Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar (Used)
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- Product #H88457
A gigging musician's tool box with '60s slim-tapered neck, coil-split humbuckers and a boost circuit.
Taking design and visual cues from the Les Pauls of the '80s and '90s, the Les Paul Traditional Pro II features powerful pickups with push/push for coil splits and boost circuit, '60s neck profile, Grover locking tuners, antique binding, period-correct pickguard, vintage Gibson top hat knobs, and the revolutionary Plek set up.
With all the fat, sweet, snarling Les Paul tone that purists love, the new Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditional Pro II sports a mahogany body with a thick maple cap for the perfect blend of warmth and clarity. The top is finished in high-gloss lacquer, while the back, sides, and neck have a smooth satin finish that feels great and lets the wood resonate fully. Each Les Paul Traditional also comes with Gibson USA's standard black snakeskin case.
Period-Correct Pickguard
The creme-colored pickguard has been a Les Paul staple dating back to the models of the late 1950s and the early 1960s. Many players, however, removed the pickguard from their Les Pauls to show off the beauty of the flame maple tops, prompting Gibson to stop installing the pickguard altogether. During the 1980s and 1990s, Gibson began reinstalling the pickguard in the factory, and the Les Pauls from this era once again arrived in stores bearing the classic, creme-colored pickguard. The Les Paul Traditional comes equipped with a period-correct pickguard, designed to protect the maple top.
Pickups: Neck - '57 Classic; Bridge - Super '57
Among the qualities that make Gibson's original "Patent Applied For" humbucking pickups so unique are the subtle variations between coil windings. For the first few years of their productions—1955 to 1961—Gibson's PAF humbuckers were wound using imprecise machines, resulting in pickups with slightly different output and tone. The '57 Classic and Super '57 pickups are the result of Gibson's drive to capture and recreate this characteristic. Introduced in 1992, the '57 Classic at the neck provides warm, full tone with a balanced response, packing that classic Gibson PAF humbucker crunch, inspired by those original PAFs that received a few extra turns of wire. The Super '57 bridge pickup debuts in the Trad Pro with a wider frequency response and increased output.
Both are made by Gibson to the exact same specs as the original PAFs, including Alnico II magnets, nickel-plated pole pieces, nickel slugs, maple spacers, and vintage-style, 2-conductor braided wiring. Gibson added poly-coated wiring, which improves consistency by eliminating thick or thin spots on the wiring, and wax potting, which removes all internal air space and any chance of microphonic feedback.
Both pickups offer coil splitting for single-coil sounds and a boost circuit via push/push switching in the volume controls. “Straight Split” coil-splitting offers pure single coil tone and differs from LP Standards and Studios that have a “Super Tap” coil-tap, which still has a small amount of humbucking. The boost circuit has a user-adjustable 10-dB boost for added power and frequency range for solos, single-note picking and dirty chording (depending on amp settings) and features true bypass that disengages the boost completely, ensuring pure passive Les Paul tone.
Revolutionary Plek Set Up
The Les Paul Traditional is the first model from Gibson USA to utilize the revolutionary Plek machine in setting up the guitar. The Plek is a German-made, computer-controlled machine that carefully measures each fret, along with the fingerboard height under each string, and then automatically dresses each fret, virtually eliminating string buzz and greatly improving the overall playability of the guitar. This pioneering process does in minutes what it takes a luthier several hours—sometimes even days—to accomplish. Every fret is accurately aligned, and the guitar is properly intonated, leaving the instrument "Plek'd" and amazingly playable.
Antique Binding
To see the process of putting the binding on the Les Paul Traditional is to really appreciate the effort and attention that Gibson puts into each instrument. A lone craftsman will carefully glue and fit 2 pieces of binding around the entire body of a Les Paul. He then winds a single, very long piece of narrow cloth around the entire body until the entire surface is nearly covered. The body is then hung to dry for a full 24 hours before it is unwrapped and moved into the next phase of production. It has been done the same way for over 100 years. Some question the value of adding binding, but Gibson believes it is a fundamental part of our rich guitar-making history. The binding adds elegance to the Les Paul Standard, and helps protect the edges of the body. The neck binding is installed over the fret ends, which eliminates sharp fret edges and provides for a smooth neck and easier playability.
Check the drop-down menu to the right to select colors and/or other options.
Features
- A user-adjustable 10-dB boost for added power and frequency range for solos, single-note picking and dirty chording (depending on amp settings)
- True bypass: disengaging boost completely removes active circuit, ensuring pure passive Les Paul tone
- New “Super ’57” bridge pickup debuts in the Trad Pro; wider frequency response, increased output
- Easy-to-use push/push pots engage coil-splits and boost circuit
- “Straight Split” coil-splitting offers pure single coil tone
Own a Les Paul that has features of both vintage and and modern styles. Order today.
Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar Specifications:
- Body: Mahogany
- Top: Carved maple
- Back: Mahogany
- Neck: Set mahogany
- Neck Profile: '60s
- Headstock: Angled
- Scale length: 24-3/4"
- Fingerboard: Bound Rosewood
- No. of frets: 22
- Nut width: 1.69"
- Inlays: Trapezoid
- Binding: Antique
- Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with stopbar tailpiece
- Tuners: Locking Grover
- Hardware: Chrome
- Bridge pickup: Super 57 humbucker with push/push coil-splitting
- Neck Pickup: '57 Classic with push/push coil-splitting
- Electronics: 2 volume with push/push coil-splitting, 2 tone (1 with push/push to activate boost), 3-way toggle pickup selector
- Knobs: Vintage Gibson top hats
- Pickguard: Period-correct
- Case: Hardshell
- Other: Plek setup
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Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 13 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good feel (12)
- Fun to play (10)
- Good tone (10)
- Good pick up (9)
- Solid electronics (8)
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming (10)
- Practicing (10)
- Recording (7)
- Small venues (7)
- Rock concerts (5)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (8), Novice (3)
Reviews
Reviewed by 13 customers
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Pros
- Good Feel
Cons
- Not As Advertised
Best Uses
- Works Great For Anything
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
Ok , first off. This guitar sounds and plays killer! Great setup out of the box , but Im surprised at their string gauge choice ( .09 - .46 ). My BIG issue with this guitar is that , all of the pictured show plain top guitars. The guitar I received is without a doubt a flame maple top. This is not what I expected or wanted. I called Gibson as well as MF and they both confirmed that the 2013 Trad Pro II's all have flamed maple tops , but this isnt stated anywhere in the description. If you like FM tops , then this will be a nice surprise , but if youre like me and want a guitar similar to what is pictured , know that you are going to receive a guitar with a flame top.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
Just like the Les Paul Traditional but with modern appointments.
Mine came as a flame top...a pleasant surprise. It's a peek-a-boo flame, very subtle, so it's not over the top.
The satin 60's profile neck is exactly what I was after. I like this much more than the 50's profile because I have small hands.
First, this guitar is heavy...like around 10 lbs heavy even with the modern weight relief. However, with a good strap you don't notice and it gives the guitar that "Les Paul" growl we're all after. I would recommend strap locks!
The pickups are really nice, articulate and clean up wonderfully when using the volume knob. I play blues, classic rock and hard rock and they can cover all genres. I've been playing with the push/push knobs, coil splits and 10 db boost and I'm yet to find a tone I don't like. The pot sweep is smooth and there are no dead spots (i.e. have to go up 3 or 4 numbers for the tone/volume to change) like with cheap pots.
Overall, this guitar is awesome! My only complaint is where the binding meets the frets on the high e-string. There is a little ridge there. So when I fret the high e-string and I'm too close to that ridge it will ping. I had to adjust my playing a little to compensate but it's made my playing a little cleaner.
I only had to make minor adjustments in the action and intonation when I first played it. I can't put it down or stop staring at it. Pure rock 'n roll!
Highly recommend!!!!!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
this is the 1st les paul i have evr owned, i should have got 1 a long time ago, its changed my playing and techniques, i would def suggest it to friend, i just didnt realize the merlots background, ive got one of the best in the west's new series, so not only am i a fender player, but im a gibson player too now
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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my new personilized 2nd generation les paul
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
The tonal options of this guitar are limitless. The push coil taps are effortless to use. The boost is great when you need to bring your lead out over the mix. The action is the lowest I have ever experienced on a guitar and I have ownedand played most of the major high end brands. I purchased the Merlot and the finish is beautiful. I get a lot of compliments on both the looks and sound of the guitar.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Small Venues
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
I love the finish and feel. Nice and heavy like a Les Paul should be. The natural tone is great on this guitar. You can really hear the tone even without plugging it in. I like that it is not a flame top as well.
My only complaint are the electronics. When I first plugged it in, I was suprised at the muddiness and lack of note definition. Even the tone didn't sound right. I played this guitar for a while trying to find the sound I was looking for and I couldn't.
I was never keen on the coil split or boost even before I bought it, but I wanted this guitar based on looks and traditional feel. These are not available in Canada, so I had to order it from the US without playing one. It was risky but worth it.
Like I said, I didn't like the sound at all, so I pulled out the stock electronics except the pickups. Put in new 500K cts pots, new jack, new switch, put in some Sprague Bumblebee PIO caps (.015 neck/.022 bridge) and new back plate. I also had to wire the 4 lead pups to a two lead.
What an improvement! This guitar sounds like a les paul should now. I get that woody Les Paul tone, better clairity and no muddy notes on the low strings at all.
I loved this guitar from the moment I played it, but hated the stock electronics, so I am glad I made these changes. It sounds amazing now.
I only gave it 4 stars because of how the stock electronics robbed this beautiful guitar of the sound it is capable of.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- School Bands
- Small Venues
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
Felt good when checked out at store. Neck very smooth feel.
The weight was a little more than i expected but still comfortable.
Couldnt ask for a better setup straight out of the case.
Pros
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
This guitar allows for an amazing variety of tones. Absolutely beautiful to look at and play. For me, it's a lifetime guitar.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Great quality
- Solid Electronics
- Versatility Of Pickups
- Very nice finish
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- It Does It All
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Rock Concerts
- School Bands
- Small Venues
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
I've had USA strats, high end Japan ibanez, and gibson studio and this guitar triumphs over all of them with little effort, you can get true single coil or humbuckers with the push of a button, and boost with active 9volt power. It's the sweet strat tones, smooth warm or crunchy humbucking sound, and sharp precise metal sound all in one bad@ss les paul!!! The plek'd frets are amazing, satin neck is smooth as it gets. Do yourself a favor and buy this thing! It's a fine instrument by gibson, they have exceeded themselves again!
Pros
- Alpine Wht Looks Amazing
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Recording
- Small Venues
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
Pickups sound fantastic, boost works great. Quality is second to none. All around great guitar. Highly recommend. Alpine white stops everybody in their tracks. Very cool looking along with being a great playing instrument.
Pros
- Fun To Play
- Good Feel
- Good Pick Up
- Good Tone
- Solid Electronics
Cons
Best Uses
- Jamming
- Practicing
- Small Venues
Comments about Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II '60s Neck Electric Guitar:
Absolute best Les Paul yet, and I've owned a few. The PLEK setup is ridiculously sweet, and I don't know if I just got lucky, but I got the Merlot finish, and the flame and grain pattern is unreal. The versatility is amazing, and that boost switch is the bread and butter of this baby.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
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