What is the weight relief method used in this guitar?

This model utilizes Gibson's Ultra-Modern weight relief. This involves strategically milling chambers within the mahogany body to reduce weight while maintaining the guitar's sonic integrity.

What pickups are installed in the Gibson Les Paul Studio Dark?

The guitar is fitted with Burstbucker Pro humbuckers. These are articulate, lively pickups designed to provide a modern edge with plenty of bite for rock and blues.

Does this guitar offer single-coil tones?

Yes, it features push/pull volume pots for coil-tapping. This allows the user to switch from full humbucking modes to thinner, brighter single-coil-style sounds instantly.

What is the neck profile of this model?

It features a mahogany SlimTaper neck. This profile is thinner and faster than the chunky '50s profiles, making it suitable for modern technical playing styles.

What material is the fingerboard made of?

The guitar features a bound ebony fingerboard. Ebony is known for its smooth feel and bright, snappy response compared to rosewood.

What kind of hardware does the Studio Dark use?

It uses blacked-out hardware for a meaner look. This includes a Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge and an aluminium Stopbar tailpiece for reliable tuning stability.

How does the maple cap affect the sound?

The carved plain maple cap adds definition and 'snap' to the guitar's tone. This helps balance the thick, warm midrange naturally produced by the mahogany body.

What is the fret size and radius?

The guitar has medium-jumbo frets and a 12-inch fingerboard radius. This combination is designed to keep chords clean and make string bends easier.

Is the Olive Drab finish common for Les Pauls?

No, Olive Drab is a unique, modern finish for the Studio Dark series. It gives the instrument a tactical, understated look compared to traditional gloss sunbursts.

What is the typical price for this specific model?

The typical price range for this Gibson Les Paul Studio Dark is approximately GBP 1,649. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and stock availability.

Who are some famous artists associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars?

Legendary players who have used Les Paul models include Les Paul himself, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Duane Allman, and Brian May. Other notable users include Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, and Eddie Vedder.

How does this compare to a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?

The Gibson has a shorter scale length, humbucker pickups, and a mahogany body, providing a thicker, warmer sound. The Fender Stratocaster generally offers a brighter, 'glassier' tone with a longer scale length.

Gear article

Gibson Les Paul Studio Dark Olive Drab

The Gibson Les Paul Studio Dark Olive Drab is a high-performance electric guitar featuring an Ultra-Modern weight-relieved mahogany body and an ebony fingerboard. Designed for stage use, it combines a sleek aesthetic with versatile electronics, including coil-tap Burstbucker Pro humbuckers and blacked-out hardware.

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Overview

The Gibson Les Paul Studio Dark Olive Drab represents a modern evolution of the classic Les Paul silhouette. It is specifically engineered for players who require the traditional punch of a single-cut guitar but prefer a lighter instrument with contemporary aesthetics. The guitar is distinguished by its 'Olive Drab' finish and entirely blacked-out hardware, moving away from the traditional heritage sunburst or gold-top looks of the Standard series.

Design and Construction

The foundation of this model is an Ultra-Modern weight-relieved mahogany body, designed to reduce physical strain during long performances without sacrificing the sustain for which the Les Paul is known. This is paired with a carved plain maple cap, which adds high-end definition and 'snap' to the mahogany's thick midrange. The neck features a SlimTaper profile for fast playability, complemented by a bound ebony fingerboard with a 12-inch radius and medium-jumbo frets, facilitating smooth note bends and clean chordal work.

Electronics and Hardware

In terms of sonics, the guitar is equipped with a pair of Burstbucker Pro humbuckers. These pickups are designed to provide a lively, articulate tone with significant bite. A key feature of the electronic layout is the inclusion of push/pull coil-tap volume controls, allowing players to access bright, single-coil-style tones alongside traditional humbucking sounds. The hardware suite is completed by a Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge and an aluminium Stopbar tailpiece, ensuring stable tuning and efficient resonance transfer.

Target Audience and Comparison

This guitar is primarily suited for professional gigging musicians who require a 'workhorse' instrument that is easier to handle over long sets than vintage-spec models. Compared to the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s P90 Tobacco Burst, the Studio Dark offers a thinner neck and modern humbucking versatility rather than a vintage P90 grit. While it shares some high-gain DNA with contemporary models like the Fender Jim Root Telecaster, the Les Paul Studio maintains the shorter scale length and mahogany-based warmth associated with the Gibson brand.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the weight relief method used in this guitar?: This model utilizes Gibson's Ultra-Modern weight relief. This involves strategically milling chambers within the mahogany body to reduce weight while maintaining the guitar's sonic integrity.
What pickups are installed in the Gibson Les Paul Studio Dark?: The guitar is fitted with Burstbucker Pro humbuckers. These are articulate, lively pickups designed to provide a modern edge with plenty of bite for rock and blues.
Does this guitar offer single-coil tones?: Yes, it features push/pull volume pots for coil-tapping. This allows the user to switch from full humbucking modes to thinner, brighter single-coil-style sounds instantly.
What is the neck profile of this model?: It features a mahogany SlimTaper neck. This profile is thinner and faster than the chunky '50s profiles, making it suitable for modern technical playing styles.
What material is the fingerboard made of?: The guitar features a bound ebony fingerboard. Ebony is known for its smooth feel and bright, snappy response compared to rosewood.
What kind of hardware does the Studio Dark use?: It uses blacked-out hardware for a meaner look. This includes a Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge and an aluminium Stopbar tailpiece for reliable tuning stability.
How does the maple cap affect the sound?: The carved plain maple cap adds definition and 'snap' to the guitar's tone. This helps balance the thick, warm midrange naturally produced by the mahogany body.
What is the fret size and radius?: The guitar has medium-jumbo frets and a 12-inch fingerboard radius. This combination is designed to keep chords clean and make string bends easier.
Is the Olive Drab finish common for Les Pauls?: No, Olive Drab is a unique, modern finish for the Studio Dark series. It gives the instrument a tactical, understated look compared to traditional gloss sunbursts.
What is the typical price for this specific model?: The typical price range for this Gibson Les Paul Studio Dark is approximately GBP 1,649. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and stock availability.
Who are some famous artists associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars?: Legendary players who have used Les Paul models include Les Paul himself, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Duane Allman, and Brian May. Other notable users include Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, and Eddie Vedder.
How does this compare to a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?: The Gibson has a shorter scale length, humbucker pickups, and a mahogany body, providing a thicker, warmer sound. The Fender Stratocaster generally offers a brighter, 'glassier' tone with a longer scale length.