Am I mad to want a Les Paul Studio?

[Demioblue]

I have a USA Standard. I also have a R7 Black Beauty. I always felt my next step would be to get an R8 or R9.:cool:

But I have been getting SERIOUS GAS for this:

http://www.cranesmusicstore.com/images/law_0039_small_medium_1.jpg

Am I mad?:huh

[CyberFerret]

Not mad at all - that's an absolutely beautiful guitar...

Take me for instance - I have a really nice LP Deluxe and LP Studio, but feel I'm missing out on having a 'real' Les Paul...go figure! :) :bonk

[theroan]

The only real difference between the two is binding and fancy tops, maybe necks and electronics too. The woods are all the same.

[Metalrulez]

There is nothing wrong with the studios.They are perfectly fine guitars.:sarcasm As to weather or not you are mad the tone of the post indicates slightly pissed off not mad.:bonk:nuts

[Travst]

I have a '91 that I bought new. I've never been happier with a guitar than I am with the Studio. I'm picking up one of the new ones in honeyburst. Two great guitars, one with buckers and one with P90s... sounds perfect to me.

[rummy]

White LPs are sexy! I have a Custom in white, but it's a little too heavy. I'm thinking about getting a Studio just like yours as a backup. :aok

[Johnnytone]

The only real difference between the two is binding and fancy tops, maybe necks and electronics too. The woods are all the same.

The Studio's body is a bit thinner than the Standard, etc.

[theroan]

True, not by much, but noticable.

[pickaguitar]

They're great when they age....my alpine white was a creamy yellow after about 20 years

[straightblues]

I would say go play it first. Don't buy it on looks alone. If you are satisfied with it, sell your others because you paid too much for them.

[germs]

not really, they're great guitars.

you might be surprised to know how many pro stage/touring musicians play a LP studio...

[A-Bone]

My first electric, back in '88, was a Les Paul Studio. Great guitar.

[MOJO]

i've always liked the look of the "Studio" without the binding and fancy tops
i'd most likely remove the pickguard as well

[OM Flyer]

I just don't see owning three of the same guitar, no matter what it is. And I think the bridge pickup on the Studio is shrill and annoying. But that's just me. It is a pretty guitar.

[Demioblue]

I would say go play it first. Don't buy it on looks alone. If you are satisfied with it, sell your others because you paid too much for them.

Ah... You don't know how much I got for those 2. Trust me when I say I didn't over pay, and their quality and value to a player over time has more than made up for the initial cost.

Yes, the studio is 100% for the looks. If it sounds half as good as my R7, I'll be impressed.

[Demioblue]

I just don't see owning three of the same guitar, no matter what it is. And I think the bridge pickup on the Studio is shrill and annoying. But that's just me. It is a pretty guitar.

How are they the same? One is chambered with a Rosewood board, one is full solid Mahog with Ebony board, and both have completely different tones emanating from them.

The studio will have a thinner body (lighter, also because it's chambered), but has a maple top, and an ebony board.

Nope... All 3 will be different.

[RocksOff]

Not mad at all. I went LP shopping a couple of weeks ago on a whim and found a few that I liked. Eventually, my guitar guy threw a 2008 studio into the mix and I almost crapped myself when I played it. Incredibly resonant. Not so keen on the hot alnico bridge pup... But that's a nonissue. Anyway, I bought it. I was expecting to spend big money and walked out cheap with a nice Lester. The only one of the mix that I liked better was an older goldtop, but it was too rich for my blood.

[captain_bob]

Not mad at all. I have 2 white studios!

[OM Flyer]

How are they the same? One is chambered with a Rosewood board, one is full solid Mahog with Ebony board, and both have completely different tones emanating from them.

The studio will have a thinner body (lighter, also because it's chambered), but has a maple top, and an ebony board.

Nope... All 3 will be different.

I get it -- three different variations of the same thing. Not for me, but I hope you enjoy your third LP! :bonk

[Pietro]

A buddy has a wine red one that I played recently. SO light. Must be swiss cheese inside.

Plays and sounds AMAZING! I'm totally gassin' for it.

