50s neck, maple cap and P90s?

[hodoomanblues]

Hey folks, I'm no expert and am looking for a P90 LP. I have a LP Special P90 but am interested in essentially 50's standard style appointments with P90s (NO GOLDTOPS!). For some reason, I can't stand goldtops even when watching the master dickey betts lol. I like a thicker neck and the contoured top. If I could buy a new 50's standard style LP in either all black or tobacco burst with P90s I'd be all over it. I really have no knowledge of standard vs classic vs custom etc. but know that I want a thick neck. I'd love to have it in black but beggars can't be choosers. Does this exist? I don't want to spring for a custom shop that's out of my budget. Thank you for any input!

 

[CB91710]

Only thing in production right now with the carved top are Goldtops, or the '54 black Custom (though the Custom is not listed right now)
There is the '57 Special singlecut, but that doesn't have the maple cap.

 

[barryf]

Not sure if a used model would fit your desires, but the Studio Gem series from the mid-90s have a nice 50's neck, P90s and carved top. They are pretty rare but do come up on Reverb once and a while.

 

[Rob the Photog]

I think your best bet in order to get all the specs you're after is to buy used. On Gibson's legacy web site, they list the 2018 Les Paul Classic Player Plus and the Les Paul 50's Tribute, and both appear to have been offered in tobbaco sunburst. However, that 2018 Classic Player Plus had a Richlite fretboard, which some people don't like. I think the Tribute line ran from around 2011 through the ownership change in 2019 (the current Tribute line sports maple necks - not a bad thing, just not what most people consider to be the "traditional" Les Paul recipe). I also know for a fact that the 2016 Les Paul 50's Tribute had humbuckers, not P90s (I had one in ebony, and it did have a nice thick neck), so specs changed from year to year. Oh, and Tributes don't have binding, and they have satin finishes. There's also a Les Paul BFG with 2 P90s, if you're into that look. Those are the only carved-top Les Pauls with P90s and thick or "rounded" necks that I know of for sure.

Of course, buying used also means buyer beware... You have to research so you really know what you're looking at, and also what to look out for - hidden repairs or modifications being the most concerning thing, generally speaking. For what it's worth, out of the 5 electrics I currently own, only 1 was a brand new guitar when I purchased it, and it had a couple of finish flaws from the factory, so brand new doesn't necessarily mean flawless.

If you'd rather buy new, then you might consider the Les Paul 70's Deluxe. Cherry sunburst, not tobacco, but those mini-humbuckers could very easily be swapped for P90s.

 

[Gibsonrocknroll]

Gibson Les Paul Classic 2018 | Reverb

P90 pickups Plain maple top with mahogany body and neck ABR bridge

reverb.com

2018 Gibson Les Paul Classic P-90 Electric Guitar Pelham Blue, Near Mint w/ Case & Lollar Pickups | Reverb

Up for sale, a 2018 Gibson Les Paul Classic P-90 in near mint condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and upgraded with a pair of boutique Lollar P-90 pickups. An uncommon iteration of the Classic platform, this Les Paul evokes a mid-50s tonal profile, de...

reverb.com

 

[truckermde]

Can't stand GoldTops?

 

[Rob the Photog]

Gibson Les Paul Classic 2018 | Reverb

P90 pickups Plain maple top with mahogany body and neck ABR bridge

reverb.com

2018 Gibson Les Paul Classic P-90 Electric Guitar Pelham Blue, Near Mint w/ Case & Lollar Pickups | Reverb

Up for sale, a 2018 Gibson Les Paul Classic P-90 in near mint condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and upgraded with a pair of boutique Lollar P-90 pickups. An uncommon iteration of the Classic platform, this Les Paul evokes a mid-50s tonal profile, de...

reverb.com

LP Classics have slim taper necks, but the OP wants a larger 50's neck. Which I totally get, I had a 1995 Classic and it wasn't until many years later that I finally figured out that the thin neck was causing my hand to cramp. Life has been good ever since I traded that Classic for a 2016 Traditional with a comfortably chunky neck.

 

[hodoomanblues]

Thank you all so far. Lots of great input!

 

[jstarr]

I think there was an all black P90 Traditional one year. Maybe a Trad Pro.

 

[LtDave32]

Hey folks, I'm no expert and am looking for a P90 LP. I have a LP Special P90 but am interested in essentially 50's standard style appointments with P90s (NO GOLDTOPS!). For some reason, I can't stand goldtops even when watching the master dickey betts lol. I like a thicker neck and the contoured top. If I could buy a new 50's standard style LP in either all black or tobacco burst with P90s I'd be all over it. I really have no knowledge of standard vs classic vs custom etc. but know that I want a thick neck. I'd love to have it in black but beggars can't be choosers. Does this exist? I don't want to spring for a custom shop that's out of my budget. Thank you for any input!

That's a great combo.

Do-able.