The Standard  Faded (2005 to 2009)

 

The Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded was first produced by Gibson USA in 2005.

 

The main characteristic which defines the Standard Faded as being different is its finish.  Gibson did not use grain filler during the finishing process, and applied a "hand-rubbed satin finish", as opposed to the much thicker gloss nitrocellulose finish applied to other Gibson USA Les Paul models.  Applying a satin finish is apparently a much less labour intensive process, and as a result Gibson marketed the Standard Faded as somewhat of a "budget" model in comparison to its gloss counterparts.

 

However, the Standard Faded quickly gained popularity among many. Players found that its resonance and responsiveness typically outshined more expensive gloss models, and that it proved to be a great platform for pickup and hardware upgrades - at a rather reasonable price point. The general consensus appears to be that the magic lies in the Standard Faded's unique finish.

 

Standard Fadeds produced in 2005 were weight-relieved.  The ’05’s had “swiss cheese” weight relief and production continued that way into very early 2006, with not many made in the early part of the year. Production of Fadeds was halted until production started again in very late 2006, with a change to “chambering” for weight relief. Gibson USA continued to produce this model until 2008, and those made in late 2006 to 2008 were all chambered.  However, according to some reports, some of them made in very late 2008 were again weight-relieved.

 

In 2009, Gibson made a batch of 150 Les Paul Fadeds.  Larry Corsa of Corsa Guitars (see below) bought 75 of these to undergo his Peter Green conversion process.

 

05-09 Faded Specs:

2005: Traditional weight relief, 50's and 60's necks, Burstbucker Pros
2006: Traditional weight relief, 50's and 60's necks, Burstbucker Pros

           (traditional weight relief production stopped  sometime in October.            End of 2006 guitars have 2007 specs)
2007: Chambered weight relief, 50's and 60's necks, Burstbucker Pros
2008: Chambered weight relief, 50's necks only, Burstbucker Pros
2009: Traditional weight relief, 50's necks only, Burstbucker Pros

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The Standard Faded models (2005 to 2009) typically had flame tops.

 

Model numbers:

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They are written on the Gibson checklist. Here is their meaning:

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LP5FHSNH1: Les Paul Standard Faded '50s Neck Heritage Cherry

                       Sunburst Nickel Hardware 

LP6FHSNH1: Les Paul Standard Faded '60s Neck Heritage Cherry

                       Sunburst Nickel Hardware 

LP5FHBNH1: Les Paul Standard Faded '50s neck Faded Honey

                       Burst Nickel Hardware

LP6FHBNH1: Les Paul Standard Faded '60s neck Faded Honey

                       Burst Nickel Hardware

LP5FTBNH1: Les Paul Standard Faded '50s neck Faded Tobacco

                       Burst Nickel Hardware

LP6FTBNH1: Les Paul Standard Faded '60s neck Faded Tobacco

                       Burst Nickel Hardware

 

1 stands for the hardshell case the guitar is sold with.

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If you don't have the Gibson checklist (often the case for secondhand guitars) you should find some of this information handwritten on the bottom of the the pickups cavities:

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Bridge pickup cavity: LP5F or LP6F

Neck pickup cavity: HS or HB or TB

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Serial numbers:

 

The Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded either has an 8 or 9 digit serial number.

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- 8 digit serial number : YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number.

- Gibson USA goes to a 9 digit serial number in early July 2005: YDDDYBRRR. The sixth number is now a Batch number.

The first 5 numbers remain the same, the last 3 numbers will remain the same. The only difference is the addition of this batch indicator.

Batch 0 starts at the beginning of the day, and once they stamp 699, the batch number will change to 1. 

 

The Traditional  Faded (2011 & 2012)

 

During 2011 and 2012, Gibson USA produced limited runs of the Les Paul Faded model for Canadian dealer Long & McQuade.  However, during this time some of these made their way to European dealers.

 

At this time Gibson started calling these the Gibson Les Paul Traditional Faded, and guitars produced in 2011 and 2012 were weight-relieved once more.

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Model number: 2 references

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LPTDFHBNH (printed on the boxes sent to L&M & sticker on the case)

And

LP5FHBNH1 (on the Gibson checklist)

 

According to Gibson, the Standard and Traditional Faded models are identical, apart from either being weight-relieved or chambered, as mentioned above.  However, it has been noted that the pre-2011 models appear to have more vintage-looking headstocks, with slightly sharper headstock points and a more pronounced inward curvature of the sides of the headstocks.  The later models' headstock sides appear to be less curved and therefore slightly larger.  Pre-2011 models also featured smaller headstock tuner holes (~8.8mm) and came with tuners with press-in bushings.  The 2011 models have ~10mm tuners holes and came with screw-in tuner bushings.

 

Some "2011" Traditional Faded guitars are known to have serial numbers from late 2010.

 

The Traditional Faded models (2011 & 2012) typically had plain tops.

They were delivered with a maple leaf sticker on the hardshell case.

 

The Gibson Les Paul Faded has gained somewhat of a cult following in some circles, most notably in The 2011 LP Traditional (Standard?) Faded Mega-Thread on the MyLesPaul.com forum.  This web site is in fact inspired by that thread, and an attempt to present the information in that thread in a condensed way.

 

Larry Corsa of Corsa Guitars recognized the potential of the Standard Faded model early on, and used them as the basis for his popular Peter Green conversions.

 

The Classic Faded (2011- GC/MF Exclusive)

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In the summer of 2011 GC/MF released a special run of 200 exclusive Classic Faded in both Satin Ebony and Satin Cherry. Pretty much the same specs as the original classics, but without the snot green inlays, "Les Paul Model" written on the headstock instead of "Les Paul Classic", and, of course, a satin Faded finish.

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Larry Corsa quote on the 2011 Classic Faded:

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"With a satin Faded finish, this guitar is like a Standard Faded with a 60’s neck! Full, rich resonance and sustain, just like a Faded. Best of all, it has most of the original early 90’s Classic features: “Model” on the headstock, and non-green inlays on the fingerboard."

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Model number: LPCSSECH3

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2011 Classic Faded GC/MF description:

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OVERVIEW

The faded finish gives it the look of a seasoned performer.

All the sumptuous ingredients that made the Les Paul name great are in the Gibson Les Paul Classic Faded Electric Guitar in spades: a skillfully carved maple top on a mahogany back perfectly joined to a mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard, all powered by a 496R ceramic humbucker in the front and a 500T at the bridge. And the Classic goes a few steps farther with green tuning keys, amber top-hat knobs, plain cream pickguard, true '60s slim-tapered neck, trapezoid fretboard inlays and a faded finish that gives it the look of a well-loved, gracefully aged instrument.. Includes Gibson hardshell case.

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FEATURES

• Mahogany body with traditional weight relief

• Carved maple top

• Set mahogany neck

• '60 neck profile

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 22 jumbo frets

• 496R neckhumbucker

• 500T bridge humbuckers

• 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way pickup toggle switch

• Tune-O-Matic bridge/stoptail

• Corian nut

• Nickel hardware

• Green key tuners

• Creme binding

• Trapezoid fretboard inlays

• 24-3/4" scale

• 1.695" nut width

• 12" radius

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Some owners have reported their guitar being equipped with ’57 Classic PAF humbuckers instead of the ones mentioned above...

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