The Classic Antique Family
In 2007, Gibson produced The Les Paul Antique and the Les Paul Classic Custom, two unique series of the well-known Les Paul Classic. The Les Paul Classic Antique has a flamed maple top, a crown on the headstock, and an aged binding on the body and neck. The Les Paul Classic Antique was produced between 2007 and 2008. In 2007, Gibson produced several limited runs during the Guitar Of The Week event. All the Antique come initially with a Hardshell With a Black Reptile Pattern with a white interior.
Flamed Maple Top
The antiques are tributes to the iconic Les Paul Standard produced before it. The model has a flamed maple top and is available in three finishes: Honeyburst, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, and Vintage Sunburst. The top can vary from a calm, subtle dancing top to a stripped, apparent flame one.
The model is not advertised as weight-relieved, but it is expected to be under 8 lbs, which is low for a Les Paul. It is associated with high-quality wood that was used at this time. The lightweight keeps a great sound and sustain, as expected from a Les Paul.
Slim taper Neck
The Les Paul Classics are well known for their neck—a modern profile replicating the 1960 Les Paul "Burst". It is the slimmer neck from Gibson's production. The first fret is commonly around 0.8 to 0.9 inches, and the 12th fret is close to 1.00 inches but rarely more. The rosewood fingerboard is decorated with vintage bindings and pearloid trapezoid inlays.
Royal Headstock
Unlike regular Classics, the head is enlightened with vintage bindings, continuing the neck decoration.
The Les Paul silk screen is replaced in the middle of the headstock by the holy crown found on SG or ES models.
Aged bindings
The antique refers to an aged guitar that comes from the past. The binding on the body and the neck has a yellow tint to mimic what happens to the binding over time. The light tints the varnish on vintage guitars over the years. The lacquer turns yellow. It is more evident in the biding as it is white or cream. However, the entire guitar is affected by aging. On the Antique, the aging effect is only applied to the binding.
On the right, aged binding on antique on a GOTW#14.
On the bottom is the crowned headstock of a Les Paul Classic Antique.
Aged bindings
The antique refers to an aged guitar that comes from the past. The binding on the body and the neck has a yellow tint to mimic what happens to the binding over time. The light has tinted the lacquer on vintage guitars over the years. The lacquer turns yellow. It is more evident in the biding as it is white or cream. However, the entire guitar is affected by aging. On the Antique, the aging effect is only applied to the binding.
Inventory of the Les Paul Classic Antique
The Les Paul Classic Antique was produced in 2007 and 2008. It only exists in one regular edition and six limited editions, part of the Guitar of the Week series.
Inventory of the Les Paul Classic Antique (click to expand)
| photo | model | starting | ending | link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Les Paul Classic Antique | 2007 | 2008 | Specs reverb |
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Week 02 - Les Paul Classic Antique - fireburst | 2007 | 2007 | Specs reverb |
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Week 05 - Les Paul Classic Antique Artist Series | 2007 | 2007 | Specs reverb |
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Week 14 - Les Paul Classic Antique - H90 | 2007 | 2007 | Specs reverb |
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Week 19 - Les Paul Classic Antique - Zebra | 2007 | 2007 | Specs reverb |
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Week 27 - Les Paul Classic Antique - Faded Cherry | 2007 | 2007 | Specs reverb |
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Week 33 - Les Paul Classic Antique - Mahogany Top | 2007 | 2007 | Specs reverb |
Details on the different models
The Regular Edition
The regular edition of the Les Paul Classic Antique is a vintage-inspired guitar. It comes with an AA maple top, a mahogany body, and a mahogany neck with a gloss finish. It is loaded with two '57 Classic humbuckers.
It comes in three different finishes: Honey burst, Heritage Cherry Sunburst , and Vintage Sunburst.
