Search Ampcat.com: Ampcat's Gear (Guitars) Gibson Les Paul Florentine This is without a doubt the best sounding Les Paul I have ever played. Hmm, I wonder why that is... gee, could it be that it's not a real Les Paul? Well, technically it is, but it sounds more like a ES-135. Actually, it sounds like a cross between a Les Paul and a ES-135, and that's exactly what it is. It's essentially an LP Custom, but the inside of the body was routed out prior to the maple top being glued on. It's got F-holes like a 135, but smaller, and the control access is still in the back. The neck is pretty fat & round (a good thing), and it's got the best flame/sunburst I've ever seen - I've been searching for this finish for 10 years. The finish is officially called "Emberglow", but that is a tobacco sunburst if I ever saw one. It's also got the best pearl I've seen on ANY Gibson guitar - lots of green & blue, very nice inlay. The overall tone of the guitar is like a regular LP Custom, only quite a bit brighter. The best tone I've gotten from this guitar is from my vintage brown Fender Pro - it's tone from the gods. I put a Schaller fine-tuning tailpiece on it, but that's the only modification I've made, and I'll never buy another Les Paul - this is the one. Update 8/24/00 - Well, I guess I spoke too soon.... I sold it on eBay, and with the money from this guitar I bought a wine-red Gibson L-4..... oh well.... Copyright © 2000 AMPCAT.COM