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.

Selling: Gibson 490R/490T pickups (SOLD)

Removed & kept away. I've forgotten they are still here with me. Selling as a set only.

• Selling: Gibson 490R/490T pickups (uncovered, 2-conductor)
• Condition: 8/10
• Self-collect: CCK mrt station
• No reservations/ trades
• Queries/ confirmation: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Price: $139 (final)

Selling: Gibson 490 humbuckers (covered) (Item SOLD)

These pickups are removed from my Gibson SGJ. They are a pair of covered 490 humbuckers. As you can see here, they were sealed at the factory so they are not removable unless you are willing to surgically remove them. 

• Selling: Gibson 490 pickups (covered)
• Condition: 9.5/10
• Self-collect: CCK mrt station
• No reservations/ no trades
• Queries/ confirmation: dark1349@hotmail.com
• Price: Best offer secures

Gibson: SGJ (2)

The SGJ is equipped with a pair of Gibson's 490R/ 490T pickups. In this case, they are the covered version. I'm not enthusiastic about Gibson pickups maybe that's the reason I'm drawn to Gibson guitars in general but the 5XX & Bursbuckers are absolutely great pickups. The 490s here are Alnico II units which aren't high output. If you do lots of fuzz, I'd recommend you check them out. For those of us who are treading the aggressive distortion path- there are other more suitable pickups for you. Also seen here is the SGJ's 24 fret neck. This does not equal a longer neck as the scale length remains the same. To put it simply, it's not an extension.

For the J-models, Gibson employs its PCB mounted circuitry which I don't fancy. It doesn't allow part replacement. If you have a pot down or wish to have your own coil split pots in there, the whole circuit has to go- DARN.

Selling: Gibson pickups

Gibson pickups for sale...

• Gibson 490R/ 490T, uncovered (screws & springs included)
• Condition: 9/10... Taken off a Gibson Les Paul Junior Special (2 week old guitar)
• Self-collect: CCK mrt station
• No reservations/ No trade
• Queries/ confirmation: dark1349@hotmail.com
• Price: $90 each/ $175 for both... (final)