The Blue Book Says:LES PAUL STANDARD (1974-1997 MFG., LPS)
– single cutaway mahogany body, set-in mahogany (or maple) neck, bound carved 3-piece maple top, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl trapezoid inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, “Standard” engraved on truss rod cover, 3-per-side tuners with pearloid buttons,chrome hardware, cream pickguard, 2 covered humbucker pickups, 2 volume/2 tone controls, 3-position switch, available in Cherry Sunburst, Dark Sunburst, Ebony (EB), Gold Top, Heritage Sunburst, Honey Burst, Natural, Tobacco Sunburst, TV Yellow, Vintage Sunburst and Wine Red (WR) finishes, mfg. 1974-1997.Add $100 for Wine Red finish (LPS-WR).
Add $300 for Heritage Cherry Sunburst (LPS-HS), Honey Burst (LPS-HB), and Vintage Sunburst (LPS-VS) finishes.
Add $225 for left-handed configuration (production models 1990 to 1997).
Between 1970-74, the Les Paul Standard was not offered as a model. However, the Les Paul Deluxe was also available with regular size humbucker pickups between 1972-74. Even though this is a Les Paul Standard model, it is only noted as a Les Paul Deluxe with regular size humbuckers.
In 1974, neck volute was introduced, slab cut body replaced original part/design. In the mid- to late 1970s, “Les Paul-Deluxe” may appear on the back of the headstock of Les Paul Standard models. In 1978, one-piece body replaced original part/design. In 1981, carved top replaced previous part/design, neck volute was discontinued. Gibson’s Les Paul Standards made between 1974 and 1981 often have maple necks and three-piece maple tops. These models are viewed as less desirable in the vintage guitar market. In 1990, TV Yellow finish became standard. In 1994, Cherry Sunburst, Dark Sunburst, Gold Top, Heritage Sunburst, Natural, Tobacco Sunburst and TV Yellow finishes were discontinued. In 1998, the Les Paul Standard was redesignated the LPS8, and reduced to only 4 finishes (choice of chrome or gold hardware). See listing below.
Gibson has offered a twelve-string version of the Les Paul in the past. However, these instruments have either been very, very low production batches, specialty productions, or custom shop orders.
Current Specialty versions of classic Les Paul configurations (Les Paul ’56 Gold Top Reissue, Les Paul ’59 Flametop Reissue, Les Paul ’60 Flametop Reissue) are part of the Historic Collection Series, and can be found at the end of this section.I say:It's no lightweight - at 11.7 lbs! Tone for days though.Starting at the top – the headstock has a few nicks and dings – but most noticeably the original Kluson tuners have been replaced with sealed Schaller tuners – quite a good change in my opinion.  The 3-piece (maple?) neck is good and straight, with a good, close grained,  rosewood fingerboard that only shows slight signs of wear.  The Low/Wide frets are in good condition and again only show slight signs of wear.  The lacquer on the bass and treble sides of the neck shows wear between frets 2 and 10. The neck also has the “period correct” volute at the headstock/neck join.The rear of the body shows an appropriate amount of “buckle rash”, but no major lacquer removal.  The sides of the guitar have a pretty predictable series of “stand-damage” marks and dents, but nothing that really “shouts abuse” at you.The 3 piece maple top is in surprisingly good condition with a great finish.The pick guard has the usual crack where the screw passes into the body.Electronics in this are great – fully shielded – even the toggle switch cavity  has a tin shield!  The neck pickup is a Pat Nº Pickup – dated 1979, whilst the Bridge pickup is one of Bill Lawrence’s “epoxy potted” pickups – I think, from what I’ve found on the web, it’s a “Super Humbucker.” Pots are all original, crackle free and fully functional.It sounds and sustains like a Les Paul should.  At the moment the action is stupidly low, but later on this evening I may raise it a little just to allow a bit more “digging in room!”It arrived in a full Aluminium flight case – the original Gibson case is long gone.  This case would take a Tank on, and possibly win….