All user reviews for the Gibson Les Paul Studio

(Originally written by TheDeed/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
It's not necessary to introduce this legendary instrument. Small reminder:

Mahogany body with maple top.

Mahogany neck. 21 frets, rosewood fingerboard, '59 neck profile (slim tapper)

Two humbuckers: 490R (neck position) and 498T (bridge position).

Two volume and two tone controls. 3-way toggle switch.

Tune-o-matic bridge.

Vintage "green key" machine heads.

White acrylic trapezoidal fingerboard inlays. Wonderful cellulose varnish.

Chrome or golden hardware. I recommend the chrome version, which will surely look nicer as time goes by.

Made in the USA. You can find documentaries about its manufacturing on the web. It's wonderful. Body and neck are made with digital machines and everything else is handcrafted.

Sold with a high-quality case with padded handle and white plush on the inside. The case is perfectly shaped for the guitar.

The guitar comes with a user's manual and a key for the truss rod. A quality control certificate is also included. And that's it. I would've liked to have gotten a small collector's gift like a strap, a cable or a cleaning set for example...

Gibson also provides a life-long warranty.

Fender only offers a 5-year warranty.

UTILIZATION

The well-known Les Paul defects are always the same:

Neck profile, heaviness and access to the upper frets.

I don't consider them as defects but as particularities, which can be accepted or not by the user.

If it's too difficult for you to get to the upper frets, a double cut Les Paul will solve the problem.

Regarding the weight, if you are willing to give up part of the sustain and the sound roundness, try another Gibson model (the SG provides more mids and highs for a more aggressive sound, or an Explorer, a Flying, etc.).

Regarding the neck, you can choose between the very slim '59 profile of the Studio ('60 profile for the Les paul Standard) and the famous and thicker '50 profile.

It's a matter of taste.

I previously played Fender guitars (Stratocaster and Telecaster) and I didn't have any problem to adapt to the neck of my Les Paul Studio. It has a short scale, which I find easier to play compared to a Fender.

Regarding playability, it's easier to play a Fender than this Gibson when sitting. I needed some time to adapt to that. On the other hand, if you're standing use a wide guitar strap in case you're not very strong. The wider the strap the better the instrument's weight is distributed on your shoulder. Look at Slash for example, he uses a very slim strap but he often puts the guitar on his leg. Once again, it's a matter of taste.

FYI my Les Paul Studio weighs exactly 8.8 lb.

When it comes to sound, everything is easy if you have a good amp: Just plug and you already have a good sound.

Just play with the EQ settings of the amp to shape it.

SOUNDS

I play mainly rock stuff (AC/DC and others) but also blues, pop, heavy metal and power ballads. The guitar is perfect for every music style. I always get the sound I need.

I use a Vox AD30VT modeling amp. The Boutique OD, AC30 and UK models of this amp sound great. I'm thinking about buying a small all-tube amp to get more out of this guitar.

As to effects I only use a Zakk Wilde Signature overdrive pedal. It's the overdrive paradise.

OVERALL OPINION

My opinion regarding sound and value for money, based on my experience:

In the store, they had two Les Paul Studio (red and black). I first wanted an SG Special (I'm an Angus fan...) but then I tested the black Les Paul. And it blew my away. It was love at first sight. The guitar of my life I guess...

Since this guitar was more expensive than the SG I had to go back home to check if my budget allowed me to buy it.

That evening I combed the web reading forums about the Les Paul Studio. The next day I went back to the store to buy my black Gibson.

My first advice is to try out the guitar you want to buy... Web shops are great but not for this!

When I got to the store I noticed that the hardware of the red Les Paul was chrome plated. I had completely ignored that guitar the day before.

So I asked if I could try the "wine red" model. And I was very surprised to notice that the guitar is much heavier. It sounds fuller, more massive and rounder. Typical Les Paul! It was a miracle.

So I recommend you to try several guitars. One day before I wanted the black version because I played it after the SG, which had a very sharp sound so the Les Paul seemed to have a very round sound.

But when I compared both Les Pauls, I immediately knew I wanted the red one.

So don't rush yourself and take enough time to compare several guitars. And consider that a translucent varnish allows you to see the wood quality and to know how many wood pieces were used to build it. Many people say Gibson uses better woods for translucent finishes. I don't know if it's true but considering my guitar I could easily believe it...

One last remark: if the price at your store is too high compared to a web shop, don't hesitate to try to bargain with the shop assistant. Print the web shop offer and bring it to the store, discuss the warranty, etc.

I paid a bit more than if I had bought it on the internet but I got some additional gifts. Thanks to the guy at the shop! The value for money is now perfect. And the advantage of this store is that it's only a couple of miles away.

Sorry for this very long review but I wanted to share with you some other information that doesn't have to do with the guitar itself. Everything has been already said about the guitar anyways. Its average grade on all websites ranges from 92 to 96%. So...

I'm ecstatic with it...