I just purchased one of these (Dec 2023). First..I have owned 3 different 2008 Gibson Slash Goldtops. I sold each of them after a few months because ALL of them had significant comestic flaws from the factory. Yes I bought them used, but the all had badly tool marked fretboard bindings and fretboards. (So did my 1995 Jimmy Page Signature and it's a custom shop SMH) And my 2008 Slash Gold Tops all had bubbles in the finish between the neck binding and body. These things made them look crap and not worth the cost to me. BUT WOW THIS NEW ONE IS DIFFERENT. Absolutely PERFECT!! Not the slightest flaw anywhere. The finish is so beautiful, done to perfection. This has a pretty substantial neck, where as the 2008 has a near 60's profile, but it is very comfortable and easy to play even for those of us who prefer the slim profile. I quite like the tone from the pickups, even more so than the 2008's APH-1 pickups. These are really fantastic guitars! And I would defintely recommend it over the Standard 50's neck gold top because being a signature guitar it will hold its value better should one ever wat to move it on. Gibson has really lifted their game in the quality control department and this guitar really highlights how far they have come. Just a great sounding, fun to play, stunning axe.
I have a different opinion. The main difference between the AFD 2010 and the new one is that the new one is solid body (no weight relief or chambered) and the neck is 50's versus the AFD that has 9 holes for the weigh relief and has the 60's neck profile. Now what is better, I think it's subject to opinion. The new one the Vaticants made a comment that then "all new Les Paul Standards are Slash signature but cost $500 less" I would say then that all Les pauls made in 2010 are also Slash guitars. There were no difference. Here is my take. What makes the 2010 and 2020 guitar special is really the flame top that is unique. Neither the 2010 Les Pauls nor the 2020 non- Slash guitar have that finish. It is the same of taking a white body Charvel/Fender and relic the hell out of it, take off the neck pickup, put a 76 quarter underneath the floyd rose and call it EVH Frankstein. What makes that guitar special is really the finish that is also unique. Steve Vai signature's same for the floral pattern on the neck and so on. Now, if you compare the two Slash 2010 and 2020 they will sound different. Not only because of the pickup that in different on the 2020 but its a SOLID body. Pickup to me is an easy fix. So it will boils down to solid body versus 9 holes weight relief and neck 50's versus 60's profile. Now, the 2020 cost just under $3K with the EXACT same finish whereas the 2010 now is going for $7K, not to mention that the 2010 has been around the block quite a lot and the 2020 is BRAND NEW. Well, you choose! ah, also both are USA NOT CUSTOM SHOP. So, would you pay $7K for a Gibson USA???
9 hole weight relief makes no audible difference in the sound . Clambering makes a huge difference but 9 hole weight relief makes no real difference. I have had 9 hole weight relieved les Paul's that weighed over 10 pounds
I bought a Gibson Slash Victoria more than a year ago. I went to the shop with the intention to try and buy a used PRS custom 22, but finally, after having tried many PRS, Gretsch, a custom one from a liuther and others, I choose the Gibson because of its marvellous sound! I really like the pups on this guitar, don't know why yours sound bad. For me it has only one "defect": it weights 4,3kg.
The fact you mentioned the smell is a great review! I know that feeling when I bought my Les Paul. After playing a few gigs with it,it still has that smell
You're basically spending an extra 500 for them to leave the pickguard off. I actually dig the no guard look on electrics it's worth it to me especially on the 3A tops.. I WISH GIBSON WOULD INCLUDE THE PICKGUARD SEPARATE ON ALL THEIR GUITARS.....at least give people the option ... Just saying 🙂
Great review, I like your honesty. I own a 2008 Slash goldtop and It's an amazing guitar, you can really feel the quality and the difference compared to a standard. I've always wanted a custom, and I was thinking about selling the goldtop to buy one, but you made a really good point and now I changed my mind, I'm holding on to it. Keep it up, you earned a new sub!
I am just an intermediate bedroom player but I still enjoy and appreciate your videos. No need for me to invest in the high-end guitars that a professional musician such as yourself requires, but I now know that a pair of Seymour Duncan Slash pickups are on my shopping list. Thanks!
I like how honest you are about these. It helps us make smart choices when i comes to buying. I'm 43 brothers, the advice you are giving is great for any age! Thanks,
I agree for the gold top version but for me i would pay that premium for the afd, november burst and the anaconda burst paint jobs (vermillion is nice but my least favourite) just as you would pay that premium for a nice paint job on a car you like. I feel for those colours its a fair comparison and its not that worth it for the gold top. I have a 2014 gibson LPJ in fire burst that i fully modded with slash reverse zebra pick ups and changed all the pots and added a kill switch in the rhythm tone knob and its a bad ass guitar.
There is a reason for that. The main manufacturer that Gibson relies on for the pieces. The time it takes to ship from across the world to usa. same with many other mass produced guitars. it's just how it is unless you commission a luthier that can get the highest grade woods to make you a lp. Video below is the cort factory. ua-cam.com/video/se4XIpmCHMQ/v-deo.html
Many of us love Les Paul guitars because that's what we saw Slash playing when we were kids. Kinda funny that Slash's Les Paul wasn't a Les Paul at all, but a nicely made custom forgery :)
I have the 2008 Goldtop. Gibson doesn't make stuff like this anymore. You should buy one before the price goes up again, a few weeks ago saw one going for 6k USD. Seymour duncan pups, tonepros hardware, the frets, the neck, the actual dark back, it's all there. This new model is a shameful cashgrab. I hope you find one!
Thanks for your honest review. Watched one of your earlier reviews about the Gibson Slash Apetite guitar that came out one year earlier. Basically all they've changed is that they don't do the weight relief anymore during production, but other than that it's the guitars are just regular les pauls that arrive plek'd and better quality controlled than during the last ten years. Still not worth 3 grands tho and nothing that justifies that "mojo". Cheers and keep up the good work reviewing like that
Not true, the thin binding is more 50's correct and the width of the headstock is more thicker. the knob are more accurate and their actually using real aluminum instead of the chines stuff they were using for their past vendors. The guy doing the review probably dosen't even know the extra details, their more details i haven't mentioned.
I would have liked hearing through the Marshall instead. My EVH 100 watt non stealth is harsh. I play an Epi LP Standard with Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates buckers. The EVH makes mine sound like crap. Great video !!
I'm a big Slash fan, and I really like review. At 2020 prices the Slash LP for the extra $500 wouldn't be worth it, but at 2022 prices it might be different. If you get one of the burst Slash Standards, they have AAA tops instead of AA. so it's not just the pickups. But you can get a Sweetwater exclusive with a AAA top for $2900, or a Wildwood Select, with the AAA top and exclusive pickups for $3000. So it seems on par with other current LP Standards, it just depends on if that top is worth it. I can't see it for a gold top though, but then Standard '50s goldtops are the same price as any other Standard.
I just placed a 2022 Version of this on layaway, Super Light, Well balanced and appears Plek'ed with sweet action So interested in more about it since it will be 4-6 months before its paid off
Samain wrong. The Amp makes the sound that goes to the speakers. Doesn’t matter if the JCM 800 is hooked up to my iPhone for a 4x12 full stack, it will resemble that tone. The speaker will make louder and more full but the speakers only broadcasts the signal sent to it.
I think pickups can be EQd for the most part too unless they're drastically drastically different like an Alnico II pickup vs Fishman Fluence Moderns or something.
My dream guitar had always been the AFD guitar, but getting that color left handed has been next to impossible. Now I can get it lefty, but I have the blueberry burst standard with the Slash Seymour Duncans already. So idk if it really makes sense to get if it's not going to sound as good.
Any good Les Paul with his Seymour Duncans will get you as close as you can to his tone. But this new line will not get you any closer, they didn't even use his signature neck profile... Like he said... it's just a standard with sticker on the back of the neck.
I prefer these new 2020 slash models, zero weight relief yet they don’t feel heavy and I was never a fan of the skully on the front of the headstock on the older models, fell in love with my vermillion, sounds and feels very close to my 59 reissue, I purchased the Anaconda and the Appetite, too because I was that blown away, love the pickups personally but what I will say is they tend to differ which I find odd considering they’ll be machine wound, the ones in my vermillion SCREAM and have loads of mids whereas my Appetite is darker in sound, I’ve also played a canny few 60’s/50’s standards from 2020 and ‘in my opinion’ these Slash models feel a bit different neck wise, enjoyable review even if our opinions/tastes differ slightly 😊, really enjoy your videos, great work.
@@markfrye4723 that’s another thing I forgot to mention actually, the necks tend to vary on mine, my Vermillion is extremely close to my 59 reissue, so just perfect IMO, not too fat not too thin, the appetite is close to that but feels slightly wider, the Vermilion feels like it widens as you get near the 12th fret making lead playing a breeze whereas with the appetite it’s the other way round almost, still a great guitar, just different.
I'm on the same page as you. Bought the Anaconda a while ago and sold it short after for a great deal (and because I found it too heavy, it was 4850gr. 😳), BUT sold with instant regrets. So I bought another one in Vermillion burst, wich weights ONLY 3650gr. I'm so in love with that guitar that I bought the ' Victoria'goldtop a couple weeks ago. (As a good customer of the shop I got mine couple days before the official release) I had the opportunity to chose between 15 pieces and went with the lightest one that came at 4150gr. Just like you, I feel the pickups are slightly different on both, but not much. I especially love the necks on these guitars, I definitely feel they are a tiny bit chunkier/beefier than the Standard 50's.
@@nedronez varies from guitar to guitar, my vermillion sounds outstanding in all situations, Anaconda is close behind and my Appetite is a bit hit and miss, great guitar but a little more muddy and takes some pissin’ about with, I really can’t figure out why, they’re all machine wound, could be a number of factors I guess.
There is no Goldtop that looks like his 90s Goldtop. The knobs and pickup selector looked different. I already have the „authentic“ Knobs and also die seymour duncan alnico pro 2 pick ups. Now i am saving for a Goldtop.
That's true. His original Goldtop had Speedknobs and a white pickup selector tip. I already have his 2008 signature goldtop and I was thinking of getting the tonepros abr1 and tailpiece with nickle plating and the knobs so I can have an actual "replica" of his legendary guitar.
Another stellar...but I knew the ending! That LP you tricked out is f'in beautiful...I've seen it, but thought it was a Slash model as well. Good review bud!👍🤘
Well done Marko, as always! Appreciate your honesty on this one as I had been eyeballing the Anaconda version and trying to talk myself into attempting a 50’s neck. Gonna stick with my 60’s beasts for now.
Gotta disagree with you 100% re: 'it's a Standard 50's Les Paul'...no, it isn't. The neck profile is very different from the typical Gibson USA 50's neck and, to me, feels as close to a Custom Shop 59 profile as you can get without paying for a CS guitar. I also really love the slashbucker pups, finding them far more versatile and dynamic than the regular burstbuckers. I bought a 50's Standard with P-90's and sold it six months later just because the neck was too much of a handful, the neck on the Slash Les Paul is, by contrast, one of the most comfortable necks I've ever felt. I'm not a particular fan of Slash and generally avoid artist series guitars like the plague, but this one feels like the extremely rare instance where the artist's involvement went way beyond allowing his name to be used and cashing the royalty checks. In my opinion this guitar is unique in the USA lineup and worth every dime of the $500 extra.
what bugs me out is that for a guitar in this price...the fretboard wood is so dehydrated...it's not ok...if they would put oil on it...it would last a good while until somebody buys the guitar...
@@billyc6678 I'm glad I read this, I just got a November Burst and noticed the fretboard was all dry, went to GC to pick up strings and whatever and noticed some of the Les Pauls have super dry fretboards too.
Just discovered your channel over the last week an it's superb! What's your view on the Gibson Slash 2008 tobacco burst, is it as good as the gold top 2008? On paper it looks as good, 👍
Played one of these a couple of days ago and it played amazing . Set up was perfect and the fret work was flawless. Sadly I didn't get to plug it in as the amp room at the shop was occupied and I was pressed for time so I couldn't wait around but acoustically it sounded amazing very loud very open and super resonant. It sounded really balanced as well.. I do like what I have heard from the Gibson Slash Buckers . I don't find them all that Slash like but judged simply as a general purpose Vintage Gibson style pickup I find them to be a great all around hard rock Pickup . Not my favorites by any means but they sound much better than I thought they would. They sound fizzy and harsh in this video.
