Gibson Les Paul Studio vs Custom Shop - That Much Of A Difference?
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- Опубликовано: 20 янв 2022
- In this video, we look at a Gibson Les Paul Studio and compare it to a Gibson Les Paul Custom shop to see if can really hear the £3000 difference in price.
Here's what Gibson say about the Les Paul Studio
The Les Paul Studio has been a popular choice of hard-working guitarists everywhere ever since its introduction in 1983. Now, Gibson USA brings increased sonic versatility and performance upgrades to a new Les Paul Studio as part of its big 2013 Year of Les Paul celebrations. The 2013 Les Paul Studio blends timeless tonewoods and components with improved comfort, powerful humbucking pickups with built-in coil-splitting switching for the added versatility of single-coil tones, and the classic looks that define it as a genuine Gibson Les Paul. To ram it all full speed into the 21st century, the 2013 Les Paul Studio is now also available with optional Min-ETune™ automated “robot” tuning, which can be added to your guitar with no internal modification for a nominal upcharge. All this, and the 2013 Les Paul Studio looks stunning in your choice of Ebony, Alpine White, Wine Red, or Vintage Sunburst finish, all in high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, or Goldtop with dark back and neck. A left-handed version is also available, and for an added touch of class, there’s a 2013 Les Paul Studio Gold Series, with gold-plated hardware and pickup covers, and a gloss top finish with satin back and neck.
Here's what Gibson say about the 57 Custom Shop
The Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Darkback Reissue VOS is oozing with classic tone and vintage-original-spec authenticity. Its eye-grabbing VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish captures the depth, richness, and hue of a genuine '57 Goldtop Darkback - one of the most iconic solidbody electric guitars ever made. Handcrafted by Gibson's elite Custom Shop luthiers, the 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Darkback Reissue VOS features top-shelf tonewoods, including a solid mahogany body and Chunky C profile neck, a two-piece maple top, and a silky smooth Indian rosewood fingerboard with 22 Historic narrow tall frets, Plek'd to perfection. Plug this beast into your favorite tube amp, and experience fat, snarling '50s PAF tones, courtesy of CustomBucker Alnico III unpotted pickups. Premium historical appointments, including cellulose Trapezoid inlays and vintage-style Kluson tuners complete this meticulous reissue.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs. 
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One thing I've found with playing a high end guitar is that you get out what you put in, which makes you want to play, fret the notes and sound better. It's such a personal preference as everyone's high end is different. But one thing i've noticed is that a really nice amp can also make the world of difference.
No, replace the pickups, like the ones you put in your sheriton, get the studio setup really well by a top Luthier. Will sound and play as well as any custom shop Les Paul
Might not be the pickups. The reissue has 500k pots, the Studio likely has 300k pots. That would make a big difference to top end and clarity.
Agree... they use 490/498 on lots of custom shops. It's either the wood type used or the wiring and pots. Or maybe the particular custom shop pickups on his guitar are brighter than the pickups on his studio... which may even be 57s with lower output. My studio is very bright sounding with the 490/498s... I wouldn't want more brightness. I've had BB pro pickups too on another Les Paul but didn't care for them... they were sterile sounding...
@@thadlogan51 interesting I never thought about the pots
100% this... Pickups are roughly 50% of the equation. If you change pickups and dont MEASURE and then properly address pots/caps, you have completely wasted your time. It is critical to ensure 500k or higher pots...
And weight relief is also relevant. Around 2000 non-weight-relief Studio over 4kg is the best, IMO. I don't like the lightweight Studio these days.
I bought a 97 ebony Studio in 2012 with 496/500 pups. But I had to change the pots to CTS 500K and the caps are. 011 orange drops. Also changed to Kluson locking tuners, Tusc XL nut, Tonespro locking bridge and alum tailpiece. Just to keep with what's the best pieces to use. Started with a good guitar and switched to what makes it better. And buying in groups of stuff from 1 seller on Ebay let me bargain prices a little better. Ended up spending about $400 on parts for a guitar I bought for $800. Now it's as perfect as I would want. But it's still just a tool for the job. What I like most about this guitar is 20 + yrs of use have left enough marks and wear and tear not to worry about it as bad. Not a $4000 fancy expensive" I won't hurt it" kinda guitar but a playable tool that looks cool.
In the “clean test” going from the CS to the Studio, the Studio pickup switch was in the middle position. Almost always cuts the output down from neck or bridge position.
