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Description

Celebrate a milestone in musical craftsmanship with the Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary edition. This limited edition Les Paul is a modern reimagining of a classic, featuring a sleek, contoured walnut body that's both visually stunning and ergonomically designed for maximum comfort during long sessions. Its walnut set neck and rosewood fingerboard offer a smooth and natural feel, making it a joy to play whether you're on stage or in the studio.

This guitar is equipped with a matched 490R neck pickup and 498T bridge pickup, delivering a diverse sonic palette that ranges from warm, jazzy undertones to the classic fat, snarling Les Paul sound. The pickups are designed to clean up beautifully when you roll back the volume, giving you complete control over your tone for any genre from jazz to hard rock.

Gibson's dedication to playability shines through with the rounded neck profile and Plek'd frets, providing a silky smooth fretboard that enhances your playing experience. The satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish not only adds a vintage aesthetic but also allows the guitar to resonate fully, improving its tonal quality over time.

Key Features:

  • Limited Edition Les Paul with contoured walnut body
  • Satin nitrocellulose lacquer body and neck finish
  • 490R neck pickup and 498T bridge pickup
  • 3-way pickup selector toggle switch
  • 2 Volume, 2 Tone controls
  • Walnut neck with Rounded profile
  • 12"-radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets and dot markers
  • Plek'd frets for optimized playability
  • 24.75" scale length
  • 1.695" Tektoid nut
  • Nickel hardware
  • Grover Rotomatic tuners with Keystone buttons
  • Aluminum Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge with aluminum stopbar
  • Dual-action truss rod

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model The Paul 40th Anniversary
Year 2019
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
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson Firebrand "The Paul"
Neck Construction Set-Neck
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"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary?

The Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary features a slim taper neck profile, providing a comfortable and fast playing experience, ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary?

This guitar is equipped with dual humbucker pickups, delivering a versatile range of tones from warm and rich to bright and cutting, suitable for genres like rock, blues, and jazz.

Is the Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary suitable for beginner guitarists?

While the Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary is a high-quality instrument, its features and price point are typically better suited for intermediate to advanced players looking for professional-grade performance.

What type of wood is used for the body of the Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary?

The body of the Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary is made from solid mahogany, which contributes to its warm tonal characteristics and sustain.

Does the Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary have a set-neck or bolt-on neck construction?

The Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary features a set-neck construction, enhancing sustain and stability compared to bolt-on neck designs.

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Does It Live Up to the Hype? 2019 Gibson "The Paul" 40th Anniversary Reissue Walnut | Review + Demo

Video thumbnail for Does It Live Up to the Hype? 2019 Gibson "The Paul" 40th Anniversary Reissue Walnut | Review + Demo by The Trogly's Guitar Show

Does It Live Up to the Hype? 2019 Gibson "The Paul" 40th Anniversary Reissue Walnut | Review + Demo

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for A Guitar Made of Walnut?! || Gibson "The Paul" 40th Anniversary Demo/Review by Agufish

A Guitar Made of Walnut?! || Gibson "The Paul" 40th Anniversary Demo/Review

Agufish

Agufish

Video thumbnail for Which One Is Better? 2019 Gibson The Paul Reissue Versus 1980 Original | In-depth Comparison by The Trogly's Guitar Show

Which One Is Better? 2019 Gibson The Paul Reissue Versus 1980 Original | In-depth Comparison

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for My Favorite Budget Les Paul Reissued! | 2019 Gibson 40th Anniversary The Paul Walnut | WYRON 162 by The Trogly's Guitar Show

My Favorite Budget Les Paul Reissued! | 2019 Gibson 40th Anniversary The Paul Walnut | WYRON 162

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent sound quality, comparable to high-end Les Paul models

  • Lightweight design makes it comfortable for extended play

  • Features great tonal versatility, even in between pickup positions

  • Plays well and offers a satisfying performance experience

  • Faithful visual homage to the original model

CONS

  • Contains a noisy printed circuit board affecting volume control

  • Requires costly interior wiring upgrades for optimal performance

  • Lacks an ebony fretboard, missing a key reissue detail

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson The Paul 40th Anniversary.

Build quality

  • Some owners miss the ebony fretboards in the reissues, preferring the feel and tonal qualities of the original design.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Paul is likened to an LP Studio, with a thinner, contoured body and set neck, differing from the thicker traditional Les Paul design.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The walnut body sets The Paul apart, contributing to its unique tone and appearance, and features a body contour similar to an SG.

    Source

User experience

  • Reports suggest The Paul can sound muddy; adjusting pickup heights is recommended to refine tone.

    Source

Other

  • The Paul was a precursor to the LP Studio, offering a budget-friendly, thin-bodied alternative to traditional Les Paul guitars.

    Source

Critic Reviews

2019 Gibson “The Paul” 40th Anniversary Review – The Trogly's Guitar Show

troglysguitarshow.com

Gibson's The Paul 40th Anniversary reissue hits nostalgic notes with its walnut body and versatile 490R/498T pickups, offering a rich blend of tones. While the PCB wiring disappoints purists longing for the hand-wired charm of the originals, the guitar's construction and sound quality earn it high marks. The rosewood fretboard and slightly larger neck profile provide a modern twist, making it a worthy companion to the vintage model. This reissue triumphs over the '96-'98 series, appealing to both collectors and players seeking a unique Les Paul experience.

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