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Apart from the truss rod cover denoting the model, not really as the Trad's and standards are similar the trads just don't have the weight relief that the standards have, more recent standards had all the switching options where you could split the coils etc whereas the trads have no split coil options unless you see a trad II which has uncovered pickups with zebra bobbins.
The trads have the plastic tuners as well whereas the standards have metal tuners. Usually locking.
If you're buying one in person you can tell because the neck profiles on the standards is slimmer/more modern.
The only other ways of telling would be to take the pickups out and check to see if there are any labels, AFAIK the trads had 57 classics and the standards tended to have burstbuckers.
Classics have a thinner body do they not? Or was it only the "less paul" that had that?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Going back to school ...
Corrected it for you.
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
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You also get a lot of crap you don't need on the Standard, and worse pickups… usually for a higher price.
The last Trad we had in the shop was a nicer guitar - apart from the slightly glaringly bright sunburst, admittedly - than the
R9 we also have . And a third of the price.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
The LP Standard has had that name since the early 70's - Yet it has had many many face lifts and variations during that period - If original it will say Standard on the truss rod cover - If it has the warranty card with it, then the model name (in code) will be featured on a line by the serial number
Easy way to tell a Classic, again based on original is open coil humbuckers - no covers and apart from a few early examples it will say Les Paul Classic in script text on the headstock facia
Again the Traditional has had a few changes to its format since introduction, but assuming all original it will again state Traditional on the truss rod and if it still has the warranty card, then again the model number will be clearly listed
If buying from a shop, then the dealer SHOULD have verified as appropriate - If buying privately then check in with FB once you've found out what you are looking for and I'm sure we can all help
In many ways the above guitars can do the same/similar job - The finer nuances between them regarding neck profile and tone is a matter of opinion/choice - Some will say 'I've been a fan of XYZ hero for 20 years and he plays an LP Std so that is what I want' - on that basis if that is a dream guitar then go for it - But based on tone and playing performance and of course your opinion on cosmetics, then check them out accordingly and buy the one that ticks the boxes
In the past I've known potential buyers come to buy a Standard, but whilst in the store try say a Classic and as such buy opposite to what they intended
Agree it is a nightmare with so many options but back your own judgement based on ears and hands and eyes if neccessary
I'm sure there are plenty of folks who think they have a Gibson which is really a fake. Not quite as bad as Fenders, where all it takes is a waterslide decal to turn a copy into a heirloom, but definitely buyer beware!