but nice to hear them against the P90’s.
I am finding the 60’s neck a little uncomfortable hence looking into the tele / strat dark side.
Looking forward to the next one.
Catch you later
Hey Stu, there is just some magic in a p90. They are my favorite pickups for sure, but sometimes you just need a humbucker. Great video brother.
Hello. Stu. Back in 1972 I was working so I decided to spend my weekly wages on Import L.P. Albums / Friday Night Drinking and a new Les Paul Custom and Fender Amp on hire purchase – I was asked by the sales person what colour I wanted and I said Black but I should have gone for a Gold Top with P90 Pickups – I do love my Gibbo Custom but the sonic joy of P90 Pickups is wonderful. Cheers and a great weekend to you.