Sorry for the long review.
I had been thinking about buying a figured top Les Paul for quite some time. I wanted to make sure that (considering the price point) I get one that I like - the tops are very, very different from one another. This purchase was a complete lottery for me, because Thomann stated that their inventory is too large to be taking pictures of each unit of their stock. I mean - it makes sense...but there are companies who do that (Andertons in UK, for example). I would even be willing to pay a little extra for that option, but ok - I always have the tedious option to return it. My suggestion to Thomann is that you start doing that. You don't have to do it on guitars below 2k eur or even plain colored ones.
Be aware that nowhere does Gibson advertise this top as an AA flamed top. It is a "Les Paul Standard, figured top" - that's it. AA flamed top is some sort of invention. All of the above are the reasons for 3 out of 5 rating.
Back to the guitar.
First impression: " this is not a bad one!". I then stepped to the other side of the room and looked at the guitar - "well...now it looks completely different - like a bad one...there's no flame". I started walking around the room and looking at it from different angles. I think that at this point I fell for it - I like the top! It is very lively. It is not perfect from all angles (or probably any angles), but my main thought and experience from before told me that "this is the 3D difference you get if you compare it to something like a veneered top", from which I have a few.
Finish: Guitar is very well finished. Apart from my concerns regarding the AA top. There are some lacquer marks around the sides of the nut.
One thing I don't like is that the top is not book-matched. The top half is very different compared to the bottom. Even shade of the wood looks different. It would have been neater if it were bookmatched. It would look the same along the middle and all of the "differences" would simply fade out to the sides. Maybe Gibson want each guitar to be a little bit of an artwork or super unique...I don't know.
Neck: I love the 60s neck. This parameter is a matter of choice - each individual has their own preference.
Sound: very, very alive. The Burstbuckers are amazing pickups. Through Orange Rocker Terror 15. No thoughts of replacing them anytime soon or at all.
Set-up: It is fine. Frets are clean and leveled. Lowered the action a bit to my preference.
Conclusion: The guitar is very nice. Top is acceptable. For my next guitar purchase with this kind of top I will definitely go to a reseller who can show me the jewels before I pay the dough.
