Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Gibson: Les Paul Studio 2014

The Gibson LP Studio 2014 edition (note 12th fretboard marker) is now available at Swee Lee Co. Let's go for the good news first- it's a wonderful piece of work. I'm happy it featured some new considerations that we would implement into our LP Studios as a 'upgrades'; coil split feature at both volume knobs, Orange Drop capacitor (finally!), Graph Tech nut, large strap buttons & grip speed knobs. The default pickups are Gibson's own 490R/490T pair which many distortion fiends find lacking but these are undeniably the manufacturer's signature tone to begin with so any disagreements here is strictly personal. The audition model was virtually flawless. I was paying particular attention to the fretboard edges because time & again, Gibson's unbound neck had proven to be its Achilles heel in finishing QC but this one did well. The overall playability was enhanced (subjective) by the instrument's Slim Taper 60s profile which many speedsters would be at home with. Despite the default set of .010s in there, the default Cleartone strings just felt right.

The not so good news is that, this year, Gibson had decided to exclude the LP Studio from the hardcase option. This means, you only get a supplementary Gibson bag with your purchase. I personally don't see this as a negative in any case, maybe this helps to keep prices down & that could only be good for us (buyers). 

Rating: 80%

Gibson: LP Studio ver 2014
Availability: Swee Lee Co.
Price: SGD1,390

Other online price references: USD1,089/ Euro945/ BP767.25/ Aus1,700