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Average Price: $725
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Description
The Gibson Les Paul Special SL Electric Guitar is a classic choice for musicians seeking the authentic feel and sound of a vintage-inspired instrument. This solid body electric guitar is known for its P-90 single-coil pickups, delivering a powerful, dynamic sound that has become a staple in rock, blues, and punk genres. Its simple yet effective design appeals to purists who appreciate the straightforward controls and tonal versatility this guitar offers.
Crafted with a mahogany body and neck, the Les Paul Special SL provides a warm, resonant tone and a comfortable playing experience. The slim taper neck profile enhances playability, making it ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists. The wraparound bridge ensures stable intonation and sustain, while the nitrocellulose lacquer finish allows the wood to breathe and age gracefully over time.
Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the Les Paul Special SL's robust build and classic aesthetics make it a reliable and stylish companion. Its stripped-down design without any unnecessary frills captures the essence of what makes the Les Paul lineage so revered.
Key Features:
- Mahogany body and neck for rich, warm tones
- P-90 single-coil pickups for dynamic sound
- Slim taper neck profile for enhanced playability
- Wraparound bridge for stable intonation
- Nitrocellulose lacquer finish for natural aging
- Simple controls for straightforward tonal adjustments
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Les Paul Special SL with Humbuckers |
| Finish | Cinnamon, Concord, Ebony, Spearmint |
| Year | 1998 - 2006 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Brown, Green, Red |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Les Paul |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson Les Paul Special |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul Special SL Electric Guitar?
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The Gibson Les Paul Special SL features a comfortable slim taper neck profile, making it easy to play and ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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What kind of pickups does the Gibson Les Paul Special SL have?
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The Gibson Les Paul Special SL is equipped with dual humbuckers, providing a warm, full-bodied tone suitable for a variety of music genres, including rock and blues.
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Is the Gibson Les Paul Special SL suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Gibson Les Paul Special SL is suitable for beginners due to its straightforward design and comfortable playability, while also offering high-quality sound that appeals to more advanced players.
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What is the body material of the Gibson Les Paul Special SL?
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The body of the Gibson Les Paul Special SL is made from mahogany, which contributes to its rich and resonant tone.
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How does the Gibson Les Paul Special SL differ from the standard Les Paul model?
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The Gibson Les Paul Special SL is a simpler, more affordable version with a flat top and fewer decorative elements, focusing on delivering classic Les Paul tones with dual humbuckers and a mahogany body.
Videos
Plinio Buzato
Taylor Swift - "Red" (Live from Newark - The RED Tour, March 28th) - HD
Taylor Swift - "Red" (Live from Newark - The RED Tour, March 28th) - HD
Plinio Buzato
This Is The Best Gibson Les Paul For Under $1000!
Evan Ogden
Gibson Les Paul Special SL - Guitar Overview
James Plays Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Special SL Pickups Demo (No Commentary)
Joey the Guitar Player
One of the BEST LES PAULS I've Ever Played??
Joey the Guitar Player
Reviews
PROS
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Asymmetrical slim taper neck is fast and comfortable for most players
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Solid mahogany body offers great tone and sustain without extra weight
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490R and 498T pickups deliver versatile, powerful sound
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Locking Grover Tuners and Tune-O-Matic Bridge ensure stable tuning
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Affordable price point for a genuine Les Paul experience
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Mini trapezoid inlays and natural wood finish add unique aesthetic
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Excellent build quality with comfortable fretboard and finish
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Great for a wide range of music genres, from gospel to rock
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Lighter than standard Les Pauls, easier to handle
CONS
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Limited to a "one-trick pony" crunch tone without modifications
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Some may find it necessary to replace stock pickups for personal preference
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Lacks the neck and body binding found on higher-end models
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May not appeal to those seeking a flashy or highly ornate guitar
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Special SL Electric Guitar.
Setup and maintenance
Mods and upgrades
Comparisons
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Weighing around 7 lbs, it's lighter than a Telecaster and similar to a Mustang, potentially chambered for unique tone.
Source -
Users compare the Les Paul Special SL to a more raw and attitude-filled version of a Les Paul, akin to a "meaner Telecaster."
Source -
The Les Paul SL's single coils differ from traditional Les Paul PAF humbuckers and P90s, affecting its ability to replicate the classic Les Paul sound.
Source
Features and functionality
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The guitar is equipped with a 490R neck pickup and a 498T bridge pickup, known for their hot output and dark neck tone.
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The Les Paul Special SL is appreciated for its slab mahogany body and set-neck construction, enhancing sustain compared to bolt-on neck designs.
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P-90 pickups are praised for their balance between humbuckers and single coils, offering a quicker attack and more clarity, while maintaining a thicker sound than typical single coils.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The guitar's tonal versatility allows for experimentation across genres like Metallica-style metal and grunge, with coil taps enhancing lighter tones.
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P-90s excel in 90s alternative, grunge, and punk, offering a vintage sound difficult to replicate with humbuckers.
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For a classic Gibson Les Paul sound, the Special II with PAF-style pickups is recommended to emulate artists using Gibson Les Paul Customs.
Source
User experience
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Owners report the Les Paul Special SL is lighter and more comfortable due to its thinner body, making it a preferred option for extended playing sessions.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 10 Ratings
995
A geat playing solid rock guitar.
I own a cinnamon 1998 model. Two piece slab mahogany body with Strat-like belly cut on the back, and a fast playing slim taper neck. Thick rosewood fretboard with jumbo frets. No binding on neck or body. In contrast to other Gibsons, the SL models do not use nitrocellulose lacquer and they are therefore available at a good price point. I selected it from about 20 Les Paul Special SLs that were on display at Boston's guitar center, and this was the most resonant and responsive one. With the original 490R/498T pickups it was a great, warm sounding Les Paul, however, it sounded too similar to another Les Paul I own. Therefore, I replaced the bridge pickup by a Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P90 and the neck pickup by a Gibson 57 Classic. Now the guitar has great P90 and humbucker tones, with a phantastic sound in the middle position. However, in original condition, it is a great sounding and playing guitar as well, and there is no need to replace the pickups. This is an excellent guitar for Blues and Rock music, and a great bang for the buck.
133
Mahogany Plank Rocker
My 1st US guitar, a 1999 Les Paul Special with 490T and 498T humbuckers! I own it since 2000 and it started my tonal preference to rock out with a raw 'n' pure mahogany tone. It is a one-trick pony, but the trick to offer a fat crunch tone with virtually every amp is a great one. When I found myself picking her up less frequently, I decided to do one non-invasive upgrade: I fitted a Stetsbar II trem system which makes her absolutely unique now. So different to my PRS Std24 as well as to my Bigsby B5 equipped PRS Starla, she's the only Gibson that stays.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this Video, Billie is playing a Gibson Les Paul Special SL at 21:03.
One of Taylor Swift's electric guitars of choice is a Gibson Les Paul. No stock model exists that matches hers exactly. Swift's particular model appears to have been modified, the most apparent modification being the refinished body and the applied sparkling beads and crystals.
There are several elements of the guitar that closely match the Gibson Les Paul Special SL. The short height pickup mounting rings on both the bridge and neck pickups, the flat top, and the dot inlays on the neck. Smaller modifications include black knobs and plastics, and possibly different colored tuners.
There are clear photos on the web of Doyle with this guitar. A black Les Paul Special with humbuckers.
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 Gibson Les Paul Special SL Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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