Buy a Gibson Les Paul Used

Electric Guitar! Facts & Photos

buy a Gibson Les Paul used



If you’re looking to buy a Gibson Les Paul used, you have a big job ahead of you.

Yep, it’s a really big job -- but it’s a fun one, too.

In production since 1952, more Les Paul models have been made than you can shake a string at.

But choosing a good used one always comes down to picking one you like, regardless of the model.

About 130 distinct models have been issued under the Gibson Les Paul name since production started in 1952, and all of them are good, dependable guitars.

More than a dozen are in current production at any one time, mostly based on three basic designs.

Decide first if you’re buying to collect or to play.

While pristine collector’s pieces are available from online gallery sites and in vintage instrument stores locally, if you’re buying an electric guitar to play, you’re going to be more interested in how well it works for your playing style than whether every part is original and unscratched.

If quality replacement parts are used for repairs…

You can find a Gibson Les Paul used with repairs that sounds just as good as it did out of the box.

And if modifications to change it have been done correctly, the used Les Paul you’re trying out may sound better than it did new.

You can depend on a few common features in Les Pauls, no matter why you’re buying them.

All of them have so-called tune-o-matic bridges and stop bar tailpieces.

All modern Les Pauls, aside from reissue pieces, have humbucker pickups, although these are often changed out for other humburckers on used models, so make sure you know what you’re getting.

Expect your used Les Paul to be made of mahogany unless it’s part of the SmartWood Exotics series that uses a variety of unusual woods.

But which model do you want?

When buying a new Les Paul, it’s important to study the Gibson specs and make sure it comes from the factory as close as possible to your ideal setup so you don’t have to spend much on modifications.

With used models, however, you need to study the actual instrument because you don’t know what’s already been done unless you look.

If you want to buy a Gibson Les Paul used it is easy because so many have been made through the years and they hold up so well.

Take your time and you’ll eventually find the perfect one -- or two or three -- for you.















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