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Gibson promises "best year ever" with 2016 electric guitar models

By Michael Astley-Brown
published 5 November 2015

All new guitars available in Traditional and High Performance configurations

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Gibson 2016

Gibson 2016

NAMM 2016: Gibson's 2015 changes proved controversial among guitarists, but for 2016, the company is offering two choices for all models across the range: Traditional and High Performance.

Traditional spec means manual tuners, regular neck widths, conventional electronics and TekToid nuts are all back on the agenda – not to mention lower prices.

For a small additional outlay, High Performance models offer a wider neck – though not as wide as 2015 models – plus G-Force robot tuning and Full Access neck joints for improved upper-fret access.

Scroll down for the list of differences between the two options, and click through to have a gander at this year's top models…

Traditional

  • Historic heel
  • TekToid nut
  • Original neck width
  • Vintage tuners
  • Standard toggle switch
  • Standard single-contact-point jack
  • Traditional hard-wired control harness
  • Traditional grade wood selection
  • Acrylic inlays
  • Traditional hard shell case (selected models only)

High Performance

  • Fast Access heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • New soloist's neck width
  • Improved G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Dip switch for over 150 rewiring options
  • Higher grade wood selection
  • Genuine Mother of Pearl inlays
  • Fortified aluminium case (selected models only)
Page 1 of 15
Page 1 of 15
Gibson Les Paul Standard 2016 T
$2,799 (US list) / £2,099 (UK list)

Gibson Les Paul Standard 2016 T

  • AAA carved plain maple top on mahogany body with modern weight relief
  • Mahogany neck
  • Burstbucker Pro humbuckers with coil-splits
  • Neck and body binding
  • Compound-radius rosewood fingerboard
  • Grover locking tuners
  • TekToid nut
  • Original Les Paul case style with enhanced protection
  • Finishes: Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Fire Burst, Honey Burst, Trans Amber, Desert Burst, Trans Black, Tea Burst, Blue Mist, Light Burst, Gold Top, Ebony

Gibson Les Paul Standard 2016 HP

$3,149 (US list) / £2,399 (UK list)

As above, except…

  • AAAA figured maple top
  • Rhythm Pro (neck), Lead Pro (bridge) humbuckers with coil-splits
  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • Fortified aluminum case
Page 2 of 15
Page 2 of 15
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded 2016 T
$799 (US list) / £649 (UK list)

Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded 2016 T

  • Traditional carved maple top over mahogany body with modern weight relief
  • Historic original neck width
  • Burstbucker Pro humbuckers
  • Traditional playing feel
  • TekToid nut
  • Traditional gigbag
  • Finishes: Worn Brown Satin, Worn Cherry, Satin Fireburst, Satin Ebony

Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded 2016 HP

$1,149 (US list) / £899(UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 3 of 15
Page 3 of 15
Gibson Les Paul Studio 2016 T
$1,499 (US list) / £1,199 (UK list)

Gibson Les Paul Studio 2016 T

  • Carved maple top over mahogany body with modern weight relief
  • 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge) humbuckers with coil-splits
  • Original Les Paul neck dimensions
  • TekToid nut
  • Traditional brown hard shell case
  • Finishes: Alpine White, Alpine Gold, Ebony, Ebony Gold, Fireburst, Inverness Green, Pelham Blue, Radiant Red, Silver Pearl, Vintage Sunburst, Wine Red, Wine Red Gold

Gibson Les Paul Studio 2016 HP

$1,849 (US list) / £1,399(UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • Fortified aluminum case
Page 4 of 15
Page 4 of 15
Gibson Les Paul '60s Tribute 2016 T
$899 (US list) / £749 (UK list)

Gibson Les Paul '60s Tribute 2016 T

  • Maple and mahogany body with modern weight relief
  • Slim '60s-style neck profile
  • Thicker one-piece rosewood fingerboard
  • Two vintage-style P-90 pickups
  • TekToid nut
  • Original 1 11/16” nut width
  • Padded gigbag
  • Finishes: Satin Honeyburst w/ Dark Back, Satin Ebony w/ Dark Back, Satin Vintage Sunburst w/ Dark Back

Gibson Les Paul '60s Tribute 2016 HP

$1,249 (US list) / £949(UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 5 of 15
Page 5 of 15
Gibson Les Paul '50s Tribute 2016 T
$899 (US list) / £749 (UK list)

Gibson Les Paul '50s Tribute 2016 T

  • Maple top on mahogany body with modern weight relief
  • Mahogany neck with rounded '50s profile
  • 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge) humbuckers
  • Vintage-style 'green key' tuners
  • TekToid nut
  • Padded gigbag
  • Finishes: Satin Gold Top w/ Dark Back, Satin Honeyburst w/ Dark Back, Satin Ebony, Satin Vintage Sunburst

Gibson Les Paul '50s Tribute 2016 T

$1,249 (US list) / £949(UK list)

  • As above, except…
  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 6 of 15
Page 6 of 15
Gibson Les Paul CM 2016 T
$699 (US list) / £569 (UK list)

