Just flipping through my new Sweetwater catalog that came in the mail today, and I was baffled by how many different Les Paul models Gibson is offering...

I went to Gibson's website, and in the LP section, would you believe they have 60 different models?

Ummm... I have no desire to own one, but is there really a need for that many? Granted, some are custom shop and limited edition, but there must be at least 3 dozen normal, off the rack production models...

How can they sustain sales of that many of what amounts to essentially the same guitar with slight variations?

Again, no dis to the Les Paul, which I think is a fantastic, classic guitar - I'm just fascinated by the business implications.

Having that many (so called) slightly 'different' models is expressly how they get folks to buy them.

I think back when I bought mine the only choice seemed to be either a studio or a standard! Its crazy now with traditionals, standards, juniors, MM's, future etc etc etc. Although that said, I was looking at the 2014 70's tribute gold top and started putting some money aside for it LOL!

Some of the prices are just insane. The new Slash vermillion is over 2 grand, the billy gibbons model, I saw for 4 grand!
Slashs' model does look really stunning though, Cant see it being worth the price tag but I'd totally love to own it