Studio trouble

Gibson now has the Studio version of the Double Trouble Les Paul (USD1,599). The initial version was a Standard, this time round, things get more affordable as the Studio version has no binding & it comes with a soft case. Be informed that modern weight relief (aka generous chambering) is a feature of this guitar.

Pic: Gibson

Price watch (98)

The most affordable Gibson Les Paul, the LP Studio, is available here. Let's put things in perspective, price-wise:

• 35 Guitar Ave (S'pore): SGD2,450
• Gibson official website: USD1,599 (SGD2,054)
• Music Bliss (M'sia): MYR7.890 (SGD2,388)

The last time I did this, I got put down by an individual (somewhere in a country whose cowboy president is currently going round with revised tax rates if you wish to trade with his country) who alleged that I was not objective in view of the exchange rate & existing taxes in place. That said individual highlighted the fact that we imposed a 9% tax on American guitars which is already a chronic figure when crying foul of price hikes. The last time I checked, our 9% GST covers all non-exclusive products, not just American guitars. 

I'm not trying to imply anything, just showing you folks what prices are like. Custom duties, exchange rates & dealer mark-ups are the expected considerations before we start to whimper at the figures today. These days, if you are in Malaysia, it's a good time to be buying Gibson instruments. Ironically, not too long ago, we see Malaysians coming here to buy Gibson stuff. How times have changed, rather quickly, mind you.

Pic: GIbson

Price watch (29)

 These are good prices for used LP Studios. 

But if yours is not a 'Gibson' & it's priced in a similar bracket, do consider reasonable offers from interested parties. There's a limited interest here for Orville, Tokai & Burny. I would say, the Edwards brand name has a stronger following for guitars manifesting this design.

The 2017

When it comes to Les Pauls, the Studio is perhaps as semi-pariah as it gets. The guitar heroes in magazines & videos out there are either strapping on a Standard or a Custom. In guitar stores, if we declare a certain budget consideration to the sales person, he most probably would recommend us an Epiphone rather than the Studio. It's fair to say that the Studio is second fiddle for many pros, a back up guitar in most cases. The only reason why I bothered with the Studio is because it meets my needs without costing more than it should. The Studio you see above is a 2017.

Back in 2017, the Studio was given a slim taper neck carve. I own a Classic that sports a slim taper neck carve as well but this 2017 version of 'slim' is a little flat. That's right, it's a D more than a C & the difference is quite apparent. I have not tried other 2017s which is not a Studio so I might be wrong to conclude that the Studio's slim here is actually an anomaly. That aside, coming back to what I mentioned earlier, this guitar meets my needs & that flat neck element there makes me play 'better'. Actually, it reduces mistakes during play. So the body is not as thick as the Standard but it sounds good overall but I'm quite intolerant when it comes to the neck humbucker's extra wooly tone in OD mode (it's a 490R). As such I use it for cleans mostly. 

Is the Studio worth owning? Anything is worth owning if it serves your needs or you like what it has to offer.

Final 40

You read that right, folks. The final sale discount as stated above before Swee Lee Katong calls it off for good. Last day of sale: Sunday, 16th Feb 2020.

If you are in the market for a good, no-frills Les Paul, I'd recommend this LP Studio which is still available as at time of posting. After discount, it's slightly more than $1.4K & that's value for money considering how much Studios go for these days (blame it on the manufacturer, not the dealer). 

Gibson: Les Paul Studio Hot Rod

Yet another newbie by Gibson & it's something not prohibitive- a Les Paul Studio. If you don't already know by now, the Studio is a trimmed down version of a Standard & stripped off all cost-inducing binding. So that's the Studio in a nutshell. The Hot Rod you see here is Gibson's interpretation of what happens to the studio after being given some advancements. The body was thickened to match a standard. Pickups- hotter pair of 500T/496R. The fretboard's a blank- my kind of fretboard!

However, take a look at the fretboard material; would there be anyone out there doing a victory dance & badly wanting a Les Paul with a composite fretboard after reading this? Also, the those pinstripes on the body- that's, em... quirky. I might consider this one if they have left the body top alone. Something to ponder- why pay for a Studio with 'upgrades' if a bona fide Studio is fine with you to begin with? Another shot in the foot , it seems.

