Gibson Les Paul Standard DC, made in USA 1998, honeyburst. This is a lot of fun! In some ways, it's a classic Gibson Les Paul: mahogany body with a carved flame maple cap, set mahogany neck, two humbuckers, trapezoid inlays, tune-o-matic and stoptail combo... all pretty inconic LP appointments. There's some fresh tricks too though: double-cutaway body for easy access to upper frets, 24 frets, a belly carve, simplified electronics and a total weight that'd more typical of a Strat than an LP Standard. It really works for me! The lightweight body is super resonant and balanced and the neck is really agreeable; it's extremely easy to play. Gibson stuff made from 1985-1999 is generally impeccably executed, and this is no different: it really has the feel and look of a guitar built with plenty of attention to detail. The tone is a little snappier and punchier than a regular Les Paul, but it's still more hi-fi and sustained than an SG. The bridge pickup has been switched for the ever-reliable Duncan JB, so that delivers a crunchy warm growl with plenty of nuance and articulation, plus the neck pickup sitting slightly further back adds a little clarity and sparkle to the juicy thickness too. The carved flame maple top is amazing: it's solid flame maple and over 15mm thick in the middle... seriously saucy stuff. The depth and detail in the grain on show under the classy honeyburst finish is superb. These don't come around all that often, so if you're after a sweet Les Paul with a bit of a twist, here's a winning candidate.

Model: Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut
Made: 1998, USA (serial 92088458)
Finish: honeyburst, gloss nitro
Body: maple top, chambered mahogany body
Neck: mahogany with rosewood board, slim 60s profile, 24.75" scale, 12" radius
Weight: 3.555kg 
Mods: pickup surround screws changed, bridge pickup replaced
Pickup: Gibson 498R humbucker (neck), Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB humbucker (bridge)
Case: non-original padded gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some marks on the end and bottom edge. The neck has some minor dimples on the back, it's clean and smooth in the hands. The back has widespread scuffs, dimples and surface scratches but no major marks. The sides is pretty clean, minor scuffs on the horns and some dimples in the elbow area and near the jack around the edges. The front has minor dimples behind the bridge, around the pickups and around the knobs as well as some light play scuffs on both horns. Overall: good condition (7/10).

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working. Frets have some minor wear but appear freshly levelled and polished, 8/10 for fret life left. No headstock breaks! Setup with fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.