Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Any of you guys know anything about the Gibson Les Paul Studio Gem series? Are they just as hit-and-miss as other LP Studios in terms of quality? The one I'm looking at is a '96.
- Keith
- Keith
Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
- Thread starter Pink Unicorn Horsey
- Start date
stevie_bees
Cat In The Hatministrator
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Is that the model with the P-90's Keith? I really like those, but you don't see them about very often. Regardless of quality issues, they seem to be keepers for most people.
Is that the model with the P-90's Keith? I really like those, but you don't see them about very often. Regardless of quality issues, they seem to be keepers for most people.
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Yup! P-90s on those. That's the main draw for me.
Yup! P-90s on those. That's the main draw for me.
stevie_bees
Cat In The Hatministrator
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
I seem to remember the colours were different too, like Emerald Green and Ruby Red. I really wanted one, but as usual, the expensive UK price once again proves to be prohibitive!
I seem to remember the colours were different too, like Emerald Green and Ruby Red. I really wanted one, but as usual, the expensive UK price once again proves to be prohibitive!
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
That about exhausts my knowledge of them.
That about exhausts my knowledge of them.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
They were nothing more than a Studio with a "Gem Inspired" finish and P-90's. They are the same quality of a mid 90's Studio since they are the same guitar...FWIW, one of the best playing and sounding P-90 LP's I ever played short of old wood was a Gem...it had all the things I look for in a killer LP, however when I tried to find another one a few years later I had such bad luck I stopped looking!
They were nothing more than a Studio with a "Gem Inspired" finish and P-90's. They are the same quality of a mid 90's Studio since they are the same guitar...FWIW, one of the best playing and sounding P-90 LP's I ever played short of old wood was a Gem...it had all the things I look for in a killer LP, however when I tried to find another one a few years later I had such bad luck I stopped looking!
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Is it safe to assume that, like other Gibby LP Studios, the quality varies from guitar to guitar? The one I'm looking at isn't something I could play ahead of time.
Is it safe to assume that, like other Gibby LP Studios, the quality varies from guitar to guitar? The one I'm looking at isn't something I could play ahead of time.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
It's not likely that you'll get a "dog" LP. Most are very good. Ask plenty of questions up front & get some close-up pics. I buy a bunch of guitars online (mid-price imports) and have had very few problems.
An LP with P-90's is a very nice guitar, and not a combination seen often, except in that awful gold color. I'd grab this one if it's in good condition at a good price.
It's not likely that you'll get a "dog" LP. Most are very good. Ask plenty of questions up front & get some close-up pics. I buy a bunch of guitars online (mid-price imports) and have had very few problems.
An LP with P-90's is a very nice guitar, and not a combination seen often, except in that awful gold color. I'd grab this one if it's in good condition at a good price.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
All guitars will vary from one to another and Gibson is surely no exception to that rule however I think they take a bit of an underseved beating on the internet...everybody builds a killer guitar from time to time and everybody builds a clunker once and a while it's just the way it is.
I try to almost never buy a guitar w/o playing it first but sometimes you have to...
Good luck!
All guitars will vary from one to another and Gibson is surely no exception to that rule however I think they take a bit of an underseved beating on the internet...everybody builds a killer guitar from time to time and everybody builds a clunker once and a while it's just the way it is.
I try to almost never buy a guitar w/o playing it first but sometimes you have to...
Good luck!
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Here's what I know.
In short, the best thing Gibson has done in a long time. Only getting rarer, and darned if they aren't the prettiest things Gibson ever made.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/search.php?searchid=830132
I'm at work, or I'd really break it down. Just go through some of those links, you'll get an impression what I think about mine. Absolutely an AWESOME guitar, and it's doubled in value in one year.
Here's what I know.
In short, the best thing Gibson has done in a long time. Only getting rarer, and darned if they aren't the prettiest things Gibson ever made.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/search.php?searchid=830132
I'm at work, or I'd really break it down. Just go through some of those links, you'll get an impression what I think about mine. Absolutely an AWESOME guitar, and it's doubled in value in one year.
tubeman87
New member
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Pretty much +100 on what BigAL is saying here. I've played a few and all are great instruments. I will definatly be hunting one down when I get around to getting another Les Paul.
Pretty much +100 on what BigAL is saying here. I've played a few and all are great instruments. I will definatly be hunting one down when I get around to getting another Les Paul.
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
I wish I could say my Gem is my favorite guitar. It's not, but then again, it's hard to argue with a Duo Jet.
That said, as far as Gibsons go, I've never played one I've liked more (in terms of playability and looks). I've seen some that have been prettier, and probably played as nice or nicer, but those are the $1500+ ones. Considering mine was $512 including shipping, I'm pretty darn pleased.
The best thing is the finish checking. My goodness, every time I look the finish has cracked some more, and dang it's gorgeous! I could sit and lick the finish all day long if I wanted.
Here ya go Kage, if that Sapphire Blue doesn't grab you, then I dunno what will. Topaz is cool too though:
I wish I could say my Gem is my favorite guitar. It's not, but then again, it's hard to argue with a Duo Jet.
That said, as far as Gibsons go, I've never played one I've liked more (in terms of playability and looks). I've seen some that have been prettier, and probably played as nice or nicer, but those are the $1500+ ones. Considering mine was $512 including shipping, I'm pretty darn pleased.
