Gibson Les Paul Studio Question

[mwalluk]

I'm looking at picking up a LP Studio in the very near future (I have GAS again). This would be my first Gibson. I've owned numerous ESP LTDs and Epiphones, but never a Gibson. What can you tell me about the Studio line? Sell me on it.

Now I know a lot of people are trashing on Gibson as of late saying quality went downhill. I've read quite a few forums and reviews from Gibson snobs saying the Studio lack in everything compared to Standards. Well I got Bills and a Kid, so I can't afford a Standard at this point.

Are they still really good guitars? I'm currently playing on an ESP LTD EC1000, EC400 and a PB-500. How does the Studio compare?

What should I look for? Anything specific or just the regular stuff when looking for an axe.

By the way, I wasn't a fan of the lower end/budget faded LP's that go for $800. The three I'm looking at sell for $1,400 each.






HERE'S THE THREE I'M LOOKING/INTERESTED IN:

Gibson Les Paul Studio Silverburst





Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Heritage Sunburst Cherry





Gibson Les Paul Studio Fireburst

[BloodRose]

I love the silver burst!
First, there are still great Gibsons out there.. Just play as many as you can, (esp with studios) and see what one speaks to you.

To me, studios feel very cobbly when compared to LTDs and such.. By that, I mean feel like they were whittled from a block of wood. The LTDS are very glossy and all. My Studio you could see the wood grain in the finish (normal due to the Nitro) and the fretboard isnt perfectly flat. Mine had some waves along the edge.. My Explorer does too.. Doesnt hurt anything, and kinda makes it feel more organic.. But the Ltds and others are thickly finished and have that almost plastic, preciseness about them.. Not bad, just different.

So, try as many as you can, find the one that moves you and rock on!

[mwalluk]

I love the silver burst!
First, there are still great Gibsons out there.. Just play as many as you can, (esp with studios) and see what one speaks to you.

To me, studios feel very cobbly when compared to LTDs and such.. By that, I mean feel like they were whittled from a block of wood. The LTDS are very glossy and all. My Studio you could see the wood grain in the finish (normal due to the Nitro) and the fretboard isnt perfectly flat. Mine had some waves along the edge.. My Explorer does too.. Doesnt hurt anything, and kinda makes it feel more organic.. But the Ltds and others are thickly finished and have that almost plastic, preciseness about them.. Not bad, just different.

So, try as many as you can, find the one that moves you and rock on!

I completely agree with you on the LTD feel. The other guitarist has a LP in the band and playing his just feels different. Maybe just use to mine. The reason I narrowed it down to those three, is cosmetics. I like the finish of LTD's so I want to get something similar.

I'm actually planning on selling my LTDs to help cover atleast 2/3s of it.

[uOpt]

The LP Studio is a full thickness LP and it's neck is one-piece, not sleeved on headplate. That makes it an entirely different guitar compared to e.g. a LTD. Not that those are bad guitars.

The LP Studio is swiss-cheesed but then a LP Std is chambered and a LP trad is also swiss-cheesed. All of them have a Nashville with metal anchors in the deck.

If you want something better on paper you have to go Gibson historic or used MIJ.

[Funkfingers]

I hate the misuse of the model name Deluxe to describe an unbound body/neck model with regular HBs. To me, LP Deluxe = mini HBs.

*

Meanwhile, in the pic below, you will see my two Gibson Les Pauls. Both were purchased pre-owned. One cost me double what I paid for the other. I expect that you can guess which one.

On the left is a 2006 Standard P90 Limited Edition. It has all of the trimmings that most guitarists desire (and expect) in a Les Paul model guitar. Binding, trapezoid inlays, the carved maple top.

On the right is a 2002 Junior Special. It is a bit of a Plain Jane but all of the essential ingredients of a Gibson are present and correct. It just looks less impressive. Some of the aspirational trimmings are absent.

This last detail is why the LP Studio model gets a kicking. Some of the cosmetic detailing is absent. So, on some variants, is about a quarter of an inch of the body thickness! The model's reputation was not helped by the Lite with MIII electronics model.

What this thread needs now is Aceman to post pics of his LP Studio Gem with P90s.

[elscorcho]

Another thing to keep in mind is neck profiles.......the Silverbursts I've played have the "60s Slim" neck, while the last one in the picture has the "59 Rounded" ....I'd try to play a few and see if you have a preference.....Nice used Studios can also be had for $800 and less in this economy....

I've had several studios and they do vary from guitar to guitar but I love the '02 I still have now...good luck!

[mwalluk]

The LP Studio is swiss-cheesed but then a LP Std is chambered and a LP trad is also swiss-cheesed. All of them have a Nashville with metal anchors in the deck.

Not understanding your terminology.

[elscorcho]

Not understanding your terminology.

....what the body looks like under the maple cap when its not solid...

Chambered:

Weight relieved:

[elscorcho]

^ from This Thread

[misterwhizzy]

I have the Fireburst model, but I opted for chrome hardware. The day I went to the store and played a bunch of them, that was the one that spoke to both me and my wallet. I haven't regretted my decision since I got it, and I have yet to go out looking for another guitar. Curiosity gets me every once in a while, but GAS does not when it comes to guitars.

[Aceman]

My official statement on LP Studios: It is all the Les Paul you will ever need.

It has everything that makes an LP what it is: Mahogany, maple, rosewood, neck, bridge, HB's....

As with all Gibsons - actually play them as they vary considerably in tone/feel. And disregard all the x-ray crap.

If it feels good, and sounds good, it is good.

[phil_104]

My official statement on LP Studios: It is all the Les Paul you will ever need.

I agree, BUT.....

When I had my studio, I found myself thinking that this guitar sounded and played awesome. It had everything I needed in a LP, but not everything I wanted.

The pickups are great, the tone is awesome. What I felt was lacking was neck binding, finish, and other factors that make it feel rougher.

I know this sounds like a lot of money, but for 800(ish) more, you can hit the used market, and get yourself a great condition stardard, or traditional, that will be the LP that you will play for the next 30 years.

Of course, some dudes REALLY like their studios, and I have seen some gems out there. I still do once in a while. Just play some.

[mwalluk]

Well I ended up getting the Gibson Les Paul Studio Deluxe. The Silverburst was a sweet, but it didn't have the weight. didn't like the hollow spots. Couldn't really tell the difference in the necks.

[these_go211]

i agree with aceman. the studios have all the essentials for a les paul. they are missing some cosmetics, that's it. to my ears, the sound and feel is the same. mine is a 2000 studio.

[guitfiddle]

i agree with aceman. the studios have all the essentials for a les paul. they are missing some cosmetics, that's it. to my ears, the sound and feel is the same. mine is a 2000 studio.

I don't think of the Studios as missing anything.

I kind of think of the body binding and bursts and flame maple on the Standards as embellishments that aren't really needed. They look nice, but you can't tell on recordings, so it's purely visual.

To me, the Studio is the Standard's spirit personified. Nothing is missing if looks don't matter.

[uOpt]

I actually like necks without fretboard binding better.

The lack of body binding in combination with a sharp edge looks a little funky, though, in particular with dark colors.

[alteredbeast]

that silverburst is tits man.

[GuitarDoc]

I've never liked the Fireburst and the Heritage Cherry looks cheap without the body binding. I've always hated the Silverburst on a LP, but think it looks great on a SG. But of the three, I like the Silverburst best.

[Jeff_H]

I've played some studio's that really really kicked ass. I could just never get past the lack of binding. For some reason I just can't deal with it. Therefore, I am left paying much more money for the small difference.

Hope you enjoy your new LP.