Gibson Les Paul Classic Vs Standard (Comparison)
Our pick: The Gibson Les Paul Classic
The Classic has everything I want to see in a Les Paul (Burstbucker pickups, Grover tuners, the fancy body carving), all for $500 less than the Standard. Given the relative similarities of the two models, I'd recommend taking the Classic and the built-in discount.
Image via Rich Land
When comparing the Les Paul Classic and Les Paul Standard, it's important to note that there are multiple versions of the Les Paul Standard. Primarily you have the '50s, '60s, and Slash signature versions of the Standard. All of them are more expensive than the Les Paul Classic.
There's really only one Gibson Les Paul Classic, with varying color and finish options.
So for our Gibson Les Paul Classic VS Standard comparison, we'll be focusing on the Les Paul Standard '50s version, which is one of the most popular models. We'll also mention some features in the Standard '60s version, which differ slightly from the '50s model.
Just to recap, we have three "players" in this comparison:
- Gibson Les Paul Classic
- Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s
- Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s
Some mods here. Beautiful LP. Image via Detroit Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Classic VS Standard Comparison Tool
LP | Model | Rate | SHOP |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Gibson Les Paul Classic | 94.6 | |
 | Gibson Les Paul Standard (50s) | 90.5 |
As you can probably tell, the differences between the two on the spec sheet are fairly minimal. At the same time, we have a $500 price difference tilting towards the '50s Standard. So what exactly accounts for this price difference? Why is the Les Paul Standard more expensive? One might look at the 61R and 61T Burstbuckers in the Classic and suppose those pickups are cheaper. However, the 61R and 61T are in the '60s Standard as well, which is also $2500.
An artistic shot of the Gibson Les Paul Standard with covered Burstbucker pickups. Flickr Commons via Shixart1985
One of the only things we can surmise is that the Standard series gets more "by-hand" work than the Classic series. The product description specifically mentions hand-wired electronics for the '50s Standard, but not the classic.
Any time you have work done by hand on a guitar, it tends to significantly run up the price. That's probably what we're seeing with the Les Paul Standard being more expensive than the Classic, because it's not an issue of pickups, tonewood, electronics, or a Plek'd fretboard, all of which are nearly mirroring each other in the two guitars.
Gibson Les Paul Classic
With 9-hole weight relief, the Les Paul Classic is a bit lighter than the Standard, which might also account for some of the price difference.
The Classic, being cheaper, also throws in Grover brand tuners and the 61R and 61T Burstbuckers we mentioned earlier. For being cheaper than the Standard, it definitely seems to provide some higher-end features that makes us feel really good about saving the $500 and going with the Classic over the '50s Standard.
Gibson Les Paul Standard ('50s version)
The '50s Standard ships with Gibson stock tuners (which are still quite good), and the Burstbucker 1 and 2 humbuckers instead of the 61R and 61T. It's not necessarily a downgrade, but disappointing considering the '60s version of the Les Paul Standard adds these back in while maintaining the $2500 price tag.
With these guitars, you're just not going to find a lot of distinction in the specs sheets, which is why we're fairly certain the price difference accounts for more care in production and hands-on work.
The Gibson Les Paul Standard. Flickr Commons image via JBoylan67
Summary of Comparison
If you've narrowed your decision down to these two guitars, I'd strongly recommend going with the Les Paul Classic, since you get the Grover tuners, Burstbucker pickups and everything else that comes in the Standard models, yet for $500 cheaper.
When you're looking at guitars in this price range, differences in quality become very subtle and hard to pin-down.
That's when you can go with just the best value/price option, or even pick based on the color you like or which one you think looks better.
From a sound quality and feature perspective, there just isn't much difference.
Both are excellent guitars.
Your Questions and Comments
If you still have questions about these two guitars, feel free to drop those in the comments section down below. I'll jump in and help out as much as I can.
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Our disclosure↬
I have a 2022 Les Paul Classic in Honey Burst. I love the color and fit and finish seems spot on. Weight relief is negligible, it’s still a heavy guitar. The slim taper 60’s neck fits me well. I own a Strat and a Tele with slim necks. My slim taper 60’s Les Paul neck is chunkier than my Fenders but still feels good to me. The 61R and 61T pickups sound good, perhaps slightly hotter and brighter but with some tweaking with volume and tone and a good amp I can get a nice authentic LP tone. I don’t use the coil taps as I can get a good single coil tone from my Fenders. I may change out the pickups later for Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates or Antiquities or even David Allen P51’s just because I like to tinker with tone. I have DAllen pickups in both of my Fenders and love them. The Grover tuners work fine. The wood quality difference between a Classic and a Standard seems mostly cosmetic to me (plain maple v. Tiger). Bottom line is that I really like my Les Paul Classic. Plays and sounds great. They’re excellent guitars.
Nelson, sounds like a great fit. Thanks for sharing and giving us another viewpoint. I think it’ll be helpful to future readers. Hit us back if you change pickups and have more insight to share.
Excellent articlr. I was able to find a blem Classic at Zzounds for $1800 ish, with payment plan, so I got it for my son. I like the 50’s Standard better jut because of the flatter board and chunkier neck. However, I could’nt afford one, so I got the Classic. I was going to send it back, then decided to try it one more time because I may never get another chance to own a new Les Paul. So glad I did! The Classic is a killer guitar! I personally like the push/pull and find them very useful. The pickups are fantastic! The only Les Paul I like better is my Epiphone Slash goldtop, which is the best Les Paul I have ever played. Great article.
So just to recap – your son has the Classic, and you got a second Classic as well?
Surprised to hear you prefer the Epiphone Slash. Testament though to how good those things. High-value personified.
No Sir, I just kept his. And, yes, it is a testament, certainly to me, as to just how good the Slash Epiphones are. No veneer on the back, just two pieces of mahogany and the Custombucker’s are out of this world. Lower output than the Classic, but just great tone, and that’s what I am after every time.
I’ll have to work the Epi Slash into more of our content. I just haven’t heard much about it (or played one). Thanks for sharing!
I have just purchased a Les Paul Classic in Honeyburst, The last time I owned a Les Paul was about 35 + years ago, It took me a while, about a week to get used to it, But having played it constantly, more or less, I love it, So I would say if you want that Les Paul tone go for it 👍
Nice, and I agree. Thanks for sharing, Martin.
Bobby,
I am torn between the PRS CE 24 and Gibson les paul classic.
I found a whale blue CE24 with a black neck, and black headstock in the blue finish which I have never seen before. Also, previously owned a CE 24 and loved it but the finish, I had to pass on. Any thoughts on your part with respect to versatility between the two and what may actually hold great value over time? Thank you!
Do you know the year of the CE 24 you found? My black PRS with the gold hardware is a 2005 CE 24 and I absolutely love it.
If it’s a unique PRS, I’d grab it. They are – in my opinion – the best manifestation of versatility. I like them for metal and heavy stuff, but tons of players use them for just about everything.
I’d say the LP Classic is more of a safe bet in this case. I hope this helps!
I had a CE 24. I currently have a Gibson Les Paul classic and a PRS core 24. Both the CE 24 and the Les Paul classic are outstanding guitars and sound fantastic. The PRS gives you a beautiful flame top… but I love the plain translucent cherry finish on my classic too. Both guitars have great pickups…on par with each other. The PRS is waaay lighter and had a more focused modern tone, but it’s way more versatile. The PRS much brighter snappier tone The Les Paul had that fat low end classic tone. It really boils down to the your playing style and tone… and what you prefer. The coil tapping is great on the PRS and useless on the Gibson… night and day. I would play both to see what you prefer. Good.
Are the frets the same size classic vs standard
Should be. Both should be medium jumbo with 22 frets.
If I wanted the classic “just because”
Could I have pickup covers installed after the purchase if I decided too?
I think you would need to get entirely new pickups. (edit) See below:
I have put new nickel plated Seymour Duncan covers on several Gibsons. They are a perfect fit. All you need is soldering skills.
Why were the Classic’s push/pull pot options not mentioned? I think that alone offsets the $500 delta in price!
Thanks for sharing, Bill. I stand corrected on my previous comment as I misunderstood the OP. Thanks for helping correct this.
By the way, I stand corrected! Both BurstBuckers have the same pole spacing, so a standard Gibson nickel plated bridge pickup cover DOES NOT fit. You have to use two neck pickup covers.
Bill – thanks for mentioning this. Much appreciated.
Yes.
I’ve had a Les Paul Classic for fives years or so. I think your description and comparison were right in the money. I absolutely love my Cherry Burst Classic.
One think I think you didn’t poi t out is the quality of wood. The more you spend, the more gorgeous the book-ends, tiger, quilting, etc. My Classic is still awesome/gorgeous and out performs all my older LP’s, but if you want a KILLER quilted top, you’re gonna pay for it.
Great job!
Those tops are a massive part of a guitar’s expense. Like the PRS contour and carving adds $500+ to the Maryland models, from what I understand.
In my opinion, it’s one of the most overlooked aspects of why expensive guitars hit the prices they do.
Thanks for the comment and the kind words!
I have both. The Gibson Les Paul Classic in Honeyburst and the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50’s with P-90’s. Just received the latter and haven’t had a chance to play it yet (work work work). The Classic was purchased from Sweetwater 2 years ago. The only frustrating thing about my Classic is the fret work. Some of the frets are not as smooth as you’d expect on a $2,000 guitar. Not something I can feel by hand but when bending, that’s when I can feel the lack of smoothness of the frets. And it’s been like this from the first day I received it so it makes me wonder whether Sweetwater actually inspected it prior to shipping it out. One other issue with the Classic, at least mine, is it never has sustained as well as one would expect from a high end guitar. I’m hoping my new Standard doesn’t have these issues.
Sweetwater is generally pretty good about inspecting their guitars before they send them out. Sorry to hear about the hang ups with the Classic. Both guitars should be pretty solid.
My classic is my favorite guitar now. Purchased from Sweetwater….. when I got it the action at the nut was atrocious. I had to spend a few hours and a few hundred bucks on nut files. Let’s just say Sweetwater’s inspection is complete BS.
Any thoughts on a Classic+(which comes with a AAA maple burst top) vs a Standard 50s? The Classic plus is $3299Cdn vs $3599 for the Std 50s. Slash standards are $3699. I’m leaning towards the Classic plus, just wanted a few opinions. Thanks!
Hey Ryan – you talking about something like this? https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Guitar/DMOC3G385/Les-Paul-Classic-Plus/Blueberry-Burst
Looks like a pretty significant mod, but that one is cheaper.
If that’s the wrong one – do you have a link to the one you’re thinking of?
Great article this really helped me out , now I know the classic is the one plus I prefer the cherry sunburst
Thanks Jeff. Glad you found it helpful.
I have a Sunburst Classic 2021 . Every thing about it is Great . I do have to drop my pickups down , a little lower than I normally do , it mellows it out .
Had to the same on my 60s standard which has the same pickups.
Bobby, i have a Les Paul Classic, 2014. With the 15 DB boost switch and coil tap. It s also 120th anniversary model. What are your thoughts on this model?
I’m not sure about versions that are that old, but I’d aassume it’s comparable to this? https://reverb.com/p/gibson-les-paul-classic-2014
Jim, I’m a fan of the anniversary models. I have one myself. How do you like yours?