1985 Les Paul Studio White

[scottknouse]

Anybody out there have this model? Trying to figure out the value. Can you tell me anything more about it?

 

[sparks]

Sorry about a slow reply, but new activation through the holidays took a long time.

I bought an excellent '86 Studio in blue off of ebay with a brand new Gibson case; the cost was around $650, which I thought was an excellent price compared to the newer Studios being auctioned ($100 higher in worse condition.)

I was attracted to the ebony fretboard, though MOP dot inlays do not stand out as much as trapezoid inlays do. The body is just under 1 3/4" thick, the carved cap is 1/4" thick.

Do you have specs for you '85 Studio? Are your tuning keys chrome or white plastic?

I'm trying to find out if mine has a maple or alder carved top under the blue paint. Also, was the official color called "electric blue?"

 

[AndyC]

In general mid 80's studios go pretty cheap - in the $ 650 - $ 800 range. Depends heavily on condition. Also weight varies quite a bit, but these tend to be pretty heavy.

I've never heard of an alder cap on a Les paul. Should be a maple cap on a mahogany back on a studio.

White Les Pauls in good condition seem to grab a premium, so I'd factor that in on the price estimation.

No idea on official color naming convention.

In any case, Studios tend to be very good buys in Les Pauls if you are looking for the sound and feel, without paying top dollar. You won't get a lot of resale value of course, but you get a real Les Paul for a "reasonable" price.

Welcome to the forum, guys! Enjoy yourselves! :salude

 

[samdjr74]

I had a 90 or 91 studio in Alpine white with the dot inlays and gold hardware, great guitar but the finish turned yellow and pink in about 3 months. It had a maple cap, I ended up stripping the finish off and redoing it myself, big mistake.

Sam

 

[scottknouse]

Thanks for the replies. Once I purchased this guitar I found out it was a 1986 model. Absolutely perfect condition, now in Vintage White, with no scratches , dings, dents, etc. (Hard to believe!) The only things missing (for the moment, he's searching) are the original pickguard and knobs. I keep looking on epay for a similar Studio, year and model, but there are none to be found. Makes me think they're kinda rare!?!?

 

[fatneck]

The color and condition are its strong points, not its rarity, or lack thereof. I've never seen a used Studio bring $1000 but your's could be the first. Tougher if it has dot inlays. Also, some of the early Studios are really thin. Hopefully your's is regular thickness. It should have the bigger protector style case.

 

[scottknouse]

The color and condition are its strong points, not its rarity, or lack thereof. I've never seen a used Studio bring $1000 but your's could be the first. Tougher if it has dot inlays. Also, some of the early Studios are really thin. Hopefully your's is regular thickness. It should have the bigger protector style case.

Does have dot inlays but is thick and has some serious weight to it. The original case is included, I think someone called it a "chainsaw" case, I also heard it called a "gun" case. Just wondering if I should sell to upgrade to something better.

 

[scottknouse]

Sorry about a slow reply, but new activation through the holidays took a long time.

I bought an excellent '86 Studio in blue off of ebay with a brand new Gibson case; the cost was around $650, which I thought was an excellent price compared to the newer Studios being auctioned ($100 higher in worse condition.)

I was attracted to the ebony fretboard, though MOP dot inlays do not stand out as much as trapezoid inlays do. The body is just under 1 3/4" thick, the carved cap is 1/4" thick.

Do you have specs for you '85 Studio? Are your tuning keys chrome or white plastic?

I'm trying to find out if mine has a maple or alder carved top under the blue paint. Also, was the official color called "electric blue?"

Just found out mine is an '86. I thought these only came in three colors: Cherry, Black and White. There is a picture (1985 Promo Ad) displaying the 3 guitar colorson ebay for sale, check it out. Plastic tuning keys but look like a funky kind of jade green now, I don't know if they were white to begin with. My white has to vintage cream, really sweet looking. I'd love to know where I can find the specs on these models, seems tough to locate.

 

[scottknouse]

I had a 90 or 91 studio in Alpine white with the dot inlays and gold hardware, great guitar but the finish turned yellow and pink in about 3 months. It had a maple cap, I ended up stripping the finish off and redoing it myself, big mistake.

Sam

Sorry to hear of your color problem. I guess fortunately for me, mine is that creamy vintage color now.

 

[torger]

Does have dot inlays but is thick and has some serious weight to it. The original case is included, I think someone called it a "chainsaw" case, I also heard it called a "gun" case. Just wondering if I should sell to upgrade to something better.

Its a protector case and is considered the best, protectionwise, maybe not lookwise:wah? Anyway; I`ve learned that a lot of the guys on this forum with expensive old wood use it for their guitars. My advice; stick to it:salude

trgr

 

[plaintop60]

I have an '86 wine red one with gold hardware. It's heavy......8lbs.7ozs. Way too heavy for my taste, but the ebony fingerboard and heavy body give this guitar a wickedly strong fundamental and sustain for days.......an excellent recipe for studio work because you can enhance this steely tone with effects and not get too muddy. Studios are just standards without the plastic binding.....very high bang/buck ratio.

 

[sparks]

I've got all the Guitar Player mags from 1968. If I look in the right spot, I'll find that very ad. The poor picture from the ad you mentioned makes those 3 Studios look like wine red, tobacco sunburst and Alpine white.

I have the Gibson 1986 catalog in front of me, now. Of the Studios, there are 2 models- the LP Studio Standard that has a dive bomber whammy bar, locking nut, with cream plastic (binding on neck, body binding, pickguard, etc,) black speed knobs, PAFs, 1/4" maple cap on a mahogany body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays, chrome hardware, pearloid keystone tuner buttons on a red painted body.

The other is called the LP Studio. It shows chrome hardware, pearloid keystone tuners, an unbound rosewood board on a mahogany neck, dot inlays, unbound body, pickguard in either black or cream, black speed knobs, PAFs, and the body is listed as just mahogany. It's not painted, but is stained wine red with the grain showing through (like the present day Vintage Mahogany model.)

There is NO mention in this catalog as to available colors, but here is what John Ellis from Gibson wrote to me in 2004.

When first introduced in 1983, the Studio came in natural, electric blue, pewter or tobacco sunburst, chrome hardware, 1 piece maple neck, MOP dot inlays, PAFs, no binding anywhere, and ebony fingerboard. The colors ebony, white and wine red were added in 1984. He also stated that in 2004, the Standard and Custom were 2" thick, while the Studio is 1 13/16" thick. There is less mahogany on the Studio. (Thickness and specs have varied over the years and changes occurr without notice.)

My 1986 Studio in electric blue, with black plastic parts, has dot inlays on an ebony board. I can see the seam of the 1/4" carved top and total thickness measures just under 1 3/4." I've been wanting to get it weighed on a digital scale. (It's not back breaking like the early 80's Custom I played 5 nights a week plus 2 weekend weddings. I got rid of that boat anchor mighty quick!)

Comparing the different features from my different sources, my own instrument has variations differing from the catalog and Gibson response. Other features were offered between 1984-1999, but this is getting too long. If anyone wishes to ask, I'll answer in a later response.

 

[Kevyn]

What an interesting and timely thread topic.

Just purchase an '86 LP Studio...probably originally Alpine White now aged to a nice soft pale yellow. Has white top body binding, no neck binding on the ebony fingerboard, dot inlays, mahogany(could it be maple?) set neck and mahogany body with the PAF's. Chrome hardware, gold' volume and tone knobs and the tuning 'ears' have turned a nice shade of pale green.

It was a tough choice; '86 Studio with the PAF's or newer Standard. The Standard was in excellent condition but my fingers and ears said the Studio played easier and sounded just a bit 'fuller'.

This is my first LP. My first Gibson was an Ebony Nighthawk with the 3 pickups and coil select.

Thanks for the great forum and thanks for the information.

Kevin L

 

[Kevyn]

:2paf