Should I buy a studio or a standard?!

[gibsonated]

Okay so I'm wanting to upgrade from my epi g-400 custom to a Gibson LP. Now I can practically go out in the next few weeks and get a high end studio or I can save up for about a year (maybe even more I'm still young and going to school)for a LP standard and keep playing the epiphone in the meantime. If I get the studio I would never sell it unless it was, for some reason, a piece of crap, as I can't bring myself to letting a guitar go so it's not something that I could sell and put toward an LP standard fund in the future.

 

I have no care for fancy binding and graphics on the guitar so the "less attractive" cosmetic appearance of a studio doesn't bother me one bit. In fact this is the studio that I am currently considering...

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

 

If any of you guys have either opinions on this ^ guitar, studios in general in relation to standards or as to which studio is 'best' (I know, it's a subjective concept) it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Bryan Sutherland]

Okay so I'm wanting to upgrade from my epi g-400 custom to a Gibson LP. Now I can practically go out in the next few weeks and get a high end studio or I can save up for about a year (maybe even more I'm still young and going to school)for a LP standard and keep playing the epiphone in the meantime. If I get the studio I would never sell it unless it was, for some reason, a piece of crap, as I can't bring myself to letting a guitar go so it's not something that I could sell and put toward an LP standard fund in the future.

 

I have no care for fancy binding and graphics on the guitar so the "less attractive" cosmetic appearance of a studio doesn't bother me one bit. In fact this is the studio that I am currently considering...

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

 

If any of you guys have either opinions on this ^ guitar, studios in general in relation to standards or as to which studio is 'best' (I know, it's a subjective concept) it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

If you are able to, go to a music shop and play a Studio and a Standard. Play any and all models of Les Paul that you can get your hands on. Do you have a particular pickup that you are looking for in your guitar? Do you want a fat neck, thin neck? Coil splitting?

[gibsonated]

If you are able to, go to a music shop and play a Studio and a Standard. Play any and all models of Les Paul that you can get your hands on. Do you have a particular pickup that you are looking for in your guitar? Do you want a fat neck, thin neck? Coil splitting?

 

Yeah I am able to go to one

ummm not one in particular per-say but I like the sound of 57 classics and burstbucker pros. I'd like something that sounds good under high gain.

Yeah I'd prefer a 50's style neck and I'm not too sure about what coil splitting is/does. I'm guessing it splits the humbuckers into single coils but I'm not sure about the advantages of that

[Bryan Sutherland]

Yeah I am able to go to one

ummm not one in particular per-say but I like the sound of 57 classics and burstbucker pros. I'd like something that sounds good under high gain.

Yeah I'd prefer a 50's style neck and I'm not too sure about what coil splitting is/does. I'm guessing it splits the humbuckers into single coils but I'm not sure about the advantages of that

 

Yep, coil splitting does exactly that... splits the humbucker into single coils. I personally don't want this feature in an LP, but that's just my preference. Start looking at models with the pickups you mentioned and narrow the choices down from there. The 498T/490R are a good set of pups for high gain from what I've heard. As are the 500T/496R.

[btoth76]

Hello!

 

Mr. T Signatures? They are as great as a Standard is, but cheaper.

 

Cheers... Bence

[gibsonated]

T signature are a little out of my price range. I'm aiming for something under $1,600(aus). So do you think it's fine for me to just go with a LP studio? no harm? not a stupid decision?

[Bryan Sutherland]

T signature are a little out of my price range. I'm aiming for something under $1,600(aus). So do you think it's fine for me to just go with a LP studio? no harm? not a stupid decision?

Nope, not a stupid question at all... Studios are fine instruments. Just figure out what you are looking for in your guitar, such as pickups, fretboard, etc., and go play a bunch of them.

[BigKahune]

.

 

The LP Studio are great guitars for the money. Value/budget concerns are what the Studio LPs are aimed at.

