I've owned a number of vintage and modern premium LS models.
For the purpose of this post, a base vintage premium model is LS-80 and up, while modern premium models are LS-160 and up (or LS-150 plain top only, prior to 2009) :
Select woods used on vintage premium models are generally reserved for LS-320+ models from 2000 on, but there are exceptions to this on several lower LS-260 models I have owned. Fret edge binding is used on LS-320+ models from 2000 on (LS-470 today).
I doubt premium Tokai vintage mahogany was usually Honduran and fretboards usually Brazilian, however.
They rarely resemble early G!bson wood selections which where commonly Honduran and Brazilian.
Eastern Canadian hard maple is similar for both G!bson and premium Tokais, but vintage figured maple top selection was much better.
Modern LS-150 flame tops are NOT premium models and do not have eastern hard maple tops !
A larger percentage of each vintage model was hand made. Newer models have more CNC machine work prior to assembly.
Overall, workmanship on new vs Vintage premium models varies very little despite this.
Gotoh hardware remains very similar, including use of brass saddles, old and new.
CTS pots on modern premium models are slightly better.
I am possibly the exception, preferring modern Premium Tokais in terms of feel and tone, after pickup and cap changes. Tolerances, (especially neck dimensions, are much closer from one modern premium LS to the next.
Most of my vintage Tokai LS models had minor issues, albeit repairable ones, an additional hidden cost added to already inflated current valuations.
Modern models remain difficult to resell, compared to more sought after, vintage premium models, which have appreciated in value over the past two years instead of declining in value as most modern LS examples have.
I don't want to argue the merits of old wood vs new wood, but it does make sense that tone wood with the best qualities was more plentiful 30 years ago.
ESP, Tokai and Bacchus might disagree.
Jimmy Page's "59 Burst was about 10 years old when he recorded the first Zep albums.
I do think thinner vintage lacquer formulations, vintage PAF's and vintage hand wired tube amps with vintage style transformers have the potential for making Les Pauls sound better than modern alternatives.