Gibson

collapse expand iconDescription

The Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite incorporates the quintessential form of a classic LP with a lighter, thinner, streamlined all-mahogany body. One of its standout features is a belly contour on the back of the guitar for an ergonomic playing experience, in addition to a SlimTaper neck for deft movement anywhere on the fingerboard. For the first time ever on a Core Les Paul model, the Modern Lite also includes a matching headstock to cap off the impressive solid-color satin finishes. Sonically, the LP Modern Lite traverses a broad swath of ground, containing a PAF-style 490R humbucker in the neck position and a sizzling-hot 498T in the bridge. The Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite is a no-nonsense rock machine, built for guitarists who prioritize speed and agility to bring their musical ideas to life.

Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite Body

Slim, Carved Body

The Les Paul Modern Lite takes advantage of a thin, lightweight solid mahogany body, ditching a maple top in favor of maintaining a svelte outline. Illustrative of the Modern Lite Les Paul is its rear belly carve, serving the dual purpose of lightening the guitar and making it significantly more comfortable to play, whether seated or standing. This uncharacteristic element of a Les Paul is what separates the Modern Lite from other models, placing it firmly in a realm of its own. Players who have gotten along with Superstrat-style electric guitars in the past will enjoy the familiar ergonomic playability of the Les Paul Modern Lite.  

Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite Pickups

490R and 498T Pickups

Gibson USA pickups are at the crux of the Modern Lite’s tonal veracity. The 490R/498T set offers a range of classic and contemporary Les Paul sounds, from original PAF thickness to biting, snarling leads and rhythms. In the neck position is the 490R, serving up timeless PAF tones with a slightly greater emphasis on upper midrange frequencies. At the bridge is the 498T—a wholly modern, high-output humbucker with incredible crunch and sustain. The 498T is phenomenal for hard rock and metal, easily tipping amps into overdrive for a meaty, sizzling tone that makes the Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite sound powerful and defined. Wax potting in both humbuckers eliminates noise and microphonic feedback, especially for genres requiring higher amounts of gain.      

Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite Neck

SlimTaper Neck

The perfect complement to a highly ergonomic, contoured body is an aerodynamic neck. Utilizing a SlimTaper profile, the Les Paul Modern Modern Lite lets players soar around the Indian rosewood fingerboard with precision. Acrylic dot inlays pave the way for ambitious shredders and technical riffers to defy reason with their stupefying abilities. Tonally, the mahogany and rosewood neck is rich and balanced, edging on a smooth, round sound that keeps harsh upper frequencies under control.

Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite Headstock

Matching Headstock

The LP Modern Lite receives a matching headstock for the first time ever on a Core Les Paul model. It’s a seemingly small inclusion that has a tremendous effect on the guitar’s visual impact, immediately designating itself as a one-of-a-kind Les Paul. The solid satin finishes are stylish on the body alone, but extending to the headstock completes a look that’s sure to become a modern classic. Anyone with knowledge of the series can identify a Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite by this eye-catching feature alone.   

A refreshing take on a legendary guitar, the Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite sits squarely between timeless and contemporary. The Lite LP emphasizes comfort and playability with a thin, carved body and ultrafast SlimTaper neck. Its pickups are suitable for a variety of genres, capable of producing thick, wooly sounds in the neck and articulate, assertive tones in the bridge. Visually, the Les Paul Modern Lite exhibits a matching headstock—a Gibson first and a distinguishing detail that gives the guitar its own defining flair. Hybrid modern-classic looks and full-speed playability make the Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite a standout addition to the lineup—stop by your local Guitar Center and see what makes this electric guitar an invigorating playing experience.  

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Mahogany body with maple top
  • Ebony fingerboard with 22 frets
  • Gibson 490R and 498T humbucking pickups
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge with stop tailpiece

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body shape: Double cutaway
  • Body type: Solidbody
  • Body material: Solid wood
  • Body wood: Mahogany
  • Body finish: Gloss
  • Weight relief: Ultra-modern
Neck
  • Neck shape: SlimTaper
  • Neck wood: Mahogany
  • Joint: Set-in
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Truss rod: Standard
  • Neck finish: Gloss
Fingerboard
  • Material: Ebony
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fret size: Medium-jumbo
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Acrylic Trapezoid
  • Nut width/material: 1.695" (43 mm) Graph Tech
Electronics
  • Configuration: HH
  • Neck: 490R Humbucker
  • Bridge: 498T Humbucker
  • Brand: Gibson
  • Control layout: Individual volume, individual tone
  • Pickup switch: 3-way
  • Special Electronics: Coil-tap
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Fixed
  • Bridge design: Nashville Tune-O-Matic
  • Tailpiece: Stopbar
  • Tuning machines: Vintage-style
  • Color: Chrome
Other
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Orientation: Right handed
  • Case: Gig bag
  • Country of origin: United States

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