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My new #1


IndianScout

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Finally found one, she's going to be my #1 for shows..

 

1991 Gibson Les Paul Studio, black hardware, Ebony fretboard, new case on the way for it..

 

Wasn't the blue one in 1991 a Studio Lite? That model had a large block of balsa wood in the core to reduce weight. I always wondered how those were for sustain and tone.

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Wasn't the blue one in 1991 a Studio Lite? That model had a large block of balsa wood in the core to reduce weight. I always wondered how those were for sustain and tone.

 

You're kidding about the balsa, right?

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You're kidding about the balsa, right?

 

No, he isn't. I don't think they called it balsa, I think it was called Chromite. The Lite guitars didn't last long I don't think I remember. "balsa" just makes guitar players nervous.

 

rct

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Wasn't the blue one in 1991 a Studio Lite? That model had a large block of balsa wood in the core to reduce weight. I always wondered how those were for sustain and tone.

There were Studio Lite models made from '88 - '98 and, as rct says, Gibson DID use the name 'Chromite' in their description (derived from Ochroma Lagopus, the Latin name for Balsa) but these were made in parallel to the regular Studio models.

 

To say 'the blue one in 1991 was a Studio Lite' makes rather a lot of assumptions....

 

P.

 

P.S. - As to how they came about and how good they were, here's some stuff from Tony Bacon's book on the Les Paul;

 

The original Idea came from someone called Matthew Klein. He had built a balsa-bodied Les Paul and found that it "sustained well and sounded fine unplugged". It weighed about 4lb less than a regular LP. News of this guitar reached Billy Gibbons who promptly ordered four Explorer-shaped guitars with the balsa-wood construction for ZZ Top's 'Afterburner' tour. They were reported to work well on stage, "playing and sounding good".

After this success ZZ Top ordered more guitars for the 'Recycler' tour.

 

Klein joined Gibson's Custom Shop in '86 and his ideas were put into action.

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To say 'the blue one in 1991 was a Studio Lite' makes rather a lot of assumptions....

 

Not really, there were only so many colors offered. I was considering getting a Studio that year and remember the lineup somewhat. BTW, this is a Studio Lite, the for sale ad is on another Les Paul site with the identical pics.

 

See page 5 of the catalog: http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/gibson08.pdf

Here is the ad: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/member-classifieds/249768-fs-gibson-les-paul-studio-lite-1991-a.html

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...this is a Studio Lite, the for sale ad is on another Les Paul site with the identical pics.

In which case I bow to your greater knowledge.

 

[smile]

 

The info I have was the original series had a thistle inlay on the peghead and the second and third series had uncovered p'ups but, of course, things can change from guitar to guitar.

 

P.

 

EDIT : Thanks for the links. I've seen in the second link the seller mentions he's obviously added genuine Gibson p'up covers so that explains that anomaly!

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I didn't remember them lasting for 10 years.

 

rct

Well, there were three versions.

 

V1 went from '88 - '90.

V2 went from '90 - '98.

V3 went from ''92 - '94.

 

'Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Transcriber-Man!' as Elton used to say.

 

P.

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nope he is correct, I specifically looked for one, my shoulders just can't take a 10lb monster 3 nights a week anymore and this fits the bill perfect 7.8lbs

 

and I got a plus with it, the original studio lite's came with a 60's profile neck.

 

they are making a new Custom Lite for those of you wanting a lighter guitar - $2,498

 

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Les-Paul-Custom-Lite.aspx

 

if you're worried about sound and sustain, here ya go..

 

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I always wanted that exact guitar, but never got it because if the thinner 60s neck.

 

What Gibson called "Chromyte" is actually Balsa.

 

Balsa is a good tone wood but unfortunately, in America, it has a reputation for "cheapness" though that is undeserved. (Balsa is what little model airplane gliders are made of I used to beg my mother to buy me when I was a kid and we'd got grocery shopping.)

 

I wouldn't think twice about using that guitar if you can abide the thin neck.

 

Again, balsa is a pleasant to the human ear tone wood that is also light in weight.

 

I would seriously love one of the M3 Les Paul Studio Lite guitars that have the single coil in the middle and a strat-like 5 way switch. But again, that skinny neck ruins it for me.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 7 months later...

I have a Blue 1995 and I love it....now.

I put in a couple WolfTone Dr. Vintage pickups and a pre-wired pots and caps setup from Champtone and that made all the difference.

I was floored!

The volume and tone controls allow me to make subtle changes that I can actually hear.

The tone range is much larger that the 76 Standard I used to own.

 

cheers

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