Les Paul Traditional Pro V Satin Electric Guitar

The Gibson Trad Pro V electric guitar shares the same DNA as a Les Paul—mahogany body and neck, carved maple top—but it's also a completely evolved instrument. You'll feel it first: The body is weight-relieved, making it super comfortable to sling on the shoulder. The neck has an asymmetrical shape that fits like a glove. Thanks to the compound radius rosewood fretboard, you'll find it easier to solo in higher registers. And that's where you'll hear the difference, too.

Gibson loads the Pro V with dual Tradbucker pickups. The neck position humbucker is underwound for a warm, organic sound; the bridge is overwound, increasing the output. Both use Alnico V magnets. Tweak your tones with advanced electronics. A push/pull performs a coil split or coil tap—it's your choice via a dip switch in the control cavity. In coil-split mode, the treble tone push/pull toggles between the inner and outer coils. The rhythm tone push/pull activates a phase switch, perfect if your tone pool is filled with deep British blues.

The Trad Pro V a tremendous value for players of all stripes. It also comes with a hardshell case.