LP Studio vs. LP std.

2taall

New member
I was considering a possible purchase of a LP Studio. What are the differences(other than cosmetic) between the Studio and the Standard. I was under the impression that the Standard had a thicker maple cap which contributes to a more articulate tone. Can someone fill me in?
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

I've heard the same thing, That studio's have a thinner Maple cap? I had a Studio LP, And to my ears it sounded just like any deluxe or STD. I've played.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

DUNNO :dunno:

I've got a Studio & it sounds great with the 50th Seth/Brobucker combo :bigthumb:
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

The Studio's have a '59 Rounded profile, the Standard's have either a 50's or 60's neck. Standard's now come with Burstbucker Pro's, the Studio's have the 490R/498T combo. Short of that, they're very similar, I'm not sure about the maple cap thing but it could be the case.

The current Studio's are very similar the the 90's Standards in terms of features. Standard's used to have the 490R/498T combo and the '59 rounded neck.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

Cosmetics and pickups...and the afforementioned neck profiles. I believe a new Studio can be had for about $1000 at MF right now. That's alot cheaper than $2200, or whatever a new Standard costs now.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

I have both and I feel the Studio is inferior in build quality to the Standard. The Standard I have has the stock pickups and I believe the Studio has the same pickups, but the Standard sounds better to my ears. Early versions of the Studio came with 300K pots. Mine were changed to 500K and it made a huge difference. The other major difference is the Sudio has an Ebony board(at least mine does) and the Standard has rosewood. I feel RW adds to the warmer tone of the Standards.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

My Studio has a RW board....it's a late 80s-early 90s version & although I'm really not a humbucker kinda guy, it is definitely a sweet guitar.

Not sure if I just got a good one or what, but I dig it............for now :D
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

I have both and I feel the Studio is inferior in build quality to the Standard. The Standard I have has the stock pickups and I believe the Studio has the same pickups, but the Standard sounds better to my ears. Early versions of the Studio came with 300K pots. Mine were changed to 500K and it made a huge difference. The other major difference is the Sudio has an Ebony board(at least mine does) and the Standard has rosewood. I feel RW adds to the warmer tone of the Standards.

Is your Studio white? All white guitars from Gibson have ebony boards, the white paint bleeds into or stains rosewood.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

Cosmetics and pickups...and the afforementioned neck profiles.

That's about all I've noticed, too. My studio is a 1999. Of course, back then studios got 300K pots (which, IMO, work better with the stock 498T/490R set than 500K) and sealed Grover tuning machines. I'm unsure about pot values now, but the new studios have the open "vintage" tuning machines, which I feel are inferior to the Grovers.

The best thing for anyone debating Studio vs Standard to do is go play a bunch and decide for themselves if the Standards really are $1200 better than the Studios.For me, they weren't. I haven't picked up a new studio in a while - the standards may be worth the extra cost know. YMMV, of course.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

The best thing for anyone debating Studio vs Standard to do is go play a bunch and decide for themselves if the Standards really are $1200 better than the Studios.For me, they weren't. I haven't picked up a new studio in a while - the standards may be worth the extra cost know. YMMV, of course.

THAT'S A BIG +1 !!!!
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

Is your Studio white? All white guitars from Gibson have ebony boards, the white paint bleeds into or stains rosewood.


NO! Mine is the Gothic Studio that is like a metal flake black and it has all brushed Aluminum parts and a aluminum pickguard. It is a bit bright in the bridge pickup, but the neck pickup is really warm. I believe the stock pickups are the 490 and 498?? Not sure I never really entertained the idea of changing the pickups out it sounds OK, but I tend to lean towards my 335 or my SG if I need a HB...... I tend to prefer single coils too!
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

One big difference (which I'm surprised no one has mentioned... you guys must be closet Strat players, LOL) is that the actual body of the studio is thinner than a standard. The Standard is a thicker guitar.

The other thing is that all the new studio's have two piece backs. Most (not all) of the standards have a one piece back.

Studio is a great Les Paul, but I would consider the Standard better.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

One big difference (which I'm surprised no one has mentioned... you guys must be closet Strat players, LOL) is that the actual body of the studio is thinner than a standard. The Standard is a thicker guitar.

The other thing is that all the new studio's have two piece backs. Most (not all) of the standards have a one piece back.

Studio is a great Les Paul, but I would consider the Standard better.
I was aware that some were, for a certain period, but I doubt that this is the case for all studios.... could be wrong though...
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

One big difference (which I'm surprised no one has mentioned... you guys must be closet Strat players, LOL) is that the actual body of the studio is thinner than a standard. The Standard is a thicker guitar.

The other thing is that all the new studio's have two piece backs. Most (not all) of the standards have a one piece back.

Studio is a great Les Paul, but I would consider the Standard better.

that is what I have been noticing - thinner. sometimes the piece of wood in the studio is not as good. I know yall are not interested in cosmetics, but if you have the guitar for a span of 10 years the cosmetic binding etc means something to the Jimmy Page wannabees that go to your shows...
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

I've played pretty much every LP I can get my hands on over the last month, paying particular attention to unplugged tone, as I know for sure that I have no use at all for the stock studio pickups. I'd say there's a definite qualitative difference between studios and standards. Generally, the studios I've played have had a harder midrange/treble sound and a deep, extended bass. Stds vary wildly, but generally have an airier tone that is more complex and pleasant.

Overall, i'd say that studios are very consistent sounding, but just lack something compared to stds.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

Cosmetics and pickups...and the afforementioned neck profiles. I believe a new Studio can be had for about $1000 at MF right now. That's alot cheaper than $2200, or whatever a new Standard costs now.

Well, I own a LP Studio which I found is a very good guitar. But I tried a LP Standard with the 60's neck a few weeks ago and man... The Standard was way above tonewise. I found the pups were brilliant, every positions of knobs offered great sound and the sustain was scary.
It seemed to me at the time that the Standard was thicker and heavier than my Studio.

PS : my Studio is a 3 piece back
 
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Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

My LP Standard is a one piece back, 3 piece top, three piece neck and 5 piece headstock. Bottom line is go play. Fundemental difference is Dollars and Decorations. Any two LP's can vary as well tonally. The only thing consistent about Gibson these days is over-pricing and inconsistency.
 
Re: LP Studio vs. LP std.

I just want to add that I gigged for several years with a '95 Studio. It was (actually still is) a real workhorse, and only got better after installing a set of Duncans.

You might also want to check out a Gibson Les Paul Classic, especially if you like thinner necks. In general, I've found them to be a little nicer than the Studio's, while also being cheaper than the Standards, especially used.
 
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