Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar, Worn Brown Satin

by Gibson USA

Product Features

• Traditional Rounded Neck Profile
• 490R and 498T Pickups
• Traditional Mahogany Back and Maple Top
• 22-Fret Rosewood or Ebony Fingerboards
• Chambered Body for Perfect Tone Balance and Weight

Product Details

• Item Weight: 13.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000PFLKAY
• Item model number: Les Paul Studio
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,481 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #81 in Musical Instruments > Guitars > Electric Guitars > Solid Body

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Some guitar players like the look and feel of a shiny, brand new guitar. Others, however, prefer the look and feel of a timeworn instrument--a guitar, without the sheen, that looks a little used, and has a smooth, worn look to it. For these players, there is the Les Paul Studio Faded from Gibson USA, which lets you see and feel the wood grain's natural beauty. And just like its brother, the Les Paul Studio, the Les Paul Studio Faded offers up breathtaking Les Paul performance in a modern, no-frills package that's sure to please even the most discriminating players.

Pure Les Paul Swagger in a Modern, No-Nonsense Package.

Fast & Comfortable Rounded Neck Profile
Gibson's traditional rounded neck profile, which graces the neck of each Les Paul Studio Faded, is a thicker, rounder profile, emulating the neck shapes of the iconic Les Paul Standards of the late 1950s. Each neck is machined in Gibson's rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. But once the fingerboard gets glued on, the rest--including the final sanding--is done by hand. That means each neck ends up with ever-so-subtle differences that make each one as exceptional--and unique--as the next.

A thicker, rounder neck profile emulates the neck shapes of the iconic Les Paul Standards of the late 1950s.

Gibson Burstbucker pickups and a Tune-O-Matic bridge.

Gibson's Burstbucker Pro Pickups
Gibson's drive to recapture the magic of the original "Patent Applied For" humbucker pickups of the 1950s culminated with the introduction of the Burstbucker line in the early 1990s. Those Burstbuckers--Types 1, 2, and 3--successfully captured the subtle variations of true, classic humbucker tone with historically "unmatched" bobbin windings and Alnico II magnets. In 2002, Gibson followed up this innovative accomplishment with yet another breakthrough in pickup design--the Burstbucker Pro, designed specifically for the new Les Paul Standards. The Burstbucker Pro features an Alnico V magnet (instead of the Alnico II), which offers slightly higher output and allows preamps to be driven a little harder to achieve a more natural break-up. Like all Burstbuckers, the Burstbucker Pro has asymmetrical coils--true to the original PAFs--which supply a more open sound. The Burstbucker Pro Neck is wound slightly less than the original PAFs, while the Burstbucker Pro Bridge is slightly overwound for increased output. The Burstbucker Pro pickups are also wax potted to allow loud volume pressures with minimal feedback. As with all Gibson pickups, every part is precisely manufactured at Gibson USA in Nashville, Tennessee, insuring tight, seamless fittings, and superior workmanship.

22-Fret Rosewood Fingerboard
Rosewood fingerboards and trapezoid inlays have been a mainstay feature on Les Pauls ever since the model's introduction in the 1950s, and the fingerboards on Gibson's Les Paul Studio Faded are no different. They are constructed from the highest grade rosewood on the planet. Each piece of wood is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled wood experts before it enter the factories to be fitted onto the necks. The resilience of this dense and durable wood makes these fingerboards extremely balanced and stable, and gives each chord and note unparalleled clarity and bite. Additionally, the 12-inch radius of the fingerboard provides smooth note bending capabilities and eliminates "dead" or "choked out" notes. The traditional trapezoid inlays are made of figured acrylic, and offer a classic "pearl" look. They are inserted into the fingerboard using a process that eliminates gaps and doesn't require the use of fillers.

Mahogany Back and Top
There isn't anything more critical than the matching of the Les Paul's mahogany back with its mahogany cap, as well as the regimen involved in selecting the right wood and the formula to dry it out. First, the wood is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled wood experts before it enters the Gibson factories. Inside the Gibson factories, humidity is maintained at 45 percent, and the temperature at 70 degrees. This ensures that the wood is dried to a level of "equilibrium," where the moisture content does not change during the manufacturing process. This guarantees tight-fitting joints and no expansion, and controls the shrinkage and warping of the wood, in addition to reducing the weight. It also improves the wood's machinability and finishing properties, and adherence to glue. Consistent moisture content means that a Gibson guitar will respond evenly to temperature and humidity changes long after it leaves the factory.

