I might get this guitar...

  • Thread starter Thread starter jonny deep
  • Start date Start date
J

jonny deep

Disappointing Member
I'm thinking of getting this guitar (it's a left handed Les Paul Studio 2012 in wine red): -

Gibson Les Paul Studio Wine Red LH Chrome Hardware with Coil Tap (2012)

It's kind of difficult for me to audition left handed guitars I'm interested in locally (e.g. this one is in Birmingham and they'll ship it to my local shop if i put down a deposit, i.e. commit to buy, however, if I buy it mail order, I get a week to send it back if I don't like it, as per distance-selling regulations).

What do people think of the Studios? I'd love a Custom, but they're like three grand, so out of my price range at the moment. I'm not sure what differences I'd see between the guitars priced between the Studio and the Custom.
 
There's big differences between studios and customs and everything in between. And they're pretty much all cosmetic. The chambering and weight relieving are pretty much the only things that will create tonal differences. The higher end LP's have less or different weight relieving and more visual accoutrements. I personally don't care much for the Studios simply because they look naked to me. I like the binding and stuff of the higher end models. The Studios sound and playability is all the same though....provided you don't get a dud from Gibson....which has sadly become pretty common.
 
Do they not make standards anymore? Customs are pretty, but have always been insanely expensive. I've never played a studio before, but they seem to be everywhere...

I agree with greg on the naked factor, not that it should matter to you. On gibsons, I really only like them when the fretboard has binding on it. They just look unfinished to me without for some reason.

The guitar you linked to above is a very nice looking studio though.
 
Rare as hell, but get one of these if you can...

Picture 57.webp
 
I have a Studio and it's pretty good. I think they're kinda like MIM Strats where you just have to make sure you get a good one.
Did they stop putting the gold hardware on those Wine Reds? I hope so. :)
 
Greg_L said:
There's big differences between studios and customs and everything in between. And they're pretty much all cosmetic. The chambering and weight relieving are pretty much the only things that will create tonal differences. The higher end LP's have less or different weight relieving and more visual accoutrements. I personally don't care much for the Studios simply because they look naked to me. I like the binding and stuff of the higher end models. The Studios sound and playability is all the same though....provided you don't get a dud from Gibson....which has sadly become pretty common.
Click to expand...

Thanks Greg - that pretty much sums up what I've been trying to find out via Google. I'm like you about the binding - it makes the Studios look kind of thin, but I love the look of the wine red. Unfortunately, I'll have to buy to try, but as I say, I can send it back if I don't like it.

heatmiser said:
Do they not make standards anymore? Customs are pretty, but have always been insanely expensive. I've never played a studio before, but they seem to be everywhere...

I agree with greg on the naked factor, not that it should matter to you. On gibsons, I really only like them when the fretboard has binding on it. They just look unfinished to me without for some reason.

The guitar you linked to above is a very nice looking studio though.
Click to expand...

Thanks Heat - yep, the Customs look lovely, but my significant other would not be pleased if I wasted so much on a pretty guitar. I saw a Custom a few years back, wine red, left handed for £2,000. Should have snapped it up there and then.

I don't know whether they make straight up Standards any more - there seem to be Traditionals (which they made after having all that illegal wood confiscated, I believe) and Standard Premium Plus and all manner of variations!

chuckduffy said:
Rare as hell, but get one of these if you can...
Click to expand...

Lol, thanks Chuck - if they did make a Victim Penis edition, I'm sure it would cost more than a Custom, so probably a little rich for me. Nice idea, though!

fat_fleet said:
I have a Studio and it's pretty good. I think they're kinda like MIM Strats where you just have to make sure you get a good one.
Did they stop putting the gold hardware on those Wine Reds? I hope so.
Click to expand...

Thanks fat_fleet! I could get a gold hardware from the link below, but it's not the 2012 model: -

Gibson Les Paul Studio Left Handed Wine Red, Gold Hardware

I quite like the gold hardware, but I guess it works a lot better on the Custom. I believe the 2012 model has weight relieving more like the Standard, so probably the better option and doesn't look quite so tacky!


Thanks for the responses everyone. Might see if I can get to try before I buy from another store (seems unlikely) so I don't get a dud. At least, I'll go try a few Studios elsewhere so I get a feel for the differences.
 
