• Gibson VOS 58 LesPaul, Plain Top

  
  As reviewed by Randall Allred on 7/4/2007

  This guitar is amazing, not cheap, but if you want the closest thing to an actual 1958 Les Paul standard besides the actual, this is the way to go. Many people prefer the slimmer neck of a 1960's Les Paul, but I find the beefier feeling neck of this 58' quite appealing and comfortable. The tone of this instrument is pure vintage, but it cuts through like a modern guitar with high output pickups thanks to the Gibson Burstbuckers. This guitar actually makes a dry sounding solid state amplifier sound like a warm tube amplifier. Gibson has really done a fantastic job with this instrument. Randall Allred

  19 of 19 people found this review helpful.
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• Old School LP

  
  As reviewed by Frank on 8/29/2011

  I've been playing professionally for 31 years. I started on a '70's Les Paul and played one for many years. Eventually the weight of the guitar became a distraction. The tone was great but the pain from playing it for 4 hours a night was greater. The LP was set aside and I did not play one for many, many years. A few years ago, I decided to bring back the LP but I wanted a great one, not a good one. After trying out many models, the '58 (or R8) became the clear favorite. Quite simply, it's made like the really old ones, sounds like the really old ones but plays better than most of the old ones I've played. I've always loved vintage gear and own a lot of it. Some of the modern boutique builders capture some of the vintage "vibe" but most fall short when it comes to TRULY nailing the vintage tone and aesthetic of classic gear. With the R8, Gibson has come through with a totally satisfying representation of a classic era Les Paul. They have taken no shortcuts with this guitar. Here is the main lowdown on this guitar: 1. The Burst Bucker pickups are not hot, despite what other reviews may have said. They are very vocal and representative of a PAF pickup. The BB's are a bit hotter than Gibson's '57 Classic pickups. The BB's are a great rendition of a hotter PAF - but still not what could be classified as a hot pickup. A less powerful pickup is a great thing - it allows the tone of the instrument to come through. 2. This guitar, electronics (CTS pots, etc.) and these pickups were designed to be played through a responsive tube amplifier. This guitar is capable of many, many fantastic tones just by using the volume and tone pots on the guitar. In other words, if you are using solid state amps and modeling gear with this instrument, you are not accurately hearing this instrument. The amplifier is a huge part of the equation. A $300 guitar through a great $2000 tube amp sounds better than a $4000 guitar plugged into a $100 amp modeling device. If you don't believe this. Check out some Jimmy Page, early Clapton, early '70's Jeff Beck, Humble Pie, Warren Haynes, Allman Brothers and just about anybody else playing a Les Paul in the '60's and '70's. Most of those players had a guitar, a Marshall amp (or something similar) and a cable. There was an occasional wah pedal or fuzz pedal but that was about it. The player and his touch on the instrument were the dominant factors. 3. Weight. Most R8's are not over 9lbs. Compared to '70's Norlin era LP's this is considered light. Some of these guitars are as light as 8lbs. There are plenty of guitars being made that are lighter than the R8, but none of them have this classic, unmistakeable tone. 4. Cost. It's expensive. There is no argument there. But, there is nothing else out there that does what this guitar can do. There are many boutique alternatives out there that are well made and great sounding instruments and many are even more expensive than the R8. Bottom line, if you want the classic LP tone, this is the guitar that will give it to you. For $2K more, you can get the '59 and the beautiful flame that comes with it. Other than that, the '59 is the same guitar. If you don't believe it, read the Tonequest Report from April 2003. "Structurally, the Les Paul '59, 58, '57, '54 and '52 are the same. The differences are in the finishes, pickups and bridges - like the wrap-around versus the tune-o-matic." For all around bang for the buck, the R8 is the one. I did a lot of research before pulling the trigger on this guitar. So..... my review is long, but hopefully it will help others as they consider whether to spend $3,700 (for now, I'm sure Gibson will raise prices again soon) for a guitar. Thanks for reading.

  4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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• Perfect

  
  As reviewed by Bigred on 12/21/2009

  I tried every Les Paul I could get my hands on before buying this. I was willing to pay more, just wanted to find the right guitar. Everything about this one is the right fit. The instrument is perfect. Can't say that about too many guitars. The big neck is more comfortable than I thought it would be. The action, playability, sound, versatility and finish are excellent. I recommend this guitar without reservation.

  4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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