Gibson Les Paul BFG Electric Guitar (with Case)

No longer available at zZounds
P-90 neck pickup. Burstbucker 3 bridge pickup. Kill switch. Unsanded top.

A stripped-down, rock 'n' roll flamethrower, the Les Paul BFG is the most powerful Les Paul Gibson has ever made. Blasted back to the bare essentials, the BFG is the Les Paul for guitarists who want it loud, raw, and wild. Two volumes and one tone knob control the sonic spectrum put out by a high-powered Burstbucker 3 humbucker in the bridge and a screaming, single-coil P-90 in the neck. The traditional toggle has been rewired as a kill switch, and a mini-toggle at the volume knobs controls pickup selection. An innovative powerhouse, the BFG has no binding, no figured top, no finishing touches. This gives the BFG a distinctive look that is both modern and vintage, while allowing for a price that makes pure Les Paul performance available to all players. The result is a perfect storm of eye-catching style, incredible tone, and unbeatable playability -- all at a great price. Destined to be a classic.

Body Top Species: Carved plain maple

Back Species: Mahogany

Neck Species: Mahogany

Profile: 1950s Rounded

Neck Joint Location: 16

Fingerboard Species: Rosewood

Scale Length: 24-3/4 in.

Number of Frets: 22

Nut Width: 1.695 in.

Inlays: white side dots only

Hardware Plating Finish: Distressed black chrome (Trans Black and Trans Gold finish), Gun metal (Trans Cherry finish)

Tailpiece: Stopbar

Bridge: Tune-o-matic

Knobs: 2 wood volumes, 1 wood tone

Tuners: Grover

Neck Pickup: P-90

Bridge Pickup: Zebra Burstbucker 3

Controls: 2 volume, 1 tone, 3-way switch (no cap or washer), kill switch toggle (no washer)

Strings: Brite Wires .010-.046

Case Exterior: Shopworn Les Paul

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-444-2766

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (33 ratings)
Submitted March 31, 2009 by a customer from comcast.net

"Awesome guitar worth checking out!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
If something happened to this, I would want to replace it immediately. This fills a hole in my collection I didn't know I had until I played it. This guitar is a player and a great workhorse.

Sound
This is now my favorite pickup combination: A P90 in the neck and a Burstbucker Pro 3 in the bridge. Both pickups kick butt individually and the combination is a sweet, open clear tone you can't get any other way. The P90 can be rough and raw, but it cleans up nicely through the right amp. The Burstbucker is just and awesome humbucker that screams when you want it, but can be pulled back if you have to. The chambered Mahogany body and Rosewood board give this guitar a nice warmth. A very responsive guitar. The only thing that beats it is my Hamer Newport with two Seymour Duncan P-Rails.

Features
This is a bare bones guitar. But that is a plus. Nothing gets in the way of playing. No complicated choices to make here. Just straight ahead blues or rock or metal - whatever your fancy. (But this is not a shred machine.) The best part of the rough finish is that it feels great and I don't worry about it getting a knock or two on stage. The kill switch is a kool idea, but some don't like it. (I say: get a different guitar.) There is only one tone control, but that is all you need. Being able to control the volume for each pickup is enough. I give this a 10 because this guitar has all you need.

Ease of Use read more
This guitar is very playable. I did a minimal setup on it. The BFG was pretty much ready to play from Gibson. My only complaint was that the fret board seemed a little dry. That was easily fixed with a little oil (the right kind, search for fret doctor). Getting great sounds with this guitar is easy. The rest is in your hands.

Quality
The BFG is made well. The rough finish might not be for everyone, but the guitar is rock solid. I played several of these in the store before buying this one and they were all good. The only reason I rated it an 8 is because this is no match for high end instruments (pricier Gibsons, PRSs and the like). But that is not what this guitar is about.

Value
This is a great value for the money. If you want an LP and can't afford the big boys, Give this a look before you think about the cheaper brands. If you look hard enough you'll find a used one, but not for very much less than a new one. These will hold their value.

Manufacturer Support
I have had no need to contact Gibson and I don't expect to.

The Wow Factor
I would say this is an acquired taste. It's not for the boutique hungry, but it is a looker. At least it will turn heads and start conversations. Personally, I love it. It is my new best friend.

Musical Background:
Active Musician

Musical Style:
Rock / Blues / Jazz
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