Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus 2005 - Honeyburst

This is a 2005 Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus in Honeyburst—one of the higher-grade USA Les Paul Standards from this period, built around an upgraded AAA figured maple top, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fretboard, traditional Tune-O-Matic/stopbar hardware, and a pair of original BurstBucker Pro humbuckers. The Premium Plus designation was really about giving the Standard a noticeably better piece of maple, and this guitar is exactly the kind of example that makes the upgrade worthwhile.

The top is the obvious centerpiece. There is intense flame running nearly edge to edge, with a lot of movement and variation depending on the angle of the light. The Honeyburst finish is especially good on this one because it stays warm and natural through the center while gradually deepening toward the perimeter rather than covering up the figuring. Some sections of the maple have a tighter, almost ribbon-like flame while others open into broader figuring, so the top never looks flat or overly uniform. It has that older Gibson burst look that photographs well but has considerably more depth in person.

The original BurstBucker Pro humbuckers are still installed. These use Alnico V magnets and sit on the more articulate and punchy side of Gibson’s vintage-voiced humbuckers. The neck pickup has plenty of body without getting overly dark, while the bridge has a strong attack and enough output to push an amp without losing definition. Pickup height is dialed in particularly well on this guitar, and the balance between the two positions feels right rather than having one pickup overpower the other.

One thing I really like about this one is the neck. Rather than feeling like an exaggerated baseball-bat ’50s carve or an especially skinny ’60s SlimTaper, this particular neck lands somewhere in between to my hands. It has enough substance to feel substantial but still stays quick and comfortable. Combined with the current setup, it makes for a very easy-playing Les Paul.

The body uses Gibson’s traditional weight-relieved mahogany construction from this era rather than the more extensively chambered construction that appeared on later Standards. It comes in at 9.92 lbs on my scale, so it has the substantial feel you would expect from an older-style Les Paul. The rosewood fretboard, bound neck, trapezoid inlays, nickel hardware and classic four-control layout keep everything firmly in traditional Standard territory.

Playability is excellent. It has a recent setup with genuinely low action, a straight and properly adjusted neck, spot-on intonation and excellent frets. The relationship between the action, neck relief and pickup height is especially good on this one—it feels effortless without feeling overly delicate or buzzy, and bends stay smooth across the board. The strings are new and it is ready to play as it sits.

Cosmetically, this one is in excellent condition for a 2005 guitar. There are some light finish scratches and small handling marks here and there, along with one small ding on the treble-side/front edge that is worth pointing out, but there is nothing that takes away from how clean the guitar presents overall. The back and neck are both especially clean, and the figured top remains the first thing your eye goes to.

It includes the original Gibson hardshell case and the complete pictured case candy. A particularly cool piece is the silver Gibson inspection/warranty sheet from this period, along with the original owner’s materials and the uninstalled cream pickguard.

What stood out to me

• 2005 Gibson Les Paul Standard Premium Plus
• Honeyburst finish
• Exceptionally strong AAA figured maple top
• Deep flame with a lot of movement from different angles
• Traditional weight-relieved mahogany body
• Original BurstBucker Pro humbuckers
• Punchy, articulate pickup set
• Pickup height is dialed in exceptionally well
• Neck feels like a comfortable middle ground between a ’50s and ’60s carve
• Bound rosewood fretboard with trapezoid inlays
• Excellent fret condition
• Recent professional-level setup
• Effortless low action
• Spot-on intonation
• New strings
• 9.92 lbs on my scale
• Excellent overall cosmetic condition
• Only one more noticeable small edge ding plus light finish scratches
• Original Gibson hardshell case
• Complete pictured case candy
• Original cream pickguard included separately
• Special silver Gibson inspection/warranty sheet included

Like all my guitars, this one’s been cared for and dialed in—no guesswork, no surprises, just a great instrument that’s ready to play. I personally inspect and test every guitar before it ships, making sure it’s in the exact condition I’d want to receive myself. These guitars come from me, not a shop—each one gets the kind of attention and care only a real guitar lover gives. Ships fast and insured.

⏳ Quick note: These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 3–7 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window!