 

Regarding the satin finish: Anywhere you have your skin or clothes rubbing on the finish, it will gloss up - neck, forearm rest on the bass side lower bout, etc. OTOH, the satin finish doesn't have that "tackiness" that the new gloss does. Also, the worn satin finishes are pretty thin and will wear through - with a lot of play they'll wear through in spots mentioned above fairly quickly.

 

It's best to pick out one in person.

 

 

.

[Stinger22]

Normally play Strat and Tele when I gig and wanted a Humbucker equipped. Don't take my 78 ES-347 out anymore. So a few weeks ago was looking at some PRS's as never had one but hadn't bonded with any. Saw a LP Studio Swamp Ash used on the GC website and my local store. The son of one of my buddies works there and confirmed that they had bought a big stock of guitars from a lady who walked in explaining her husband had died and that they found all these guitars in his music room along with other stuff he had been buying and just storing away. The top three rows on the used rack were from this sale. All the S/N's checked out clean. The LP was a 2007 and was brand new but they of course had to sell as used. They had it marked for $899, had a 2009 AmDlx Strat I paid $900 for off Ebay several years ago, like my 2011 AmStd better, and got them down to an $80 trade.

 

Been digging the thing and playing it mostly at gigs. Like the simple design and the natural looking swamp ash is beautiful. Lighter than a standard too! No problem with studio's here.

[Aymara]

T signature are a little out of my price range.

 

What? You open a thread "Studio versus Standard" and the SigT is too expensive? LOL

 

Let's get serious ... it's noticably cheaper than a Standard and the two SigT's I tested myself showed much better craftsmanship than the two Standards I tested ... one of them was a Plus model.

 

I highly recommend to test a SigT for yourself, as long as you don't tell me, you hate 60s necks.

 

BTW ... I also have an Epiphone 1960 Tribute with Gibson 57 Classic pickups and would NEVER exchange it against a Studio ... not worth the price difference ... but I know, that others might call me mad for this opinion ;)

 

Nevertheless ... you need to test the desired models for yourself ... check out the craftsmanship of each individual guitar, check if your comfortable with the neck profile and if you like the pickups.

 

PS: I really love my wine red Signature T.

[lazarusvt84]

Okay so I'm wanting to upgrade from my epi g-400 custom to a Gibson LP. Now I can practically go out in the next few weeks and get a high end studio or I can save up for about a year (maybe even more I'm still young and going to school)for a LP standard and keep playing the epiphone in the meantime. If I get the studio I would never sell it unless it was, for some reason, a piece of crap, as I can't bring myself to letting a guitar go so it's not something that I could sell and put toward an LP standard fund in the future.

 

I have no care for fancy binding and graphics on the guitar so the "less attractive" cosmetic appearance of a studio doesn't bother me one bit. In fact this is the studio that I am currently considering...

http://www2.gibson.c...udio-Satin.aspx

 

If any of you guys have either opinions on this ^ guitar, studios in general in relation to standards or as to which studio is 'best' (I know, it's a subjective concept) it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Buy for the sound...and neck profile. I prefer 60s neck. Faster more comfy.

My son's studio outplays my Std Trad (with either 57 Classic or SD JB's)...but, mine is prettier to look at . I owned a Studio a few years ago....sounded "thin" so I sold it. My Studio with P90's sounds fantastic. Go for sound.

[gibsonated]

Buy for the sound...and neck profile. I prefer 60s neck.

My son's studio outplays my Std Trad (with either 57 Classic or SD JB's)...but, mine is prettier to look at . I owned a Studio a few years ago....sounded "thin" so I sold it. My Studio with P90's sounds fantastic. Go for sound.

Yeah I really don't care how it looks at all, basically just the sound quality. That's one reason I'm considering not going with a studio as im worried that the chambering of the bodies with thin out the sound

[NHTom]

Are you buying new or used?

 

If used, I'd get out and play as many as possible.

