The Gibson Les Paul Guitar. Just the name conjures images of rock legends and iconic riffs. My own guitar journey started with a nod to this legend – a Japanese Ibanez LP Custom copy. Later, I owned a genuine 1987 Les Paul Standard. Having spent years with Les Pauls, and explored many variants, I have a player’s perspective to share on this archetypal instrument.
The Les Paul is undeniably a classic. It offers three core sounds, seemingly endless sustain, and that timeless aesthetic. It’s remarkable how little the design has changed in over half a century. If you’re drawn to that classic, powerful sound, owning a Les Paul at least once is almost a rite of passage for any guitarist.
What truly stood out for me with the Les Paul was its incredible sustain, the comfortable short scale length, and that signature heavy, thick tone. These were the aspects that initially drew me to the instrument and kept me hooked for years.
However, over time, I began to notice some limitations. The tonal palette felt somewhat restricted for my evolving musical tastes. The neck profile, while substantial, felt a bit too thick for ultimate comfort, and let’s be honest, the weight of a Les Paul after a long gig can be a real factor.
These reasons ultimately led me to sell my Les Paul Standard, initially for a PRS. The PRS offered greater tonal flexibility, but still didn’t quite nail the clean tones I was seeking. It became more of a case queen, a beautiful instrument reserved for occasional play.
My search for tonal versatility and comfort led me to an Axis Sport with MM90 pickups. This guitar surprised me by covering both heavy rock and pristine clean tones with ease. It’s significantly lighter than a Les Paul, and the neck is consistently the most comfortable I’ve ever played. Tonally, it leans more towards a Les Paul Junior – raw and primal – which, to be honest, I always preferred anyway. The Axis Sport offers a “refined raw” character that really resonates with me.
Regarding build quality, my ’87 Les Paul Standard had its issues, acquired used with a neck warp that needed correction. The angled headstock on Les Pauls is also a known weak point, susceptible to breakage, although thankfully, I never experienced that. While some Gibson purists claim 80s quality was lacking but has improved, the price point of new Gibsons seems incredibly high. It’s surprising to see better figured maple tops on Epiphones than on some Gibson Custom Shop models. You’re often paying a premium for the Gibson name and legacy. While Les Pauls likely involve more handcrafting than many bolt-on guitars, for overall playability, engineering, and wood selection, the EBMM (Ernie Ball Music Man) line, in my experience, surpasses Gibson.
Is my Axis Sport a Les Paul? No. Would an EVH/Axis be closer? Arguably, yes, as it’s a humbucker-equipped rock guitar. However, any Axis offers far greater tonal versatility than a Les Paul, and it’s kinder to your wallet and your back! Ultimately, comparing an Axis to a Les Paul is like comparing apples to oranges. The Axis is brighter, with a longer scale bolt-on neck, lighter woods, and often a tremolo. The Les Paul is short-scale, fixed neck and bridge, with a heavier, warmer overall tone.
As a final note, I recently had the opportunity to buy a US-made Les Paul Studio for $450. While tempting, I passed, preferring to invest that money in a future EBMM purchase. This just reinforces my personal preference, though I still deeply respect the legacy and sound of the Gibson Les Paul guitar.