They do still make Standards, along with the Deluxe, Classics, and Traditionals, which are all basically part of the Standard family. I have a Traditional Pro. It's basically a Standard with full body and neck binding, but with minimal weight relieving and split humbuckers like the Studio you've linked here. It's got more vintage PAF style Burstbucker bridge/57 Classic neck pickups instead of the usual, hotter 490R/498T pickups. I friggin love it. I got to try a whole bunch of them before buying it. I lucked out in finding the exact model and finish I wanted while still being perfectly playable for my style. Being right handed in a huge city has its perks. :D
 
Greg_L said:
They do still make Standards, along with the Deluxe, Classics, and Traditionals, which are all basically part of the Standard family. I have a Traditional Pro. It's basically a Standard with full body and neck binding, but with minimal weight relieving and split humbuckers like the Studio you've linked here. It's got more vintage PAF style Burstbucker bridge/57 Classic neck pickups instead of the usual, hotter 490R/498T pickups. I friggin love it. I got to try a whole bunch of them before buying it. I lucked out in finding the exact model and finish I wanted while still being perfectly playable for my style. Being right handed in a huge city has its perks. :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, being right handed would be good. I live within a short drive of loads of guitar shops and work in London, where there are plenty more, so I would have such a range to choose from. Oh well :rolleyes:.
 
jonny deep said:
Yeah, being right handed would be good. I live within a short drive of loads of guitar shops and work in London, where there are plenty more, so I would have such a range to choose from. Oh well :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

Where are you? Whilst I rarely give out store recommendations here, if you can get to Epsom "guitarguitar" normally have a ton of stuff and quite a bit of lefty stuff. They carry large numbers of Gibsons as well. Like I say I can't vouch for them personally as I don't deal with them but I have heard they are good for south paws.. Maybe worth a call.
 
muttley600 said:
Where are you? Whilst I rarely give out store recommendations here, if you can get to Epsom "guitarguitar" normally have a ton of stuff and quite a bit of lefty stuff. They carry large numbers of Gibsons as well. Like I say I can't vouch for them personally as I don't deal with them but I have heard they are good for south paws.. Maybe worth a call.
Click to expand...

Lol, I live in Epsom. I've been there loads - the sales manager is a lefty (he used to run GAK in Brighton, so he tells me), so they have a decent amount of lefty stock. Thanks for the heads up, though. I like how they call themselves the London branch (and advertise as the biggest guitar shop in London).

The wine red Studio I linked above is now sold (from GuitarGuitar in Birmingham) - the Epsom store has an ebony one in stock which I'll go give a try this weekend after I'm home from Christmas, if they still have it. I'm not keen on the black Les Pauls, but if I like the feel, I might give it a whirl. Otherwise, I'm trying to convince myself to get a 2012 Standard (or Premium Plus), but I much prefer with a scratch plate (and the Traditionals don't have the coil tap, which I'm interested in trying, at least).
 
jonny deep said:
Lol, I live in Epsom. I've been there loads - the sales manager is a lefty (he used to run GAK in Brighton, so he tells me), so they have a decent amount of lefty stock. Thanks for the heads up, though. I like how they call themselves the London branch (and advertise as the biggest guitar shop in London).

The wine red Studio I linked above is now sold (from GuitarGuitar in Birmingham) - the Epsom store has an ebony one in stock which I'll go give a try this weekend after I'm home from Christmas, if they still have it. I'm not keen on the black Les Pauls, but if I like the feel, I might give it a whirl. Otherwise, I'm trying to convince myself to get a 2012 Standard (or Premium Plus), but I much prefer with a scratch plate (and the Traditionals don't have the coil tap, which I'm interested in trying, at least).
Click to expand...

Ha, I had a feeling I guess....

Shouldn't he be able to get a few for you to try out? I've had guys come to me after shopping there and the only reason they didn't return was geography. Like I say though I'm not familiar with them I'm the other side of London. Good luck searching though and remember it's supposed to be fun...:)
 
jonny deep said:
Yeah, being right handed would be good. I live within a short drive of loads of guitar shops and work in London, where there are plenty more, so I would have such a range to choose from. Oh well :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

Before I could actually play, not that I can really play now, but before I knew powerchords and I'd do air guitar concerts or pretend on a tennis racket as a kid, I did it left handed. I'm not left handed, but all my fake guitar playing was left handed. It just seemed natural. Then my mom got me a guitar (right handed) and I made noise on it left handed. It wasn't until much later when I actually decided to learn something did I flip it over and play it correctly. I'm glad I did as there aint shit out there for lefties.
 
So I came home with a second hand Les Paul Traditional they'd just got in the shop, so I hadn't seen it on their website yet. Came out a couple of hundred more than the Studio, but the difference in tone and playability was very obvious. I haven't played that many real Les Pauls, but this thing seems to ooze quality.

Here is a picture: -

guitar.jpg
 
Lefties look so freakin' awkward. Nice score. You always get more when you buy used Gibsons.
 
That is sweet! Looks to be in great shape too. I sssume it isn't very old?

Fretboard binding: check.

:thumbs up:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top