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Average Price: $4,359

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$1201+

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Description

The ES Les Paul Gold Top P-90 w Bigsby VOS is a harmonious blend of vintage style and modern functionality, designed for the discerning guitarist. This semi-hollowbody electric guitar captures the essence of classic rock tones with its dual P-90 pickups, delivering a warm, articulate sound that resonates with clarity and punch. The inclusion of a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece adds a layer of expressiveness, allowing for smooth pitch modulation and a distinctive tremolo effect.

Crafted with a meticulously carved maple top and mahogany back, this guitar offers a balanced weight and comfortable playability. The mahogany neck is shaped to a traditional "C" profile, providing a familiar feel for those who appreciate classic neck designs. The rosewood fingerboard adds a touch of elegance and contributes to the guitar's rich tonal character.

The VOS (Vintage Original Spec) finish gives the instrument an authentic, aged appearance, appealing to both collectors and players who value aesthetics that tell a story. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the ES Les Paul Gold Top P-90 w Bigsby VOS is versatile enough to meet the demands of any musical setting.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody construction for enhanced resonance
  • Dual P-90 pickups for classic, articulate tones
  • Bigsby vibrato tailpiece for smooth pitch modulation
  • Maple top and mahogany back for balanced sound and playability
  • Mahogany neck with "C" profile for comfortable playing
  • Rosewood fingerboard for an elegant look and rich sound
  • VOS finish for an authentic vintage appearance

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Memphis ES-Les Paul P-90, Memphis ES-Les Paul P-90 with Bigsby, Memphis ES-Les Paul P-90 with Wraparound Tailpiece
Finish Goldtop VOS
Year 2015 - 2017
Made In United States
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar, Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Gold
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul ES
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Memphis

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the P-90 pickups on the ES Les Paul Gold top?

The P-90 pickups on the ES Les Paul Gold top deliver a rich, warm tone with plenty of midrange punch and clarity, making them ideal for blues, rock, and jazz styles.

How does the Bigsby tremolo affect the playability of the ES Les Paul Gold top?

The Bigsby tremolo on the ES Les Paul Gold top allows for smooth vibrato effects and adds a classic look, while maintaining the guitar's tuning stability with proper setup.

Is the ES Les Paul Gold top suitable for both stage and studio use?

Yes, the ES Les Paul Gold top's semi-hollow body design provides a versatile tone suitable for live performances and studio recordings, offering both warmth and sustain.

What is the neck profile of the ES Les Paul Gold top?

The ES Les Paul Gold top features a comfortable '60s SlimTaper neck profile, which is known for its fast playability and ease of use for both rhythm and lead playing.

Does the ES Les Paul Gold top take pedals well?

Yes, the ES Les Paul Gold top works well with various effects pedals, thanks to its clear and articulate tone, allowing for a wide range of sound shaping possibilities.

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Gibson ES-Les Paul Limited Edition VOS Electric Guitar with P-90s Gold Top

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES-Les Paul Limited Edition VOS Electric Guitar with P-90s Gold Top by Musician's Friend

Gibson ES-Les Paul Limited Edition VOS Electric Guitar with P-90s Gold Top

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for 2015 Gibson ES Les Paul P-90 Goldtop V.O.S. by Ten Guitars TV

2015 Gibson ES Les Paul P-90 Goldtop V.O.S.

Ten Guitars TV

Ten Guitars TV

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES LP P90 Bigsby - Unbox, Review and Demo by thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Gibson ES LP P90 Bigsby - Unbox, Review and Demo

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Reviews

PROS

  • Lightweight design at around 6 lbs, easy to handle

  • P90 pickups provide classic Gibson sound with hum canceling in the middle position

  • Unique tone; blend of Les Paul and 335 sonic characteristics

  • Excellent fit and finish with comfortable neck and smooth frets

  • Stays in tune exceptionally well

  • Maintains balance and comfort whether standing or sitting

  • Feedback resistant, ideal for live performances

  • Versatile sound suitable for blues, rock, and possibly country

CONS

  • Can sound honky and nasally under modern metal distortion

  • Requires middle position for reduced noise with distortion or at high volumes

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ES Les Paul Gold top P-90 w Bigsby VOS.

Build quality

  • Some owners report issues like twisted necks and improperly cut nuts, indicating variable quality; thorough inspection before purchase is advised.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Memphis Historic Spec (MHS) pickups are praised for their low-wound, classic PAF sound, similar to Seymour Duncan Antiquities.

    Source
  • The guitar weighs 9-1/4 lbs, notably lighter than some Les Pauls, offering enhanced playability for longer sessions.

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  • The guitar is praised for its classic aesthetic, specifically the aging of nickel hardware compared to gold.

    Source

User experience

  • The ES Les Paul is noted for its lightweight, resonant body, providing a different tactile experience compared to traditional Les Pauls.

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  • The neck profile feels smaller than its specs suggest, thanks to sloped shoulders, making it approachable for players wary of large necks.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The semi-hollow design with F holes offers a unique aesthetic and sound, appealing to those who enjoy peeking inside guitar sound holes.

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Setup and maintenance

  • It's noted that the pickup selector switch can be too short, causing accidental position changes during live performances.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • A no-drilling Vibramate adapter can be used for Bigsby installation, though it adds weight; some users still prefer its aesthetic benefits.

    Source
  • Lowering pickup height is suggested to clean up the P90 sound without losing articulation when rolling down the volume knob.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The bridge P90 pickup is described as thin when clean but lively with distortion, compared to humbuckers.

    Source

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Papa Emeritus III uses ES Les Paul Gold top P-90 w Bigsby VOS

Papa Emeritus III

Singer

Ghost

...
Verified via Guitar World

"We did four rhythm tracks on everything. On one side we had a Les Paul gold top with P-90s that went through an Orange amp, and also a white [Gibson] Explorer from, like, ’82 or something like that—that typical James Hetfield sort of guitar—that went through an old Marshall rack amp from the early Nineties. And then on the other side it was a mid-Seventies Les Paul Black Beauty 20th Anniversary through one of those old Laneys that Tony Iommi used and an early Eighties [Gibson] Flying V that went through another Orange. Then I had a Seventies Strat for a lot of the leads, and I think I did overdubs mostly with the Explorer. So it was quite simple."

Album Usage

The ES Les Paul Gold top P-90 w Bigsby VOS has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ES Les Paul Gold top P-90 w Bigsby VOS, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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