Murph Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Well, some of you. I "snuck", (literally) my daughters new '08 Studio Fireburst Lester, and gigged it Sat night while she went to a friends...... (Man, I feel bad, but HAD to make sure it was okay, ya know?) Having not gigged a Les Paul in many years, since my '72 Recording in fact, and that would have been around '96, here's my take. You're nuts. That chambered Lester, with 490R/498T did everything it should have. I have no idea why (some) people don't like that pickup combination. We play Classic rock, Blues, Motown, Classic country, and a little modern Country, and it did it all with ease. I'm not a high gain guy, and crank a Blue Angel with a Tube screamer for distortion, and will pull it down to the 2 6V6's and really crank it a few times a night, and that guitar is to die for. I prefer my ES-339, for a few reasons. The sustain is better on a semi hollow cranked close to the amp, I like the "unique" image, the 57's are "different", and it's very light and I love the fit, BUT................. A 4 hour gig, live, no excuses, is the best test, and you'll never hear me "dissin'" a chambered body, or those pickups. Ever. Rock on, Studio owners! Murph.
AXE® Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 The 490R/498T are a fine combination no complaints here... I actually took a stock pup out and pit a 498T in my main player and have had some pretty heavy hitters in the biz say .... wow, just wow that thing sounds amazing, what is it I want to check it out, when I tell them it's a stock 498T they are usually floored.
Thundergod Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 +1 I like studios... I dont know why so many people hate on them so much... and the pickup combo is alright, the wheight too.
BIGBENDS Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 That's great to hear, Murph. I consider myself an open minded guy, so when people diss chambered LP or any other guitar that's different, it gets my goat. This Les Paul Custom in my avatar is chambered with '57 Classics and it sounds and plays like a dream in any style (Country, Jazz, Rock, Metal, Funk). The same goes for my '07 Standard.
Dynadude Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Well' date=' some of you. I "snuck", (literally) my daughters new '08 Studio Fireburst Lester, and gigged it Sat night while she went to a friends...... (Man, I feel bad, but HAD to make sure it was okay, ya know?) Having not gigged a Les Paul in many years, since my '72 Recording in fact, and that would have been around '96, here's my take. You're nuts. That chambered Lester, with 490R/498T did everything it should have. I have no idea why (some) people don't like that pickup combination. We play Classic rock, Blues, Motown, Classic country, and a little modern Country, and it did it all with ease. I'm not a high gain guy, and crank a Blue Angel with a Tube screamer for distortion, and will pull it down to the 2 6V6's and really crank it a few times a night, and that guitar is to die for. I prefer my ES-339, for a few reasons. The sustain is better on a semi hollow cranked close to the amp, I like the "unique" image, the 57's are "different", and it's very light and I love the fit, BUT................. A 4 hour gig, live, no excuses, is the best test, and you'll never hear me "dissin'" a chambered body, or those pickups. Ever. Rock on, Studio owners! Murph.[/quote'] That's the set I've got in my Epi Dot, and I'm really happy with the sounds I can get with them. They came out of my Studio DC, and there was no way they were gonna be sold or just get stuck in a box.
uyasgali Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I have those pups in my Studio and they sound good to me. I have pretty much worked out the height for them that I like. That has only taken about a year :-)
Bluemoon Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I have a chambered LP and love it. Sounds great.
retrosurfer1959 Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 You took your daughters new unseen guitar to a gig before she even got it. Wow dude COAL for you now in your stocking, I got my girl a T-5 and I haven't even tuned it yet that's her job a X-mas morning ! Studio's are a good guitar I don't hate them in fact my gloss black studio with BFG wiring id one of my favorites and usually my back up if I'm gigging I love the P-90 BB combo in it. Most of the flack people get is because they start out by saying they have always wanted a Les Paul Standard but they can afford a Studio right now should they do it? or keep saving until there dream of a Standard can be met. I know it pisses some off but the studio is basically a entry level guitar and while it plays and sounds great it is not really in the same league as a standard and especially the reissues out there. hope your daughter loves the guitar maybe she'll let you gig with it sometimes down the road.
