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Description

Step into the world of classic rock tones with the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop, a harmonious blend of vintage aesthetics and modern performance. Paying homage to the iconic designs of the 1950s, this electric guitar captures the essence of a golden era while offering contemporary playability. Its sleek Goldtop finish is both a nod to the past and a standout feature for today's performers, ensuring you'll turn heads both on stage and off.

Crafted with a solid mahogany body and a maple top, the Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop delivers a rich, resonant sound with superior sustain. The warmth of its tone is further enhanced by the 490R and 490T humbucking pickups, providing a versatile sonic palette suitable for everything from blues to rock. Whether you're laying down smooth riffs or unleashing powerful solos, this guitar promises a dynamic experience with every strum.

The neck is shaped in a classic '50s profile for that familiar feel, ideal for players who appreciate a thicker grip. Complemented by a rosewood fingerboard, this setup ensures comfort and precision. The choice between Grover Kidney Tuners or Min-ETune Automated Tuners offers flexibility, catering to those who prefer traditional tuning methods or high-tech convenience.

Key Features:

  • Solid mahogany body with maple top
  • 490R and 490T humbucking pickups
  • '50s neck profile with rosewood fingerboard
  • Available with Grover Kidney Tuners or Min-ETune Automated Tuners
  • Iconic Goldtop finish for vintage appeal

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Les Paul '50s Tribute
Finish Ebony, Gold Top/Dark Back, Satin Vintage Sunburst, Wine Red
Year 2013 - 2015
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Brown, Gold, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul Tribute
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop?

The Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop features a '50s neck profile, which is thicker and rounder, providing a comfortable grip reminiscent of vintage Les Paul models.

What kind of pickups does the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop have?

This guitar is equipped with a 490R neck humbucker and a 498T bridge humbucker, offering a classic, warm tone suitable for a variety of music styles, especially rock and blues.

Is the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop suitable for beginners?

While the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop is a quality instrument that can be appreciated by beginners, its vintage-style features and price point may be more suitable for intermediate to advanced players.

What type of finish does the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop have?

The guitar features a grain-textured satin finish, which gives it a vintage look and feel, and allows the natural beauty of the wood to shine through.

Does the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop come with a case?

Yes, the Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop comes with a Gibson gig bag, providing basic protection for transport and storage.

Reviews

PROS

  • Distinctive gritty yet fat P90 pickups offer unique tonal character

  • Comfortable neck profile favored by players with larger hands

  • Low action minimizes fret buzz, enhancing playability

  • Thin finish encourages playing without fear of scuffs

  • Modern weight relief makes it lighter than traditional Les Pauls

  • Versatile sound range suitable for blues and jazz

  • Comes with a durable hard shell case at a reasonable price

  • Offers vintage 50's style without the high cost

  • Tobacco Sunburst Finish adds aesthetic appeal

CONS

  • Circuit board electronics may produce undesirable "tinny" sound

  • Requires special connectors for pickup modifications

  • Some may prefer traditional hand-wired electronics over the circuit board

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop.

Build quality

  • The Tribute model features a full maple neck rather than the typical mahogany found in most Les Paul models, offering a unique feel and resonance.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Owners appreciate the satin finish on the Tribute, noting it provides a smoother neck feel compared to the gloss finishes on higher-end models.

    Source
  • Some users found the stock 490/498 pickups too high output and treble-heavy, particularly impacting the tone on Fender Deluxe Reverb amps.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some users recommend professional nut slot filing to improve tuning stability, as improper slots can lead to tuning issues.

    Source
  • Owners have replaced the stock 490R/498T pickups with Wolfetone Dr. Vintage PAFs for a warmer, low-output tone more suited to vintage sounds.

    Source
  • Some users recommend wiring in CTS pots, shielded wiring, and orange drop caps to enhance tone clarity and reduce unwanted noise.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Les Paul Tribute's body is slightly thinner than a Standard or Custom, making it more akin to a Fender in terms of comfort.

    Source
  • The 2016 Tribute Goldtop is praised for its quality relative to higher-end Les Pauls, with some owners expressing regret after selling for pricier models.

    Source

User experience

  • The 490 pickups on the Tribute are praised for their versatility, with the middle position offering a tone reminiscent of a Strat neck pickup.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the simplicity and feel of the satin finish and unbound neck, which offers a unique aesthetic compared to bound models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Tribute’s maple neck makes it appealing to Fender players transitioning to Gibson for heavier tones, with its chonky neck and satin finish being highlights.

    Source
  • Top-wrapping the strings has been noted to add sustain, with users referencing Billy Gibbons and Zakk Wylde's similar techniques.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Installing a bone nut has been suggested to improve tuning stability and sustain over the stock plastic nut.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 13 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
pkrul
pkrul

1064

Great, once you modify it.

I wasn't too happy with the sound and bought some Burstbucker pick-up's for it. I was unpleasantly surprised by the electronics. Rather than traditional wiring, it has a circuit board which requires special connectors on the pick-up's. I removed the board and replaced it with traditional wiring (with some orange drop capacitors) and put in the Burstbuckers. Added locking nuts while I was at it. Now it sounds great! Love how light it is compared to a standard Les Paul.

roansounds

Starcrossed

5 years ago I had planned to purchase a different Les Paul model, but this called to me from the racks of the local Guitar Center. It feels great, plays well, and it's worn nicely.

My only qualm is with the electronics. The pickups run through a circuit board instead of being hand-wired to the pots, which over time has produced a "tinny" sound when playing higher notes (That could of course just be a player issue, but I'd rather preserve my fragile ego and blame the guitar). But, as a lower-end Les Paul, it's understandable that they'd cut corners on the electronics. And if that's the only criticism, there really isn't much to complain about.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Fogerty uses Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop

John Fogerty

Singer, Guitarist

Creedence Clearwater Revival

...
Verified via Photo

John can be seen playing a Les Paul tribute model in this image.

See how Ty Tabor uses Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop

Ty Tabor

Guitarist

King's X

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

I also play a Les Paul ’50s Tribute, and it’s my favorite Les Paul. It’s a little lighter than the real ’50s, but it has the same neck, body thickness, feel, and vibe. I’ve been playing it almost exclusively.

See how Matt Sweeney uses Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop

Matt Sweeney

Guitarist

The Desert Sessions

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, at 1:12, Sweeney is seen playing Gibson Les Paul Tribute.

See how Origem uses Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop

Origem

...
Verified via Photo

Origem's guitarist, Paulo Polizelli, uses a Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop, as seen in a post on the band's Instagram.

See how Martin Omar Basualdo uses Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop

Martin Omar Basualdo

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Facebook

In a 2011 Facebook photo, Martin Omar Basualdo is seen using a Gibson Les Paul Tribute 50's Goldtop with P90 pickups.

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 Tribute 50's Goldtop, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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george_pantsios

george_pantsios

Gear IQ 370

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