I went to test and bought this guitar in a store in Paris.
Already a big plus for Woodbrass!
Very friendly staff without being too familiar or intrusive, and especially the means provided to try the guitar. It's simple, I've never seen that, a dedicated room (and there seem to be several) with an impressive number of amps available. They prepare everything for you, and leave you alone by closing the door.
Once again, congratulations and thanks for that!
Now the guitar.
I almost took it as a "bet" to make such a purchase which is not cheap, knowing that Gibson unfortunately has had a reputation for more than ten years that is no longer quite up to its myth.
But a Les Paul has always been my dream, and the November Burst finish is - personal taste obviously - stunning. For the Slash side, I must admit that my fanboyism probably overstepped my reason, but it's totally assumed!
However, not everything was rosy at the beginning...
Despite a very very very enthusiastic successful test, I realize at home that the high E string buzzes open on the first fret. Damned! I didn't see it right away in the store, because it doesn't sound on the amp (although I thought I heard it later once I knew, but who knows).
A bit upset, I adjust the only thing I allow myself to adjust on a guitar, the height of the bridge (tune-o-matic), going very slowly (quarter turn, retune, loosen, quarter turn... etc).
I manage to stop the buzzing, but I end up with an action that absolutely does not suit me, way too high for me on the highs.
Relatively upset, I hesitate to go back to the store, but I tell myself that in any case, I had planned to take it to my favorite luthier for an initial setup.
He confirms that an adjustment is necessary, but also a small intervention on the neck flatness.
I just picked it up, he confirmed that he had almost nothing to do (very slight sanding of the first frets, and a small readjustment on the truss rod).
I also add that between the neck pickup and the neck, I had seen a small piece of blue paper that could not be removed without dismantling the pickup frame. We took the opportunity to remove it as well. So what was this little piece of paper? Well, without a doubt, the one that covers the neck in the factory to protect it during the body varnishing...
I really wanted to defend Gibson hoping that the finishing problems they are targeted for were history as it seems to be the case since the change of management in 2018, but unfortunately no, and even if it's not serious, it really doesn't look very professional for a guitar at this price. It's almost a bit shameful actually.
Oh, and a little nourishment of the fretboard is not luxury, I found the wood very raw (the cloth sometimes caught on it during treatment).
But no, I was not wrong in giving 5 stars, because despite these slight inconveniences, the guitar is now incredible! With the setup that I will fine-tune again at home, I have a low action like I had never managed to have, the guitar is beautiful, inspires confidence, the neck whose thickness I feared a bit is very pleasant, and the sound... actually I feel like I play better! Powerful, precise, and versatile (well, they remain humbuckers). The access to the highs is less bad than what I was told, and each potentiometer is precise and has a real influence on the sound, even when turned only very slightly.
Totally in love with this guitar!!... (Show more)
Certified
Posted on 11/02/2023
By John D.
I went to test and bought this guitar in a store in Paris.
Already a big plus for Woodbrass!
Very friendly staff without being too familiar or intrusive, and especially the means provided to try the guitar. It's simple, I've never seen that, a dedicated room (and there seem to be several) with an impressive number of amps available. They prepare everything for you, and leave you alone by closing the door.
Once again, congratulations and thanks for that!
Now the guitar.
I almost took it as a "bet" to make such a purchase which is not cheap, knowing that Gibson unfortunately has had a reputation for more than ten years that is no longer quite up to its myth.
But a Les Paul has always been my dream, and the November Burst finish is - personal taste obviously - stunning. For the Slash side, I must admit that my fanboyism probably overstepped my reason, but it's totally assumed!
However, not everything was rosy at the beginning...
Despite a very very very enthusiastic successful test, I realize at home that the high E string buzzes open on the first fret. Damned! I didn't see it right away in the store, because it doesn't sound on the amp (although I thought I heard it later once I knew, but who knows).
A bit upset, I adjust the only thing I allow myself to adjust on a guitar, the height of the bridge (tune-o-matic), going very slowly (quarter turn, retune, loosen, quarter turn... etc).
I manage to stop the buzzing, but I end up with an action that absolutely does not suit me, way too high for me on the highs.
Relatively upset, I hesitate to go back to the store, but I tell myself that in any case, I had planned to take it to my favorite luthier for an initial setup.
He confirms that an adjustment is necessary, but also a small intervention on the neck flatness.
I just picked it up, he confirmed that he had almost nothing to do (very slight sanding of the first frets, and a small readjustment on the truss rod).
I also add that between the neck pickup and the neck, I had seen a small piece of blue paper that could not be removed without dismantling the pickup frame. We took the opportunity to remove it as well. So what was this little piece of paper? Well, without a doubt, the one that covers the neck in the factory to protect it during the body varnishing...
I really wanted to defend Gibson hoping that the finishing problems they are targeted for were history as it seems to be the case since the change of management in 2018, but unfortunately no, and even if it's not serious, it really doesn't look very professional for a guitar at this price. It's almost a bit shameful actually.
Oh, and a little nourishment of the fretboard is not luxury, I found the wood very raw (the cloth sometimes caught on it during treatment).
But no, I was not wrong in giving 5 stars, because despite these slight inconveniences, the guitar is now incredible! With the setup that I will fine-tune again at home, I have a low action like I had never managed to have, the guitar is beautiful, inspires confidence, the neck whose thickness I feared a bit is very pleasant, and the sound... actually I feel like I play better! Powerful, precise, and versatile (well, they remain humbuckers). The access to the highs is less bad than what I was told, and each potentiometer is precise and has a real influence on the sound, even when turned only very slightly.
Totally in love with this guitar!!... (Show more)
Certified
Posted on 11/02/2023
By John D.
My first Les Paul. ??????
Perfect finish, impressive power, and a neck playability that I particularly appreciate.
Thank you Gibson for the solid case and the goodies. It's always a pleasure.
And thank you woodbrass for offering this product which was delivered very quickly.
Certified
Posted on 19/10/2022
By Nicolas F.
en 
Certified
