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Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged
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Playability
78
Sound
82
Build
69
Value
71
Score
76
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Playability
77
Sound
75
Build
72
Value
60
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
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Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged Specs Comparison
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged
General
Brand: Strandberg Gibson Custom
Year: 2022 2022
Configuration: HH P90P90
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia United States
Series: Boden Standard Murphy Lab
Colors: Green, Yellow Gold
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: American Basswood 1-Piece Lightweight Mahogany
Bridge: Strandberg EGS Rev 7 fixed & string locks No-Wire ABR-1
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: At bridge Kluson Single Line, Single Ring
Fretboard: Maple Indian Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple Mahogany
Decoration: Offset Luminlay Dots Aged Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Scale Size: 25.5" to 25" 24.75"
Shape: EndurNeck 50s Rounded Medium C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 1.2'' (30.5mm) - 12th Fret: 1.1'' (27.9mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 20" 12"
Nut: Locking Nylon
Nut Width: 36mm (1.417'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Strandberg custom OEM bridge humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Custom Soapbar P90 (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Strandberg custom OEM neck humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Custom Soapbar P90 (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: Series Split None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 2
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Nickel
Show Diagrams Comparison
Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged's switch options

Reasons to Get
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber over Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Scale Length
25.5" to 25" vs 24.75"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Pickup Mods
Series Split vs None
Connects pickups in series to imitate a humbucker
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HH vs P90P90
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.417'' (36mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Paint Finish
Poly vs Aged
Resistant paint that ages well
Fretboard Radius
20'' (508mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
71 vs 60
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged over Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Scale Length
24.75" vs 25.5" to 25"
Easier to adapt to
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
P90P90 vs HH
Vintage tone with decent versatility
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.417'' (36mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Paint Finish
Aged vs Poly
Paint has been artificially aged
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 20'' (508mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings

Other Key Differences
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged

Bridge Pickup
Strandberg custom OEM bridge humbucker vs Custom Soapbar P90
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Strandberg custom OEM neck humbucker vs Custom Soapbar P90
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
Headless vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Nylon
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber vs Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged Prices

    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.

    Hand Size Comfortability

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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged 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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners

    New Player Friendliness

    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Tall frets
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Narrow nut
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners

    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 the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber

    Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Maple
    Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
    Basswood

    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.

    Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

    Woods Used in the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged

    Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
    Mahogany
    Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
    Rosewood

    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.

    Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

    Winner: Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged.

    Pickup Configuration

    The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has an HH configuration while the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged has P90P90 pickups.

    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.

    On the other hand, P90P90 gives you two P90s for a crunchy vintage tone. The tone sits somewhere in the middle between typical single-coils and humbuckers. They also produce less hum than single-coils, but they don't cancel it completely like humbuckers.

    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.

    However, the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

    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: Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged.

    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

    The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber gives you 5 switch options while the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged gives you 3. This means that the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

    Only the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber comes with some kind of pickup modification: Series Split.

    The Series Split feature allows it to split and connect some of the pickups in series. When wired in series, the resulting tone is similar to a Humbucker's. The pickups will work together and produce a fuller tone with more output than single-coils, but less than Humbuckers.

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

    Winner: Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    Pickups 85
    Sustain 75
    Versatility 82
    Tuning Stability 85
    Sound 82
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged
    Pickups 100
    Sustain 75
    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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber compares to the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber is built in Indonesia while the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged is made in United States.

    Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

    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: Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged

    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 Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

    On the other hand, the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged comes with a Nylon nut. It used to be one of the highest quality materials for nuts (and still is), but it's rare to find nowadays because it's hard to work with. It's a very resistant material with very low friction, so it will keep the guitar in tune and will last for a long time

    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.

    In this comparison, the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

    Winner: Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

    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

    In this case, the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has no machine heads because it is a headless guitar. Instead, the strings are tuned at the bridge. This gives the guitar a better balance and will prevent neck dives. It also makes it more travel friendly.

    Winner: Tie.

    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.

    The Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber has a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

    On the other hand, the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged comes with 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: Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

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

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    • Stainless Steel Frets
    • Locking Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Series Split Pickups
    • Luminescent Inlay
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Expensive Woods
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Tremolo
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Nylon 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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    Quality of materials 61
    Features 65
    Quality Control 80
    Build Quality 69
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged
    Quality of materials 66
    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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Nut Width
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Nut Width
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged Nut Width
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 36mm (1.417''). This is a 6.9mm (0.271'') difference

    This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

    Scale Length

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Scale Length
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Scale Length
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged's Scale Length
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged's 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, the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber features a multi-scale of 25.5" to 25" while the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged has a regular scale of 24.75".

    A multi-scale fingerboard incorporates two scale lengths at the same time. This is present in some instruments with long scale to give a different tension to the lower strings than the higher strings. The thickest strings need more tension to avoid fret buzz (especially when tuned low), so the scale is longer for these strings, while the thinnest strings will need less tension (because they have a lower gauge), so they have a shorter scale to reduce stiffness for bends.

    It can feel awkward if you've never played a multi-scale because the frets will have more separation for the higher strings, but a lot of people love their versatility.

    On the other hand, the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged's 24.75" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Neck Profile
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's neck profile
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged Neck Profile
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged'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.

    Both the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber and the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged have a C-shaped 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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Fingerboard Radius
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Fingerboard radius
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged Fingerboard Radius
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged'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 Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber.

    Fret Size

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber Frets Size
    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber's Frets Size
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged Frets Size
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged's Frets Size

    The Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber'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

    Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Amber
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
    Chord Playability 75
    Solo Playability 80
    Playability 78
    Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Ultra Light Aged
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
    Chord Playability 55
    Solo Playability 80
    Playability 77