Just had one delivered today in November Burst. It's cold today, so I am following Sweetwater's advice about opening the box right away. Oh, BTW Sweetwater gave me a $300 discount, so that preacticall eliminates your complaint about the increased price. I already have a 2019 Seafoam Green Standard, which is really a Modern, at least as far as the electronics are concerned. I might cheat and open it a little early later this evening, as I really don't think you need to wait 24 hours. BTW, great playing and nice video!.
Great Video Marcos I want a real les Paul so bad ,but i will look on reverb or somewhere else i have played a 57 custom 70 s les pauls and 3000.00 for the collection series is way to much thanks for the great Demo.
The fingerboard is a bit brighter looking than what you'd expect from this signature model. On the back/side colour I think they've done a good job, that's how it's supposed to look like from the 'playing' angle. Other than that I think you just pay the extra $ for the stickers.
toatlly agree with your assesment bro. i steer away from artist guitars. i have a epi custom pro that i rewired and replaced pots, and put duncan alinco2 pros in. Always wanted a zakk wyld bullseye, but minus a paintjob thats instantlly reconizable, emg pups, wich i dont like, and a maple neck ITS THE SAME DAMM THING!!! lol
Hey great video- definitely in the market for a gold top- Thought maybe the Victoria may have been the one- But… I do prefer the slightly smaller 60’s neck and the metal Grover style tuners- So… which of the gold tops would you say would be better? trad pro? Or the classic?
I've had mine for a year its my first Gibson Les Paul...I ordered a standard and was shipped the slash vic...I love it, it sounds and plays amazing but the paint job is flawed for sure, however it's cool for me, I don't really care. I appreciate your review, however, the delay in particular gets in the way of a True Tone review as well as the amp settings, it lends to a non transparent and taste influenced sound, which I believe tarnishes the sound of the instrument for those looking to this review to influence their decision. That being said, excluding the middle position also imposes your opinion and therefore tarnishes this review further. If anyone reads this far into my comment I would like to advise you to search for other reviews or try to visit a seller in person so that you can hear and feel it for yourself.
Even if this review was supposed to be objective, it is exactly the same as the AFD one. What the hell did you expect ? Both are the same guitars, only difference being finish. Anyway, $500 is about dark back, logo and special pick-ups. You don't like them, ok, but, anyway, a good guitarist will make them sound great, for shure. Sound is in the fingers dude. Can't you understand Gibson decided to propose Slash models in larger quantities with a more affordable price ? It's obvious these guitars are between standard 50's and 2008 Slash signature models. The price is also inbetween. This is so logical...
Problem with this review: you show a guitar at the end that you say is hands down better. It would have been way more instructive if you actually played that guitar also (especially as it has the Slash SDs)...just my opinion.
I think your videos make some great points regarding the Les Paul’s, but there seems to one glaring issue overall At this price range, every guitar is unique, because many times, a lot of processes are done by hand. If you take two identical guitars from any brand, whether it’s a pair of Stratocasters, Les Pauls, or whatever, and play them side by side, both are going to feel different, because each guitar is, again, unique. I own a 2011 Trad Pro, and that is my least favorite of my Les Pauls. It has the least comfortable feel of my three, at least in my hands, but somebody else may find that to be the best guitar ever, because they’re as unique as the people who play them. I’m not going to argue that my studio is better because it’s cheaper than the Trad Pro for that same reason. I have a 100 dollar, out the door, Jackson Dinky, that I threw some SD Jazz pickups in, the only aftermarket mod I did with it and I absolutely love it. I will never sell it. The point I guess I’m trying to make is, if you’re looking at purely numbers, then yeah, you have better options out there, but that’s with any and every guitar. If your issue is with electronics, swap em out, it’s an easier fix than your guitar not being “the one” or right for you. If you love the guitar, regardless of model, and it just feels right and it plays right, then it is right. I picked up my Appetite today, and I absolutely love it. It has that natural wood finish and pure AAA top that I love, and it feels SO good. It personally feels like Gibson paid more attention to this guitar because it’s an artists series than they did my 2011Trad Pro. That said, I’ll probably swap the pickups out, and make my own mods to it. But for a brand new guitar with a lifetime warranty and protection plan, I feel I got my money’s worth. Like a car, you don’t get that with a used model and second hand, sales are final, so if that headstock snaps, or you end up not liking it after a week, you’re up shit creek and out a few thousand. Again, if you like it, pull the trigger, but if you’re talking money’s worth, that’s also something to think about. TL; DR, all guitars in this price range are unique, nobody can even disagree, so it’s unfair and borderline dishonest to inherently call one model better and year better than another, regardless of brand.
I can’t really find any Gibson pickups that are just fantastic. There are some that are decent. But Seymour Duncan’s are just so much better. I yanked my burstbucker pros out of my 2018 Les Paul and dropped an SD distortion in the bridge and a jazz in the neck. I put EMG’s in in my Custom 😳. Yeah, I’m that guy. Lol
Guys, the 2010 AFD is just an USA Gibson, absolutely nothing special. It's not even custom shop....And the 2020 is solid body which goes back to the roots of Gibson. In terms of sound, I cannot believe that a 9 holes weight relief can possibly sound better than a SOLID body. Again, subject to opinions...
Just say it, its not worth the money damnit. So I'm trying to piece together what you recommend for a Slash standard without the price tag. So I should start with a 50's type standard (preferably cheap) 1700-1800.. Then just throw in the Seymour Duncan APH-2s Alicon II pro slash set. Try to walk away with a Slash Standard for around 2k? Is that what your getting at in the video?
Looks nice...sounds....meh...personally, unless you're a massive fanboi....save your money for Custom Shop.... or, be smart and get a Classic....haha as I'm writing this...you brought up the Classics....excellent, honest review. Cheers.
@@kevintemido first guitar...it depends on what you like....a Mexican Strat is good....or even an Epiphone...there are SO many choices...go with what feels good in your hands.
is it me or nowadays, big guitar companies ar caring more about quantity than quality. On the other hand, the smaller companies that make replicas are gaining lot of quality.
