What is the primary difference between the Studio Figured and a standard Les Paul Studio?

The Studio Figured features a carved AA figured maple top, offering a more premium aesthetic compared to the plain tops or solid finishes found on standard Studio models. It also includes neck binding for added comfort and style.

What is 'Ultra Modern' weight relief?

Ultra Modern weight relief is a chambering technique used by Gibson to reduce the overall weight of the mahogany body. This process is designed to improve player comfort during long sessions while maintaining the guitar's structural integrity and tonal sustain.

What neck profile does this guitar have?

The guitar is equipped with a mahogany SlimTaper neck profile. This is a thinner, faster-feeling neck compared to the chunkier 50s-style profiles found on other Les Paul models.

What pickups are installed in the Les Paul Studio Figured?

It is loaded with a pair of Burstbucker Pro pickups. These humbuckers are designed to provide a modern take on the classic PAF sound, offering increased output and clarity.

What is the fingerboard material?

The guitar features a rosewood fingerboard. It includes cream binding, a 12-inch radius, and 22 medium jumbo frets with acrylic trapezoid inlays.

How does the sound compare to a Fender Stratocaster?

Unlike the bright, single-coil snap of a Fender Stratocaster, the Les Paul Studio Figured produces a warmer, thicker tone with more sustain due to its mahogany construction and humbucking pickups. The scale length is also shorter, leading to a different string tension.

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

The Les Paul platform has been used by a diverse range of artists including the inventor Les Paul himself, John Lee Hooker, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Duane Allman. Other notable users include Eddie Vedder and Brian May.

What finish is used on this specific model?

This specific model features a Washed Cherry Sunburst finish. This transparent finish is designed to highlight the grain of the AA figured maple top.

Is this guitar suitable for professional studio work?

Yes, as the 'Studio' name implies, it is designed to provide the essential Les Paul sound and reliable performance required for recording. Its weight relief also makes it an excellent choice for live performances.

How does this model compare to the Les Paul Standard 50s P90?

The Studio Figured uses humbucking pickups and a SlimTaper neck, whereas the Standard 50s P90 features single-coil P90 pickups and a thicker, vintage-style neck profile. The Studio also features modern weight relief, which the 50s Standard typically lacks.

What is the typical price for this guitar?

In the UK market, the Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured typically retails for approximately GBP 1,549. This price point reflects its position as a mid-to-high tier instrument in the Gibson line-up.

Does the guitar feature any fingerboard inlays?

Yes, the rosewood fingerboard features traditional trapezoid inlays. These provide a classic Gibson aesthetic that distinguishes it from more basic Studio models that may use dot inlays.

Gear article

Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured Washed Cherry Sunburst

The Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured is a modern electric guitar designed to balance classic Gibson tonal characteristics with a player-focused, lightweight design. Featuring a carved AA figured maple top and Ultra Modern weight relief, this specific model provides the iconic Les Paul sound in a package optimized for long-term stage and studio comfort.

See live prices

Overview

The Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured represents a refined take on the 'workhorse' Studio concept. While traditional Studio models often omit aesthetic flourishes to focus on utility, the Figured series introduces a carved AA figured maple top, providing a striking visual grain visible through the Washed Cherry Sunburst finish. This model maintains the core construction of a mahogany body and neck, paired with a bound rosewood fingerboard, ensuring it delivers the essential sustain and warmth associated with the brand.

Technical Specifications

The instrument is engineered for modern playability. It features an 'Ultra Modern' weight-relieved mahogany body, which reduces the physical burden on the player without compromising tonal resonance. The mahogany neck utilizes a SlimTaper profile, designed to accommodate fast playing styles while remaining comfortable for chordal work. The rosewood fingerboard is equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets, a 12-inch radius, and classic trapezoid inlays, blending vintage aesthetics with contemporary ergonomics.

Electronics and Tone

Central to the guitar's performance are a pair of Burstbucker Pro pickups. These units are designed to capture the characteristic 'Gibson roar,' offering a combination of bite, clarity, and punch. The figured maple top contributes a degree of brightness to the overall sound, which complements the natural warmth of the mahogany body. This setup makes the guitar versatile across multiple genres, from blues and jazz to high-gain rock.

Market Position and Comparisons

Priced at approximately GBP 1,549, the Les Paul Studio Figured sits between the entry-level Gibson models and the premium Les Paul Standard series. Compared to the Les Paul Standard 50s P90 Tobacco Burst, this model offers a thinner neck and modern humbucking pickups rather than vintage-voiced single coils. In contrast to Fender models like the American Professional II Stratocaster or the Eric Clapton Stratocaster, the Les Paul Studio provides a shorter scale length and a heavier, mahogany-driven tone.

Artists who play it

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary difference between the Studio Figured and a standard Les Paul Studio?: The Studio Figured features a carved AA figured maple top, offering a more premium aesthetic compared to the plain tops or solid finishes found on standard Studio models. It also includes neck binding for added comfort and style.
What is 'Ultra Modern' weight relief?: Ultra Modern weight relief is a chambering technique used by Gibson to reduce the overall weight of the mahogany body. This process is designed to improve player comfort during long sessions while maintaining the guitar's structural integrity and tonal sustain.
What neck profile does this guitar have?: The guitar is equipped with a mahogany SlimTaper neck profile. This is a thinner, faster-feeling neck compared to the chunkier 50s-style profiles found on other Les Paul models.
What pickups are installed in the Les Paul Studio Figured?: It is loaded with a pair of Burstbucker Pro pickups. These humbuckers are designed to provide a modern take on the classic PAF sound, offering increased output and clarity.
What is the fingerboard material?: The guitar features a rosewood fingerboard. It includes cream binding, a 12-inch radius, and 22 medium jumbo frets with acrylic trapezoid inlays.
How does the sound compare to a Fender Stratocaster?: Unlike the bright, single-coil snap of a Fender Stratocaster, the Les Paul Studio Figured produces a warmer, thicker tone with more sustain due to its mahogany construction and humbucking pickups. The scale length is also shorter, leading to a different string tension.
Who are some notable artists associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars?: The Les Paul platform has been used by a diverse range of artists including the inventor Les Paul himself, John Lee Hooker, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Duane Allman. Other notable users include Eddie Vedder and Brian May.
What finish is used on this specific model?: This specific model features a Washed Cherry Sunburst finish. This transparent finish is designed to highlight the grain of the AA figured maple top.
Is this guitar suitable for professional studio work?: Yes, as the 'Studio' name implies, it is designed to provide the essential Les Paul sound and reliable performance required for recording. Its weight relief also makes it an excellent choice for live performances.
How does this model compare to the Les Paul Standard 50s P90?: The Studio Figured uses humbucking pickups and a SlimTaper neck, whereas the Standard 50s P90 features single-coil P90 pickups and a thicker, vintage-style neck profile. The Studio also features modern weight relief, which the 50s Standard typically lacks.
What is the typical price for this guitar?: In the UK market, the Gibson Les Paul Studio Figured typically retails for approximately GBP 1,549. This price point reflects its position as a mid-to-high tier instrument in the Gibson line-up.
Does the guitar feature any fingerboard inlays?: Yes, the rosewood fingerboard features traditional trapezoid inlays. These provide a classic Gibson aesthetic that distinguishes it from more basic Studio models that may use dot inlays.