What's the difference between Gibson Les Paul Standards and Classics?

Neil · September 2023

As above.

I know Classics usually have different pickups but aside from that are there any major differences?

Jay100 · September 2023

Classics are weight relieved, but in my experience are just as heavy. In my experience too, having owned 2 x Classics and 2 x Standards (1 x 50s, 1 x 60s) the Classics had notably poorer QC. All were from simillar years of production.

Poorly cut nuts, binding gouges, finish imperfections and frets that were super low. Both of these went in the end.

My Standards however are close to flawless! Perhaps purely anecdotal, but my experience anyway.

Classics have all the push-pull bits too though if that’s your thing. Same pickups as the Standard 60s but uncovered.

There’s rumours of the the Classics being discontinued with a lot of retailers dropping prices on them (ironically after Gibson put all their prices up) and stock being harder to come by.

Might be the time to look for one if that’s the case?

Teyeplayer · September 2023

Snot green inlays on classics, plain top and slim neck profile iirc. Other than that, I don’t believe there is a huge amount in it.

BigPaulie · September 2023

Teyeplayer said:

Snot green inlays on classics, plain top and slim neck profile iirc. Other than that, I don’t believe there is a huge amount in it.

There snot green inlays were only on the classics in the late 90s and early 00s. Recent ones have normal pearl coloured acrylic inlays.

BigPaulie · September 2023

Neil said:

As above.

I know Classics usually have different pickups but aside from that are there any major differences?

Standards and Classics have both changed specs drastically over the years with some years having more/less similarity between models than others.

I assume you're talking about the current run?

In that case, on paper, there's not much in it; especially if you're comparing Classic Vs Standard 60s. As above plain vs AA (i.e. not very nice or fancy) flame, zebra vs covered pus (Burstbucker 60 in both), push/pull circuitry with quick connect pcb vs hand wired, weight relieved vs full weight body.

flyingv · September 2023

On the later / current ones, they’ve even replaced the word ‘Classic’ on the headstock to ‘model’ same as Standards….. zebra pickup and pcb wiring replacement of your own choice is probably still a viable option, cost wise? Some of the new classics have lovely tops.

Teyeplayer · September 2023

BigPaulie said:

Teyeplayer said:

Snot green inlays on classics, plain top and slim neck profile iirc. Other than that, I don’t believe there is a huge amount in it.

There snot green inlays were only on the classics in the late 90s and early 00s. Recent ones have normal pearl coloured acrylic inlays.

I hadn’t realised they’d changed back (shows how much attention I have been paying).

chrisj1602 · September 2023

The current Classic has:

Weight relief
Plain top
Uncovered zebra Burstbuckers
Coil taps, out of phase and pure bypass push/pull pots

CavemanGrogg · September 2023

The Les Paul Classic, is a lot more expensive than a Harley Benton, and nowhere near as good as a Harley Benton, where as the Les Paul Standard is a hell of a lot more expensive than a Harley Benton, while at the same time being nowhere near as good as a Harley Benton.

Simple really.

Philly_Q · September 2023

Teyeplayer said:

BigPaulie said:

Teyeplayer said:

Snot green inlays on classics, plain top and slim neck profile iirc. Other than that, I don’t believe there is a huge amount in it.

There snot green inlays were only on the classics in the late 90s and early 00s. Recent ones have normal pearl coloured acrylic inlays.

I hadn’t realised they’d changed back (shows how much attention I have been paying).

I always thought they were more piss yellow than snot green...

They used to say "1960" on the scratchplate as well, and had uncovered 500T/496R pickups, so they were quite easy to spot even from a distance. I'm not sure when they discontinued all those features.

Image: https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--LelK1O2h--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1490980619/ewynsta3yyuyxaq5n9us.jpg

roberty · September 2023

I've come to really like the snot inlays - a complete reversal of my previous position. Funny how things are

Neil · September 2023

roberty said:

I've come to really like the snot inlays - a complete reversal of my previous position. Funny how things are

Not a fan of the snot/piss inlays TBH but it's funny how your tastes change over time.

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What's the difference between Gibson Les Paul Standards and Classics?

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