GIBSON FADED SERIES| REVIEW
Some two decades since they first appeared, Gibson’s Faded series instruments are back in what-you-see-is-what-you-get style: no options and not a lot of finish, either. What’s going on?
GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD 50S FADED, LES PAUL STANDARD 60S FADED & SG STANDARD ’61 FADED MAESTRO VIBROLA £2,169, £2,169 & £1,899
CONTACT Gibson WEB www.gibson.com
Since coming under new ownership in late 2019, the good ship Gibson is now very much back on track making some of the best guitars we’ve seen for many a year. With a focus on quality and consistency, the uptake on the new-spec models from the standard Gibson USA lines – not to mention the ‘pandemic effect’ – has meant new models have been scarce. Until now, with the release of three new Faded electrics you see here, and three acoustics that we’ll feature in our next issue.
“The original run of Les Paul Standard Faded models began shipping in 2005 and shipped into 2009,” clarifies Lee Bartram, Gibson EU’s head of marketing and cultural influence. “There have been some similar limited runs since. Over the years the Faded models have built up an amazing reputation, so we are bringing the Faded line-up back: the fan favourite is back.”
Part of the appeal of the original Faded concept was the more simple satin ‘worn’ finishes – afaster manufacturing process – that allowed a lower price. But these new models seem to have a slightly different aim. “When the original Faded series debuted in 2005, the idea was to create a very vintage vibe without a glossy finish while streamlining some of the specs,” continues Lee. “Players and collectors took to them because of the vintage look and because they provided the perfect platform for modification and historic parts upgrades. The finish of those original-run instruments was intended to have a worn look, but this time we did not want to break the lacquer – just provide the vintage vibe.”
Concept and finish aside, the specification of these three new models is very similar to the gloss-finish models we’ve been seeing since late 2019.
Les Paul Standard 50s & 60s Faded
Along with minor details such as the absence of pickup covers and pickguards on these Les Pauls (which will be included as case candy), the major difference is the au naturel satin nitro finish, and there’s just the single colour for each that you see here. Our 50s Les Paul Standard is spec’d with a Honey Burst finish, although there’s precious little colour to the stained top. Our 60s Vintage Cherry Sunburst has some deeper red colour but looks positively anaemic next to our much more richly hued 2019 Les Paul Classic reference in its Heritage Cherry Sunburst. Both have AA-grade flamed tops with bold striped figure and a few ‘dirty’ flecks:
