Classic Les Paul Feel, Without the Weight
If you've ever loved the sound and look of a Les Paul but hesitated because of the weight, the Modern Lite might be exactly what you need. This all-mahogany single-cut comes in at around 6.5 to 7 pounds — light enough for extended gigs without compromising that fundamental Gibson character. The thinner body profile sits somewhere between a traditional Les Paul and an SG, with a belly cut on the back that makes it genuinely comfortable whether you're sitting or standing. And for the first time on a Gibson USA Core model, you get a matching headstock in that distinctive TV Wheat satin finish.
The SlimTaper neck profile feels fast and approachable, paired with a 12-inch radius Indian rosewood fingerboard and 22 medium jumbo frets. The satin nitrocellulose finish has an open-pore feel that some players find more natural and less sticky than gloss. This is a working musician's Les Paul — streamlined, honest, and built to get the job done night after night.
Gibson USA Pickups That Deliver
The Modern Lite is loaded with open-coil 490R and 498T humbuckers — Gibson USA pickups that strike a balance between vintage PAF warmth and modern output. The 490R in the neck position offers smooth, wide tones with a bit more upper-midrange presence than a classic PAF, making it versatile for everything from clean jazz chords to blues leads. The 498T in the bridge is hotter and more aggressive, with enough output to push your amp into natural overdrive and plenty of bite for rock and heavier styles. Both pickups are wax-potted to reduce microphonic feedback, especially useful if you're playing at higher gain levels.
You get the classic two-volume, two-tone, three-way toggle layout — no coil splits or phase switching here. It's old-school wiring that keeps things simple and reliable.
Lightweight Hardware and Thoughtful Design
Gibson kept the weight down with an aluminum Nashville Tune-o-Matic bridge and aluminum stopbar tailpiece, which shave off a few ounces without sacrificing tone or sustain. The Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners are smooth and stable, with a lower profile that complements the streamlined aesthetic. The mahogany body has no weight relief — it's simply thinner, measuring about 45mm at the carved top and 33mm at the rim, compared to a traditional Les Paul's 62mm depth.
The Graph Tech nut provides consistent string spacing and improved tuning stability, and the 24.75-inch scale length and 1.695-inch nut width are standard Gibson specs that feel familiar and balanced. Acrylic dot inlays keep the look clean and understated.
Product Features:
- All-mahogany body construction with thinner profile for reduced weight (approximately 6.5-7 lbs)
- Belly cut on rear for enhanced playing comfort
- Mahogany neck with SlimTaper profile for fast, comfortable playability
- Indian rosewood fingerboard with 12-inch radius and 22 medium jumbo frets
- 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge) open-coil humbucker pickups
- Aluminum Nashville Tune-o-Matic bridge and aluminum stopbar tailpiece
- Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners with smooth, stable operation
- Graph Tech nut for improved tuning stability
- Satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish in TV Wheat with matching headstock
- Made in USA
Brand: Gibson
Model: Les Paul Modern Lite
SKU: LPTRM00WGCH1
Condition: New
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