dvadneau
New member
Ok, I realize there's already a thread going where someone's asking for opinions about a choice of LPs, but I've also got a choice and am looking for some advice.
I've got a line on 2 LPs: 2004 Gibson Les Paul Studio Platinum and a 2003 Gibson Les Paul Studio Swamp Ash.
Both have ebony fretboards. From what I gathered the 2003 was the first year for the Swamp Ash Studio and was the only year to feature an ebony board.
The Platinum is a 2004 and so has the silver coloured headstock to match the back of the neck and body, which I dig - black Gibson logo and Les Paul sig.
Both have 498/490 pickups, although that's not really a factor anyhow.
The problem is the Platinum was a 2nd chance offer through ebay, so I've never played it. The Swamp Ash is local and I have played it - used music store.
I've been saving up for the Platinum - the guy was nice enough to wait for me. However, the Swamp Ash really caught my eye as well.
They are very different aesthetically, of course - I like each for a different reason.
I was able to try the Swamp Ash today and compare it to my Epi LP Custom - on my way to band practice. My Epi is considerably heavier and not just because of the Bigsby. It's solid mahogany with a maple neck/board. My understanding is that Swamp Ash is much lighter than mahogany, but I was surprised by how much lighter it was. Were they chambered, or weight relieved?
I only tried the Swamp Ash acoustically, since playing through completely different gear from mine won't help anyhow (at least that's how I see it). The focus of the EQ is obviously different from my Epi, but I found it less resonant. I chalk that up partly to the fact I've set mine up as I like it, with 11-50s and the action I like.
I have a G&L Rampage that is soft maple body, hard maple neck, and ebony board and it has a nice overall tone. My ear tells me the Swamp Ash will most likely sit somewhere in the middle of my Epi and the Rampage in terms of EQ. Does that sound logical? Does it sound right?
For the Platinum, I can only guess at the sound. My understanding of the Platinum Studios is that they weren't weight relieved or chambered, and had mahogany bodies with maple caps, mahogany necks, and ebony boards. Anyone know differently?
I guess I'm wondering which will have the most overlap with my current guitars sound-wise, and what may be a better deal long-term. I know you guys don't know what my guitars sound like, but my Epi has a pretty good range with an emphasis on the lower mids, no surprise. There isn't a lot of low end and it has a soft but present high end.
The Rampage is mid-focused when playing in a band setting. It really cuts through even with power chords on the E and A strings. That's up against the singer's Ibanez artcore hollow body going through a YCV40 Traynor - big sound.
Both of the Gibsons I'm looking at are around the same price. The Platinum could cost me a little more because of customs and the shipping, although they'll be within a hundred bucks or so of each other.
Any thoughts or opinions? Be brutal, be honest. I expect nothing less.
Pics of the actual guitars:
I'm not a fan of pickguards on LPs, but both of these look "right" with them for some reason.
The Swamp Ash is a 2-piece body and 2-piece top. The 2 pieces of the body aren't split in the middle - one piece is about 2/3rds to 3/4 of the body. The top is split down the center, but really not obvious.
I've got a line on 2 LPs: 2004 Gibson Les Paul Studio Platinum and a 2003 Gibson Les Paul Studio Swamp Ash.
Both have ebony fretboards. From what I gathered the 2003 was the first year for the Swamp Ash Studio and was the only year to feature an ebony board.
The Platinum is a 2004 and so has the silver coloured headstock to match the back of the neck and body, which I dig - black Gibson logo and Les Paul sig.
Both have 498/490 pickups, although that's not really a factor anyhow.
The problem is the Platinum was a 2nd chance offer through ebay, so I've never played it. The Swamp Ash is local and I have played it - used music store.
I've been saving up for the Platinum - the guy was nice enough to wait for me. However, the Swamp Ash really caught my eye as well.
They are very different aesthetically, of course - I like each for a different reason.
I was able to try the Swamp Ash today and compare it to my Epi LP Custom - on my way to band practice. My Epi is considerably heavier and not just because of the Bigsby. It's solid mahogany with a maple neck/board. My understanding is that Swamp Ash is much lighter than mahogany, but I was surprised by how much lighter it was. Were they chambered, or weight relieved?
I only tried the Swamp Ash acoustically, since playing through completely different gear from mine won't help anyhow (at least that's how I see it). The focus of the EQ is obviously different from my Epi, but I found it less resonant. I chalk that up partly to the fact I've set mine up as I like it, with 11-50s and the action I like.
I have a G&L Rampage that is soft maple body, hard maple neck, and ebony board and it has a nice overall tone. My ear tells me the Swamp Ash will most likely sit somewhere in the middle of my Epi and the Rampage in terms of EQ. Does that sound logical? Does it sound right?
For the Platinum, I can only guess at the sound. My understanding of the Platinum Studios is that they weren't weight relieved or chambered, and had mahogany bodies with maple caps, mahogany necks, and ebony boards. Anyone know differently?
I guess I'm wondering which will have the most overlap with my current guitars sound-wise, and what may be a better deal long-term. I know you guys don't know what my guitars sound like, but my Epi has a pretty good range with an emphasis on the lower mids, no surprise. There isn't a lot of low end and it has a soft but present high end.
The Rampage is mid-focused when playing in a band setting. It really cuts through even with power chords on the E and A strings. That's up against the singer's Ibanez artcore hollow body going through a YCV40 Traynor - big sound.
Both of the Gibsons I'm looking at are around the same price. The Platinum could cost me a little more because of customs and the shipping, although they'll be within a hundred bucks or so of each other.
Any thoughts or opinions? Be brutal, be honest. I expect nothing less.
Pics of the actual guitars:
I'm not a fan of pickguards on LPs, but both of these look "right" with them for some reason.
The Swamp Ash is a 2-piece body and 2-piece top. The 2 pieces of the body aren't split in the middle - one piece is about 2/3rds to 3/4 of the body. The top is split down the center, but really not obvious.
If I had enough for both I'd probably be looking at a Traditional Ebony or Gold Top.