Excellent video as usual....cheers and Happy Friday!
I've got a 2016 Studio ( same colour ). Fantastic guitar 🎸 👌
I have had a few Les Pauls over the years. A 2008 Les Paul Studio, mahogany red, is the one I ended up keeping. It was $599 on sale, and new.
I have a Dean LP copy, made in Korea, sounds like a LP. Difference is the Dean has a nice back cut at the neck joint that allows for easier access to the upper frets. I think it's better than my 76 Gibson Pro Deluxe.
Gibsons of the era usually had 300k pots. That dullness is more likely contributed to that, and not the pickups in my opinion! Put in some 500k pots and itll even the playing field
Yes and no. Pots only cut frequencies when knobs are rolled down from 10. That is, when tone knobs are set on 10, capacitors are not really doing anything. Tone knobs, and therefore pots, when rolled down activate the filter that makes your guitar sounds less trebly, but again, if the knobs are set on 10 there is no gate activated and the tone hasn't been affected. The only thing we need to know now to determine if the pots where affecting the sound or not, is whether the tone knobs where set on 10 or not.
(I've got a early 1996 LP Studio myself, and sounds amazing but the truth is that depending on your amp and general setting, it might sound a little bit dull)
@@slobodanarodu2005 I don't fully agree with that. I have a Fender jazzmaster which came stock with 1 meg pots and the guitar had way too much treble. I swapped with 500k and it was alot less bright with everything on 10. The lower the resistance, the more high end passes to the ground, therefore duller sounding pickups.
Every little detail adds up and matters. The result is greater than the sum of it’s parts. A lot of people talk about the theory of POTs only affecting tone when you’re rolling them back. I say this is not true because I when I change them in my CS Fenders and Gibsons they help me fine tune what I want. Sometimes it’s only about getting better control of your guitars tonal palette, but other times it can really affect how you feel about the tone and overall vibe of a guitar. As always though the affect of even well practiced mods really is unknown until you get it with any particular guitar. The same as trying 3 identical new guitars and maybe only liking one of them or none of them that particular day. Experiment but take the “rules” and “theory” with a pinch of salt. 🙂
I would add though, if changing the electronics, work with the best wiring, POTs and CAPs for what you’re looking for and only experiment with PickUps once you’re happy with the quality of the former.
I have the same color Studio from '91. I think they all had the 490r 498t pickups, same as the Custom. I've changed them but remember the neck being dull and the bridge fairly hot (great for 80s rock)
I have a 93 LP studio in wine red just like that but with ebony fretboard (less common I think) I swapped the 490T and 490R pickups for a 57 and 57 plus, sounded much better. Just shows how good a studio can be without shelling out standard/custom prices
My Studio is a ‘91…also ebony…love it
@@johnladdsmusic ditto, I also have a ‘91 & love too!! I heard the early 90’s Studio’s are hailed as being great Studio’s
Yep. I have a ‘92 Studio I bought new that year. I restored it last year. Solid mahogany body with an ebony fretboard. Same build as the Standards and Customs that year. I put In Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Slash’s and it’s a big difference over the 490r/498t combo it came with. It’s all about the build and electronics and both can be had for much less than a custom shop model.
@@planzed.2 It’s called the “good wood” era. The classic LP sound starts with a good solid body.
@@festushaggen2563 interesting, I’m about to get mine reconditioned, it’s been through a lot so much so that I don’t know if it can be rescued.. it had a really nasty neck break late 90’s & last time the neck moved I think it was a move too far, gutted but have fingers crossed that my luthier can do something about it. If he can I’m defo changing out the pickups & eyeing up PAFs but we’ll see
love your videos, gents! My biggest takeaway is that I do really need a Les Paul. 😛
James,iron gear blues engine pickups would be a nice addition the the studio.but if you really want to make as good as the custom a set of Monty’s PAFs are ace and for hand made they are very reasonable and they sound just right 🤘
With the same pickups in each guitar, you can get the same sound. However, now that I’m 4 custom shop Gibsons in, I can say the feel is miles different.
I was always a skeptic of the custom shop, in fact Gibson guitars in general lagged behind other manufacturers for years in terms of their quality. However, having now owned one, I can say for certain that the custom shop Gibson's are worth it. The quality is significantly higher than the standard or studio lines. It's evident the minute you pick the guitar up.
Used to feel the same way and fell in love with a R6 a buddy had so he gave it to me. There is a big difference with custom shop guitars but the price point to get there is a bit silly.
