Gibson Les Paul Studio - Deluxe, Special, etc?

[niceguy]

Lots of variations on the Studio, from what I see on musician's fiend and other sites. Anyone have direct experience with these? Let's see some pics! I like how some of these special studio models have 60s necks.

[Brian Krashpad]

I have one of the more unusual LP Studios, a Double Cutaway. Produced for a few years in the '90's.

 

 

In addition to the DC design, it had a chambered body, a 2-pot setup, and a wrap bridge.

[Chairborne]

I have the twin to Brian's guitar, along with a Gothic Studio, VM Studio and a white Studio. They have varying neck profiles but all are nice guitars. What specifically do you want to know?

[niceguy]

cool! just wondering how overall build quality goes with these guitars. most importantly---since there's no neck binding, are the fret ends finished nicely?

[Brian Krashpad]

No prob w/the fret ends on mine. Build quality overall is good, really just as good (non-cosmetically) as my LP Classic.

[trashedlostfdup]

satin ebony would be my preference if you dont mind the finish. i actually like that finish better than my full trim studio.

 

60's neck, 498t. perfect for me. i prefer the sound of the 498t for my tone, however most prefer different Gibson pickups.

 

the faded series is good/bad. bad that it has the 50's neck (too thick for my tastes), good that it has the burstbuckers. i have not been impressed by the cherry colored finishes, the natural mahogany looks much better IMO

 

if i were to buy another studio, i would get the silverburst. that model has a ebony board which would be nice, and if i remember correctly coil tapping.

[cavpilot]

cool! just wondering how overall build quality goes with these guitars. most importantly---since there's no neck binding, are the fret ends finished nicely?

 

Gibson USA ought to be ashamed of the razor sharp ends of their non-binding covered frets. I've got 3 Epi's with no fret binding---all nicely finished. Both of my Gibsons (LP Studio and SG Special) came with sharp fret ends. Hell, my $30 Hannah Montana guitar had better finished frets than my Gibbys.

[trashedlostfdup]

cool! just wondering how overall build quality goes with these guitars. most importantly---since there's no neck binding, are the fret ends finished nicely?

 

fret ends are fine and everything else really. build quality in both of mine is great. i dont know where that bullshit with QC came from, because i sure havent seen it from my experiance.

 

go play them though, pick the one that suits you best.

[MONGOOZ]

Vintage Faded, all mahogany with burstbuckers (stock)

take the black plastic hardware off and replace with cream

 

[drawdeep]

I have a Gothic and a Studio Lite- except for the cosmetics, every bit the equal of every Classic/Standard I have played... and if you get models like these with Grovers and ebony fretboards, honestly to me they are functionally right up there with the Customs

 

I have not been able to bond with the Fadeds... partly because of the finish and partly because I am not a big Burstbucker fan.

[smorgdonkey]

I have 3 Gibson Les Paul Studios which all have that 'fat' '59 neck. They are one of my favorite all-time models of guitar of any brand. I have two Ebony (black) with rosewood fingerboards and one Alpine White with the ebony fingerboard.

 

I am not a fan of the stock pickups at all - many people like them but I'm not one of those people. This one has Lindy Fralin P92 pickups in it:

 

This one has Lindy Fralin humbuckers:

 

and this one is going to have Brian Gunsher's Pure 90 pickups in it. I have the pickups but I am just waiting on some hardware.

[niceguy]

^ sweet guitars! mind telling why the studio is your fav guitar of all?

[smorgdonkey]

^ sweet guitars! mind telling why the studio is your fav guitar of all?

 

1-I like the Studio because it really does have a big and thick sound which is noticeable above other designs. I could even notice it with the stock pickups which I had to have for a while to determine that they weren't exactly what I wanted (possibly because that sound was so dense and had a character that I wasn't very familiar with).

 

2-I like them because they don't have neck bindings. That is the area that Gibson is the sloppiest with and most every time I read a complaint about Gibson Quality Control issues, that is the only thing that I think of because most everything else is done right almost all of the time IMO.

 

3-I also really appreciate that it has the same components as other Les Pauls but is not necessarily flashy. I like the GO and I don't care too much for the SHOW.

 

4-The '59 neck is great for me. I like lots of different necks but when you are holding a Studio neck ('59 neck) then you know you are holding onto something. They aren't great for small hands but you can't tell me that it doesn't add to the tone when your strings are running up a nice thick neck instead of a little skinny neck.

 

5-It is nice to have a great guitar like a Gibson Les Paul without having to spend multiple thousands of dollars.

[niceguy]

1-I like the Studio because it really does have a big and thick sound which is noticeable above other designs. I could even notice it with the stock pickups which I had to have for a while to determine that they weren't exactly what I wanted (possibly because that sound was so dense and had a character that I wasn't very familiar with). 2-I like them because they don't have neck bindings. That is the area that Gibson is the sloppiest with and most every time I read a complaint about Gibson Quality Control issues, that is the only thing that I think of because most everything else is done right almost all of the time IMO. 3-I also really appreciate that it has the same components as other Les Pauls but is not necessarily flashy. I like the GO and I don't care too much for the SHOW. 4-The '59 neck is great for me. I like lots of different necks but when you are holding a Studio neck ('59 neck) then you know you are holding onto something. They aren't great for small hands but you can't tell me that it doesn't add to the tone when your strings are running up a nice thick neck instead of a little skinny neck. 5-It is nice to have a great guitar like a Gibson Les Paul without having to spend multiple thousands of dollars.

very well put! I'm seriously looking into Studios now. I kinda like the workhorse, non-flashy appeal.

[Hard Truth]

One major difference between the Studio models is that the faded versions, and perhaps some of the other models, don't have the maple cap.

 

I'm very happy with my LP Studio with the stock pickups.

[trashedlostfdup]

Vintage Faded, all mahogany with burstbuckers (stock) take the black plastic hardware off and replace with cream

 

where did you get creme hardware from?

 

i think creme would look sick on my satin ebony.

[Karma1]

Here's my '92 Studio Lite with a 60's neck and ebony fingerboard - great guitar.

 

[brunog]

I don't care for the faded models but if you do then the guitar is every bit a LP as a standard and is a good value.

 

Both necks work fine for me just really a matter of taste too.

[smorgdonkey]

my wine red one for $600 with a really nice case.

I still want a wine red one...

[tele0507]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Les-Paul-Studio-Electric-Guitar?sku=582657

[Mav64]

Mine is 100% stock and I'm completely happy with it. But then again I'm easily satisfied...

[bdegrande]

I have a Studio Robot, which features automatic tuning, a locking Neutrik jack, and, most importantly to me, locking tuners, I have always hated the standard "Gibson Deluxe" tuners and considered them the weak link in the Les Paul line.

[smorgdonkey]

I have always hated the standard "Gibson Deluxe" tuners and considered them the weak link in the Les Paul line.

 

Come on man...the plastic nut is easily the weak point on almost every guitar including the Les Paul line.

[Snakehead]

I have a 2008 studio in harvest sunburst, and I like it a lot. Probably the best-playing guitar I have. Well built, and the fret ends are fine. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again if I had to.