Swap
Swap
Gibson Les Paul Modern
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
VS
Playability
73
Sound
78
Build
82
Value
68
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability
77
Sound
75
Build
72
Value
60
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Add more to comparison

Gibson Les Paul Modern vs Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

Reasons to Get
Gibson Les Paul Modern over Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
10" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Asymmetrical Slim Taper vs Adam Jones Medium C
Adapts to the natural shape of your hand
Pickup Mods
Multiple vs None
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Value Score
68 vs 60
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS over Les Paul Modern

Release Year
2020 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Adam Jones Medium C vs Asymmetrical Slim Taper
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Other Key Differences
Gibson Les Paul Modern vs Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

Bridge Pickup
Gibson Burstbucker Pro + Lead vs Custom-Wound Seymour Duncan DDJ
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Gibson Burstbucker Pro Rhythm vs Gibson Custombucker (Reverse-Mounted)
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Gibson Les Paul Modern vs Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
2
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Maple vs 3-piece Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Gibson Les Paul Modern is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS's 75 score, although not by a lot.

The Gibson Les Paul Modern wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Gibson Les Paul Modern is the better choice.

The Gibson Les Paul Modern meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Gibson Les Paul Modern
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Gibson Les Paul Modern Overview

  • From Gibson's 2019 Modern Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 10" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson Burstbucker Pro + Lead (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson Burstbucker Pro Rhythm (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Asymmetrical Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Rotomatics w/Keystone buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Overview

  • From Gibson's 2020 Custom Shop Collection series
  • Adam Jones Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • 3-piece Maple top
  • Solid Mahogany body
  • 3-piece Maple neck
  • Ebony, with 1-ply White Binding fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Custom-Wound Seymour Duncan DDJ (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson Custombucker (Reverse-Mounted) (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Adam Jones Medium C Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Schaller M6 with Large Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Gibson Les Paul Modern comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Tap, Phase Out.

Coil Tap is similar to Coil Split but it works a bit differently. Instead of completely cancelling one of the coils of the humbucker, it only cuts part of the output once activated. Some people believe this gives the split pickups a more real single-coil sound.

When the Phase Out option is activated, the pickups will ''work against each other'', meaning that they will cancel out their shared frequencies. The result is a very thin sound, instead of a full, rich tone. This is an interesting sound for genres like reggae or funk and has also been used in classic Hard Rock.

Gibson Les Paul Modern pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gibson Les Paul Modern's switch options
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Gibson Les Paul Modern.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gibson Les Paul Modern
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 68
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 78
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 75

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Gibson Les Paul Modern compares to the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in United States.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Gibson Les Paul Modern has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS comes with a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The Gibson Les Paul Modern has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Gibson Les Paul Modern.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Les Paul Modern
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap, Phase Out Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Gibson Les Paul Modern
Quality of materials 70
Features 80
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 82
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
Quality of materials 65
Features 50
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 72

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Gibson Les Paul Modern Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 43mm (1.693'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Gibson Les Paul Modern and Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 24.75".

This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Gibson Les Paul Modern Neck Profile
Gibson Les Paul Modern's neck profile
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Neck Profile
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Gibson Les Paul Modern has a Asymmetrical type of neck. Even though this neck shape looks like a poorly-made job, it's, in fact, the neck that most naturally adapts to the arc of your hand when grabbing a guitar neck. You'll notice that the lower part of your palm makes a more pronounced, deeper curve while the upper part makes a more subtle arch. This is the shape that adapts the best to that natural arch your hand makes while playing.

The Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Gibson Les Paul Modern Fretboard Compound Radius
Gibson Les Paul Modern's Compound Fretboard Radius
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Fingerboard Radius
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Gibson Les Paul Modern is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Gibson Les Paul Modern:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Gibson Les Paul Modern Frets Size
Gibson Les Paul Modern's Frets Size
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Frets Size
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS's Frets Size

The Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gibson Les Paul Modern's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Gibson Les Paul Modern
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 85
Solo Playability 60
Playability 73
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 55
Solo Playability 80
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Gibson Les Paul Modern vs Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
General Gibson Les Paul Modern Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
Brand: Gibson Gibson
Year: 2019 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: Modern Collection Custom Shop Collection
Colors: Black, Blue, Red Gray
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Solid Mahogany
Bridge: Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover Locking Rotomatics w/Keystone buttons Schaller M6 with Large Buttons
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony, with 1-ply White Binding
Neck Material: Mahogany 3-piece Maple
Decoration: Mother of Pearl Trapezoids Mother of Pearl Block
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: Asymmetrical Slim Taper Adam Jones Medium C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 10" to 16" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Bone
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Gibson Burstbucker Pro + Lead (Humbucker / Passive) Custom-Wound Seymour Duncan DDJ (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gibson Burstbucker Pro Rhythm (Humbucker / Passive) Gibson Custombucker (Reverse-Mounted) (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Speed
Pickup Mods: Coil Tap, Phase Out None
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 2 2