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

Sullen Les Paul

This is a signature Gibson Les Paul Studio dubbed the 'Sully Erna' (for the guitarist of Godsmack). I'm for the simplicity of this one- just a single humbucker in there for minimum distraction. However, the guitar also features a kill switch as well as a built-in flanger so there are actually 'extras'.

Nitrous LP

OK, so this is the latest from Gibson- their Nitrous Les Paul Studio. Any special features highlight? None (you were expecting something, seriously?). The primary talking point is of course the instrument's more metallic & outgoing finish. Also, Gibson decided to non-maple-ized the fretboard, opting for Granadillo this time- it's a good rosewood substitute, in terms of tonal properties.

Guitar art

After you are through playing your Epiphone LP Studio Goth...

... you can turn it into an art piece. Zachia, if you are reading this- pic posted as mentioned.

B-Les Paul

In the coming days, Gibson will also be releasing the Les Paul Studio baritone model. In terms of feel, this one would be a departure from the traditional Gibson- it is moving away from the established 24.75" scale length, keep this in mind. However, the guitar offers 2 more frets as seen above.

Before you scream 'FRESH!', be informed that in 2004, there was already a baritone Les Paul (2 lesser knobs on that one) but it was an Epiphone product. If I were a hardcore Les Paul wielder (but I'm not), I would thank Gibson for the variety but I will keep my Les Paul in its original  manifestation despite the desire to employ a lower tuning.

Flood anniversary

The month of May is looming ahead. If you work for Gibson, you'd probably be overwhelmed by the Nashville flood flashbacks; the death of so many Gibson guitars is simply too much. But on the contrary, Gibson had made it a point to remember the flood by having the Flood Anniversary LP Studio (available in green or blue swirl) whose swirl design was actually the product of the flood water mixing with the factory paint & left to dry as the water receded. Gibson fans are debating over the USD2,389 MSRP in the mean time.

Morte guitars

As featured in NAMM 2011, Gibson recently released the Gothic Morte models. These include the SG you see above...

... & a Les Paul Studio. It's a typical Gibson these two but the fretboards are not rosewood; it's an African timbre called Obeche. Also, the pickups in there are active GEM models.

Need proof? Here's the battery compartment at the rear.

Tribute 60s

Following the success of its predecessor, the 50s Tribute series, the Gibson Les Paul Studio is now available in the 60s Tribute range. It's nothing too different from the latter, the primary feature is its slim tapered 60s profile neck. Expect an equally affordable price tag- that's good news isn't it?

 Also available- the 60s Tribute SG. Similar format, just the SG version.

Tribute Studio

I'm applauding BGW for giving the Gibson LP Studio (50s Tribute model) a very competitive price tag: $1,360...

Many of us would be enticed by the price per se, we'd be pacified having a guitar with the 'Gibson' name at the headstock & paying >$1k for it. However, assess your needs before you buy this guitar if it's just for the sake of buying- are you agreeable with the P-90 pickups in there? Keep in mind these are single coils.

Wooden liability

November 2009: Gibson USA was investigated for an alleged possession of illegal rosewood. The manufacturer is answerable to the evidences citing the illegal acquisition of rosewood from Madagascar via Germany. FYI Madagascar is the primary exporter of rosewood with 47 species on offer but the government recently went down hard on illegal logging. The trouble here is actually the contravention of the Lacey Act (1900) forbidding US companies from importing such wood type from Madagascar. Ironically, Gibson's Chairperson & CEO is a leading member of the Rainforest Alliance who is currently on 'leave of absence' until the conclusion of this investigation. The guitar you see here my friends, is a Gibson product impressing the manufacturer's commitment in the aforementioned alliance; the Les Paul Studio, Smartwood edition.

Gibson: LP Studio

The LP Studio is in town, I played this guitar before & after playing it again, I'm still not on good terms with those 490/ 498 humbuckers. I guess they are not meant for high gain dweebs like me because no matter how much distortion you use with this LP, the pickups display that vintage grit which is more useful for those in search of that immaculate blues-crunch, which I am not.

However, this generation of LP Studios are, in my honest opinion, worth the money as they reflect immaculate construction unlike the LP Standard where QC consistencies plague majority of the units. The Studio is also the epitome of no-frills attraction. My take on Gibson LPs has always been- go for tone/ playability, ignore the cosmetics. If you can acquire a superb LP Studio with your favourite pickups in there, you could be happy.

Product availability: Swee Lee Co.
List Price: $3,040