Why no Les Paul Studio love on the forum?

papersoul · Mar 1, 2013

Hey guys,

I have been considering a second LP. I have a 2003 Standard lightburst that is awesome. I used to own a 1994 LP Standard that was nice, but too heavy so I sold it. I used to own a Classic with the 60s neck but sold it because the neck was too thin.

How about the Studios? My tech says they are junky next to a good Standard. Any truth? If I can find a sweet Studio in white with gold hardware and as long as it sounds good, I can have my tech level and dress the frets and set it up to play well.

Are some years better than others? I hear the early to mid 90s were great LP Studio years?!

Any thoughts on Studios?

I will admit that most LPs I have played, felt like crap but there must be good ones.

captaincanada · Mar 1, 2013

This is actually a subject that I've dealt with recently, although I don't personally own a Studio..

One of my guitar students is a blues virtuoso, he's a high school student. His grand dad gave him some money to get a new guitar, so I helped him pick out a Les Paul, and the best one we found was a 2009 Studio in Fireburst. This guitar is easily the rival of my R0 historic or my 1969 Standard. The finish is really pretty, and the body has some kind of chambering, so it weighs around 7 lbs, and the neck is pretty chunky (which I like..)

I think he got it for around $850 with a case, and I wouldn't hesitate to use it in any professional or live setting. I'm actually thinking of getting one myself..

I can't speak about Studio's from other eras, and I believe that every guitar should be judged on it's own merits, but I do not agree with your tech's assessment.

Sea Bass · Mar 1, 2013

I love my 2001 desert burst! Big rounded neck, bigger than my 2001 LP Custom. 498T/490R pickups leave some to be desired compared to Burstbuckers or '57 Classics. But overall, I love it. Very light with great sustain, too.

papersoul · Mar 1, 2013

Most of the Studios I have played, played like crap, but I know good ones exist. I can't take the chance though on getting a used one off eBay and I am not buying locally new so I may just have to skip one. Maybe I can try craigslist. I never see used LPs in the stores around Philly.

lespaul1970 · Mar 2, 2013

I have pretty much every type of LP- Standards, Customs, Historics, and a few Studios. Mine are all mid 90's Studios and all play and sound great in my opinion. I have played newer ones that seem like they are still being made very well. Studios are such a great bang for the buck- and I'd put mine up against any other LP out there. They play just as well as any of my Historics or others to me. Great, underrated instruments. Personally, I've bought higher priced LPs because I like the Historics, etc. Cosmetically- for the binding, etc. you always want to get what you're looking for. And don't get me wrong- alot of Studios LOOK great too! But for anyone just looking to get the classic LP feel and sound, and aren't worried about the extras (again- binding, etc.) - I'd recommend a Studio in a heart beat.

papersoul · Mar 2, 2013

lespaul1970 said:
I have pretty much every type of LP- Standards, Customs, Historics, and a few Studios. Mine are all mid 90's Studios and all play and sound great in my opinion. I have played newer ones that seem like they are still being made very well. Studios are such a great bang for the buck- and I'd put mine up against any other LP out there. They play just as well as any of my Historics or others to me. Great, underrated instruments. Personally, I've bought higher priced LPs because I like the Historics, etc. Cosmetically- for the binding, etc. you always want to get what you're looking for. And don't get me wrong- alot of Studios LOOK great too! But for anyone just looking to get the classic LP feel and sound, and aren't worried about the extras (again- binding, etc.) - I'd recommend a Studio in a heart beat.

I think on the Studios I had tested, had poor fretwork and just felt not as smooth or comfy as a Standard.

I do hear good things about mid 90s Studios. I am considering a used 90s Studio or Standard. Used Standards from the 90s don't seem much more expensve than the Studios, so why not go with the Standard, ya know?

I am actually getting excited. However, I love how binding on a Gibson gives the fretboard a very smooth feel. However, for $120, my tech can do a perfect leveling, fret dressing, including the fret ends, to give it an ultra smooth feel. Either this or a 90s Standard which for some reason, sell for less than Standards from the 2000s. I need to play it first before I buy so I will have to shop locally.
Look at this!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-Gibson-Les-Paul-Studio-Fireburst-with-Gold-Hardware-w-HSC-Made-in-USA-/251225263290?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a7e314cba

Do you guys know anything about the Studio Deluxe? Burstbucker Pro bridge pickup and 490R neck pickup is a nice set in my opinion/
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Studio-Deluxe-50s/Specs.aspx

Trans-Am · Mar 2, 2013

Here you go!

