The Bench

Illustration comparing four Gibson Les Paul weight relief routing patterns: solid, 9-hole, chambered and modern

Does Weight Relief Ruin a Gibson Les Paul's Tone?

Weight relief on a Gibson Les Paul comes in four flavors - solid, 9-hole, chambered and modern - but only full chambering reliably changes the tone. An honest, from-the-bench guide...

Does Weight Relief Ruin a Gibson Les Paul's Tone?

Weight relief on a Gibson Les Paul comes in four flavors - solid, 9-hole, chambered and modern - but only full chambering reliably changes the tone. An honest, from-the-bench guide...

2019 Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s in Heritage Cherry Sunburst showing flame maple top

Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s vs '60s: What's t...

The '50s and '60s Les Paul Standards share a lot of DNA, but the neck profile and pickups are genuinely different. Here's what I've found after handling both repeatedly —...

Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s vs '60s: What's t...

The '50s and '60s Les Paul Standards share a lot of DNA, but the neck profile and pickups are genuinely different. Here's what I've found after handling both repeatedly —...

PRS S2 McCarty 594 Thinline in Vintage Cherry — Aeonic Frets inventory

PRS S2 vs PRS SE: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

An honest breakdown of every real difference between PRS S2 and SE guitars — where they're made, finish, neck profile, pickups, and hardware — with a plain-spoken take on when...

PRS S2 vs PRS SE: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

An honest breakdown of every real difference between PRS S2 and SE guitars — where they're made, finish, neck profile, pickups, and hardware — with a plain-spoken take on when...

Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro Exclusive in Ebony showing plain maple top and push-pull volume controls

Gibson Les Paul Traditional vs. Traditional Pro...

The Traditional Pro Exclusive looks nearly identical to a Les Paul Traditional on the rack. Same era, similar price. But there are real spec differences — different pickups, coil tap,...

Gibson Les Paul Traditional vs. Traditional Pro...

The Traditional Pro Exclusive looks nearly identical to a Les Paul Traditional on the rack. Same era, similar price. But there are real spec differences — different pickups, coil tap,...

2011 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Heritage Cherry Sunburst — classic Les Paul with 9-hole Traditional Weight Relief

Gibson Les Paul Traditional vs Standard: What t...

The Traditional and Standard Les Paul lines handled weight relief very differently depending on the year. We decode the differences — from the Standard's controversial chambered era to the Traditional's...

Gibson Les Paul Traditional vs Standard: What t...

The Traditional and Standard Les Paul lines handled weight relief very differently depending on the year. We decode the differences — from the Standard's controversial chambered era to the Traditional's...

Gibson Les Paul Studio Session in Translucent Ebony Burst

Gibson Les Paul Studio vs. Standard: Is the Stu...

The Studio gives up a fancier top and some cosmetics — but not much else. Here's an honest look at what you actually get and give up buying used.

Gibson Les Paul Studio vs. Standard: Is the Stu...

The Studio gives up a fancier top and some cosmetics — but not much else. Here's an honest look at what you actually get and give up buying used.