Gibson Les Paul Modern Figured CB

Gibson Les Paul Modern Figured CB review

The Gibson Les Paul Modern Figured CB pairs familiar Les Paul construction with a set of practical modern features. Its mahogany body has Ultra Modern weight relief, and the blue Cobalt Burst finish shows off an AAA flamed maple top. A mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, and 22 frets complete the core build. The listed price is 2475, with a hard-shell case included.

Player reports describe an instrument that can feel lively and comfortable straight from the case, with a neck profile that several owners found easy to play. The flattened neck heel improves access to the upper frets, while the weight-reduced body is appreciated by players who find traditional Les Pauls tiring. The finish and figured top draw consistent praise, especially for the depth of the blue color.

Construction and playability

The Slim Taper neck is a key part of the Modern's character. One owner who wanted a Les Paul after playing an SG found it comfortable and less bulky than the neck on a traditional model. Another praised the instrument's ergonomics and upper-fret reach, noting that the shaped heel brings the design closer to the easier access often associated with an SG.

The scale is listed as both 628 mm and 629 mm in the supplied specifications. That small discrepancy is worth checking against the individual instrument's documentation. The nut is 43 mm wide and made by Graph Tech. Grover locking tuners are fitted, with Keystone-style knobs. Players report stable tuning and, in some cases, accurate intonation and a useful setup right out of the case. Setup quality can still vary from one guitar to another.

Several owners received examples they considered exceptionally well finished, with smooth fretwork and no obvious defects. Others reported sharp fret ends, a poorly shaped nut, uneven binding, rough transitions between binding and body, or finish blemishes. One player also described pickups that became microphonic at loud rehearsal volume. These are conflicting experiences, not proof that every guitar has the same problems, but they make a hands-on inspection sensible at this price.

Pickups and switching options

Two Burstbucker Pro humbuckers provide the main voice. Players describe the sound as strong and satisfying, with one owner praising the sustain and another finding the guitar's tonal range a major reason to choose this version. The pickups are not to everyone's taste, so anyone particular about the Burstbucker sound should audition one before buying if possible.

The controls give this model more range than a basic two-humbucker setup. Two volume knobs have push-pull switches for coil tapping. The tone controls add push-pull switching for bypass and phase functions. In practical terms, these options let players change the pickup response, reverse the relationship between the pickups, or bypass the tone controls for a more direct signal. One owner particularly valued sending the bridge pickup signal out without the usual control circuit in the way. The bridge is an aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic, paired with an aluminum stop bar. There is no tremolo.

Finish, value, and buying advice

For many owners, the strongest appeal is the combination of the AAA maple top, Cobalt Burst color, comfortable neck, and extensive switching. Positive reports describe excellent sound, a polished appearance, and a ready-to-play setup. The included hard-shell case also gives the instrument proper protection during transport.

However, the finish feedback is unusually divided. Some players found their guitars flawless, while others returned examples because of visible finish defects or inconsistent detail work. Reports also mention a loose jack, a selector that spun freely, and incomplete serial-number engraving. These accounts point to variation between individual instruments. They do not establish that every example is affected, but they matter when evaluating a premium-priced guitar.

There are smaller package concerns, too. One owner found the supplied strap narrow and uncomfortable, while another said it did not fit conveniently inside the case alongside a preferred strap. Treat the strap as a minor extra, rather than a reason to buy the guitar.

The Gibson Les Paul Modern Figured CB makes the most sense for players who want classic humbucker power with more control options, easier upper-fret access, and a lighter-feeling Les Paul. Its design and playing comfort earn strong praise, but reported quality-control differences mean a careful inspection is worthwhile. Check the fret ends, binding, finish, jack, selector, and setup before deciding to keep one.