[Bhodie]

Thought it would be cool too.. bought a used alpine white with ebony board from GC.. had it a day and took it back.. was just not the quality, sound, feel, anything.. like I had expected. I would have had to "perfume that pig" with new tuners and pickups at a minimum.. just not for me..

[b2sc]

After owning 15+ LPs over the past 25 years, all Standards, Customs, Juniors, being modern production, Historics and also 50s vintage, I bought my first Studio model 2 months ago.

A P90s equipped Gem. I don't regret it at all and it fits right in there with the other 4 or 5 high end LPs I currently own. i'm just as proud slinging this one in public as any of them....

[McStrats]

The only real difference between the two is binding and fancy tops, maybe necks and electronics too. The woods are all the same.

The Studio has a thinner maple cap and 4 piece mahogany body. I'm pretty sure that the neck pitch angle is less on a Studio also.

The Studio is a decent guitar but you can do a lot better for the money.

[McStrats]

After owning 15+ LPs over the past 25 years, all Standards, Customs, Juniors, being modern production, Historics and also 50s vintage, I bought my first Studio model 2 months ago.

A P90s equipped Gem. I don't regret it at all and it fits right in there with the other 4 or 5 high end LPs I currently own. i'm just as proud slinging this one in public as any of them....

The mid 90's GEM is definitely one of the better studio offerings.

[McStrats]

How are they the same? One is chambered with a Rosewood board, one is full solid Mahog with Ebony board, and both have completely different tones emanating from them.

The studio will have a thinner body (lighter, also because it's chambered), but has a maple top, and an ebony board.

Nope... All 3 will be different.

The Studio and Standard have the same overall body thickness; although the maple cap on the Studio is thinner than on the Standard. Both are weight relieved - chambering is a whole 'nuther thing.

[custom53]

Bottom line... Whatever makes you happy...!!!

[scmavl]

I own that exact guitar, bought new in '92. Ebony board, turned a nice cream color over time, bare wood showing from years of forearm wear. It's not chambered so it's no feather, but it's not a back breaker either. I put '57 Classics and some PIO caps in it and it's stellar.

Here she is:
http://www.superseventeen.com/6_09slide/images/a_goodsell1.jpg

Also, I just saw a '90 in the Emporium for $500 or $600. Jump on it (if it's still there)!

[Demioblue]

The Studio and Standard have the same overall body thickness; although the maple cap on the Studio is thinner than on the Standard. Both are weight relieved - chambering is a whole 'nuther thing.

I'm hearing conflicting views here. Some say the studio IS thinner, some say it's not. So which is which?

[McStrats]

I'm hearing conflicting views here. Some say the studio IS thinner, some say it's not. So which is which?

I had a 2001 Desert Burst LP Studio and I put it side by side with a recent Standard. Same overall body thickness but thinner maple on the Studio.

[flummox]

The mid 90's GEM is definitely one of the better studio offerings.

I just refinished a Gem and it had a one-piece top and back. Two pieces of wood for the whole body.

[BPSUL]

They are the same size. Neck angle is the same, too.

[Mcclassic]

I have several les pauls, standars, customs (blacks and white), some historics (r4, r6, r7, r8, r9's) and I have been looking for one very nice exactly the same as the one you have there? a white studio with gold hardware, very nice guitar.

The one I have been looking (still don't know if I 'm going to get it or not) plays and sound really good.

So good luck if you can get it, I think you will enjoy it, by the way, crazy or not is nice to have good guitars.

[flummox]

I'm hearing conflicting views here. Some say the studio IS thinner, some say it's not. So which is which?

The Studio is definitely thinner, by about 1/4".

Other stuff:

The 490/498 combo is so different from the Burstbuckers on the Standard that comparing the tone is pointless. I love them both - the 498 sounds enormous with the tone control rolled back a bit.

A lot of Studios come with 350k pots that will sound murky no matter what pickups you install. Best to swap them for 500k's before you decide you hate the stock pups.

The later Studios have wonderful fat 50's necks on them. The rosewood, inlays and fretwork are fine but don't seem to be as high quality as the Standards or Classics. The ebony boards are just plain awesome.