Specifications (click to expand)
- Top Species: AA Figured Maple
- Back Species: Mahogany
- Binding: Antique Top Binding
- Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Finishes: Honey burst, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Vintage Sunburst
- Species: Mahogany
- Profile: 1960s Slim Taper
- Head Inlay: Antique Binding, Holly Crown
- Head Binding: Single bound
- Species: Rosewood
- Binding: Antique
- Inlays: Pearloid Trapezoid
- Plating Finish: Nickel
- Tailpiece: Stopbar
- Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
- Knobs: Amber Top Hat
- Tuners: Green Key
- Neck Pickup: '57 Classic Plus, Uncovered With Nickel Polepieces
- Bridge Pickup: '57 Classic Plus, Uncovered With Nickel Polepieces
- Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Switch
reference: Gibson.com
Limited editions
Guitar Of The Week 02 - Les Paul Classic Antique - fireburst
The Week 2 - Les Paul Classic Antique, released on January 29th, 2007, is a Les Paul Classic Antique, including a figured maple top and a pair of Gibson's '57 Classic humbuckers—with an exceptional Fireburst finish. The finish is also called "lava burst" and featured on the CG Supreme of 2000 - 2007.
source: Audiofanzine
Guitar Of The Week 05 - Les Paul Classic Antique Artist Series
It is another Les Paul Classic Antique. This Guitar has a unique finish, made and signed by Tom Morgan. The finishing is sometimes called Tom Morgan Lava. The back is painted black.
source: fusionmusic
Guitar Of The Week 14 - Les Paul Classic Antique - H90
The Gibson Les Paul Classic Antique Guitar Of The Week #14, a part of the unique Guitar Of The Week event, is rare, with only 400 produced. This one-shot event, organized by Gibson in 2007, introduced a new and unique model every week alongside their regular production. We can compare the Guitar Of The Week to the current Mod Collection. On April 24th, in the 14th week, this Classic Antique was added to the list, the fourth Antique, following the regular, week#02, week#05. Three more models joined the family in weeks #19, #27, and #33, all in the same year, making it a limited and exclusive addition to any collection.
The Gibson Les Paul Classic Antique Guitar Of The Week #14 stands out among the several Les Paul Classics in Gibson's regular production. It inherits the iconic Les Paul Classic 1960s' and the Les Les Paul Classic Custom, but what truly sets it apart is its unique and exciting features, making it a must-have addition to any collection.
Unique Specifications (click to expand)
- Finishes: Ice Tea Burst
- Plating Finish: Gold
- Neck Pickup: H-90
- Bridge Pickup: H-90
- Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way switch - with push/pull pots
reference: Gibson.com
Guitar Of The Week 19 - Les Paul Classic Antique - Zebra
The week 19 offers a unique Zebrawood top without binding. This unique wood is known for its striking appearance and gives the guitar a rough and wild look. Mind that the tops have different waves and lines and can differ significantly from one guitar to another. It can be hard to evaluate the quality of the wood from a picture. The finish is a natural satin.
The guitar is packed with two Burstbucker Pro humbuckers in neck and bridge positions.
source: Lovies Guitars
Unique Specifications (click to expand)
- Top Species: Zebrawood
- Binding: None
- Finishes: Natural Satin
- Neck Pickup: Burstbucker Pro humbuckers
- Bridge Pickup: Burstbucker Pro humbuckers
reference: Gibson.com
Guitar Of The Week 27 - Les Paul Classic Antique - Faded Cherry
The Week 27's Les Paul Classic Antique continues Gibson's Classic line with vintage touches. The mahogany top is finished in Faded Cherry. The pickups are '57 Classic PAF humbuckers.
the Guitar Of The Week #27.
Unique Specifications (click to expand)
- Top Species: Mahogany
- Finishes: Faded Cherry
reference: Gibson.com
Guitar Of The Week #33, Les Paul Classic Antique - Mahogany Top
It is easy to confuse the regular edition of the Antique with The Guitar of The Week #33. They are both in a vintage sunburst with chrome hardware. However, the distinct details make week #33 different from its sister.
The headstock of the limited edition has a pre-war Gibson logo. The crown and the binding are not present on the headstock. The regular Les Paul Model silk screen replaces the crown.
The finish is also something to pay attention to. The limited edition has a smooth satin finish instead of a gloss finish. Finally, the vintage sunburst is darker in this model.
source: Trogly's Guitar Show
Unique Specifications (click to expand)
On top of the specification of the regular model, the week #33 has the following unique features:
- Top Species: Mahogany
- Body Finish: Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Finishes: Satin Vintage Sunburst
- Head Inlay: Americana "Gibson" Script
- Head Binding: None
reference: Gibson.com