What to look for in a used LP Studio

[Johtosotku]

I've been thinking of getting a new LP. I had a mij Tokai earlier on but I didn't find it that comfortable and got a good trade so off it went. That was years ago.

I've been looking at more Tokais, ESP Eclipses and gibby Studios. I won't buy new unless a great deal shows up. The Eclipses and Tokais seem overpriced on the market but there are some studios that have an okay price.

What have been the changes on them over the years? Anything to look for? Anything to avoid? I am aware that the MO is to try them all out and pick the best one but there aren't that many of them around and I'd like to be prepared.

 

[IanF]

Re: What to look for in a used LP Studio

I have an '81 Studio (first or second year?) and one difference I've noticed when trying newer versions is the neck is quite bit thinner on my older one. However, I don't know when it changed.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: What to look for in a used LP Studio

I've had a Studio in the past and currently have a couple of Tokai LS116F's at the moment. For me, quality-wise, there's no comparison. The Studio was a really bad piece of workmanship, but it seved a purpose. At the time, I didn't have the tools or knowledge to improve it, but in hindsight, that could have been an option. The Tokai's I have now are lightyears ahead of that guitar and no way would I trade them for a Studio model. The Tokai's are some of the better spec models though, and are least the equivalent of an LP Standard if not better. I'd be curious as to which model Tokai's you're seeing.

 

[jmoore5000]

Re: What to look for in a used LP Studio

The most noticeable changes over the years have been: weight-the guitars made around 2008 were chambered much like the standards of that year. 2012 - present guitars have modern weight relief. Fingerboard woods-most studios had rosewood but a few were ebony such as the alpine white and the early runs of the silverburst studios. 2008-2010 ish saw rosewood, granadillo used a fingerboard woods before returning to rosewood in 2013. Body thickness on studios is slightly thinner as well. Necks are typically closer to the 50s style profile. Esp/ltd eclipses are thinner than the studio but they make a full thickness version is available. Fingerboards are rosewood, ebony, and maple. They sound killer also. Necks are thinner than 99% of Gibsons which is nice if you have smaller hands. Weight wise they are solid but depending on the guitar they can be heavy. I owned an ltd eclispe that was not full thickness but was heavier than my chambered studio. It varies from guitar to guitar. Pricewise I wouldnt pay more than 850 low-950 high for a used studio for esp/ltd the 256 range 250 bucks /400 range 550-600 bucks /1000 range 650-700 max. Hope that helps


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[Johtosotku]

Re: What to look for in a used LP Studio

I've had a Studio in the past and currently have a couple of Tokai LS116F's at the moment. For me, quality-wise, there's no comparison. The Studio was a really bad piece of workmanship, but it seved a purpose. At the time, I didn't have the tools or knowledge to improve it, but in hindsight, that could have been an option. The Tokai's I have now are lightyears ahead of that guitar and no way would I trade them for a Studio model. The Tokai's are some of the better spec models though, and are least the equivalent of an LP Standard if not better. I'd be curious as to which model Tokai's you're seeing.

The Tokais are typically LS75 or LS85 models. I think that the earlier Tokai I had was an LS75.

 

[johnb]

Re: What to look for in a used LP Studio

The newer ones have coil tapping.

 

[Aceman]

Re: What to look for in a used LP Studio

FAIL:

You did not like the Tokai. easily as good and potentially better than a Gibson.

[Jedipower]This is not the guitar you want.[/Jedipower]

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: What to look for in a used LP Studio

I do kind of regret letting the Tokai go. I did a lot of trading back then. I was always looking for something better.