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Average Price: $735

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker, a masterfully crafted electric guitar that captures the essence of rock with a modern twist. This iconic instrument features a mahogany slab body that resonates with a rich, harmonic warmth, providing the perfect canvas for your musical expression. The pairing of Gibson's 490R and 490T open-coil humbucking pickups brings forth a dynamic soundscape, marrying vintage humbucker growl with a contemporary edge that can cut through any mix.

The Les Paul Special Tribute is designed for both comfort and precision. Its maple neck with a rounded profile fits snugly in your hand, while the rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets offers smooth playability. Whether you're crafting intricate solos or laying down driving rhythms, the Plek’d fretboard ensures each note rings true, thanks to its precise leveling.

A satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish adds to the guitar’s classic appeal, enhancing both its visual allure and tonal qualities over time. With vintage deluxe tuners and a compensated wrap-around tailpiece, this guitar strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication, making it a must-have for both seasoned performers and aspiring musicians.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body for harmonic warmth
  • 490R and 490T humbuckers for a blend of vintage and contemporary tones
  • Maple neck with a rounded profile
  • Rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets
  • Satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish
  • Vintage deluxe tuners and compensated wrap-around tailpiece
  • 24.75" scale length for a slinky string feel

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker
Finish Ebony Vintage Gloss, Natural Walnut, Vintage Cherry Satin, Worn White
Year 2020 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Wrap-Around
Color Family Black, Brown, Red, White
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
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"

FAQs

What pickups are featured in the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker?

The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker is equipped with a pair of Gibson 490 humbuckers, which deliver a warm, full sound with plenty of midrange punch and reduced hum compared to single-coil pickups.

Is the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker is suitable for beginners due to its straightforward controls, comfortable neck profile, and versatile sound, making it a great choice for players starting out.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker?

The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker features a satin-finished mahogany neck with a comfortable, rounded profile, making it easy to play for extended periods.

How does the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker compare to the Les Paul Standard?

The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker is more affordable and features a simpler design with a satin finish, while the Les Paul Standard includes more intricate features and finishes, contributing to its higher price.

What type of bridge does the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker have?

The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker comes with a compensated wraparound bridge, offering solid intonation and sustain while keeping the design simple and effective.

What finish options are available for the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker?

The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker is available in several finishes, including Ebony Vintage Gloss, Natural Walnut, Vintage Cherry Satin, and Worn White, allowing players to choose based on personal preference.

MooreMusicGuitars

MooreMusicGuitars

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker by MooreMusicGuitars

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker

MooreMusicGuitars

MooreMusicGuitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute with humbuckers! Demo! by Max Guitar B.V.

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute with humbuckers! Demo!

Max Guitar B.V.

Max Guitar B.V.

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbuckers | Does it sound cheap? Is it worth it? ($999 USD) - Demo by mauricio méndez

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbuckers | Does it sound cheap? Is it worth it? ($999 USD) - Demo

mauricio méndez

mauricio méndez

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker Sound Test【Modern Collection】 by G'CLUB TOKYO

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker Sound Test【Modern Collection】

G'CLUB TOKYO

G'CLUB TOKYO

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker by 6String Lounge

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker

6String Lounge

6String Lounge

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbuckers Worn White Unboxing and Test by Cryptic Mask Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbuckers Worn White Unboxing and Test

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Video thumbnail for GIBSON Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker Vintage Cherry Satin by PopMusicPlay

GIBSON Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker Vintage Cherry Satin

PopMusicPlay

PopMusicPlay

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker METAL | 3 Amps by Cryptic Mask Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker METAL | 3 Amps

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional sound quality with versatile 490 T&R pickups

  • Comfortable, lightweight body with great resonance and sustain

  • High-quality craftsmanship and fit and finish

  • Shorter scale length makes it easier to play

  • Maple neck plays fast and feels substantial yet comfortable

  • Satin nitro finish is pleasing and resists fingerprints

  • Perfect intonation and no fret buzz out of the box

  • Great value for a USA made guitar under $1K

  • Simple, no-frills design with a cool, earthy aesthetic

CONS

  • Fretboard feels slightly unrefined to some players

  • Gig bag provided is low quality and needs upgrading

Owner Insights

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

Build quality

  • The 2015 Les Paul Special features a wider nut, known as the 'soloist' board, identifiable by its brass adjustable version.

    Source
  • Some owners highlight that the stained mahogany finish on flat top models is visually appealing, differing from more common carved tops.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners of the 2015 and 2021 models report no significant differences in playability despite variations in finish and neck binding.

    Source
  • Owners transitioning from Fender guitars appreciate the satin neck finish of the Tribute, which feels familiar yet offers a distinct Les Paul sound.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Tribute models are praised for their matte finish, with some owners preferring it over a full gloss.

    Source
  • The Tribute is described as a raw, stripped-down version of more ornate models, offering a more primal and humble playing experience.

    Source
  • Tributes have a slightly thinner body compared to Standards and Customs, making them more comfortable for players transitioning from Fender guitars.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Both the Les Paul Special and Special Tribute are American-made, narrowing perceived quality differences largely to aesthetics rather than core components.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners note the need for SAE locking studs due to non-staggered bridge post holes, affecting intonation and causing original bridges to tilt forward.

    Source
  • Owners recommend ensuring the nut slots are properly filed to improve tuning stability, as tuning issues often arise from poorly cut nut slots.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The Golden Age bridge from StewMac is thinner than the original, prompting owners to recommend locking studs from Philadelphia Luthier Tools for stability.

    Source
  • For improved intonation, users suggest replacing original posts with locking studs, avoiding metric versions to ensure compatibility with existing holes.

    Source
  • Some owners swap the stock pickups for hotter models, such as Suhr Aldrich pickups, to achieve a more aggressive tone.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker features a maple neck, differing from the typical mahogany necks found on other Les Paul models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The 490 pickups in the Tribute are praised for their versatility, covering a wide tonal range suitable for various musical styles.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how jxdn uses Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker

jxdn

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Verified via Photo

In the album cover for La Di Die and in promo imagery, jxdn can be seen with a Les Paul Special with a neck and bridge humbucker.

Album Usage

The Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker has been featured on the following albums:

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tyohars

tyohars

Gear IQ 1203

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