 

I just completed the search for my first LP and it is currently on lay away.

 

I found that with studios, there were many many used ones out there. I played several and found the perfect one for me.

 

I didn't plug in a single guitar into an amp until I found the one I ended up with.......when you play several and find the one that "feels" how you want it to, then plug it in and listen to the sound. If it passes that second step so you love how it plays and sounds.....BUY IT!!!

 

For me, the order of importance is:

1 how it plays

2 how it sounds

3 how it looks

4 what model it is

 

If you find one that meets all those criteria and its a studio, great........if its a standard, great........as long as it does all you want, then its the "one".

 

Just my opinions.....

NHTom

[Superbutkus]

Have you looked at the Les Paul Classic Plus? Great finishes, hot pickups, few hundred less than a Standard. I have owned a Studio(wine red), a BFG Gary Moore, a Traditional Heritage Cherry Burst and most recently a Traditional Faded Honeyburst and of them all I love the Classic the most. Sounds great, plays great, weighs a ton...lol. 60's slim profile neck is a joy to play and the pickups (496 and 500) are very hot, so well suited to heavy rock, but clean up very nicely for blues or classic rock.

[lazarusvt84]

Yeah I really don't care how it looks at all, basically just the sound quality. That's one reason I'm considering not going with a studio as im worried that the chambering of the bodies with thin out the sound

 

My son's 2009 Studio is a heavy (wt-relieved) "Deluxe" from GC . My thin-sounding 2009 Studio was chambered. Having said that, my heavy 2010 Traditional (bought off eBay) also suffered from thin sound, that is, until I replaced the 57 Classics with Seymour Duncans. But my chambered Studio with P90's (Kinman noiseless) sounds great so maybe you can get a guitar with super sound that's not a back breaker.

 

If you can keep from getting mugged, CraigsList offers lots of deals from folks desperate for cash...but gotta watch for the scammers.

[pippy]

In your case I'd say get the Studio.

 

It has the BB Pros and the '50s style neck which you mention you prefer.

 

There's really not much difference in fundamental sound between the lot of them - they will all sound 'like a Les Paul' and if you are not bothered about binding then why waste money?

 

But it's still a very good idea to go out and try as many examples as you can as they always vary in feel from one guitar to another.

 

P.

[gibsonated]

In your case I'd say get the Studio.

 

It has the BB Pros and the '50s style neck which you mention you prefer.

 

There's really not much difference in fundamental sound between the lot of them - they will all sound 'like a Les Paul' and if you are not bothered about binding then why waste money?

 

But it's still a very good idea to go out and try as many examples as you can as they always vary in feel from one guitar to another.

 

P.

Thanks a lot Pip! Do you have any opinion on the link to the guitar I posted? I really like the raw element to it and I personally think it would look amazing live and suit any kind of music style in terms of appearance. And it's about $200 cheaper than other studios because (well i think) of the lack of a fancy finish

[pippy]

Hi gibsonated.

 

Yes; I double-checked the specs for the guitar in the link before I answered earlier.

 

Firstly;

Studios are held in very high regard hereabouts despite their relatively low price.

They were first introduced back in '83 specifically to be a low-cost, no-frills option for session-type musicians who had no need of 'bells and whistles' as the instruments were completely about TONE and not LOOKS.

For quite a while they shared much of their electrics and hardware with the (generally) top-of-the-range LP Custom model so it's no surprise they sounded good. Some have ebony 'boards into the bargain.

 

The model you posted has a 'Baked Maple' fingerboard which, although shunned by some, are very much liked by those people who actually OWN guitars so fitted. Don't be put off by anyone talking nonsense in this regard.

 

As far as the thin-coat Nitro goes;

Some players swear that the thinner the nitro the 'better' the wood breathes and the 'better' they sound. I have no opinion on the matter.

