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Average Price: $899

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Step into the world of vintage rock with a modern twist with the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018. This guitar is a harmonious blend of classic appeal and contemporary design, offering you the best of both worlds. With its unique worn finish, this guitar exudes the charm of a seasoned instrument while being brand new. The Ultra-modern weight-relieved mahogany body ensures that you can jam out on stage or in the studio for hours without the heft typically associated with Les Pauls.

The Faded 2018 features a SlimTaper maple neck, delivering a smooth and fast playing experience that caters to your every riff and solo. The rosewood fretboard complements the neck, providing that unmistakable Les Paul sustain and resonance. The 490 humbucking pickups are a nod to the vintage tones of the 1960s, offering a rich, biting sound that’s perfect for the modern musician looking to capture the essence of rock and blues with clarity and depth.

Whether you're shredding high-gain solos or strumming soulful chords, the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 is crafted to meet your musical needs with precision and style.

Key Features:

  • Weight-relieved mahogany body for enhanced comfort
  • SlimTaper maple neck for smooth, fast playability
  • Rosewood fretboard for classic sustain
  • 490 humbucking pickups for vintage-inspired tones
  • Vintage-style keystone tuners and black speed knobs
  • Aluminum Tune-o-matic bridge for tonal balance
  • Plek'd for precision playability

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Les Paul Faded
Finish Worn Bourbon, Worn Cherry
Year 2018
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul Faded
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018?

The Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 features a SlimTaper neck profile, which offers a comfortable and fast playing experience suitable for various playing styles.

How does the finish of the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 affect its playability?

The satin finish on the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 provides a smooth feel that enhances playability, allowing for easier hand movement along the neck compared to a gloss finish.

What type of pickups are installed in the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018?

The Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 is equipped with 490R and 490T humbucker pickups, delivering a classic Gibson sound with warm, rich tones ideal for rock and blues.

Is the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 suitable for beginner guitarists?

Yes, the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile sound, making it a great choice for players looking to explore various musical genres.

Does the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 come with a case?

The Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 includes a softshell case, providing basic protection for transport and storage.

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Gibson USA 2018 Guitars - Les Paul Tribute vs Les Paul Faded

Video thumbnail for Gibson USA 2018 Guitars - Les Paul Tribute  vs Les Paul Faded by Andertons Music Co

Gibson USA 2018 Guitars - Les Paul Tribute vs Les Paul Faded

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 Electric Guitar by Guitar Center

Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 Electric Guitar

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Электрогитара GIBSON LES PAUL FADED 2018 by PopMusicRu

Электрогитара GIBSON LES PAUL FADED 2018

PopMusicRu

PopMusicRu

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018, Worn Cherry | Gear4music demo by Gear4music Guitars

Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018, Worn Cherry | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Video thumbnail for 2018 Gibson Les Paul Faded Worn Cherry unboxing by Erin Brown

2018 Gibson Les Paul Faded Worn Cherry unboxing

Erin Brown

Erin Brown

Reviews

PROS

  • Lightweight, weight-relieved mahogany body enhances comfort and resonance

  • Versatile tonal range with 490 T and R pickups for clean and dirty sounds

  • Comfortable neck profile, less chunky than typical Les Pauls

  • Attractive worn cherry finish with a tactile wood grain feel

  • High mod-ability with resonant body ideal for customizations

  • Stays in tune well, suitable for extended playing sessions

  • Affordable Gibson model, great value for quality and sound

  • Rosewood fretboard with simple dot inlays, visually appealing

  • Comes with a quality gig bag or hard case for protection

CONS

  • Fretboard may arrive dry, requiring oiling to avoid fret sprout

  • No locking tuners, making string changes less convenient

  • Lacks poker chip 3-way switch plate, missing traditional aesthetic detail

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018.

Build quality

  • Some owners note that the lack of traditional binding and glossy finish contributes to a unique, understated aesthetic appeal that differs from standard Gibson models.

    Source
  • These guitars are significantly lighter than Studio models, contributing to their distinct feel and comfort during extended play sessions.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Tuning stability issues are linked to the nut, which can be fixed affordably, enhancing playability without significant modifications.

    Source
  • Some owners mentioned adding strap-lock buttons for enhanced security, suggesting these modifications are common among users seeking reliability during performances.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite the absence of decorative features, the guitar's feel and sound quality have been preferred over high-end Epiphone models by some players.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to Epiphone, the Gibson Les Paul Faded 2018 is favored for its feel and tonal characteristics, even though it lacks certain aesthetic details.

    Source
  • While mistaken for Studio models, the Faded line precedes them as a no-frills offering, emphasizing a more minimalist design approach.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Some suggest that, at this price point, alternatives like PRS may deliver better value, while others feel the unique character of this model justifies its cost.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 2018 Faded models feature dot inlays and lack binding, setting them apart from other Gibson models that typically have trapezoid inlays.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The truss rod cover is often replaced for aesthetic reasons, with some owners opting for a blank cover to personalize their instrument's look.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
coolbroracer

Beautiful Guitar

I love the coloration of the guitar and the feel of the fretboard. It stays in tune very well and love the fret size. Has a nice weight to it and feels very comfortable. The neck shape and size is very nice and isn't uncomfortable to hold. Has a very full smooth tone when wanted and also a bulky and heavy tone when wanted.

josephdestroyer5

My no.1 for a reason.

Only problem I ever had is that Gibson never put the poker chip 3 way switch plate. I use it for Drop B

Genre Usage

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