My Gem is the single best p90 guitar I've ever played. I'm pretty sure those of you who ordered those 50's Studios are going to be very, very happy in a month or two.

[Tony]

I have a mid-90's wine red studio... love it.

[RocksOff]

The studio i just got is a 2 piece, if that means anything. I don't know what the magic is in the one I bought, but there is SOMETHING that is working. Like I said earlier, it sounded way better than a lot of the standards that I tried. The one problem is the pups. While I like the 498, it sounds a bit honky to me... and I just discovered while banging it out full volume that the bridge is pretty microphonic. It'll probably have to go. I might put some Imperials in it.

[McStrats]

The studio i just got is a 2 piece, if that means anything. I don't know what the magic is in the one I bought, but there is SOMETHING that is working. Like I said earlier, it sounded way better than a lot of the standards that I tried. The one problem is the pups. While I like the 498, it sounds a bit honky to me... and I just discovered while banging it out full volume that the bridge is pretty microphonic. It'll probably have to go. I might put some Imperials in it.

If it's a recent Studio, then the top is 2 piece but the back is at least 4.

[TD_Madden]

Except for the gold hardware and the fret-markers, that's my '84 Studio....a SD '59 pickup set and tuner change (replaced with OEMs after a couple started to slip) have kept her going and she still rocks hard and feels great. My buddy's been trying to buy it off me fo about 10 years.

Not "white" anymore, though.....and of course un-weight-relieved..

[spankytele]

That Studio you're eying is sweet!! Good luck with your quest! I hope it turns out to be a great guitar.

"I just don't see owning three of the same guitar, no matter what it is."


HAAHHAAAHHHAAAAAAAAA:rotflmao

Man oh man that certainly doesn't apply to Telecasters. Not around here anyway.

"I'd take a junior over a Studio/Standard/Custom anyday!!" spanky declares as he zips up his flameproof suit and jumps out of sight.

[karma1]

I had an exceptionally heavy LP Custom that was really uncomfortable to play, so I sold it and bought a '92 Les Paul Studio Lite. It's a great guitar and I love the ebony fingerboard. I've also done some mods on it: Duncan Seth Lover/neck, Grover tuners, and swapped out the all-black hardware & pickups it came with for gold.

http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo238/diamondsound/LesPaul-1.jpg

[Animal Mother]

That's a nice Studio. I like my Studio but I wish I had a Standard. I tried a friend's Standard and A/B with my Studio and you can clearly see why the Standard is twice the price.

I see you got other LPs, so why not... maybe you should put P-90's on it? So it feels like a different LP and not just the lower quality LP.

[bynt]

I don't think you're crazy. I got a Haynes Signature Les Paul and I love, love, love that guitar but I traded my Studio (and a bunch of other stuff) to get it. The sick part? I miss that damned Studio. They're great guitars and you're not crazy at all!

[Last]

If the Studios have a thinner CAP than why do they take the Long Shaft POTS & the Historics take the Short Shaft POTS?

I'm not saying who's right or who's wrong but this is a fact that now has me wondering if they are thicker not thinner?

Also I could see the Historics using a thinner CAP so they can make more Tops from the same Higher Grade Maple & perhaps there are (well most likely) tonal differences as well.

Interesting subject.

And on the Studio? Go for it! I've played some Studios that certainly hold their own against some of my nicest Historics.

Not an easy feat but they are out there. As the saying goes, play as many as you can.

Since I refinish the Gibson Studio Line I've done over 5 of the Vintage Mahogany Models (now called the Studio Fadeds) & there was one that absolutely just sang.

So much so I tried like hell while refinishing it to see if I could notice anything in the grain pattern or the weight or, well, whatever! Just sounded much MUCH nicer than any of the others I've had.

Never did peg it down.:huh

[Hulakatt]

I can just say I have one of the faded mahogany studios and I love it. It is not the best LP I've played but it is a workhorse and gets slung all around.
I also don't feel as bad about trying different pups, hardware, etc... in it

[schitzkaput]

I have the exact same guitar. Isn't light at all as somebody said in this thread....Really nice Les Paul guitar, I will never sell it :) Looks kinda pimp with the white and gold hardware on it

[Guitar Surgeon]

Not mad, but I wonder if you get the Studio, are you going to play it over the other LPs you already have? It probably has the same pickups... so what are you gaining here?

