Collection: Gibson Les Paul Guitars

Few instruments in music history carry the weight and legacy of the Gibson Les Paul. Introduced in 1952, the Les Paul quickly became synonymous with thick sustain, rich humbucker tone, and the unmistakable feel of a carved maple top paired with a mahogany body.

From the earliest Goldtops of the 1950s to the legendary sunburst Standards of 1958–1960—and today’s painstaking Custom Shop Historic recreations—the Les Paul has defined the sound of rock, blues, and countless classic recordings.

The Les Paul’s voice has shaped generations of music thanks to players like Jimmy Page, Slash, Duane Allman, and Gary Moore. Their tones helped establish the Les Paul as the definitive rock guitar.

Chicago Music Exchange is proud to be one of the premier Gibson Les Paul dealers in the United States, offering an extensive range of instruments across every tier of the lineup. Our inventory regularly includes:

• Epiphone Les Paul models for beginner and intermediate players
• Gibson USA Les Paul Studios, Classics, Standards, and Moderns
• Les Paul Juniors and Specials with P90 pickups
• Signature artist models including Slash Les Paul Standards
• Gibson Custom Shop Historic Reissues including R7, R8, R9, and R0 models
• Murphy Lab-aged Les Pauls and limited Custom Shop runs

Whether you're shopping for your first Epiphone, upgrading to a USA-built Les Paul Standard, or searching for a flame-top ’59 Reissue, Chicago Music Exchange offers one of the most comprehensive Les Paul selections anywhere—each guitar professionally set up and ready to ship worldwide.

FAQ – Gibson Les Paul Guitars

Q: Is a Les Paul good for beginners?
A: Absolutely. While the weight can be a factor, the shorter 24.75" scale length makes strings easier to fret and bend compared to other electrics. Epiphone Les Paul models offer incredible value for those just starting, while Gibson Tribute and Studio models provide an accessible, no-frills entry point into the world of American-made tonewoods and craftsmanship.

Q: What’s the difference between Epiphone and Gibson Les Paul guitars?
A: The primary difference lies in the origin and materials. Epiphone models are high-quality imports designed to make classic designs accessible. Gibson Les Pauls are handcrafted in the USA using premium tonewoods, a traditional nitrocellulose lacquer finish that allows the wood to breathe, and high-end electronics that offer a more nuanced, harmonically rich response.

Q: What’s the most popular Gibson Les Paul model?
A: The Les Paul Standard ’50s and ’60s are the perennial favorites, representing the return to the "golden era" specifications players love. For those seeking the absolute pinnacle of accuracy, the Custom Shop ’59 Reissue (R9) is the industry benchmark, prized for its figured maple top, historically correct construction, and legendary "PAF" style pickups.

Q: What’s the difference between a ’50s and ’60s Les Paul neck profile?
A: It’s all about the "heft." A ’50s profile is often described as a "baseball bat" neck—it is rounder, thicker, and fills the hand, which many players find reduces fatigue during long sessions. The ’60s profile is a SlimTaper design; it is thinner from front to back, allowing for faster lead playing and easier reach for players with smaller hands.

Q: What is a Gibson R9 Les Paul?
A: "R9" is shorthand for the 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue from the Gibson Custom Shop. Because the original 1959 models are among the rarest and most expensive vintage guitars in existence, the R9 serves as a meticulous recreation. It features the most desirable neck carve, flame maple tops, and period-correct "hide glue" construction preferred by serious collectors.

Q: Does Chicago Music Exchange carry Gibson Custom Shop Les Pauls?
A: Yes, we are one of the world's premier destinations for the Gibson Custom Shop. Our inventory spans the entire Historic range—including R7 Goldtops, R8 Standards, and the iconic Les Paul Custom. We also specialize in CME Exclusive runs where we hand-select the maple tops and specify custom colors and pickup voicings for a truly unique instrument.

Q: What is the "Weight Relief" found in some Les Pauls?
A: Because solid mahogany can be quite heavy, Gibson employs different weight relief techniques. Models like the Les Paul Modern feature "Ultra-Modern" weight relief—chambers inside the body that lighten the guitar without sacrificing the legendary sustain. Traditionalists often prefer the "Non-Weight Relieved" bodies found on the Standard ’50s or Custom Shop models for their solid, dense resonance.

Q: What is the difference between a Les Paul Standard and a Les Paul Custom?
A: Often called the "Tuxedo" Les Paul, the Custom features upscale aesthetics like multi-ply binding, an ebony fingerboard, and a "split-diamond" headstock inlay. While the Standard is the quintessential rock-and-roll machine with its trapezoid inlays and maple top, the Custom offers a slightly snappier attack due to the ebony board and a more formal, sophisticated look.

Q: What are Murphy Lab Les Pauls?
A: These are Custom Shop guitars that have undergone a proprietary aging process led by master artisan Tom Murphy. The Murphy Lab uses specialized lacquer and techniques to simulate decades of wear, from subtle "Ultra Light" checking to "Ultra Heavy" aging that looks like it has been on world tours since 1959. They feel and respond like broken-in vintage instruments.

Q: What makes a "CME Spec" Les Paul different?
A: Our CME Spec guitars are the result of our team visiting the Gibson factory to hand-select the specific maple slabs used for the tops. We often request "Under-Wound" Custombucker pickups for extra clarity and specify unique "Custom Color" finishes. These exclusives give players the chance to own a Custom Shop or USA model with a personality and aesthetic found nowhere else.