Almost feels like a cash grab from Gibson. I agree there is really nothing special about this line of guitars. Yeah the Anaconda burst and Vermillion burst were semi different finishes from the norm but that’s about it. Gibson should take a page out of the Ernie Ball Music Man book and actually work with their artists to make a decent signature guitar.
Yeah I sold my Music Man Jason Richardson for a Slash November Burst since I can't bond with Music Man necks but they're similarly priced and the Music Man felt like it had more detail built to it.
Finally somebody who is not sold to all these brands saying all guitars are perfect and have great quality value ratio. Please more reviews like this! Here you have your like, subscribe and comment!
I appreciate your review and your honesty. But I have to say I disagree. You are comparing it to a limited edition slash, which by the way is more expensive than you say nowadays, and to a 50s goldtop which you said you wouldn’t do. It’s a quality les Paul. The price is reasonable for a AAA top Gibson Les Paul. I’m in no way a “fanboy” of slash, even though I do admire his work and tone. I bought this guitar because I wanted a gold top les Paul with no pickguard or covers. A rounded neck...slim are not for me even with my smaller hands. I like the 50s look ...tuners etc..and I bought it used practically new for 2600. I should also point out I have a tribute with 57+...studio with 498... I love them all. I also am a Gibson pickup fan. Burstbuckers too. Everything is what you make of it. My bad I actually let this review give me 2nd thoughts. Yes you can find nice guitars and swap pickups etc and be around 2500 or whatever. But if you are like me and want a les Paul with the 50s neck, tuners, no pickguard or covers...in gold top...this is a solid choice. Especially if you can grab a used one in the 2500 range. Not a knock to the review. I appreciate and it gave me food for thought. But I’m extremely happy with my choice. You will be too if you buy one.
@Jonathan Evola yeah the dark backs are definitely nicer. I actually bought a studio goldtop last month with a very dark back. Like chocolate colored. Picked it up for 500$, sold it 2 days later for 900$. Offered it too my kid as a Christmas present. But he’s 15, he wants money instead. 🙄 Besides, he’ll just play my Les Paul Custom or my Trad anyways. 😏
I work for sweet water and the bs point to point inspection is absolutely bs. It’s all factory spec. You pull them and take two min to check That is it. We get paid less then and have horrible commissions.
The 2011 trad pro had Burstbucker 3 in the bridge and he said Burstbuckers are not very good so how does that guitar have better pickups than the Slash Goldtop ?
You’re missing the point. Slash alone has a 25% Royalties stake on it. That extra money is going to pay his bills. You would do no different if Gibson reached out to you.
Enjoyed the review, but there are a few inaccuracies worth pointing out: 1. Slash does not actually use the Slashbucker pickups that Gibson puts in these, he still uses the SD Alnico Pro II's in all of his own guitars. Gibson just wasn't able to (or didn't want to) purchase or license the SDs so they decided to "recreate" them in-house. 2. Slash's original goldtop did NOT have a black back. It was dark brown just like these. 3. The Costa Rica cases aren't new, Gibson has used them on and off for about a decade. They had actually switched to using all China-made cases under JC in 2019, but when the COVID shutdowns hit they started sourcing cases anywhere they could get them. So Les Pauls shipped in 2020 could have these Costa Rica cases, the Chinese ones, or the older Canada-made TKL cases you referred to. Not sure about the cost differences, but out of the three, the Costa Rica cases are by far ther nicest, and the Canadian TKL cases are actually the worst by most accounts (mine included). Overall I agree with your assessment of the value and the pickups though. These are definitely overpriced. Especially the goldtop if you consider that with the others in the SLash collection you're at least getting a "AAA" flame top (not that you can't find plenty of 50s Standards with tops just as nice if not nicer).
His original goldtop that got stolen was a darkback, wich do not means it was a black back. The original color was a very dark brown, almost black, you can only see the wood grains if you get really close or by pointing to it with a very bright light. This new ones got the color wrong, it's like a dark cherry, almost like a darker cherry SG.
I just purchased one of these (Dec 2023). First..I have owned 3 different 2008 Gibson Slash Goldtops. I sold each of them after a few months because ALL of them had significant comestic flaws from the factory. Yes I bought them used, but the all had badly tool marked fretboard bindings and fretboards. (So did my 1995 Jimmy Page Signature and it's a custom shop SMH) And my 2008 Slash Gold Tops all had bubbles in the finish between the neck binding and body. These things made them look crap and not worth the cost to me.
BUT WOW THIS NEW ONE IS DIFFERENT.
Absolutely PERFECT!! Not the slightest flaw anywhere. The finish is so beautiful, done to perfection. This has a pretty substantial neck, where as the 2008 has a near 60's profile, but it is very comfortable and easy to play even for those of us who prefer the slim profile. I quite like the tone from the pickups, even more so than the 2008's APH-1 pickups. These are really fantastic guitars! And I would defintely recommend it over the Standard 50's neck gold top because being a signature guitar it will hold its value better should one ever wat to move it on.
Gibson has really lifted their game in the quality control department and this guitar really highlights how far they have come. Just a great sounding, fun to play, stunning axe.
custom shop really isn't that much better. I've got both.... custom and USA. if you want Slash tone, improve your fingers.
Absolutely killer guitars. A bargain imo
I have a different opinion. The main difference between the AFD 2010 and the new one is that the new one is solid body (no weight relief or chambered) and the neck is 50's versus the AFD that has 9 holes for the weigh relief and has the 60's neck profile. Now what is better, I think it's subject to opinion. The new one the Vaticants made a comment that then "all new Les Paul Standards are Slash signature but cost $500 less" I would say then that all Les pauls made in 2010 are also Slash guitars. There were no difference. Here is my take. What makes the 2010 and 2020 guitar special is really the flame top that is unique. Neither the 2010 Les Pauls nor the 2020 non- Slash guitar have that finish. It is the same of taking a white body Charvel/Fender and relic the hell out of it, take off the neck pickup, put a 76 quarter underneath the floyd rose and call it EVH Frankstein. What makes that guitar special is really the finish that is also unique. Steve Vai signature's same for the floral pattern on the neck and so on. Now, if you compare the two Slash 2010 and 2020 they will sound different. Not only because of the pickup that in different on the 2020 but its a SOLID body. Pickup to me is an easy fix. So it will boils down to solid body versus 9 holes weight relief and neck 50's versus 60's profile. Now, the 2020 cost just under $3K with the EXACT same finish whereas the 2010 now is going for $7K, not to mention that the 2010 has been around the block quite a lot and the 2020 is BRAND NEW. Well, you choose! ah, also both are USA NOT CUSTOM SHOP. So, would you pay $7K for a Gibson USA???