Peace!

57Lefty · Mar 2, 2013

I just never liked the look of LP's with no binding on them.

gypsyseven · Mar 2, 2013

57Lefty said:
I just never liked the look of LP's with no binding on them.

+1...except it's a Junior....

joemags54 · Mar 2, 2013

You're right Papersoul..I'm lousy at describing exactly what it is that draws me to this git, it all just works so well..just a great feel. She gets a good workout every morning.. It's usually the one I have around my neck when I'm reading the posts here.. I should mention that the first 2 studios that I received had finish issues, so you have to check the one you're interested in carefully.... As a matter of fact, I'm bringing her in for a set up today.Here's a pic when it was new...

[/IMG] Go ahead and laugh, I've actually considered this git for an HM makeover, to take it to the limit...

papersoul · Mar 2, 2013

I agree with you guys, I need binding on a Les Paul. Luckily LP Standards from the 90s are pretty cheap.

Trans-Am · Mar 2, 2013

...make up your mind man.....you aint got enough time to get them 90's used/leftover Pauls now.:wah

Studios are awesome from the 90's. They dont make em like they used to.

Binding with or without it's all preferrence and cosmetics, go with what you like is what's important and not what somebody has.

Peace!!

Besides? this forum should've given you the ins and out long time ago!

Good Luck and show us some PORN !!!

Don · Mar 2, 2013

I had a '93 like this one. It was a real good guitar! I paid $200! the headstock had been professionally repaired, the gold was worn, the knobs mismatched and the finished yellowed and stained.

Trans-Am said:
Here you go!

Peace!

papersoul · Mar 2, 2013

Picked up another PRS Custom 22 today. It spoke to me. Decided to get another newer LP Standard or Traditional as well!

shred · Mar 2, 2013

Wouldn't mind seeing her... Birds? 10 top?

hotos

Trans-Am · Mar 2, 2013

papersoul said:
Picked up another PRS Custom 22 today. It spoke to me. Decided to get another newer LP Standard or Traditional as well!

...what comes next?

PORN !!!:bug

Treze · Mar 3, 2013

I love studios. I used to be a "Standard lover", but, now, I'm more into the beauty of a non binding neck. I'm an happy owner of a Tribute 60's.

I wish Gibson produce someday a Studio with mini blocks inlays.

Bluespower · Mar 4, 2013

Studios are great guitars for the money. But, everyone I've tried in the stores needed a trus rod tweak, fret ends filed down and smoothed out , top wrapped, and the ABR lowered. After that they played and sounded great.

Gibson doesn't seem to finish them very well. I guess that's our job. To our preferences.

I bought a 2012 studio '50s tribute with Humbuckers as a back up for my R9 and I'm very happy with it. Not a 90's but has a thin nitro finish and sunburst on top. Perfect to haul to rehearsal or a nasty gig. I'm having trouble getting my head around a baked maple fretboard. But it sounds very good and plays very good... I only paid 500 for it. A steal as far as I'm concerned.

papersoul · Mar 4, 2013

Honestly guys, if I can find a Studio that either plays as nice as my 2003 LP Standard or can be made to play as well as my Standard, you can count me in! Lately I have been trying to be better with my money and keep thinking, do I want to spend another $1700 on a Les Paul or get a used Studio that speaks to me and maybe another SG some day.

Thanks for all the information and suggestions guys. I do appreciate it!

The Custom 22 I grabbed was blue, but I returned it today. I just can't bond with PRS other than my CE-22 from 1994. All I had to do was do a nice comparison to my CE-22 and they always get sold or go back to the store.

Trans-Am · Mar 4, 2013

You just missed out on a couple of used but mint Tribute Studio's GT and Ebony with HSC for $550.
I could've of hooked you up knowing you wanted Studio, and they ship free.

Peace!

Why no Les Paul Studio love on the forum?

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