2002 Standard archeology

[The Professor]

I am trying to find out some more about this Gibson LP Standard I recently bought used. Unfortunately, no documentation followed with the guitar and it has had a few owners. I like it and would like to know what I have.

According to Gibson, the serial number identifies the guitar as a 2002 Les Paul Standard in Lightburst finish, 50's neck, AA top, and Burstbucker Pro pickups, made on the 162nd day of 2002 in Nashville.

Looking at the bridge pickup cavity it reads LPS+. The guitar weighs 9.1 lbs and gentle tapping reveals no weight relief or chambers (that I can tell).

Can someone help out with these nubie questions? Is this a Standard or a Standard Plus? Is this likely to be chambered or weight relieved? Are these Burstbucker Pros? I did not include a picture, but the tune-o-matic has no flat screw slot on the (thin) posts. Which model is this? I am going to have to change the bridge saddles to try to get the strings to align to the pole pieces (string & pole piece spacing).

These are probably obvious to the experienced readers, but this is my first Standard.

Thanks!

[R9.]

By documentation, do you mean a certificate of authenticity?
There is no COA with Gibson USA Les Pauls.
Just a check list with the guitar's serial and model number, showing the guitar met Gibson's quality requirements.

I believe the + stands for plus top. What else would it stand for?
It's weight-relieved, meaning it has 9 holes drilled out of the body. Look here.
Yes, BurstBucker Pros.

[kluson]

standard plus, nice score well done complete guitar pics would be nice

[The Professor]

Didn't want to over do it. Here are 2 more (in the original post).

[lowe]

Over do it? Over do pictures? How can you have TOO many pictures!?

[sonar]

Was Gibson offering + tops on the '02 Standards?

Nice score, an '02 Standard was a guitar that qualified as "one that got away" from me. I was on the fence with the 02 and a R7. Logic said R7, but my ears preferred the 02. The 02 sold, my buddy bought the R7 and it took another 6 years to find a LP I liked.

Thinking about it, the '02 looked a lot like yours...

[AXE]

I'm not sure if thats a + top , but it sure is purdy ...

[Boleskinehouse]

Yes, they had + tops in '02. I have an '03 + top. Same specs, different finish.

[Inside Guy]

just to clear some things up:

The Code in your pickup cavity is LP5+. This lets the folks in the plant know that that a 50's neck needs to go on it. The 50's 60's neck option started in 2002.

The other code "LB", is the finish code for Light Burst. It lets the burst sprayers know what color to paint the top and back, and neck.

Also, all 2002 (and including today) Les Paul Standard bursts have Plus tops.
There is not a Les Paul Standard Plain top burst from 2002 thru today.

Yes, your guitar has the weight-relief holes.

[sonar]

Originally Posted by Inside Guy

just to clear some things up:

The Code in your pickup cavity is LP5+. This lets the folks in the plant know that that a 50's neck needs to go on it. The 50's 60's neck option started in 2002.

The other code "LB", is the finish code for Light Burst. It lets the burst sprayers know what color to paint the top and back, and neck.

Also, all 2002 (and including today) Les Paul Standard bursts have Plus tops.
There is not a Les Paul Standard Plain top burst from 2002 thru today.

Yes, your guitar has the weight-relief holes.

Well done.

[The Professor]

Thanks for the info everyone!

....Damn the holes.

[jkinnison90]

Looks nice though.

[kluson]

Be Happy it's a nice looking guitar, if it didn't have those holes it would be a heavy old beast

happy days, enjoy it

[sonar]

Originally Posted by The Professor

....Damn the holes.

I'm all for the holes, chambering, lighter wood, blah blah...

I used to play with some seriously heavy guitars. My neck and shoulder are still sore - almost five years later.