Les Paul Standard vs Traditional
If you have ever had a dream to have your own guitar then knowing the difference between Les Paul Standard and Traditional is beneficial to you. As well all know,to be the proud owner of a musical instrument of your choice could be fascinating. When you consider the options, you have when buying a guitar to yourself, the manufacturer and the model of the guitar could be two prime concerns. There are a large number of guitar manufacturers and models all around the world and some of them could be the best. If you can afford to have the best, the best is always the choice. Les Paul, manufactured by Gibson, is one of the best guitars in the world which has a wide variety of models and signature models which came into use from year 1952. Since then, Les Paul has been and still is, widely in use among many guitar lovers. Among the many models available in Les Paul guitars, this article discusses the Les Paul Standard and Traditional and their differences.
What is Les Paul Standard?
As the Gibson.com says it, ‘Les Paul Standard has always been the cornerstone of the Gibson USA lineup, and the new Les Paul Standard holds that same esteemed position at the center of the 2013 Year of Les Paul celebrations.’ This fact shows the proven reliability by the model; Les Paul Standard. Les Paul Standard was first introduced in 1958 and has always been updated since. It was developed from the ‘Goldtop’ in 1957 and the first Les Paul Standard model lasted from 1958 to 1960. Manufacture of Les Paul Standard was terminated in 1961 and was resumed in 1968 and lasts to present. Les Paul Standard model launched in 2013 is by far the most versatile product with ‘timeless tone,…contemporary flexibility and playability.’ Key features of Les Paul Standard include superb rendition of the SlimTaper™neck profile, rosewood fingerboard, and above all, the body of Grade AA-maple top/ Grade-AAA Premium, or Premium Quilted top. With its mahogany back, the guitar looks extremely elegant.
What is Les Paul Traditional?
Les Paul Traditional is another update of Les Paul guitars which was first introduced in 2008 and revamped in 2013. It is also known as the Les Paul Standard Traditional. Features of Les Paul Traditional include all good looks with maple and mahogany wood, Kluson styles tuners, 57 classic pickups, a Grade A rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets. The guitar has been given traditional touches including ‘cream body and fingerboard binding, pickguard, and pickup rings, along with gold Speed Knobs with dial pointers.’
What is the difference between Les Paul Standard and Traditional?
• Les Paul Standard is an original model which was introduced in 1958 while Les Paul Traditional is an updated model of Les Paul Standard itself.
• Les Paul Standard has a double cutaway body while Les Paul Traditional has a cream body.
• Les Paul Standard has BurstBucket pickups whereas Les Paul Traditional has ’57 classic pickups.
Les Paul Standard and Traditional guitars share many similarities, but a few differences too can be notable to the keen observer of high enthusiasm for guitars.
Photos By: Martin Hesketh (CC BY 2.0), irish10567 (CC BY 2.0)