Tom99SS Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Here is a nice post by Elliot Easton. Just wanted to share this with everybody. Elliot Easton's comments on Chambered Les Paul
solacematt Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 The pickup combination is great. I have them in my DC and love them. It's just the chambered bodies that I'm personally not a fan of. Those pickups though, killer, and versatile :)
pippy Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 I liked most everything about the chambered Les Pauls. The only aspect which put me off the was the balance; they were far too neck-heavy. Curiously, I had exactly the same feelings towards a 1979 Ibanez Artist. It was an absolutely stunning instrument - beautiful craftsmanship, beautiful finish (Antique Violinburst) and tone. Playing it sitting down it was fine but as soon as it was strapped on the neck would head for the ground and I had to put a lot of effort into just holding the thing up!
Homz Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 Maybe it's the extra electronics on my Robot, but the 498t/490r pups on it suck. It is essentially a Studio w/ tuning machines. I did a direct comparison on my Vox ac15 at the same settings. The Robot didn't have the crunch/Punch my LP Standard had. Not even close. All volume/ tone knobs were at ten on both same peddle set up. That's not to say it wouldn't have been fine for a rhythm part or back up. I suppose it would have worked as an extra guitar for a show, but it was noticeably different. But as they say every guitar is different. Maybe you got one made on a Tuesday. Mine was probably a Friday guitar.
FennRx Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 I know it pisses some off but the studio is basically a entry level guitar and while it plays and sounds great it is not really in the same league as a standard and especially the reissues out there. quote] this isnt really a true statement. at least it didnt used to be. i dont know about the current Studio' date=' but it used to be that the Studio was the [i']same[/i] as the Standard except for the binding, a TRC, the fancy Gibson logo and a fancy finish. they used the same wood, hardware and electronics. my 95 is identical to a 95 Std except for the listed items. i have heard some say the current Studios have slimmer bodies....i dont know about that as i havent played a new Studio in a loooooong time. and i personally wouldnt say the new Standard is all that fantastic.
Bram Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 They are all fine in their own way; chambered/non-chambered/Studio/Standard/Custom/BFG/Robot etc... It's up to the player itself what he/she thinks about the differences between various Les Pauls. I think chambered LP's can be really really amazing, for lots of styles (especially with the stock Burstbucker Pro pickups which sound fantastic in them). I 'fell in love' with a 08' Standard; it just sounded very clear, woody and balanced in every pickup position (nothing boomy, just a lovely blues tone). I've had a 06' LP Studio and it was a dull sounding guitar, both unplugged and plugged in. Pickup changes didn't help the guitar. About the pickups (490R/498T): it's all about how you use them...They didn't work for me personally, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't work for somebody else. I find it very important to use pickups that clear up extremely well through all kind of (volume) pot adjustments. I found the 490R/498T a bit too hot/compressed by nature, but then again: in my set-up/playing style. Chambered or non-chambered; they both have their strong/weak points. I prefer my old, solid/swiss cheese LP for live gigs to be honest, but when I have to play in a bar with lots of drunk people around me I always choose for the Standard Faded, cause it has way less sentimental value and it feels a lot better at such moments + it also sounds and plays great anyway.
tulsaslim Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 I have 7 guitars with the 490/498 combo & couldn't agree more. I think they are a great 'overall' pickup. They handle every style of music very well and, to me, outshine the '57 classics in a live environment (at least with respect to the 498). That extra 'bite' is perfect for solos. You get that extra bright 'edge' that makes it by heard clearly over the rest of the mix. I hear a lot of guys rag on them. To each his own. I, for one, will always be a big fan of 490/498. Good job, Gibby.
RichCI Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 My Custom Shop Custom has the 490R/498T combo and I love them for both clean and dirty. I don't know why people think those pickups are high output as they're really not. They're hotter than 57 Classics and Burstbuckers, but not by much. In fact, the 490R is about dead even with the 57 Classic and Burstbucker 2. Personally, I think most of the bashing of those pups comes from people parroting what they read on message boards rather than from personal experience or the pups are simply not their cup of tea - which doesn't make them bad, just not what those people like.