I've never played a Custom shop but just got a new 60's standard and it's almost hard to believe anything can be better than the one I own. it is that good. Also have a tribute at less than 1/2 the price of a standard and it is awesome guitar too. Gibson rocks!
Nah, it's just your mind playing games with you.
A few online discussions are stating the 1980’s Studio’s came with Tim Shaw pickups. I had a 1984 Les Paul Custom that had Tim Shaw PAF pickups in it, so it’s possible that the info is pretty accurate.
I agree with what a few others have said, it is more likely that the custom shop has 500k pots and the studio has 300k, swap the pots and it will most likely open up the sound.
Great video. I am about to get a Studio so was great to see this. That piece of music you played at about 6:05 on the Custom! What was that? Absolutely beautiful, did you make that up on the fly? One day I hope to play like that.
Cheers Robert, it’s just something I’ve been working on.
I’ve always heard that a really good LP should sound like a high output Tele
NO! They should NOT! A Les Paul should sound like a Les Paul
That's what I have heard as well.
@@bubberdy76 All tone is subjective. So if you want your LP to sound like a "Tele on steroids" - go ahead. Their surely can. I like mine to sound fatter!
Probably what someone who favors Telecasters might say. But where will this thinking lead us? Taken to extremes, it would leave us all with only one guitar!
@@garyslash7552 , not sure Jimmy Page would agree with you...
Was the pickup and pole piece height the same on both guitars?
Call me crazy (and possibly RUclips compression distorts the listening impression more than commonly realized) but I didn't think the pickups in the studio sounded that bad. No they weren't as bright, but that's what the tone knob is for. If you roll down the volume a smidge and roll the tone all the way up you can brighten 498/490 pickups quite a bit. Raising the pickups might help too; the bridge pup (probably a 498) is fairly hot so people tend to lower them further than they should. Just a suggestion anyway. I've owned studio Les Pauls and Standards and no there isn't a huge difference in terms of what each as a tool will accomplish. However, a guitar, for most of us is far more than just a tool, which is really where the justification comes in for spending 3-5X as much for the very best Lester you can find. A studio is a tool, a Custom Shop Les Paul is an heirloom.
I love 490 pickups ❤ if you Play higher gane stuff like van haleny stuff those things kick..especially through a good amp...yeah I'd say they distort sweetly
They put the 490 series in Studios. I just changed mine out with Seymour Pearly Gates…wow different guitar!
Yep. I put a set of SD Slash’s in my old Studio and they really brought it to life.
Nice video. I have had three LP studios. One was a 2015 studio T with BB pro pickups. It was one of the worst guitars I ever owned. It never stayed in tune, had intonation issues, and the pickups sounded sterile. I swore I would never buy another again... but then gave them another try and bought two more new studios... both with 490/498 pickups... kept one which is an outstanding guitar...stays in tune perfectly, finish flawless, build quality flawless, and pickups warm and clear. The 490/498 pickups are used on lots of custom shop guitars so that wouldn't be your issue. My good friend has both 59 and 60 custom shop reissues and they are fantastic. I may have gotten lucky on my studio because I don't see, hear, or feel any quality difference... except the custom ones have fancier tops. The tone is not the same before EQ. My studio seems brighter and chimney...where's the custom shop warmer and woodier... more natural sounding. Maybe a lot of this can be adjusted in the EQ... not sure. I'm not convinced the tone is so much better on the custom though that I'm willing to fork out another $5k for it... they both sound great. I agree that I like the studio without all of the bling too... and that gives it unique sound and look. Just because a guitar is more expensive doesn't mean it always sounds better. I have both a PRS core 24 and a CE 24... The core is twice the price and I'm not sure it sounds better, just different. Same goes for the studio and custom shop..if you get lucky enough to get a studio that doesn't have issues like my first one had. I know a lot more work goes into a custom shop guitar than a studio... but not sure the price can justify the extra work. I mean a guitar isn't as complex to make as my cafe racer motorcycle which was about the same price as a custom shop guitar when I bought it. It's just wood, strings, wiring, and pickups...not a complex engine and endless moving parts that would justify the high cost. But I understand that if we want a certain tone we have to pay for it..
no other cheaper guitar sounds like a core 24 for instance... maybe similar but not the same...
Ok.