[Paul86]

My first Gibson was a studio. It had a two piece maple cap and a two piece body. I miss it.

[yell03]

You are not mad at all.....

I've sold my Custom Shop LP 1960 VOS and many other Custom Shop Gibsons & high end Les Pauls.

Here is my remaining collection....

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/yell03/through%20october%2009/March%202010/June2010186.jpg

The last two I would ever think of selling would be the two white ones and one of them is a lowly Les Paul Studio.:bow

[TK LP]

I have a USA Standard. I also have a R7 Black Beauty. I always felt my next step would be to get an R8 or R9.:cool:

But I have been getting SERIOUS GAS for this:



Am I mad?:huh

I've got an R7, R8, and an R9, and this;

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Tomlp_photos/043-2.jpg

It may be a madness, but not a bad one.

[flummox]

Not mad, but I wonder if you get the Studio, are you going to play it over the other LPs you already have? It probably has the same pickups... so what are you gaining here?
The Studio has very different pickups than the Standard or Classic. The Studio VM has Burstbuckers like the newer LPs do, but that's not what we're talking about here.

All that can be swapped, of course. What you really gain is a great Les Paul that you're not terrified to take out of the house.

[Mike9]

I love Studios - here's a 2003 Studio I picked up that had a neck break. It was black so I stripped it, added the tummy cut, masked off the top and shot a cherry burst. The back is almost one piece and it's not weight relieved :aok

http://www.deanguitars.tv/userpics/lib9/MTLP2.JPG
http://www.deanguitars.tv/userpics/lib9/MTLP5.JPG

[Demioblue]

Not mad, but I wonder if you get the Studio, are you going to play it over the other LPs you already have? It probably has the same pickups... so what are you gaining here?

Lets see... Maple cap+ chambered mahog body + ebony fretboard. Different pups.

I think I stand to gain a lot...:rotflmao

[John Thigpen]

I love the Studio Premium Plus with Natural top...I keep seeing them on eBay and they are absolutely gorgeous...natural flamed top with gold hardware, with rosewood fingerboard (I like ebony...wish it had that). They're usually about $1,300. Nothing budget looking about them. Anybody have one and want to comment?

John

[KCWM]

I recently bought a 2003 Studio Faded (with the burstbuckers). Don't get me wrong, I really like the painted look of a normal studio, but there's just something about how the faded plays and sounds that's converted me over. It's my #1 after almost 15 years of being a Fender guy. The faded finish isn't pretty, but that means I'll be less concerned about dings, scratches, and other wear. You're not mad at all.

[Coolidge]

Lets see... Maple cap+ chambered mahog body + ebony fretboard. Different pups.

I think I stand to gain a lot...:rotflmao

I just purchased a Les Paul Studio Silverburst which has

- Ebony fret board
- 490R Alnico II neck pup
- 498T Hot Alnico bridge pup
- Coil tapped
- All metal tuners (I loath plastic tuner knobs)
- Nitro lacquer finish
- Maple top
- 60's neck

Did I mention it only cost $720 from Musicians Friends?

[David Vee]

I just purchased a Les Paul Studio Silverburst which has

- Ebony fret board
- 490R Alnico II neck pup
- 498T Hot Alnico bridge pup
- Coil tapped
- All metal tuners (I loath plastic tuner knobs)
- Nitro lacquer finish
- Maple top
- 60's neck

Did I mention it only cost $720 from Musicians Friends?

Been gassing that puppy, too... and at the risk of outraging the purists, I SOOOOOO agree about plastic tuners.

Of all the things Gibson could do to "update" the look for the next model year of Standards, et al - lose the plastic keystone tuner knobs. Keep them on the reissues, if you must, because that's what they had back in the day... but I would love to see nickel (chrome?) in a heartbeat.

Well, there's my wish list item for Gibson...

Your mileage may vary.