The best thing is the finish checking. My goodness, every time I look the finish has cracked some more, and dang it's gorgeous! I could sit and lick the finish all day long if I wanted.
Here ya go Kage, if that Sapphire Blue doesn't grab you, then I dunno what will. Topaz is cool too though:
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Andrew, the finish on your Gem keeps cracking?
Andrew, the finish on your Gem keeps cracking?
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
First of all, I LOVE my GEM. I played a bunch (7 or 8?) and they were all pretty sporty. Can't say any were dogs.
Second: WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
LP GEM Studios came equipped with P-100's!!!! Silent Humbucking P-90's Also generally sucky compared to real P-90's. Nice meaty necks on them though and overall very good. Some even had nicemaple aparently! (see below)
Colors were Sapphire (very cool!), Ruby, Amethyst, Emerald, and my favorite, Topaz (see below)
That said, some Duncan's , such as the PRS inspired Vintage bridge in the neck, and Custom neck in the bridge, can tone that bad boy right up. (see below)
First of all, I LOVE my GEM. I played a bunch (7 or 8?) and they were all pretty sporty. Can't say any were dogs.
Second: WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
LP GEM Studios came equipped with P-100's!!!! Silent Humbucking P-90's Also generally sucky compared to real P-90's. Nice meaty necks on them though and overall very good. Some even had nicemaple aparently! (see below)
Colors were Sapphire (very cool!), Ruby, Amethyst, Emerald, and my favorite, Topaz (see below)
That said, some Duncan's , such as the PRS inspired Vintage bridge in the neck, and Custom neck in the bridge, can tone that bad boy right up. (see below)
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Cracking, but in a good way. Matter of fact, in the way that makes me buy Gibson over Fender.
You know finish checking, right? That's one of the big draws of Nitro, as you probably know. The entire front of my guitar has big finish check marks all over it, and the back is even worse (better, in my opinion). It just looks BADASS.
And +1 to everything Ace said.
If it had binding, it would be the perfect Gibson.
Oh, and the rosewood on my fretboard is BAR NONE the best I've ever seen. I can't even believe it's rosewood, matter of fact it may not be. I would pay $500 just for this fretboard, with nothing else, and I'm not exaggerating, it's that good.
Cracking, but in a good way. Matter of fact, in the way that makes me buy Gibson over Fender.
You know finish checking, right? That's one of the big draws of Nitro, as you probably know. The entire front of my guitar has big finish check marks all over it, and the back is even worse (better, in my opinion). It just looks BADASS.
And +1 to everything Ace said.
If it had binding, it would be the perfect Gibson.
Oh, and the rosewood on my fretboard is BAR NONE the best I've ever seen. I can't even believe it's rosewood, matter of fact it may not be. I would pay $500 just for this fretboard, with nothing else, and I'm not exaggerating, it's that good.
Pink Unicorn Horsey
Megä Pöny Rÿdr
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Dizzam! Yeah, I know what you mean about the checking. I can't really see it in your pic, but it does give a guitar a nice vibe, much like the darkening of a well worn maple neck.
- Keith
Dizzam! Yeah, I know what you mean about the checking. I can't really see it in your pic, but it does give a guitar a nice vibe, much like the darkening of a well worn maple neck.
- Keith
BigAlTheBird
Guest
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Ok Keith, this is from the first day I had it in my possession, over a year ago. I've f'ed up the finish quite a bit since then, and the pickups are changed, and the knobs are changed, etc. But look closely right under the bottom left (viewer left) screw on the neck pickup ring. See those lines?
Now cover the entire front with that. And the whole back with that as well.
It kicks ASS.
Oh btw, I've got about a metric ton of finish missing now where my arm rests when I play. It's the coolest part of any guitar I own, a real shame I don't get to play it more!
Ok Keith, this is from the first day I had it in my possession, over a year ago. I've f'ed up the finish quite a bit since then, and the pickups are changed, and the knobs are changed, etc. But look closely right under the bottom left (viewer left) screw on the neck pickup ring. See those lines?
Now cover the entire front with that. And the whole back with that as well.
It kicks ASS.
Oh btw, I've got about a metric ton of finish missing now where my arm rests when I play. It's the coolest part of any guitar I own, a real shame I don't get to play it more!
Braunzo
New member
Re: Know Anything About LP Studio Gem Series?
Beat up guitars are awesome! I can't wait for my guitars to start looking a bit like that. With that said, I've really been scouting for those Les Paul Gems... They always pop up when I'm out of the bones (which is just about always)! :smack: :biglaugh:
Ok Keith, this is from the first day I had it in my possession, over a year ago. I've f'ed up the finish quite a bit since then, and the pickups are changed, and the knobs are changed, etc. But look closely right under the bottom left (viewer left) screw on the neck pickup ring. See those lines?
Now cover the entire front with that. And the whole back with that as well.
It kicks ASS.
Oh btw, I've got about a metric ton of finish missing now where my arm rests when I play. It's the coolest part of any guitar I own, a real shame I don't get to play it more!
Beat up guitars are awesome! I can't wait for my guitars to start looking a bit like that. With that said, I've really been scouting for those Les Paul Gems... They always pop up when I'm out of the bones (which is just about always)! :smack: :biglaugh:
