I'll admit it - I'm a sucker for a flame maple top and when looking for a Les Paul this time, I was tempted to buy a used Custom Shop R9 (and there are some great ones out there going for hundreds and thousands more - and those are 10 or 15 years old). The Slash models appealed to me because they're brand new Gibson Standards with beautifully figured tops and the pickguard is not installed from the factory. Why have a sexy top and hide half of it under a plastic pickguard? zZounds had a really nice selection photos of each one and they are all different! Some have a sharp cutoff between the burst and the dark border. Some have more red in the November burst. I picked one with fairly symmetrical flame and without the dark black band near the binding - you can see the flame all the way out to the edges. The guitar arrived from zZounds in a day and a half and was in perfect condition. Not a fingerprint on it and the factory setup was as close to perfect as I've ever experienced. Seriously. Set up is a personal choice (I like mine low), but I played the guitar all afternoon and never really thought the action was too high. The frets were perfect! Good job Gibson (and Herr Plek)!Now I'm not a huge Slash fan, but this guitar is really nice. I think it's worth the premium over the Standard to get a gorgeous top and no pickguard installed. Tonewise (what really matters, LOL), the pickups are sweet and remarkably responsive to the controls. I can't think of another guitar I've owned that… read more I could transition from jazz to country to rock without going to the amp or pedals. I wouldn't change a thing. I am very happy with this purchase! Oh, and it smells SO sweet. God bless nitrocellulose!

Musical Background:
Playing 50 years

Musical Style:
Blues, Classic Rock mostly and a little jazz and country. read less