Hey, Mutt!

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Zaphod B

Zaphod B

Raccoons-Be-Gone, Inc.
Gibson has just introduced an interesting new model - it's a Les Paul Studio with two P-90s rather than humbuckers. It's a nice-looking instrument at a decent price.

One thing that caught my eye in Gibson's discription is that the (chambered) mahogany body is two-piece, rather than a single piece as used for the regular Les Paul line. I don't know if the two-piece body is the norm for Studios, but I guess it would fit with their lower cost.

Anyhow, in your judgement and experience, is there any fundamental disadvantage to a two-piece body compared to a single-piece, all other factors being as equal as possible?
 

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Zaphod B said:
Gibson has just introduced an interesting new model - it's a Les Paul Studio with two P-90s rather than humbuckers. It's a nice-looking instrument at a decent price.

One thing that caught my eye in Gibson's discription is that the (chambered) mahogany body is two-piece, rather than a single piece as used for the regular Les Paul line. I don't know if the two-piece body is the norm for Studios, but I guess it would fit with their lower cost.

Anyhow, in your judgement and experience, is there any fundamental disadvantage to a two-piece body compared to a single-piece, all other factors being as equal as possible?
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None at all.
 
It would look even better with a third P-90 smack dab in between those other two. :D
 
I'm gonna see if the local GC has one in stock yet. If so I'll take my R4 over there and do a comparison. I may not want to know the answer. :p
 
I'm trying to get my head around why this model would retail at $849.00 while the standard Les Paul line starts at around $1900.00

The finish is one - for whatever reason the "worn" finishes are cheaper; I guess it's because they don't undergo the labor-intense buffing process that the high-gloss models get.

Lack of body binding would be another labor saver (and get them through the production line faster), and the two-piece body means that they can use what would otherwise be scrap.

Ummm, lower grade maple tops?

No difference in the neck, fretboard, frets, tuners, electronics, or hardware, I don't think. Correct me if I'm mistaken.

That about it? :confused:
 
Zaphod B said:
I'm trying to get my head around why this model would retail at $849.00 while the standard Les Paul line starts at around $1900.00
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Could the same not be said for any LP Studio? Thanks for posting this, it'll be going straight to the top of my wish list. Think the satin white finish looks pretty interesting.
 
TelePaul said:
Could the same not be said for any LP Studio?
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Yes. The Studios range in price from around $800 to $1300 USD. Used to be that they were (mostly?) all opaque-finished, with chrome hardware, but now there are models with burst finishes and gold hardware.......

Still gotta wonder what makes the price difference. My thinking is that it's mostly down to labor and a faster production throughput.
 
Zaphod B said:
I'm trying to get my head around why this model would retail at $849.00 while the standard Les Paul line starts at around $1900.00

The finish is one - for whatever reason the "worn" finishes are cheaper; I guess it's because they don't undergo the labor-intense buffing process that the high-gloss models get.

Lack of body binding would be another labor saver (and get them through the production line faster), and the two-piece body means that they can use what would otherwise be scrap.

Ummm, lower grade maple tops?

No difference in the neck, fretboard, frets, tuners, electronics, or hardware, I don't think. Correct me if I'm mistaken.

That about it? :confused:
Click to expand...

I haven't seen one yet but I would guess that the hardware is not top spec? Could be wrong.

The timber certainly won't be cosmetically as appealing as the top Gibson stuff. Nothing wrong with that but the cost of pretty wood these days you wouldn't want to know, trust me.

The rest is down to what I always state here. With the big boys they put there products on the market at a price point just above what they think the market will stand and allow there dealers and franchises to take the cut in top price. With the current market being quite flat Gibson have been looking pretty unattractive from purely a price point of view and this is an attempt to get brand awareness at a lower price point. I'm sure they are decent instruments but Gibson have always been over priced for what they are.
 
Oh, Studios don't ship with a hard case - gig bag only. There's another $150 in retail cost.
 
My bro was good enough to hook me up with one of these for Christmas. Worn Satin white. It's a very soft finish, and I'm sure it'll take a beating over time! I've just gotten round to playing it and it sure is different. You pick it up expecting the dark Les Paul sound and you get something very different. These are my first P90s though, so it's hard to describe. For me, the biggest difference is with the middle-position, there's a zing there that isn't present with the standard buckers. Will play some more and will report back!
 
TelePaul said:
My bro was good enough to hook me up with one of these for Christmas. Worn Satin white. It's a very soft finish, and I'm sure it'll take a beating over time! I've just gotten round to playing it and it sure is different. You pick it up expecting the dark Les Paul sound and you get something very different. These are my first P90s though, so it's hard to describe. For me, the biggest difference is with the middle-position, there's a zing there that isn't present with the standard buckers. Will play some more and will report back!
Click to expand...

I hate you! :D

But I love your new guitar. P-90s definitely have a zing to 'em. Enjoy!
 
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