Chambered Body
There's something about playing a guitar with perfect tone, balance, and weight. One of the ways the expert craftsmen at Gibson USA achieve this equilibrium is by carving carefully mapped-out chambers in the Les Paul's solid mahogany back using a Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) router before the mahogany top is glued on. The positioning of the routes was established after careful examination of the resonant characteristics of the Les Paul. Gibson approached this process with the awareness that every change to the formula would have repercussions on the instrument's sound. So, in addition to relieving the stress on a player's back and shoulder, these lighter Gibson guitars also enhance the tone palette in a manner unique only to these guitars. The results are comfortable, lightweight guitars that are acoustically louder, with increased sustain and resonance.

Product Description

The arrival of the Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar in 1983 offered guitarists all the essential elements of a Les Paul Standard, including a carved top and humbucking pickups. Its simple yet elegant design quickly helped it become the most popular model in the Les Paul Series. Cutting-yet-rich tone—the hallmark of the Les Paul—pours out of the 490R and 498T Alnico II magnet humbucker pickups, which are mounted on a carved maple top with a mahogany back. The faded finish models are equipped with BurstBucker Pro pickups and a mahogany top. The Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar includes a Gibson hardshell case (Faded and satin finish models come with a gig bag) and a limited lifetime warranty. Body and Finish A solid, carved maple top and chambered mahogany body give the Les Paul Studio the same tonewood combination that has been helping Les Paul Standards rock for nearly 60 years. And each of its four available nitrocellulose finishes makes for a stunning looking guitar, even while its no-frills approach eliminates body binding and pickguard. Mahogany is a medium-dense wood with excellent resonance and superior sustain, and it offers a rich, round, warm tone, but with plenty of high-end sheen and good mid-range presence. Add a solid maple top, and the guitar's tone is enhanced with added clarity, sustain and definition. The body's chambering also enhances its mellow acoustic resonance, and adds further air to the midrange content. Pickups Gibson's 498T and 490R pickups ("T" for treble, and "R" for rhythm) have the traditional characteristics of the original "Patent Applied For" pickups of the late 1950s, with a few upgrades. These pickups take advantage of wax potting, which does away with any air space inside the pickup, therefore lessening the chances of microphonic feedback. The result is a humbucker with the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, with a slight increase in upper mid-range response. The Gibson 498T bridge pickup is the 490R's ide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 29 Years Of Playing, And I'm In Love Again, November 18, 2010

By 

Chris Stock (Florida Native) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar, Worn Brown Satin (Electronics)

I recently picked up a Faded/Worn Brown Les Paul. I was tempted to gran an Epiphone LP Custom, as they are initially great values for the features and price, but I wanted to support an American manufacturer directly. If I ever was forced to sell this LP, it would actually retain value instead of dropping in price like a 1976 Gremlin.

It was in like new condition, just like when it rolled off of the factory floor on September 29, 2010, just 3 weeks ago. Someone must have bought it, and went back the next day for the LP Custom for 2K more. That was the saleman's story, and I believe it. Their loss, my gain. I'm not complaining. I feel kind of like I stole it, but my credit card statement says I did indeed pay.

The cons:

It's not flashy to look at, it doesn't have a wonderful finish, just plain old dull brown. That's one of the few shortcomings I can think of, and that can be addressed with lacquer later if I so choose.

One other thing I have to nitpick about is the factory choice of setting it up with a horrendous set of .10-.46 strings. Awful. I know that's a personal preference, but thought I'd throw it out there. There was no "punch" in them at all. I just knew there was magic waiting to come out of this guitar though, so I restrung it with a new set of Elixir .009's, re-set the intonation, and was off lost in riff land for a few hours the first night I had it.

The soft gig bag it came with is a right POS, and I wouldn't keep my 1983 Hondo in it, much less this beauty. Near non existent padding, and it feels and looks horrendously cheap. This piece of Gibson treasure is immediately going in a spare hard shell case I have leftover from another long sold guitar.

The Pros:

The fit and finish of every single seam, joint, screw, and inlay, is FLAWLESS.

The body is chambered, which reduces the weight significantly, and if you've ever stood for a few hours with an LP hanging off of your shoulder, you'll appreciate that immediately. I can remember many afternoons and nights patently miserable after a few hours of having nearly 9 lbs. strung across my shoulders. Problem solved.

The satin finish on the neck does lend a wonderful slickness to the back side of it. Again, with some of my other guitars, they get sticky after a few hours of playing. Not this one. It feels smooth as silk after even hours of play.

The tone that pours out of the 490R and 498T Alnico II humbuckers is pure aural gold. It reminded me immediately of my 1976 Gibson Explorer that I {sorrowfully} sold when I had my first son in 1992. It is rich, cutting, and lends itself to almost any style that I play, from blues standards, to 70's classics, to 80's hair metal, and to today's alternative music. It handles it all with absolute aplomb.

I don't see this new love affair ending anytime soon, as it is inspiring me to tackle musical projects with renewed determination again, even after almost 30 years.

Well done, Gibson, well done.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great deal, excellent guitar, June 10, 2010

By 

Paul D. "frontman" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar, Worn Brown Satin (Electronics)

Let me first say I have played for many years, with a band that mostly records, but plays out a handful of times per year. My main gear is a marshall tube combo, some boutique pedals and an early 80's american tele.

I was intrigued by the gibson les paul sound so after along search I bought a used 01 pewter studio. I was drawn to its heft and playability. Something was not right, after months of playing it I realized the pickups were hotter than I wanted. Before I bought this pewter studio, I had tried out a lot of guitars, and played a few worn mahogany les pauls, but I was always repelled by the lack of finish, the frets were rough, the neck was sticky, it was generally not-player friendly like the nicer rare studio was...

but I happened to be in guitar center trading in an amp i din't want when I played a used vintage worn brown les paul and fell in love; the pickups are warm as hell, the neck was shiny and smooth, the frets were perfect; I realized all it needed before was breaking in! I love the guitar, especially the neck pick up, which can be very bassy if you are not careful, but has a sweet singing tone for solos- and is worth the price.

If you want a nice les paul, and you don't want to fork over 2k plus for a standard or goldtop with p90s, skip the studio and go for one of these worn models- they use essentially the same materials, and all the savings come from wood choices associated with cosmetics and extensive finishing.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Affordable, REAL Les Paul!, April 19, 2011

By 

Blake C. (Shreveport, LA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar, Worn Brown Satin (Electronics)

I am very pleased with Gibson's effort to produce more affordable guitars in recent years. I have owned a Gibson Les Paul Special Faded for about five years, and it has been a very tough and decent guitar. However, without the carved top, it lacked some of the authentic Les Paul sound. I pored through tons of videos and reviews prior to buying this Studio model; making sure that I wasn't essentially buying a fancier version of the guitar I already have. For about the same price as I paid for the Special Faded, the Studio Faded went beyond my expectations. The chambered body gives the Studio Faded wonderful sustain and resonance, as well as making it a fairly light Les Paul (which are not famous for being lightweight). The Burstbucker Pro pickups are a little less hot than the 490R and 498T that come in the nonfaded Studios; giving a more vintage sound. If you are one of those who is chasing that '59 Les Paul sound on a budget, this axe is your best bet. While it may not sound identical to your favorite Jimmy Page riff or Joe Perry Solo, the tone of this guitar will easily improve your attempts. The satin faded nitro cellulose finish is really nice with the added benefits of making it both cheaper and less of a headache to keep clean. No unbecoming smudge marks will be seen, and if it is anything like my Special Faded, the guitar will relic naturally over time where you make the most contact with it; rubbing down the stain and revealing the wood. So, in essence, there is a possibility that if you play this axe hard for a few years, it will look truly vintage if your into that look. This guitar is practically a steal at $800. I've owned a handful of Fender Strats, Epiphone Les Pauls & Sgs, and no matter how cheap (or free) I have gotten a guitar for, this is by far the best value in my opinion. Give it go!