Whats The Difference Between Les Paul Standard ,Goldtop, Custom, etc?

Hello all,

What is the difference between the Gibson/Epiphone Les Paul Standard, Goldtop, and Custom? Do they have the same pickups but just different finishes? I was looking at the Standard but does it sound the same as a custom? If you guys could take a look at these pictures (at the link to follow) and tell me which Les Paul this is (and which one its Epiphone equivalent would be) I would really appreciate it! here is the link (the two photos are at this one link) : http://community.webshots.com/album/23755069yaXqYgRdXM
I thought this was a 56' Gibson Goldtop Les Paul but the Pickups on the one in the picture look different than the 56' Goldtop Les Pauls pickups I looked at on the internet. Thanks in advance everyone!

-Callaway

anyone know? =)

as far as I know, the price, the finish, and the woods used are different

by the way, the guitar is a gold top, epiphone did a reissue a couple of years ago...

Isn't the one in the picture a Gibson Goldtop though? How come the pickups look more chrome'ish than a 56' reissue (changed pickups out?)? Also, would the Epiphone GoldTop be the equivalent of this guitar? If I want to get a different finish, so if the one in the pictures is a Goldtop then which other Les Paul sounds the same as the Goldtop (so I can get a different finish), the Standard, the Custom, or the Studio? Thanks again!

[Edited by Erik2005 on 10-24-2001 at 12:21 AM]

on the goldtop, different woods (who don't look as good as other ones) are used, because you don't see it, so, I guess a studio would sound similar, since the finish is not a see through one

TTT(To The Top)

Hello,

Thanks for the reply, and I sent you an e-mail, not sure if it got there I guess =). Anyways, im thinking maybe I should go with the custom. That goldtop in the picture does not look like it has the same pickups as a stock one, so im guessing maybe they are humbuckers (the ones that come from the factory look more white'ish). Does the goldtop sound particularly different? Anyways, whats the difference between a Standard LP and a Custom, and will I be able to play some higher notes if I need to? Which one would be better for punk music (Goldtop, Custom, or Goldtop)? Also what is a $100-$200 amp that has good distortion and can get loud also? Thanks!

-Callaway

[Edited by Erik2005 on 10-24-2001 at 07:07 PM]

TTT

Anyone know what the Goldtop's pickups sound like compared to the Customs's? What is the tone difference between a Custom, a Standard, and a Goldtop? Trying to decide which to buy bu im not sure what the differences are. Thanks again guys!