First things first, huge shoutout to Thomann's independent QC service. If you're on the fence about whether it’s worth the few extra quid: it absolutely is. When you're dropping serious money on a piece like this, peace of mind is priceless. Thomann’s team did an impeccable job. I received a guitar that is as close to flawless as it gets. Not a single mark, ding, or inconsistency. Setup was dialed in, intonation on point, action butter-smooth out of the case. The guitar arrived ready to rock.
Now, to the main event. Man. I’ve opened a lot of cases, but this one? This was something else. It hits you immediately, that gorgeous flamed maple top. The way it shifts under the light, it almost feels like it’s breathing. I spent ten minutes just staring at it, absolutely hypnotized. You don’t look at this guitar, you experience it.
The neck profile is, in a word, perfect. There’s something about the way Gibson found the sweet spot between 50s and 60s. Chunky enough to feel solid, but sculpted in such a way that your hand just knows where to go. The fretwork is pristine. Action is perfect. You don’t fight this guitar at all, you dance with it, and it dances with you right back.
And oh man… the sound. Plug this thing in and it wails. There’s fire in its soul. It’s got bite, it’s got growl, but it also has this wide open, soulful character that responds to every nuance of your playing. Dig in and it screams with raw attitude; roll back the volume and it cleans up with warmth and clarity that’s almost vocal. It sends chills down your spine. You bend a note, and it cries. You strike a chord, and it commands. Sorry, I realize I'm going on and on about it, but for real, if you never played one of these, you're missing out.
I think it's miles ahead of the regular Standard, but this is just my personal opinion.
If you’re ready to hear what your soul sounds like when plugged in, this might just be your guitar.
