Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2018: Which Finish and Other Questions

[Generation]

Hi,

This is my first post here. Today, I found out about the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2018 and am now thinking about getting one. Four questions:

1) Which finish is more classic, quintessentially Les Paul, or generally best for this guitar? The two finishes are Satin Faded Honeyburst and Satin Gold Top.

2) Musician's Friend started carrying this line of guitars a little over a year ago. When do you think Gibson will update this line?

3) What amp brand would you recommend for playing primarily rock?

4) In general, how do you feel about this guitar? Is there anything else I should know?

Answer as many questions as you like.

Thanks!

 

[Big Al]

The finish is the same. Color is your choice.

Update? If it isn't what you want, now, don't buy. "Updates" aren't on a schedule and aren't always accepted, ala 2015. Know what you want.

Come on, which amp? What price? What power? Combo or piggyback? Stage? Bedroom? What "Rock"? Features?........... You need to define what you expect and experience level as a player and user.

IMO the Tribute Series offers a good no frills affordable option to the Pro level Standards and Custom Shop Les Pauls in a new guitar. Quality USA entry level guitars at reasonable prices, provided they offer features you want, mostly neck profile and pickup type, (p90, humbucker),.

 

[Generation]

Note: I see there is going to be a Gibson Les Paul Studio Tribute 2019 this fall. See a photo and more information here. Does this mean there won't be a Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2019? Is that Studio model the equivalent? Based on the photo, that new model isn't to my liking, anyway.

The finish is the same. Color is your choice.

Update? If it isn't what you want, now, don't buy. "Updates" aren't on a schedule and aren't always accepted, ala 2015. Know what you want.

Come on, which amp? What price? What power? Combo or piggyback? Stage? Bedroom? What "Rock"? Features?........... You need to define what you expect and experience level as a player and user.

IMO the Tribute Series offers a good no frills affordable option to the Pro level Standards and Custom Shop Les Pauls in a new guitar. Quality USA entry level guitars at reasonable prices, provided they offer features you want, mostly neck profile and pickup type, (p90, humbucker),.

1) Finish is the word Gibson uses on their own site.

2) See above.

3) I asked which amp brand, not which amp. But to answer your questions... Price: Under $700; Power: Whatever; Combo or piggyback: Combo; Stage? Bedroom?: Bedroom; What "Rock"?: Primarily alternative, classic, hard, country; Features: Nothing special; Expectation: Ability to play multiple styles (see above); Experience level: Beginner (I haven't played guitar in 10 years).

 

[musekatcher]

Note: I see there is going to be a Gibson Les Paul Studio Tribute 2019 this fall. See a photo and more information here. Does this mean there won't be a Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2019? Is that Studio model the equivalent? Based on the photo, that new model isn't to my liking, anyway.



1) Finish is the word Gibson uses on their own site.

2) See above.

3) I asked which amp brand, not which amp. But to answer your questions... Price: Under $700; Power: Whatever; Combo or piggyback: Combo; Stage? Bedroom?: Bedroom; What "Rock"?: Primarily alternative, classic, hard, country; Features: Nothing special; Expectation: Ability to play multiple styles (see above); Experience level: Beginner (I haven't played guitar in 10 years).

I think all the Tributes have a satin, non-gloss, or faded or worn or ....some other finish that isn't as nice as and lustrous as their more expensive models - similar to entry levels for many other guitar makers. As far as color [what gibson calls finish] either the honey burst or gold top are very traditional and conventional for Les Pauls, both very old, both look great. I recently picked up a Tribute in Tobacco Sunburst [the old Gibson term, but now called Vintage Sunburst]:

 

[Big Al]

Note: I see there is going to be a Gibson Les Paul Studio Tribute 2019 this fall. See a photo and more information here. Does this mean there won't be a Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2019? Is that Studio model the equivalent? Based on the photo, that new model isn't to my liking, anyway.



1) Finish is the word Gibson uses on their own site.

2) See above.

3) I asked which amp brand, not which amp. But to answer your questions... Price: Under $700; Power: Whatever; Combo or piggyback: Combo; Stage? Bedroom?: Bedroom; What "Rock"?: Primarily alternative, classic, hard, country; Features: Nothing special; Expectation: Ability to play multiple styles (see above); Experience level: Beginner (I haven't played guitar in 10 years).

1) Regardless the only difference is color. There is no better or best, just that which pleases you most. The finish color you like best. It's your guitar and there is no bad choice.

2) There have been different versions of the Tribute Series over the years all built on a stripped down Studio platform. If the current models suit your needs buy one. Newer versions often have less desirable changes. Unless you know the upcomming year model is something you'd prefer why put it off?

3) I'd get a BOSS KATANA. They all offer great utility, tone, multi power options, excellent amp models from clean to scream, full Boss fx and online upgrades and usb for deep editing of amp and fx. The Katana Artist is the top model and truly is a wonderful amp.

 

[Billy Porter]

1) I'd get a BOSS KATANA. They all offer great utility, tone, multi power options, excellent amp models from clean to scream, full Boss fx and online upgrades and usb for deep editing of amp and fx. The Katana Artist is the top model and truly is a wonderful amp.

+1 on the Katana. I've just bought the 50watt and am amazed how good it sounds. I like the clean sound and as I use pedals haven't played much with effects but they are good. I used it at last rehearsal and even on the 25w setting it's loud enough to be heard above the drums. It's also a lot lighter than my old Fender which is now facing retirement as the Katana is just so good. Check out the reviews on Youtube

ps: sounds even better now Big Al endorses it ;-)

 

[MAD 69]

I have a 2018 Honey Burst Trib, bought at GC since i was able to get discounts and pay it if off over a few months, still at close to $1400 it's the most I paid for a guitar in my 30+ years of playing. My Trib sounded like utter shit, figured it had to be the pickups so I had them replaced with SD Whole Lotta Humbuckers(actually had them installed at a shop in South Jersey where Seymour Duncan grew up) with new pups and a real luthier setup the guitar is now playable.
Im sure there are better guitars for less money but I wanted a new USA made Gibson LP before they moved their lower range model production overseas, just in case.