Gibson Les Paul CM 2016 T

  • Carved maple top on mahogany body
  • Thicker and-oiled rosewood fingerboard
  • Classic '61 humbucker
  • Traditional 'green key' tuners
  • Padded gigbag
  • Satin nickel wrapover bridge
  • Finish: Satin Ebony

Gibson Les Paul CM 2016 T

$1,049 (US list) / £749(UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Supreme grip speed knobs
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 7 of 15
Page 7 of 15
Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2016 T
$2,299 (US list) / £1,699 (UK list)

Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2016 T

  • AA maple top, solid mahogany back with traditional weight relief
  • Gibson '57 Classic humbuckers: '57 Classic (neck), '57 Classic + (bridge)
  • Original Les Paul neck width
  • TekToid nut
  • Traditional brown Les Paul hard shell case
  • Traditional inlays
  • Finishes: Desert Burst, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Honey Burst, Iced Tea, Light Burst, Wine Red

Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2016 HP

$2,649 (US list) / £1,999(UK list)

As above, except…

  • AAA maple top
  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • Fortified aluminum case
Page 8 of 15
Page 8 of 15
Gibson SG Standard 2016 T
$1,199 (US list) / £999 (UK list)

Gibson SG Standard 2016 T

  • Mahogany body
  • Original SG mahogany neck design with 1 11/16” neck width
  • 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge) humbuckers
  • Period-accurate Black Top Hat knobs
  • TekToid nut
  • Padded gigbag
  • Finishes: Ebony, Heritage Cherry

Gibson SG Standard 2016 HP

$1,549 (US list) / £1,099 (UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 9 of 15
Page 9 of 15
Gibson SG Special 2016 T
$739 (US list) / £599 (UK list)

Gibson SG Special 2016 T

  • Mahogany body
  • Original SG mahogany neck design with 1 11/16” neck width
  • 495R (neck) and 495T (bridge) mini-humbuckers
  • TekToid nut
  • Traditional tuners
  • Padded gigbag
  • Finishes: Satin Cherry, Satin Ebony, Satin Vintage Sunburst

Gibson SG Special 2016 HP

$1,089 (US list) / £799 (UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 10 of 15
Page 10 of 15
Gibson SG Standard P-90 2016 T
$1,199 (US list) / £999 (UK list)

Gibson SG Standard P-90 2016 T

  • Mahogany body
  • Original SG mahogany neck design with 1 11/16” neck width
  • Vintage-style P-90 pickups
  • TekToid nut
  • Padded gigbag
  • Finish: Heritage Cherry

Gibson SG Standard P-90 2016 HP

$1,549 (US list) / £1,099(UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 11 of 15
Page 11 of 15
Gibson SG Faded 2016 T
$739 (US list) / £599 (UK list)

Gibson SG Faded 2016 T

  • Mahogany body
  • Original SG mahogany neck design with 1 11/16” neck width
  • 490R (neck) and 490T (bridge) humbuckers
  • TekToid nut
  • Padded gigbag
  • Worn satin nitrocellulose finish
  • Finishes: Worn Brown, Worn Cherry

Gibson SG Faded 2016 HP

$1,089 (US list) / £799 (UK list)

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 12 of 15
Page 12 of 15
Gibson Firebird V 2016 T
$1,099 (US list) / £849 (UK list)

Gibson Firebird V 2016 T

  • Classic Firebird V design
  • Steinberger Gearless tuning keys
  • Neck-through-body construction
  • Nine-ply mahogany-walnut neck construction
  • Traditional Firebird mini-humbuckers
  • TekToid nut
  • Padded gigbag
  • Finish: Vintage Sunburst

Gibson Firebird V 2016 HP

$1,449 (US list) / £1,049 (UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • SlimTaper nine-ply neck-through-body construction
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance gigbag
Page 13 of 15
Page 13 of 15
Gibson Explorer 2016 T
$1,299 (US list) / £999 (UK list)

Gibson Explorer 2016 T

  • Mahogany body
  • 496R Hot Ceramic (neck) and 500T Super Ceramic (bridge) humbuckers
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece
  • Mini Grover tuners
  • SlimTaper neck profile
  • TekToid nut
  • Padded gigbag
  • Finishes: Ebony, Cherry

Gibson Explorer 2016 HP

$1,649 (US list) / £1,199 (UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • Soloist neck width
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • Fortified aluminum case
Page 14 of 15
Page 14 of 15
Gibson Flying V 2016 T
$1,299 (US list) / £999 (UK list)

Gibson Flying V 2016 T

  • Mahogany body
  • Original 1 11/16" neck width, SlimTaper profile neck
  • Hot 496R (neck) and 500T (bridge) humbuckers
  • Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece
  • TekToid nut
  • Gigbag
  • Finishes: Ebony, Wine Red

Gibson Flying V 2016 HP

$1,649 (US list) / £1,199 (UK list)

As above, except…

  • Fast Access neck heel
  • Adjustable titanium zero fret nut
  • SlimTaper neck profile
  • Next-Generation Gibson G-Force tuners
  • Smooth silent-action toggle switch
  • New gold plated multi-contact jack
  • Mother of pearl inlays
  • High Performance Gibson Hardshell case
Page 15 of 15
Page 15 of 15
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Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
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Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com (opens in new tab), in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe (opens in new tab).

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