9 hole weight relief makes no audible difference in the sound . Clambering makes a huge difference but 9 hole weight relief makes no real difference. I have had 9 hole weight relieved les Paul's that weighed over 10 pounds
I bought a Gibson Slash Victoria more than a year ago. I went to the shop with the intention to try and buy a used PRS custom 22, but finally, after having tried many PRS, Gretsch, a custom one from a liuther and others, I choose the Gibson because of its marvellous sound! I really like the pups on this guitar, don't know why yours sound bad. For me it has only one "defect": it weights 4,3kg.
I think the goldtop sounds fabulous!
The fact you mentioned the smell is a great review! I know that feeling when I bought my Les Paul. After playing a few gigs with it,it still has that smell
You're basically spending an extra 500 for them to leave the pickguard off. I actually dig the no guard look on electrics it's worth it to me especially on the 3A tops.. I WISH GIBSON WOULD INCLUDE THE PICKGUARD SEPARATE ON ALL THEIR GUITARS.....at least give people the option ... Just saying 🙂
Best guitar reviewer on the internet, love your videos!
Great review, I like your honesty. I own a 2008 Slash goldtop and It's an amazing guitar, you can really feel the quality and the difference compared to a standard. I've always wanted a custom, and I was thinking about selling the goldtop to buy one, but you made a really good point and now I changed my mind, I'm holding on to it. Keep it up, you earned a new sub!
Great review. I Really like these kind of videos you do. The value part was especially interesting and informative.
I am just an intermediate bedroom player but I still enjoy and appreciate your videos. No need for me to invest in the high-end guitars that a professional musician such as yourself requires, but I now know that a pair of Seymour Duncan Slash pickups are on my shopping list. Thanks!
I like how honest you are about these. It helps us make smart choices when i comes to buying. I'm 43 brothers, the advice you are giving is great for any age! Thanks,
I agree for the gold top version but for me i would pay that premium for the afd, november burst and the anaconda burst paint jobs (vermillion is nice but my least favourite) just as you would pay that premium for a nice paint job on a car you like. I feel for those colours its a fair comparison and its not that worth it for the gold top. I have a 2014 gibson LPJ in fire burst that i fully modded with slash reverse zebra pick ups and changed all the pots and added a kill switch in the rhythm tone knob and its a bad ass guitar.
There is a reason for that. The main manufacturer that Gibson relies on for the pieces. The time it takes to ship from across the world to usa. same with many other mass produced guitars. it's just how it is unless you commission a luthier that can get the highest grade woods to make you a lp. Video below is the cort factory. ua-cam.com/video/se4XIpmCHMQ/v-deo.html
Many of us love Les Paul guitars because that's what we saw Slash playing when we were kids. Kinda funny that Slash's Les Paul wasn't a Les Paul at all, but a nicely made custom forgery :)
A forgery with much higher quality than anything that was being made by gibson at the time .
Your honesty just saved me 3grand. I would buy the 2008 version as well. Thank you for a great honest review!
I have the 2008 Goldtop. Gibson doesn't make stuff like this anymore. You should buy one before the price goes up again, a few weeks ago saw one going for 6k USD. Seymour duncan pups, tonepros hardware, the frets, the neck, the actual dark back, it's all there. This new model is a shameful cashgrab. I hope you find one!
Thanks for your honest review. Watched one of your earlier reviews about the Gibson Slash Apetite guitar that came out one year earlier. Basically all they've changed is that they don't do the weight relief anymore during production, but other than that it's the guitars are just regular les pauls that arrive plek'd and better quality controlled than during the last ten years. Still not worth 3 grands tho and nothing that justifies that "mojo". Cheers and keep up the good work reviewing like that
Not true, the thin binding is more 50's correct and the width of the headstock is more thicker. the knob are more accurate and their actually using real aluminum instead of the chines stuff they were using for their past vendors.
The guy doing the review probably dosen't even know the extra details, their more details i haven't mentioned.
I would have liked hearing through the Marshall instead. My EVH 100 watt non stealth is harsh. I play an Epi LP Standard with Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates buckers. The EVH makes mine sound like crap. Great video !!
I'm a big Slash fan, and I really like review. At 2020 prices the Slash LP for the extra $500 wouldn't be worth it, but at 2022 prices it might be different. If you get one of the burst Slash Standards, they have AAA tops instead of AA. so it's not just the pickups. But you can get a Sweetwater exclusive with a AAA top for $2900, or a Wildwood Select, with the AAA top and exclusive pickups for $3000. So it seems on par with other current LP Standards, it just depends on if that top is worth it. I can't see it for a gold top though, but then Standard '50s goldtops are the same price as any other Standard.
I bought a 2010 traditional 3 yrs ago for $1100 at music-go-round... I can play guns n roses all day long...so theres that!!!!
I just placed a 2022 Version of this on layaway, Super Light, Well balanced and appears Plek'ed with sweet action So interested in more about it since it will be 4-6 months before its paid off
I think it sounds great on your video and nobody would EVER be able to notice the pickups live. The amp will be the most important. Beautiful guitar.
Following the signal chain, the speakers would be the most important in tonality: speakers
Samain wrong. The Amp makes the sound that goes to the speakers. Doesn’t matter if the JCM 800 is hooked up to my iPhone for a 4x12 full stack, it will resemble that tone. The speaker will make louder and more full but the speakers only broadcasts the signal sent to it.
I think pickups can be EQd for the most part too unless they're drastically drastically different like an Alnico II pickup vs Fishman Fluence Moderns or something.
My dream guitar had always been the AFD guitar, but getting that color left handed has been next to impossible. Now I can get it lefty, but I have the blueberry burst standard with the Slash Seymour Duncans already. So idk if it really makes sense to get if it's not going to sound as good.
shopping for these guitars as a lefty sucks. I hate it!