Murph Posted December 23, 2008 Author Posted December 23, 2008 You took your daughters new unseen guitar to a gig before she even got it. Wow dude COAL for you now in your stocking' date=' I got my girl a T-5 and I haven't even tuned it yet that's her job a X-mas morning ! Studio's are a good guitar I don't hate them in fact my gloss black studio with BFG wiring id one of my favorites and usually my back up if I'm gigging I love the P-90 BB combo in it. Most of the flack people get is because they start out by saying they have always wanted a Les Paul Standard but they can afford a Studio right now should they do it? or keep saving until there dream of a Standard can be met. I know it pisses some off but the studio is basically a entry level guitar and while it plays and sounds great it is not really in the same league as a standard and especially the reissues out there. hope your daughter loves the guitar maybe she'll let you gig with it sometimes down the road. Ha... No, it was a Birthday present. She plays it everyday. But I'm not allowed to gig it. I've got my own! (She would let me in an emergency, she said!) Best to ya. Murph. [img']http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/retrosurfer1959/IMG_1763.jpg[/img]
Murph Posted December 23, 2008 Author Posted December 23, 2008 You took your daughters new unseen guitar to a gig before she even got it. Wow dude COAL for you now in your stocking, I got my girl a T-5 and I haven't even tuned it yet that's her job a X-mas morning ! Studio's are a good guitar I don't hate them in fact my gloss black studio with BFG wiring id one of my favorites and usually my back up if I'm gigging I love the P-90 BB combo in it. Most of the flack people get is because they start out by saying they have always wanted a Les Paul Standard but they can afford a Studio right now should they do it? or keep saving until there dream of a Standard can be met. I know it pisses some off but the studio is basically a entry level guitar and while it plays and sounds great it is not really in the same league as a standard and especially the reissues out there. hope your daughter loves the guitar maybe she'll let you gig with it sometimes down the road. Ha. No, it was a Birthday present. She's had it a while. She plays it everyday, but it's not allowed to gig. She said I could use it in an "emergency"..... I don't see it as entry level. I see a Melody Maker, or Epiphone as entry level. I would have no problem gigging, or recording with this "Studio". It's a far better guitar than an American standard Tele. Is that an entry level guitar? I'm confused why you would say that. What takes it "out" of the "leaque"? Pickups? Wood? Binding? Pots? Switches? Tuners? Frets? Please educate me..... Murph.
Murph Posted December 23, 2008 Author Posted December 23, 2008 I don't know how anyone could call a Studio an "Entry Level Guitar". A Melody Maker is an entry level guitar. An Epiphone. A Squier. As a gigging musician for many decades I would have no problem gigging, or recording, with this "08 Studio. It's a far better guitar than an American Standard Telecaster. Carved Maple top, Mahogany, Rosewood, Inlays. Is an American Standard Tele an "ENTRY LEVEL GUITAR"? What is it, that makes it "entry level"? Wood? Pickups? Frets? Pots? Switches? Educate me...... Murph.
greatwhitenorth Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 "But as they say every guitar is different. Maybe you got one made on a Tuesday. Mine was probably a Friday guitar. " Mine was made on Friday, April 13th 2007 according to the guitar dater website. Come to think of it, it seems a little bad, but in a good way. GWN
SRV-Zeppelin Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 I've got nothing against Studios, I've just always took the standing that Standards are better. And as to your question Murph, I wouldn't call an American Standard Tele an "entry level guitar." a Squier is an entry level guitar. an American Standard isn't as fancy (or as good for that matter) as say an American Deluxe or an American Vintage 52 RI, but it's not entry-level- unless you're a Custom Shop snob like Tim. (Tim, if you're out there... you know I'm kidding, right?)
Guitar slinger Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 I've got nothing against Studios' date=' I've just always took the standing that Standards are better. And as to your question Murph, I wouldn't call an American Standard Tele an "entry level guitar." a Squier is an entry level guitar. an American Standard isn't as fancy (or as good for that matter) as say an American Deluxe or an American Vintage 52 RI, but it's not entry-level- unless you're a Custom Shop snob like Tim. (Tim, if you're out there... you know I'm kidding, right?)[/quote'] I agree. No that I know Tim.
Murph Posted December 23, 2008 Author Posted December 23, 2008 But, there ya go. A 52 RI Telecaster has no intonation adjustment. Single coils that hum. A round neck that frets out...... An '08 Studio is a lesser guitar? That's just stupid. No offense. Murph.
surfpup Posted December 23, 2008 Posted December 23, 2008 A 52 RI Telecaster has no intonation adjustment. Well, that's pushing it. Admittedly you have to adjust a vintage bridge Tele's intonation two strings at a time, but it can be adjusted (and accurately). Your point about Studio LP's, however, is well-taken. They are quality guitars that sound great. In fact the Vintage Mahogany Studios get me all a quiver.
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