Used 1981 Gibson Heritage Series Standard-80 Les Paul Standard

Sonic Evaluation

Few things in life are better than rocking out with a monster Les Paul, and this serial is a certified beast! It definitely fits the bill of a "Tele-On-Steroids"-type LP: it has a percussive, articulate attack with a pleasing thoonk to it, and its harmonic profile is full-bodied but warm and clear. Overall, it has a woody, warm, vintage-style tonality with open midrange, muscle-bound lows, and sizzling, singing highs. It also emphatically delivers a powerful fundamental alongside its sculpted overtone presence. The bridge pickup packs a focused punch with excellent balance between the sparkling highs and defined lows. The neck pickup is downright girthy, with vocal low mids, lows as woody and huge as an ancient redwood, and singing highs. Anyone seeking a Les Paul that fits the Jimmy Page archetype will love this serial!

The History of the Heritage Series

Wildwoodians, this Heritage Series Standard-80 Les Paul is a killer piece of Gibson history! Basically, this model is Gibson's very first attempt at recreating the '59 Les Paul through their Certified Vintage program. As a result, it shares a lot of DNA with its vintage forebears, which makes it a joy for the player and the people hearing it! The Shawbucker PAFs beautifully capture the magic of vintage pickups, and the vintage-style neck is a blast to play. Not to mention, the top and the burst look gorgeous! This forgotten gem from the vaults will no doubt make some lucky Gibson aficionado a very, very happy guitar picker!

Condition Report

This '81 Custom Heritage Series Standard-80 LP Standard is in killer shape, though it has accumulated a few war wounds and non-original parts over its long life. The frets show no string wear, and appear to have recently received a level and crown as they measure .028 inches. There's a fair amount of checking in the binding at each fret, and the finish shows moderate wear from normal use. There are the typical marks along with some bigger dings and chips, the most noticeable of which are around the control plate in the back and face of the headstock. Previous owners installed several different types of tuners on this bad boy, and there are some marks and holes from previous installations (an original, or at least period-correct, set is on it now). A previous owner also installed a bone nut, and three of the four pots have been replaced. The caps are bumblebee-style, and we're not sure if they're original or not, but the Shawbucker pickups are original, and they absolutely rip! It comes with its original hardshell case, too!