Slash Les Paul

[juanpuol]

Zakk Wylde, before he left them anyway. Difference is most of Slash's models are replicating his older guitars, while all of Zakk's models were new things he wanted to try. Would have been cool to see more Zakk sigs based on his classic guitars (such as the Mirror Bullseye, the Norlin Red Bullseye and the Rebel).

The reason, I think, is obvious when you look at the rest of Gibson's stable. How many of Gibson's artists had their heyday in the 60s or 70s? And how many of them had their (gigantic smash hit) debut album come out in the late 80s? To put it bluntly, Slash is one of Gibson's very few rock solid connections to a younger demographic. Most of Gibson's most famous artists played to Boomer audiences. Thanks to being sandwiched between the supserstrat shredders and the offset outcats, he is the biggest Gen X hero Gibson has.

And what generation is reaching their professional and financial peak, the people best able to splash cash on brand new Gibsons? Generation X. Is it a coincidence that the avalanche of Slash models started in 2008 (with THREE signature guitars in one year), when the oldest Gen Xers were in their early forties? I highly doubt it.

He also happens to be a massive celebrity who has transcended mere "rock and roll" and become a pop cultural icon.

Slash is a myth, a fictional character that brings presents in Christmas. It is well explained in South Park.

 

[Pappy35]

I like the Slash guitars as guitars. What I don't like is that it's branded with that Slash symbol of the back of the headstock (obviously, that's understandable given it's his signature guitar). While is a great player, he's not one of my guitar gods so I don;t feel the need to be associated with him every time I pick the thing up. That and I think he's got enough money, he doesn't need any of mine.

 

[lespaultobi]

Next year i hope for a maybe like his 87 std faded cherryburst and a goldtop that would be cool

 

[OldBenKenobi]

There's a lot of talk about Slash saving the Les Paul, but what about the neck pickup? Starting with Eddie, the vogue thing was a single humbucker in the bridge (which really was just a continuation of the Les Paul Junior mentality). Then Slash comes along in the midst of all that and all of his most memorable leads are on the neck pickup. Their biggest hit has the bulk of the song on the neck pickup. Never really though about it before.

What I love about Guns is they perfectly blended the preceding 25 years of rock evolution. Between Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven individually embodied Queen, Aerosmith, The Stones, The Clash and KISS, creating an almost idealized sound of hard rock that borrowed the best bits from everything.

 

[MuLLe]

I have played my Anaconda burst now for a while and I’m impressed. It has a great sound and it’s so comfortable to play. I can feel every tone thru the guitar, it vibrates
I’ve had a numerous of CustomShops, some of them are posted here on the forum. This one really feels like a Custom Shop, there is a certain feel on them. But maybe I’m just lucky to get an example like that. All guitars are different. I have changed and have made some cosmetic changes as cream details on the guitar, looks awesome. What I like more than compared to the Standards none signature to speak is the dark back side of the Vermillion, tobacco and Anaconda burst. The standards bright almost orange brown diaper colour doesn’t suit me . Looks like a cheap floor hehe. But hey, maybe that’s just me . In the end it’s just details. But the sound in this one is amazing, Slash or no Slash guitar, I’m lucky to get a really good sounding guitar.

 

[Farmer Ed]

Well, I'm new to Les Pauls and just bought a new slash "anaconda" . I'm no slash fan, and had to go listen to some G&R to hear what he does. He can certainly play, but there seem to be much more flavorful LP players out there like Warren Haynes or JB. So it shipped today. I was tired of shopping and seeing all the look alike bursts, and the crazy high prices people wanted for them used. I'd hoped to save $500 if giving up my 2 year warranty and that new case smell. But no, people were not going to sell me one in mint shape for 2100. At the end of the day BRAND NEW cost me less than reverbs used ones. And the premium over a equally discounted standard was about $200 not $500. I sure hope I like this guitar, maybe some of you who own them can provide an opinion. Nobody in Austin TX even had one to play and the shops claim they sell quickly when they arrive, so I took a chance.

 

[Peter M]

I like Slash, met him, great guy and I respect him as a highly successful guitar player. That being said, getting my Vermillion Burst Std. had more to do with it being a great all-around Les Paul with an interesting new flame top color, than being a Slash model. I'm not an artist series chaser at all, this was my very first one of those. I love the guitar.

 

[rjwilson37]

That's a beauty, I can see why you love that guitar besides how it feels/plays/sounds.

 

[mjross]

Slash is a "Has-been", a poser since he has no "style" of his own and it says volumes about Gibson that they would think this clown from the "Hair Band" days is something to tout as a Signature series.

Where are all the really "greats" like Carlos Santana's, the Jeff Beck's, Eric Clapton's, Pete Townsend's, Steve Cropper's, Don Felder's, Eddie Van Halen, or Joe Walsh, or Nancy Wilson endorsing Gibsons?? ...... because they know what Gibson is now, ain't what Gibson was in the 60's, 70's, 80's or 90's. Gibson is what "Slash" (Saul Hudson) is .... a Has-Been.

Gibson a “has been”, yeah right!

 

[Farmer Ed]

Wow. I guess I'll need to play some older les pauls to see how they compare to my new one arriving next week. Doubt very much ill be disappointed. But im honest in my assessments, and have owned vintage electrics, and a guitar Santana gave to one of his friends as a gift. If Gibson has faltered, rest assured it can recover.

 

[Nintari]

I would pay the up-charge for the choice of interesting tops. I have seen enough standard bursts and gold tops to last ten lifetimes. I want something different.

The open pickups are nice as well.

 

[Farmer Ed]

Well I sent my interesting, but unplayable Slash anaconda back to sweetwater. It had the worst finish between the face and neck that I'd ever seen on a guitar. Not what I expected from Gibson. Sweetwater apologized for Gibsons QC, but not their own 55 point checklist fail surprisingly. One string could not be brought into correct intonation- by a half step. I tried everything, but a different string since I had none. The string did not even fit into the groove on the nut and just sat on top. This was my first experience with SW's 55 point checklist, and what could go wrong if they actually did it? Not so much. I was so massively disappointed when it arrived. So, I bought a 4 month old tobacco Std 50's for $1800 a week later. I saved a grand even though she's not the green I wanted, but boy does she sound great and play well, and she actually was purchased originally from SW too. I did not need the Slash cartoons anyway and even the Slash model pickup fitment looked like Chinese child labor. Rough edges everywhere. Just not a great experience this time, and don't get me wrong, I like SW otherwise, having bought 4 amps and all the wire for my studio from them. I was a chief quality officer managing a $4 billion division 10 years ago, and never in my wildest dreams would I have not addressed the customers questions about a failure in my own company's quality process. Too bad, but I will be a lot more directive about the work on their side before they ship one next time.

 

[MP4-22]

Well I sent my interesting, but unplayable Slash anaconda back to sweetwater. It had the worst finish between the face and neck that I'd ever seen on a guitar. Not what I expected from Gibson. Sweetwater apologized for Gibsons QC, but not their own 55 point checklist fail surprisingly. One string could not be brought into correct intonation- by a half step. I tried everything, but a different string since I had none. The string did not even fit into the groove on the nut and just sat on top. This was my first experience with SW's 55 point checklist, and what could go wrong if they actually did it? Not so much. I was so massively disappointed when it arrived. So, I bought a 4 month old tobacco Std 50's for $1800 a week later. I saved a grand even though she's not the green I wanted, but boy does she sound great and play well, and she actually was purchased originally from SW too. I did not need the Slash cartoons anyway and even the Slash model pickup fitment looked like Chinese child labor. Rough edges everywhere. Just not a great experience this time, and don't get me wrong, I like SW otherwise, having bought 4 amps and all the wire for my studio from them. I was a chief quality officer managing a $4 billion division 10 years ago, and never in my wildest dreams would I have not addressed the customers questions about a failure in my own company's quality process. Too bad, but I will be a lot more directive about the work on their side before they ship one next time.

Sweetwater inventory sucks, Go to wildwood they have the good stuff.

 

[jbash]

Sweetwater inventory sucks.

I agree. I'm a huge Sweetwater fan, but their Gibson inventory is marginal at best it seems. I've never had any luck there with Gibson (though not the CS/Historic pieces- talking Gibson USA and the old Memphis line )

I've bought several Les Pauls, ES', Explorers, Vs and SGs from AMS/ZZounds and their inventory is always higher quality- aesthetically and build. I only had one stinker back around 2009- A faded SG where Gibson had drilled the bridge off center. Replacement was perfect with a giant baseball bat neck. KIller guitar.

 

[MP4-22]

I like Slash, met him, great guy and I respect him as a highly successful guitar player. That being said, getting my Vermillion Burst Std. had more to do with it being a great all-around Les Paul with an interesting new flame top color, than being a Slash model. I'm not an artist series chaser at all, this was my very first one of those... but I am amused by the "Skully" logo on the back and actually am keeping the Slash TRC on, again, because I like him. But I love the guitar.

Slash is an artist, He drew that skull and bones thing. I think it's cool too and nicely done on the back.


Here is my Appetite Burst. It's flawless and nicest Gibson i ever played, no joke.... It has a flamed neck which looks really cool.

 

[Phillycheez402]

I just ordered a November burst one. Been working a SHIT ton of hours and wanted to treat myself. I've played them, love them, and will now be done acquiring guitars for awhile.

Might be here Friday, pics to come of course

 

[jbash]

Not a Slash disciple here either. I'm not chasing Slash tone. He seems like a humble guy, lives to play, works his butt off, and whether people like him or not, he's probably the last true Guitar Hero. He's influenced an entire generation as much as EVH or Hendrix did. And he helped to bring Les Pauls back from the dead against a sea of floyded shred sticks. Thank God. I was so sick of the late 1980s "Hair Metal" and resulting wankery. So I respect him for all that .

I bought the guitar for the features

Color combo (Amber/Caramel type top, cherry back) I've always loved but never could get in a 50s Standard or Traditional. I love the November Burst as well.
Consistently nice AAA Tops. They remind me of old USA Hamers.
Pickups are fantastic (though I figured I would not care for them at first)
R9ish neck
Sub 9Lbers are pretty common, more so than Original series
Schallers installed at the factory

Take your pick- Covers, No Covers

No covers and double black

 

[Phillycheez402]

Gorgeous. I can't wait.

Seriously considering adding the pick guard

 

[jbash]

Gorgeous. I can't wait.

Seriously considering adding the pick guard

Pickguard on old guy here. Anytime I take one off, it's only a matter of days, (sometimes hours) before it goes back on. On this one, I made sure it was a keeper - played it a couple weeks before I took the drill to it and gave it the personal touch with the pickguard (and some vintage repro amber tophats)

 

[MP4-22]

I just ordered a November burst one. Been working a SHIT ton of hours and wanted to treat myself. I've played them, love them, and will now be done acquiring guitars for awhile.

Might be here Friday, pics to come of course

November burst is sweet !! Awesome