NGD: ‘98 Les Paul Studio

JB_From_Hell

JB_From_Hell

Jomo's Nimions
Impulse bought a ‘98 Gibson Les Paul Studio yesterday. Guy on CL had it for a pretty good deal. I wasn’t really looking for a new electric, but this one jumped out at me.

Ebony, gold hardware, all stock, and dot inlays. The pics were pretty crappy, and he mentioned nicks and dings, so I was expecting semi-rough condition. Turns out there’s a little rough spot on the top edge of the headstock, but otherwise it’s nearly flawless.

It’s strung 9-42, and I’m out of spare strings, so I didn’t do a really good setup yet, but it sounds and plays great. Assuming the pickups are 490R/498T. I know they don’t get a lot of love around here, but they sound fine to me.

Pics forthcoming.
 
Those are very decent, and the white ones are extra cool because of the ebony fretboards.

Thinking about picking up a Studio some day in the future. I regret selling mine about 12 years ago.

Congrats.
 
Nice acquisition. I had an early 90's ebony/chrome LP studio with ebony board and trap inlays. That thing was amazing. Wish I was able to keep it but bills had to be paid. That thing was a player.
 
Should’ve been more specific, the guitar is black, gold hardware, rosewood board.

My only complaint is the crappy tuners. They’re Grover, which have always been fine on my other guitars, but these have a ton of play and feel really cheap and inconsistent. I don’t like metal buttons on Les Pauls, so I’ll get some Klusons or similar. I’d love to find some open gear tuners with Kluson style buttons. Regardless, these suck and have to go.
 
Some of those Studios are terrific guitars.

I fell hard for a red (sort of SG colored) one that a friend had me rewire and put Pearly Gates pickups in.

Tried to buy it but he wouldn't part with it.
 
I’ve heard late 90’s is a good Gibson era, and I’m inclined to believe it. Sort of wish it had trapezoid inlays, but I’m glad I didn’t pass because of it.
 
I’m not usually into gold hardware, but on a LP I think it’s pretty classy. Some of the later models apparently have a shiny gold pickguard, which thank god this one does not.
 
Here are a couple crappy inside shots. Keep forgetting to go out in the daylight for some.
 

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Thanks!

It turns out, if I’m playing a Gibson, it needs to be a Les Paul with hotter pickups, not an SG with PAFs. My other one is a “replica” LP Standard, reliced to look like an old burst. It’s Chinese, from maybe 10 or so years ago, but if you played it, you’d never know it wasn’t a Gibson.
 
Studios are real players. And the best part is that they don't have the crappy fret binding nibs.

I have a special place in my heart for black LP's with gold hardware. My first LP was a black '68 Custom with gold.
 
Plain guitar .... no fancy trim.

Never turn thy nose up at a plain Studio, at least give the guitar a try ........ some of them are really nice players. And no neck binding!
 
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