What IS certain is that the finish will wear-off quicker - especially where arms/wrists/clothes etc. comes into contact with the finish. One way to approach this is to accept it will 'age' sooner rather than later. As I'm not a fanatical believer in keeping my instruments in 'as-new' condition this is (IMHO) a Very Good Thing as it means you can disregard mollycoddling the thing and just concentrate on playing the bejeezus out of it.

And there is a great choice of colours from which to pick. I have two favourites from amongst them. Not telling, though.

 

You know about the BB Pros so no need to discuss those any further.

 

The 'Modern Weight-relief' pattern is possibly the best compromise yet between weight-reduction and tonal quality. Individual instruments will, however, vary in weight and there can be a very great difference between examples of the same model. This is one of the biggest reasons for trying as many as you can to see what, exactly, you like. Some of the previous style chambered guitars were so body-light as to be (again, IMHO) a bit neck-heavy but others have found these lighter examples to have a sweeter, brighter, tone.

You really DO need to try some out for yourself!

 

As far as the neck profile goes;

In the specs they mention (typically) 0.818" and 0.963" as the thicknesses at first- and twelfth-frets. This is actually quite slender for a '50s neck - more like a '59 than a '58, say, and should be very comfortable.

 

Nashville bridge; stop tailpiece and so on are all Standard-fare (pun) and I happen to prefer the green-key Kluson tuners over any other type.

 

All-in-all, not a single bad word to say about the guitars.

 

I prefer my Lesters bound and shiny but if you don't then I couldn't recommend the instrument featured highly enough.

 

All just my opinion, though.

 

P.

[rct]

I prefer my Lesters bound and shiny

 

gawd I love it when you talk like that don't stop

 

rct

[pippy]

I do hope your name isn't Lester, rct...

 

 

 

 

 

P.

[rct]

Ha!

 

I'm sure you know this writer bloke, he'll tell you my name:

 

 

rct

[capmaster]

...

BTW ... I also have an Epiphone 1960 Tribute with Gibson 57 Classic pickups and would NEVER exchange it against a Studio ... not worth the price difference ... but I know, that others might call me mad for this opinion ;) ...

Although I own and play one Gibson USA Les Paul Standard and three Gibson Custom Les Paul guitars, I wouldn't want to part with my Epiphone 1960 Tribute Les Paul. It is a great guitar regardless of price, and taking it into account a real bang for the buck. So you may call me mad, too...

[Aymara]

I wouldn't want to part with my Epiphone 1960 Tribute Les Paul. It is a great guitar regardless of price, and taking it into account a real bang for the buck. So you may call me mad, too...

 

I got it back from my tech last week with a Tonepros bridge and tailpiece installed ... now it's even better ... highly recommended!

[capmaster]

Hi gibsonated.

 

Yes; I double-checked the specs for the guitar in the link before I answered earlier.

 

Firstly;

Studios are held in very high regard hereabouts despite their relatively low price.

They were first introduced back in '83 specifically to be a low-cost, no-frills option for session-type musicians who had no need of 'bells and whistles' as the instruments were completely about TONE and not LOOKS.

For quite a while they shared much of their electrics and hardware with the (generally) top-of-the-range LP Custom model so it's no surprise they sounded good. Some have ebony 'boards into the bargain.

 

The model you posted has a 'Baked Maple' fingerboard which, although shunned by some, are very much liked by those people who actually OWN guitars so fitted. Don't be put off by anyone talking nonsense in this regard.

 

As far as the thin-coat Nitro goes;

Some players swear that the thinner the nitro the 'better' the wood breathes and the 'better' they sound. I have no opinion on the matter.

What IS certain is that the finish will wear-off quicker - especially where arms/wrists/clothes etc. comes into contact with the finish. One way to approach this is to accept it will 'age' sooner rather than later. As I'm not a fanatical believer in keeping my instruments in 'as-new' condition this is (IMHO) a Very Good Thing as it means you can disregard mollycoddling the thing and just concentrate on playing the bejeezus out of it.

