IIRC, the three levels (low to high) of Les Pauls have always been Studio, Standard and Custom. There are a few variations of each and a few other LPs that look nothing like those. But the Classic is a reissue of the 1960 Standard (I think) and there was another year, maybe 1957, they used for another Classic version. I would consider a Classic to be worth less vintage/historical value than a real old Standard or Custom. But it is an economical way to get into a very nice LP that looks like the real thing, is made in the USA, has the Gibson (not Epi) brand, and then I hate having really valuable vintage stuff because I worry about it and wouldn't want to take it out of the house.

[B] About $700.00. The pickups are different and on the later models the curly maple tops are AAA. and sunbursts and nickel pickup covers are available on the Standard.

Now that you have additional photos this guitar make more sense to me. I did not know it was a Classic. Did you mention that? A 2000 sound correct. The earlier Classic like the one I have in the photo here does not have the word Classic printed on the head stock and has inked on serial numbers. But it did have the word Classic on the truss rod cover which I removed. And I also installed pickup cover on my Classic.You have a nice guitar there.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363314009.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363314027.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363314047.jpg

I just saw this:
1998 Gibson Les Paul Classic
$1100!!!