"IMHO, if you're on a budget the Epi Standard is a more substantial piece than the Gibson Studio. "
Sorry, getuhgrip............
Not in my opinion, having messed with both....hardware, neck, feel, pick ups, frets, finish,
everything about the studio is better.....
Despite previous years of less than stellar QC, the American made Gibson Les Pauls in
all their flavors are better than anything currently produced under the epi-gibson corporate name........screw the budget........the studio is better........
People can bitch about the prices all they want, but remember, very few of
any guitars get their advertised retail prices...there are lotsa deals to be had on quality guitars, just look around....
Granted, I have a Gibson LP Standard as well as a '57 Reissue Goldtop........to me, the Standard was a bit heavier than
the studio plus I like the binding, so I bought it.....but go figure, the '57 is lighter, and the pups are different, and it's now my fave.....my cousin wants to buy my Standard, and I think if I do, I'll get a studio so's I still get the 490/pup sound that is different from the '57.....
the new 2002 Standards have
Burstbucker pups, though....so I might get one of those instead....I dunno.....Les Pauls have a great variety of sounds available pup-wise.........
Real Gibson yeah, epi nay (for me anyhow...your mileage may vary)...................gibs