It’s Here. Gibson USA’s 2008 Les Paul Standard.

Gabriel J. Hernandez | 07.17.2008



Improving a legend isn’t easy, but it has happened. Introducing the 2008 Les Paul Standard from Gibson USA—an elegant revision of a true classic, with several upgrades and new features that make this new model the best Les Paul Standard ever produced.

Based on research from consumer feedback and a drive to uphold and enhance the legacy of the Les Paul, Gibson USA’s 2008 Les Paul Standard sets a musical instrument benchmark for excellence and achievement, beginning with a new asymmetrical neck profile that makes it one of the most comfortable and playable necks ever offered on any guitar. The neck also features an enlarged neck tenon for maximum wood contact between the neck and body.

Locking Grover tuners are also a first for the Les Paul, giving the 2008 Standard an improved gear ratio of 18:1 and making string changes a snap. All newly designed controls, including custom-made, gold-plated potentiometers made by Bourns, one of the industry’s leading makers of guitar electronics, give the 2008 Standard a new level of sonic clarity and intensity.

It’s also one of the first Gibson USA models to utilize the revolutionary Plek system—a computer-controlled setup that carefully measures and dresses each fret, accurately measuring the height between the fingerboard and each string, virtually eliminating string buzz and providing unbeatable playability.

A set of Gibson’s traditional Burstbucker Pro humbuckers help deliver the powerful punch expected from a Les Paul, featuring Alnico V magnets with slightly higher output and a more open sound, faithfully capturing the magic of Gibson’s legendary PAF pickups of the 1950s.

A chambered mahogany body gives the 2008 Standard enhanced resonance, and a plain or flame maple top pays homage to the Les Pauls of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Other new features include TonePros’ locking Nashville Tune-o-matic and stopbar tailpiece in chrome finish and strap lock buttons.

Each 2008 Les Paul Standard comes with Gibson USA’s standard black snakeskin case.

Play the new 2008 Les Paul Standard from Gibson USA and experience the evolution of the greatest electric guitar of all time.

The 2008 Les Paul Standard will be available at select dealers beginning August 1, 2008.

Click here for detailed specs, a photo gallery, and 360 imagery of the 2008 Les Paul Standard.

Click here for original article on gibson.com >>

Have to say love the idea of this guitar. Want to play one... Would love to see a custom like this.

But is the only actually new thing about the 2008 standard the neck? Everything else was pretty standard on the GT other then the pickups.

As a gt owner, really want to see this guitar...

those stap buttons aren't huge. they are straplocks. the picture simply is showing both halves (that is including the part mounted on the strap). the locking jack really isn't that futuristic either. they have been around for quite some time... you usually see them on basses.
i actually thought it was less of an aesthetic thing, and more functionality changes than anything! it seems they are making a nice new player guitar. the historics (which i love) are there for anyone wanting a more old style paul. the people wanting something more modern have been neglected since 2002 when they starting making the standards closer to the old style.
it makes much more since to have each base covered rather than have the "historic series" and the "almost kinda sorta similar to the historics but not quite there standard series".

I've played one, or tried, I can't deal with the neck being big on one side. Don't mind the chambering but they should have made a seperate guitar for this, not make it the "Standard". Other features to me are worthless, I would have to remove the jack as I feel there is no need. There's not much need to the locking tuners on a guitar without a trem, although it does make stringing a little easier, I prefer the greenkeys. Stopbar and Bridge are decent. I would replace the straplocks with good ones. Last but certainly not least I would rip out the circuit board mounted pots to remove all the sillyness with the controls and put some quality components in there. All in all, I don't care for it and would not buy or recommend it.

Sorry Gibson, but you shouldn't mess with the standard...

i bought this guitar and i had bad luck with it.minor damage on three models and bad set up.first one had a sawcut on bottom contour,tone
controls were pressing against guitar.i brought it back and waited for over two weeks.then my salesperson told me my other one was the
same,then the third one was badly scratched.so i got my refund.i don,t think they were coming directly from factory.warehouse outlet.it did play
good though.i was very frustrated.

I did a comparison to my 07 LP. Perhaps it's my playing style or big hands, but I couldn't tell the difference in the neck. I already have Dunlop straplocks so the 08 model isn't enough of a difference to make me run out and buy one.

Though I will say, I liked the locking 1/4 in plug. I mag buy one and install it.

Like a lot of Gibson products... Haven't seen one in my City yet, and being this is a large music market it's frustrating to have to buy everything online with your fingers crossed.

But i have to say the strap locks and the nuitrik are wonderful. one strap multiple guitars, quick release, much better then having the old style buttons and the strap pop off in the middle of a solo....

I'm not too keen on the "new" standards either.

Strange as it may seem, I think anything other than "green key" tuners look weird on a standard... The straplocks are a good idea as standard, but I usually fit dunlop straplocks anyway... Basically, i'd save about £14 there. Having said that, the new standards are an extra £100 over here.

I don't like the new input jack one bit... It looks out of place. I always use a wireless unit anyway, so the lead is wrapped around the strap a few times for good measure and the actual wireless unit itself goes in my back pocket. Used to attach it to my strap but I had a few accidents before a gig.

'Chambering' increases waste and manufacturing costs, which have to be passed on to the customer. It also undermines the core principles that were behind the introduction of the Les Paul guitar.

I'm guessing that most of you would have been happy if the major auto makers had stuck with the flathead engine.

Things change. If they didn't, you would all be playing acoustics.