Les Paul Tribute is the most affordable USA-made Gibson Les Paul, with features like a maple neck, 490 pickups, and Ultra-Modern Weight Relief for a lighter body. The sound is modern and punchy, suitable for rock and metal genres. However, it lacks the Les Paul Standard sound and has some compromises in detailed finishing and appearance. Les Paul Studio has a mahogany neck and High-output pickup. It's good for Hardcore and Heavy Metal.
For those who:
● Want an affordable Gibson
● Are looking for a Les Paul in the $1,000 range
● Prefer a lighter Les Paul
Yosh, an ex-musical instrument store clerk (@Yosh_Guitar), explains the Les Paul Tribute, the most low-cost Gibson Les Paul.
Pros of Les Paul Tribute
Most Low-Cost USA-made Gibson Les Paul
With a market price of around $1,299, the Gibson Les Paul Tribute is the cheapest Les Paul from Gibson. It’s genuinely made in the USA, manufactured under Gibson’s traditional craftsmanship and quality control.
Modern sound due to maple neck and 490 pickups
While it retains the Gibson Les Paul atmosphere, it has a brighter and sharper tone than the traditional Les Paul. The Les Paul Tribute uses maple for the neck and 490 pickups. This results in a sound that’s brighter and punchier than the traditional warm and rich Les Paul tone. It’s especially compatible with distorted sounds, suitable for genres from rock to bluesy hard rock and metal.
Lightweight body due to Ultra-Modern Weight Relief
Ultra-Modern Weight Relief is a technique that hollows out the guitar’s body, reducing its weight. Some Les Pauls weigh between 3.6kg to 3.7kg. A lighter guitar is generally more comfortable to hold. However, there are also typical Les Pauls weighing around 3.9kg. If you prioritize sound over comfort, a heavier guitar might be better for backing, while a lighter one is better for lead.
Cons of Les Paul Tribute
Not a traditional Les Paul sound
It differs from the sweet and glossy traditional Les Paul sound. For those who want to play genres like blues, jazz, or soul with a rich sound, the Les Paul Standard might be more suitable. On the other hand, the Les Paul Tribute offers a balanced and easy-to-handle impression for those who use distortion.
Detailed finishing is not meticulous
This is a compromise to achieve an affordable price. Compared to other more expensive Gibson Les Pauls, the finishing details like fret edge treatment and so on of the Gibson Les Paul Tribute are somewhat inferior. The neck’s edges are sharp, which might not be comfortable for the left hand. To be blunt, the Les Paul Standard, priced over $2,999, offers a more stress-free playing experience.
Simplified appearance
It’s great that it looks unmistakably like a Les Paul. However, another reason for its affordability is its simplified appearance. The main features omitted compared to the Les Paul Standard are the body and neck bindings, the body top’s grain, and the mahogany neck.
Comparison with Gibson Les Paul Studio
| Specification | Gibson Les Paul Tribute | Gibson Les Paul Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Expected Market Price | $1,299 | $1,699 |
| Body Material | Mahogany (Maple Top) | Mahogany (Maple Top) |
| Weight Relief | Ultra-Modern | Ultra-Modern |
| Finish | Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck | Maple | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Rounded | Slim Taper |
| Scale Length | 24.75″ / 628mm | 24.75″ / 628mm |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 12″ / 304.8mm | 12″ / 304.8mm |
| Nut Width | 1.695″ / 43.05mm | 1.695″ / 43.05mm |
| Bridge | Aluminium Nashville Tune-o-matic | Aluminium Nashville Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | Aluminium Stopbar | Aluminium Stopbar |
| Tuners | Vintage Deluxe w/ Keystone Buttons | Grover |
| Control Knobs | Gold Top Hat | Black Speed Knobs |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, Toggle Switch | 2 Push/Pull Volume (Coil Tap), 2 Tone, Toggle Switch |
| Neck Pickup | 490R | 490R |
| Bridge Pickup | 490T | 498T |
| Accessories | Gibson Accessory Kit, Gig Bag | Gibson Accessory Kit, Gig Bag |
Differences in Appearance
Both models differ from the Les Paul of yesteryear in that they omit the non-figured maple top and binding. Both models also have different pegs, control knobs, and color variations, The Tribute has an unglossy satin finish, while the Studio has a glossy finish. For these, it is not a matter of good or bad, but of preference.
Differences in Sound
The key differences are the neck material and the bridge pickup. The Tribute features a maple neck and is equipped with the 490 pickup, which is improved and less prone to feedback from the PAF. It’s suitable for genres from rock to bluesy hard rock and metal. On the other hand, the Les Paul Studio’s bridge pickup uses the high-powered 498T. It’s also suitable for thick rock sounds and has good compatibility with distortion and metal genres. The Studio’s neck material is mahogany, like the traditional Les Pauls. With its front pickup, it can produce the sweet clean sound that the Tribute struggles with. Moreover, it comes with a coil tap, offering a wider sound variation. However, don’t expect it to sound like a sharp single coil like a Strat.
Understanding the Tribute’s features ensures no regrets
The Gibson Les Paul Tribute is the most affodable USA-made Gibson Les Paul available now. It has a different look from the Les Paul Standard but still has the Gibson Les Paul sound. However, it has a slightly brighter tone, and its playability is inferior compared to the more expensive models. If you understand this, you won’t regret purchasing it. If you want to use clean sounds or want to distort it more heavily, the mahogany neck & 498T pickup-equipped Les Paul Studio, although pricier, might be a better choice.
Les Paul Tribute is recommended for those who:
- Want a Gibson but have a limited budget
- Mainly use distortion, like rock, melodic hardcore, metal, etc.
- Want a Les Paul as a secondary guitar to their main Strat
Les Paul Studio is recommended for those who:
- Want a Gibson but have a budget of around $1,000
- Want the sweet Les Paul sound for jazz or soul genres
- Want a thick distortion sound suitable for metal and hardcore.