Any good Les Paul with his Seymour Duncans will get you as close as you can to his tone. But this new line will not get you any closer, they didn't even use his signature neck profile... Like he said... it's just a standard with sticker on the back of the neck.
I prefer these new 2020 slash models, zero weight relief yet they don’t feel heavy and I was never a fan of the skully on the front of the headstock on the older models, fell in love with my vermillion, sounds and feels very close to my 59 reissue, I purchased the Anaconda and the Appetite, too because I was that blown away, love the pickups personally but what I will say is they tend to differ which I find odd considering they’ll be machine wound, the ones in my vermillion SCREAM and have loads of mids whereas my Appetite is darker in sound, I’ve also played a canny few 60’s/50’s standards from 2020 and ‘in my opinion’ these Slash models feel a bit different neck wise, enjoyable review even if our opinions/tastes differ slightly 😊, really enjoy your videos, great work.
Would you say the neck is beefier or skinnier?
@@markfrye4723 that’s another thing I forgot to mention actually, the necks tend to vary on mine, my Vermillion is extremely close to my 59 reissue, so just perfect IMO, not too fat not too thin, the appetite is close to that but feels slightly wider, the Vermilion feels like it widens as you get near the 12th fret making lead playing a breeze whereas with the appetite it’s the other way round almost, still a great guitar, just different.
I'm on the same page as you. Bought the Anaconda a while ago and sold it short after for a great deal (and because I found it too heavy, it was 4850gr. 😳), BUT sold with instant regrets. So I bought another one in Vermillion burst, wich weights ONLY 3650gr. I'm so in love with that guitar that I bought the ' Victoria'goldtop a couple weeks ago. (As a good customer of the shop I got mine couple days before the official release) I had the opportunity to chose between 15 pieces and went with the lightest one that came at 4150gr. Just like you, I feel the pickups are slightly different on both, but not much. I especially love the necks on these guitars, I definitely feel they are a tiny bit chunkier/beefier than the Standard 50's.
What do you think of bridge pick up? Im only using a Katana MK2 but it doesn't seem to handle high distortion very well...
@@nedronez varies from guitar to guitar, my vermillion sounds outstanding in all situations, Anaconda is close behind and my Appetite is a bit hit and miss, great guitar but a little more muddy and takes some pissin’ about with, I really can’t figure out why, they’re all machine wound, could be a number of factors I guess.
There is no Goldtop that looks like his 90s Goldtop.
The knobs and pickup selector looked different.
I already have the „authentic“ Knobs and also die seymour duncan alnico pro 2 pick ups.
Now i am saving for a Goldtop.
That's true. His original Goldtop had Speedknobs and a white pickup selector tip. I already have his 2008 signature goldtop and I was thinking of getting the tonepros abr1 and tailpiece with nickle plating and the knobs so I can have an actual "replica" of his legendary guitar.
Another stellar...but I knew the ending! That LP you tricked out is f'in beautiful...I've seen it, but thought it was a Slash model as well. Good review bud!👍🤘
Well done Marko, as always! Appreciate your honesty on this one as I had been eyeballing the Anaconda version and trying to talk myself into attempting a 50’s neck. Gonna stick with my 60’s beasts for now.
I actually thought my Bridge PUP was faulty until I watched your review! gonna save for upgrades...
Solid review. Thank you for your candor and practicality
Gotta disagree with you 100% re: 'it's a Standard 50's Les Paul'...no, it isn't. The neck profile is very different from the typical Gibson USA 50's neck and, to me, feels as close to a Custom Shop 59 profile as you can get without paying for a CS guitar. I also really love the slashbucker pups, finding them far more versatile and dynamic than the regular burstbuckers. I bought a 50's Standard with P-90's and sold it six months later just because the neck was too much of a handful, the neck on the Slash Les Paul is, by contrast, one of the most comfortable necks I've ever felt. I'm not a particular fan of Slash and generally avoid artist series guitars like the plague, but this one feels like the extremely rare instance where the artist's involvement went way beyond allowing his name to be used and cashing the royalty checks. In my opinion this guitar is unique in the USA lineup and worth every dime of the $500 extra.
what bugs me out is that for a guitar in this price...the fretboard wood is so dehydrated...it's not ok...if they would put oil on it...it would last a good while until somebody buys the guitar...
I totally agree with you on that. I have (6) Gibson LP’s and they all came (bone dry).
One even bowed after I oiled it so NOT cool.
@@billyc6678 I'm glad I read this, I just got a November Burst and noticed the fretboard was all dry, went to GC to pick up strings and whatever and noticed some of the Les Pauls have super dry fretboards too.
If you can get a hold on the first Slash signature from 2004, in the time of Velvet Revolver, that would be great. IMO the best Slash signature
Hi, just wondering does the headstock say made in USA anymore? I don't see it.
Just discovered your channel over the last week an it's superb! What's your view on the Gibson Slash 2008 tobacco burst, is it as good as the gold top 2008? On paper it looks as good, 👍
Played one of these a couple of days ago and it played amazing . Set up was perfect and the fret work was flawless. Sadly I didn't get to plug it in as the amp room at the shop was occupied and I was pressed for time so I couldn't wait around but acoustically it sounded amazing very loud very open and super resonant. It sounded really balanced as well..
I do like what I have heard from the Gibson Slash Buckers . I don't find them all that Slash like but judged simply as a general purpose Vintage Gibson style pickup I find them to be a great all around hard rock Pickup . Not my favorites by any means but they sound much better than I thought they would.
They sound fizzy and harsh in this video.
Just had one delivered today in November Burst. It's cold today, so I am following Sweetwater's advice about opening the box right away. Oh, BTW Sweetwater gave me a $300 discount, so that preacticall eliminates your complaint about the increased price. I already have a 2019 Seafoam Green Standard, which is really a Modern, at least as far as the electronics are concerned. I might cheat and open it a little early later this evening, as I really don't think you need to wait 24 hours. BTW, great playing and nice video!.
Do you recommend aph2 or aph1 to replace on this guitar ?
Great Video Marcos I want a real les Paul so bad ,but i will look on reverb or somewhere else i have played a 57 custom 70 s les pauls and 3000.00 for the collection series is way to much thanks for the great Demo.
For a little more money you could buy a R7 and drop some slash SD pups in it. That’s what I may do.
I LOVE these reviews. Thank you.
Thank you for this honest review!
god the finish on that other LP with the black knobs you brought out was amazing.what is it? tobacco?
I just got one today lightly used for $1500. Deal of the year!
The fingerboard is a bit brighter looking than what you'd expect from this signature model. On the back/side colour I think they've done a good job, that's how it's supposed to look like from the 'playing' angle. Other than that I think you just pay the extra $ for the stickers.
toatlly agree with your assesment bro. i steer away from artist guitars. i have a epi custom pro that i rewired and replaced pots, and put duncan alinco2 pros in. Always wanted a zakk wyld bullseye, but minus a paintjob thats instantlly reconizable, emg pups, wich i dont like, and a maple neck ITS THE SAME DAMM THING!!! lol
Another solid honest review. Nice one mate 👍
You are the man, great review spot on !
Love your reviews - You always keep it REAL - AND you value the money for which people are working HARD !!
Hey great video- definitely in the market for a gold top-
Thought maybe the Victoria may have been the one-
But… I do prefer the slightly smaller 60’s neck and the metal Grover style tuners-
So… which of the gold tops would you say would be better? trad pro? Or the classic?
Trad pro amazing. So is 2017 classic.
I've had mine for a year its my first Gibson Les Paul...I ordered a standard and was shipped the slash vic...I love it, it sounds and plays amazing but the paint job is flawed for sure, however it's cool for me, I don't really care. I appreciate your review, however, the delay in particular gets in the way of a True Tone review as well as the amp settings, it lends to a non transparent and taste influenced sound, which I believe tarnishes the sound of the instrument for those looking to this review to influence their decision. That being said, excluding the middle position also imposes your opinion and therefore tarnishes this review further. If anyone reads this far into my comment I would like to advise you to search for other reviews or try to visit a seller in person so that you can hear and feel it for yourself.
Even if this review was supposed to be objective, it is exactly the same as the AFD one. What the hell did you expect ?
Both are the same guitars, only difference being finish.
Anyway, $500 is about dark back, logo and special pick-ups. You don't like them, ok, but, anyway, a good guitarist will make them sound great, for shure.
Sound is in the fingers dude.
Can't you understand Gibson decided to propose Slash models in larger quantities with a more affordable price ?
It's obvious these guitars are between standard 50's and 2008 Slash signature models. The price is also inbetween.
This is so logical...
Hello! Any pedals used? Only 5150? Great review!
Man, you made that baby sing! Mine is the best guotar I have ever picked up.
Would love to see your thoughts on a Kiesel guitar.
I need guitar recommendation for my first guitar
Problem with this review: you show a guitar at the end that you say is hands down better. It would have been way more instructive if you actually played that guitar also (especially as it has the Slash SDs)...just my opinion.
Did exactly that in my other review :-)
Woah, Tarrega to demonstrate the clean tones - nice job, Sir !
Great video! I have an LP with burstbuckers in it and they are terrible..
The 57 RI Goldtop is black on the back.
I think your videos make some great points regarding the Les Paul’s, but there seems to one glaring issue overall
At this price range, every guitar is unique, because many times, a lot of processes are done by hand.
If you take two identical guitars from any brand, whether it’s a pair of Stratocasters, Les Pauls, or whatever, and play them side by side, both are going to feel different, because each guitar is, again, unique.
I own a 2011 Trad Pro, and that is my least favorite of my Les Pauls. It has the least comfortable feel of my three, at least in my hands, but somebody else may find that to be the best guitar ever, because they’re as unique as the people who play them. I’m not going to argue that my studio is better because it’s cheaper than the Trad Pro for that same reason.
I have a 100 dollar, out the door, Jackson Dinky, that I threw some SD Jazz pickups in, the only aftermarket mod I did with it and I absolutely love it. I will never sell it.
The point I guess I’m trying to make is, if you’re looking at purely numbers, then yeah, you have better options out there, but that’s with any and every guitar. If your issue is with electronics, swap em out, it’s an easier fix than your guitar not being “the one” or right for you.
If you love the guitar, regardless of model, and it just feels right and it plays right, then it is right.
I picked up my Appetite today, and I absolutely love it. It has that natural wood finish and pure AAA top that I love, and it feels SO good. It personally feels like Gibson paid more attention to this guitar because it’s an artists series than they did my 2011Trad Pro. That said, I’ll probably swap the pickups out, and make my own mods to it.
But for a brand new guitar with a lifetime warranty and protection plan, I feel I got my money’s worth. Like a car, you don’t get that with a used model and second hand, sales are final, so if that headstock snaps, or you end up not liking it after a week, you’re up shit creek and out a few thousand. Again, if you like it, pull the trigger, but if you’re talking money’s worth, that’s also something to think about.
TL; DR, all guitars in this price range are unique, nobody can even disagree, so it’s unfair and borderline dishonest to inherently call one model better and year better than another, regardless of brand.
Only one thing, slashs was never black,I used to think the same. It's a very deep black Cherry. God damn I want this Les Paul so bad
Thanks for the review, I've decided to go with your recommendation and not purchase this guitar but to spend a little more and do as you suggested.
Thank you.I was going to buy Slash version but im not.I will go standard GT.
I can’t really find any Gibson pickups that are just fantastic. There are some that are decent. But Seymour Duncan’s are just so much better. I yanked my burstbucker pros out of my 2018 Les Paul and dropped an SD distortion in the bridge and a jazz in the neck. I put EMG’s in in my Custom 😳. Yeah, I’m that guy. Lol
Does it have 500 or 300k volume Pots? Thanks!
Thanks for helping make up my mind , I think I’ll go for a just a les Paul standard and save £500.00
I thought the neck has a slightly different carve?
Yup, it has a 59’ carve which I preferred over the 50’s standard.
27:47 does anyone know which model is this? and what year.
A 50s Les Paul AAA Sweetwater Exclusive in bourbon ;)
as I'm doing a monotonous job of tile grouting, this is entertaining me :)
Yooo what is that intro sounds so dope
Thnx. It’s a song called “deo volente” from my band THE VATICANTS. Look us up :)
Are there frets buzing?
Nice guitar. But as you said Gibson taking the make 80% of the way instead of 100%. As guitar nerds we noticed every little detail....