And there is a great choice of colours from which to pick. I have two favourites from amongst them. Not telling, though.

 

You know about the BB Pros so no need to discuss those any further.

 

The 'Modern Weight-relief' pattern is possibly the best compromise yet between weight-reduction and tonal quality. Individual instruments will, however, vary in weight and there can be a very great difference between examples of the same model. This is one of the biggest reasons for trying as many as you can to see what, exactly, you like. Some of the previous style chambered guitars were so body-light as to be (again, IMHO) a bit neck-heavy but others have found these lighter examples to have a sweeter, brighter, tone.

You really DO need to try some out for yourself!

 

As far as the neck profile goes;

In the specs they mention (typically) 0.818" and 0.963" as the thicknesses at first- and twelfth-frets. This is actually quite slender for a '50s neck - more like a '59 than a '58, say, and should be very comfortable.

 

Nashville bridge; stop tailpiece and so on are all Standard-fare (pun) and I happen to prefer the green-key Kluson tuners over any other type.

 

All-in-all, not a single bad word to say about the guitars.

 

I prefer my Lesters bound and shiny but if you don't then I couldn't recommend the instrument featured highly enough.

 

All just my opinion, though.

 

P.

Dear P.,

 

in my humble opinion your lines are worth to be written in calligraphy, put in a decent frame and nicely positioned on a wall.

 

Particularly, there are two points I want to confirm expressively.

 

Baked Maple fretboards play and feel great, there's nothing wrong with them, neither on my SG Standard Bass in Heritage Cherry nor on my L6S in Silverburst. I own an SG Standard Bass Faded with rosewood fingerboard, and compared to that there are at least no shortcomings to be found. Same is valid for the L6S when compared to those in Antique Natural and the 1973 L6-S I own which have a finished maple fingerboard.

 

Like you pointed out for your Les Pauls, I prefer high-gloss finishes on guitars and basses in general, too. Otherwise I own some great satin-finished Fenders and faded-finished Gibsons, and didn't have any trouble to get acquainted with feel or playability. Interestingly, when comparing my SG basses or my Fender Stratocasters with different finishes, I can't tell what is better or worse for the resonance properties, I just couldn't find any obvious ups or downs. OK, I don't know anything up to now about wear, but time will tell.

 

That's my two cents...

 

Add: The LP Studios to me seem to be not only made for tone but for playability, too in one particular respect. I sadly remember still that I returned the only LP without any dull note among several dozens I ever checked out because of a too wide binding on the treble side of the lower frets. Moreover, the radius of the fret wire bent towards the binding right under the E1st. Downstrokes regularly blew the E1st from the fretboard. This won't happen on a Studio model. The useful width of the fretboard is somewhat larger due to the missing binding.

[Hont]

Just to add my opinion. I've owned two Studios, both very different in construction; both play and sound great.

 

2008 model

-Faded finish, so no nitro or poly

-no maple cap

-60s neck

-burstbucker pickups

-rosewood fingerboard.

 

2013 sunburst

-nitro finish

-maple cap

-490R and 498T coil tapped pickups

-60s neck

-granadillo board

-mini-etune

-weight relief chambering.

 

They both play almost identically as, not surprisingly, the neck feels the same (I like the Granadillo's feel - just like rosewood in all except colour). The tone of the 2013 is a little bit brighter in normal mode but, strangely, dulls up a little when coil tapped. For the neck pickup this is actually a good thing, as it's a bit too bright and snappy for jazz tones, but with the coil tap on it's perfect. The 2013 really sounds great clean unlike the 2008 which is best for thick, heavy tones. Unamplified the 2008 seems to resonate a bit more but the 2013 sings more sweetly and they both sustain about the same.

 

So I would say that, in my experience, the Studio is a very good choice with which you can't go wrong. Unless you want the extra visual features I would choose one over a Standard (and indeed I did). But, as others have said, go to your store and compare as sometimes a guitar will just speak to you.