What is the typical price for a Gibson Les Paul Studio in Ebony?

The typical price range for this specific model is approximately GBP 1499. This positioning makes it a professional-tier instrument that remains more affordable than the Standard or Custom Shop lineups.

What type of weight relief does the Gibson Les Paul Studio use?

It utilizes Ultra-Modern weight relief. This involves strategically chambering the mahogany body to reduce weight while preserving the guitar's resonance and classic sustain.

Which pickups are installed in this model?

The guitar is equipped with a pair of Burstbucker Pro pickups. These are designed to deliver a rich, punchy sound with high clarity, suitable for a wide range of musical genres.

Does the Les Paul Studio offer single-coil tones?

Yes, it features push/pull coil-tap volume controls. This allows the player to tap the humbuckers to achieve thinner, single-coil-style tones for increased versatility.

What is the neck profile of the Les Paul Studio Ebony?

It features a SlimTaper mahogany neck. This profile is designed for smooth playability and effortless string bending, offering a faster feel compared to chunkier vintage-style necks.

What materials are used for the body construction?

The guitar is constructed with a mahogany body and a carved plain maple cap. This combination is a staple of the Les Paul design, balancing warmth with high-end definition.

Is the fretboard bound on the Studio model?

Yes, the Les Paul Studio features a bound rosewood fretboard. This provides a finished feel and smooth edges for comfortable hand movement along the neck.

How does the Studio differ from the Les Paul Standard?

The Studio is generally lighter due to weight relief and lacks the elaborate body binding and highly figured maple tops found on the Standard. It focus more on functional performance rather than aesthetic ornamentation.

Which famous artists have used Gibson Les Paul models?

Notable users of Les Paul guitars include legends such as Les Paul himself, John Lee Hooker, Paul McCartney, Duane Allman, and modern icons like Dave Grohl and Taylor Swift.

Is this guitar suitable for live performances?

Absolutely. The lightweight body and versatile electronics make it an ideal workhorse for live settings, reducing shoulder fatigue while providing a wide range of switchable tones.

What finish is applied to this specific model?

This specific model features an Ebony finish, giving it a sleek, classic black appearance that complements its streamlined design.

How does it compare to a Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster?

While the Clapton Stratocaster offers a longer scale length and single-coil pickups, the Les Paul Studio provides a thicker humbucker sound and a mahogany-based construction for more low-end punch.

Gear article

Gibson Les Paul Studio (Ebony)

The Gibson Les Paul Studio in Ebony is a streamlined, professional-grade electric guitar designed to deliver the core characteristics of the Les Paul at a more accessible price point. Featuring an Ultra-Modern weight-relieved body and Burstbucker Pro pickups, it balances classic resonance with contemporary playability and versatility.

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History and Concept

The Les Paul Studio was originally introduced by Gibson to provide musicians with the essential tone and performance of a standard Les Paul without the high-cost cosmetic appointments like body and headstock binding. The current Ebony iteration maintains this 'all-business' philosophy, focusing on high-quality tonewoods and electronics that suit professional recording environments and live performance. It represents a bridge between the entry-level models and the high-end Standard and Custom series.

Construction and Playability

This model is built around a mahogany body featuring Gibson's Ultra-Modern weight relief. This internal chambering is designed to reduce the physical strain of long playing sessions while maintaining the resonance expected from a solid-body mahogany guitar. The body is topped with a carved plain maple cap, providing a necessary snap to the high-frequency response.

The neck is constructed from mahogany with a SlimTaper profile, which is thinner and faster than the 1950s-style necks found on other models. A bound rosewood fretboard offers a smooth surface for string bending and technical lead work, ensuring the guitar feels comfortable for players of various styles.

Electronics and Sound Character

The sonic heart of the Studio model consists of a pair of Burstbucker Pro pickups. These humbuckers are designed to provide a rich, punchy sound with exceptional sustain and clarity, making them suitable for everything from blues to high-gain rock.

For added versatility, the guitar includes push/pull coil-tap controls integrated into the volume knobs. This allows the player to switch from thick humbucking tones to brighter, thinner single-coil-style sounds, significantly expanding the instrument's tonal palette for different genres.

Target Audience and Comparison

The Gibson Les Paul Studio is ideal for players who crave the signature Les Paul sound and feel but prefer a more streamlined, lightweight instrument. It is particularly popular among gigging musicians who require a reliable 'workhorse' guitar.

When compared to the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s, the Studio is lighter and features a slimmer neck, whereas the Standard offers a thicker profile and more ornate aesthetic details. Compared to alternatives like the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster or the Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster, the Studio provides a warmer, denser humbucking sound and a shorter scale length characteristic of the Gibson brand.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the typical price for a Gibson Les Paul Studio in Ebony?: The typical price range for this specific model is approximately GBP 1499. This positioning makes it a professional-tier instrument that remains more affordable than the Standard or Custom Shop lineups.
What type of weight relief does the Gibson Les Paul Studio use?: It utilizes Ultra-Modern weight relief. This involves strategically chambering the mahogany body to reduce weight while preserving the guitar's resonance and classic sustain.
Which pickups are installed in this model?: The guitar is equipped with a pair of Burstbucker Pro pickups. These are designed to deliver a rich, punchy sound with high clarity, suitable for a wide range of musical genres.
Does the Les Paul Studio offer single-coil tones?: Yes, it features push/pull coil-tap volume controls. This allows the player to tap the humbuckers to achieve thinner, single-coil-style tones for increased versatility.
What is the neck profile of the Les Paul Studio Ebony?: It features a SlimTaper mahogany neck. This profile is designed for smooth playability and effortless string bending, offering a faster feel compared to chunkier vintage-style necks.
What materials are used for the body construction?: The guitar is constructed with a mahogany body and a carved plain maple cap. This combination is a staple of the Les Paul design, balancing warmth with high-end definition.
Is the fretboard bound on the Studio model?: Yes, the Les Paul Studio features a bound rosewood fretboard. This provides a finished feel and smooth edges for comfortable hand movement along the neck.
How does the Studio differ from the Les Paul Standard?: The Studio is generally lighter due to weight relief and lacks the elaborate body binding and highly figured maple tops found on the Standard. It focus more on functional performance rather than aesthetic ornamentation.
Which famous artists have used Gibson Les Paul models?: Notable users of Les Paul guitars include legends such as Les Paul himself, John Lee Hooker, Paul McCartney, Duane Allman, and modern icons like Dave Grohl and Taylor Swift.
Is this guitar suitable for live performances?: Absolutely. The lightweight body and versatile electronics make it an ideal workhorse for live settings, reducing shoulder fatigue while providing a wide range of switchable tones.
What finish is applied to this specific model?: This specific model features an Ebony finish, giving it a sleek, classic black appearance that complements its streamlined design.
How does it compare to a Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster?: While the Clapton Stratocaster offers a longer scale length and single-coil pickups, the Les Paul Studio provides a thicker humbucker sound and a mahogany-based construction for more low-end punch.