OrvilleIsDead

Hey, new member here. I have a guitar that is new to me, a 99 LP Studio Gothic. I know a few things about the guitar; the gothic series was 98-03, consisted of a LP, SG, V, EXP, 335, 135. Has Orville on the back, original Gibson logo on the 12th; the basics I think everyone knows. But here's where I think i'll need a real Gibson history buff/ expert to help: Gothic LPs got a 59 rounded neck vs the 60s slim taper that studios the same years got. Why? My serial indicates 2000 but the guitar was bought in 99, paperwork indicates 99. Is it actually a 2000? If so, how was it sold in 99 if the neck wasn't stamped till 2000? The Gothic LPs body is 1 or 2 cm thinner than other LP bodies. Why? I've never seen a 98 LP Gothic and they arent listed in the original sales brochure for the gothic series. Only 335, 135, SG, EXP, V. Were they not made the first year? Why? Any rough estimate as to how many were made?

IIRC the original gothics were all $1200 new but some dealers marked them up or down. The original sales sticker on mine says $1700, and I've seen others as low as $1000. Almsot all are $1200. The ES335 and ES135 are by far the rarest, I bet only a few hundred were made. To this day I cant find a video of one on youtube. I bet Trogly would even like to document one.

Just looking at this I see a few issues (I own this guitar model) First I will say keep in mind this is a collectors guitar. Nobody buys this guitar because it sounds or plays so much better than a regular Les Paul Studio 2000. (Although the gothic did get a 50s neck instead of the 60s slim taper) it was the first and the coolest of all the gothic series. To anyone collecting this guitar, the biggest issue here is the paint. Not the damage, but it looks as if the stock Satin finish has been polished to a gloss. A LOT of people who bought these eventually made that mistake and that's one huge reason these are so hard to find in good condition. Because the cost to repaint it properly would outweigh the difference in collector value vs player value, I'd say this guitar is best sold as a players guitar. Same thing with the pickups; not many people out there looking for 90s gibsons with duncans, and anyone collecting would want the original 490/498 combo. Given the condition of this guitar I think the price is spot on. $800-$1000 was my appraisal.