Guys, the 2010 AFD is just an USA Gibson, absolutely nothing special. It's not even custom shop....And the 2020 is solid body which goes back to the roots of Gibson. In terms of sound, I cannot believe that a 9 holes weight relief can possibly sound better than a SOLID body. Again, subject to opinions...
Just say it, its not worth the money damnit. So I'm trying to piece together what you recommend for a Slash standard without the price tag. So I should start with a 50's type standard (preferably cheap) 1700-1800.. Then just throw in the Seymour Duncan APH-2s Alicon II pro slash set. Try to walk away with a Slash Standard for around 2k? Is that what your getting at in the video?
Looks nice...sounds....meh...personally, unless you're a massive fanboi....save your money for Custom Shop.... or, be smart and get a Classic....haha as I'm writing this...you brought up the Classics....excellent, honest review. Cheers.
Can you recommend me a nice electric guitar for my first guitar?
@@kevintemido first guitar...it depends on what you like....a Mexican Strat is good....or even an Epiphone...there are SO many choices...go with what feels good in your hands.
@@GeoffSweet I like the les paul style. I’ll probably look into the epiphone
@@kevintemido they are quite well built guitars. Starter guitars...are WAY better than when I was growing up.
for the price the control cavity should be a whole lot better.....but thats gibson for you
Great review, cheers!
is it me or nowadays, big guitar companies ar caring more about quantity than quality. On the other hand, the smaller companies that make replicas are gaining lot of quality.
Almost feels like a cash grab from Gibson. I agree there is really nothing special about this line of guitars. Yeah the Anaconda burst and Vermillion burst were semi different finishes from the norm but that’s about it. Gibson should take a page out of the Ernie Ball Music Man book and actually work with their artists to make a decent signature guitar.
As long as people out there buy it they will keep making it
Yeah I sold my Music Man Jason Richardson for a Slash November Burst since I can't bond with Music Man necks but they're similarly priced and the Music Man felt like it had more detail built to it.
Great review!
Finally somebody who is not sold to all these brands saying all guitars are perfect and have great quality value ratio.
Please more reviews like this!
Here you have your like, subscribe and comment!
I use the Gibson Strap
Nice review man
Great video!
I appreciate your review and your honesty. But I have to say I disagree. You are comparing it to a limited edition slash, which by the way is more expensive than you say nowadays, and to a 50s goldtop which you said you wouldn’t do.
It’s a quality les Paul. The price is reasonable for a AAA top Gibson Les Paul. I’m in no way a “fanboy” of slash, even though I do admire his work and tone.
I bought this guitar because I wanted a gold top les Paul with no pickguard or covers. A rounded neck...slim are not for me even with my smaller hands. I like the 50s look ...tuners etc..and I bought it used practically new for 2600. I should also point out I have a tribute with 57+...studio with 498... I love them all. I also am a Gibson pickup fan. Burstbuckers too. Everything is what you make of it.
My bad I actually let this review give me 2nd thoughts.
Yes you can find nice guitars and swap pickups etc and be around 2500 or whatever. But if you are like me and want a les Paul with the 50s neck, tuners, no pickguard or covers...in gold top...this is a solid choice.
Especially if you can grab a used one in the 2500 range.
Not a knock to the review. I appreciate and it gave me food for thought. But I’m extremely happy with my choice. You will be too if you buy one.
NICE GUITAR WHERE DID YOU ORDER THE GUITAR IN SWEET WATER
Great job, new sub
Save 480$ and buy a Slash truss rod cover😂
@Jonathan Evola yeah the dark backs are definitely nicer. I actually bought a studio goldtop last month with a very dark back. Like chocolate colored. Picked it up for 500$, sold it 2 days later for 900$. Offered it too my kid as a Christmas present. But he’s 15, he wants money instead. 🙄
Besides, he’ll just play my Les Paul Custom or my Trad anyways. 😏
your right, better off buying a used Les Paul gold top and upgrading with Slash pickups and 50s wiring and saving dollars.
I think its the dark back that gives it a slash vibe
My case on mine was made in Canada.
agree to the review 👍
Beautiful
I work for sweet water and the bs point to point inspection is absolutely bs. It’s all factory spec. You pull them and take two min to check That is it. We get paid less then and have horrible commissions.
The 55 point inspection seems like it can be done from across the room.
I sold my 08 like a moron for 3k few years ago with signed coa .
🤦♂️
That’s very strange mine is black from the back
The 2011 trad pro had Burstbucker 3 in the bridge and he said Burstbuckers are not very good so how does that guitar have better pickups than the Slash Goldtop ?
Holy shit I might get one
Your the best my brother
Like & Subscribed, all said
I wanted to hear that’s cat’s review.
You’re missing the point. Slash alone has a 25% Royalties stake on it. That extra money is going to pay his bills. You would do no different if Gibson reached out to you.
Enjoyed the review, but there are a few inaccuracies worth pointing out:
1. Slash does not actually use the Slashbucker pickups that Gibson puts in these, he still uses the SD Alnico Pro II's in all of his own guitars. Gibson just wasn't able to (or didn't want to) purchase or license the SDs so they decided to "recreate" them in-house.
2. Slash's original goldtop did NOT have a black back. It was dark brown just like these.
3. The Costa Rica cases aren't new, Gibson has used them on and off for about a decade. They had actually switched to using all China-made cases under JC in 2019, but when the COVID shutdowns hit they started sourcing cases anywhere they could get them. So Les Pauls shipped in 2020 could have these Costa Rica cases, the Chinese ones, or the older Canada-made TKL cases you referred to. Not sure about the cost differences, but out of the three, the Costa Rica cases are by far ther nicest, and the Canadian TKL cases are actually the worst by most accounts (mine included).
Overall I agree with your assessment of the value and the pickups though. These are definitely overpriced. Especially the goldtop if you consider that with the others in the SLash collection you're at least getting a "AAA" flame top (not that you can't find plenty of 50s Standards with tops just as nice if not nicer).
His original goldtop that got stolen was a darkback, wich do not means it was a black back. The original color was a very dark brown, almost black, you can only see the wood grains if you get really close or by pointing to it with a very bright light. This new ones got the color wrong, it's like a dark cherry, almost like a darker cherry SG.