I have a custom shop 59 vos lemon burst…finally took many years and it’s used…but I have a few Les Paul’s…the custom shop is just better all around I can’t measure price because that’s subjective to the individual…..I’d sell ever Les Paul I own and hold my custom shop r9…like a warm bath…perfect…
I'm sure someone mentioned this, but that's not an early 80's studio. The early 80s studios - including most of the ones with Tim Shaw pickups - only had dot inlays, not the trapezoids. Great vid though!
James' Les Paul Studio sure is a good guitar and I agree: a pair of new pickups will turn it into a great guitar. But Paul's R7 is outstanding, although I have to admit that I don't fancy goldtops (as you can see in my avatar picture which shows my 2001 R8). Is it worth the tremendous price difference? This is a question everybody must answer individually. I really like my R8, although the neck is on the chunky side, as with most R8s. If I didn't own this R8 and a 1978 SG Standard, which I bought brand new back in the day, already, I surely wouldn't buy one from Gibson now. This company has changed - not only as regards to their price policy. The arrogance of the new leadership is disgusting.
What was that opening Arpeggio? B diminished or something
To tell you the truth I kind of like the darker, woodier sound of the studio. The CS sounds more open and pretty, but it's too piercing.
When you swapped to the custom shop at the beggining it sounded to me kinda weird, like if the custom shop somehow was out of tune but it wasn't if i would have the money get either that particular custom shop over that studio i would pretty much go for the studio one because it sounded to me more "alive" i don't know how to describe it, anyways nice shootout between the two models
Uuhhh... I thought the studio sounded better. Lol. Feel free to go ahead and flogg me. 😀
Lolol agreed.
Oh yeah, if you’d like to try some excellent pickups, the Cream T Billy F. Gibbons Whiskerbuckers sound awesome!
@ 1:51 James says - need to change these pickups - 1:51:01 I'm thinking Iron Gear something? Blues engines with an overwound in the bridge. Alternative - Tesla Sharks. Also James my old Studio had 490T/Rs and 300k pots as stock
What about more les paul copy like navigator , edwards and doing a comparsion with paul Drew's les paul ?
My God. What is that beautiful amp you're connected to on 2:40 . My my that sounds wonderful
It’s a Matchless Independence 35
I believe that some mid 80's Studios were fitted with Tim Shaw pickups.
I own the 93 studio and totally love it. Let me tell you a secret - lower the pickups a bit and then raise the pole pieces - thank me later :)
every guitar has its own sound
that's a very nice studio😍
Maybach Lester and Eastman sb59 are saying hello!
I was thinking about a LP tribute or studio both are still fairly expensive .
Slightly off-topic but anyways; I'm thinking of buying a "nice" guitar from one of the top brands, eg, an American Telecaster, a PRS (only option would be a Korean or Indonesian made SE at my price range) or a Gibson Les Paul. My budget is a strict 1500 euros/pounds sterling.
If I could afford what I REALLy wanted, then it'd be a no-brainer(for me), I'd go for a Patrick Eggle Macon but that's more than double my budget.
What puts me off buying a Gibson is the fact that I used to own a mid-1980s top-of-the-range Les Paul Custom that I paid 600 quid for in 1986, purchased at the once well-known but now defunct "Soho Soundhouse" in London's West End; despite having been bought brand new from the authorised dealer, it played like a pig and couldn't begin to compare to the type of quality, action and playability of my secondhand 1970s Strat and Tele, bought for less than 300 quid each.
That Studio looks great. Sounds good. $80 for a set of Iron Gear, $200 for a set of Seymour Duncan, or $400 for a set of Bare Knuckles (or Gibsons). 3K worth of value difference? No way.
For a pro guitarist, I can see spending the extra money on whatever it is you want out of a guitar so you enjoy it to it's fullest. For someone like me, good god no - there's no way I would spend the extra money on a custom shop. I most likely wouldn't get a Gibson at all with all of the other brands doing great affordable LP style guitars out there
J Briggs; I got a 97 ebony gold trim studio. It's got 496/500 pups, CTS 500k pots,.011 caps, 50's wiring, Switchcraft connects, Tonespro lock Bridge, Tusc nut, Kluson lock tuners. All the right pieces to build my own model.
wiring does alot for volume and hammering the amp
Some of the comparisons should be done blindfolded. Play first and comment. Then take of the blindfold and comment. Have a control sample plus your 2 comparison instruments. One may feel a lot better than it sounds and vice versa.
ANYONE.... what plays like a custom LP?
Listening with the studio headphones, the customer inhabits soooooo much more space/range.
Be very interested to hear how close they are in A/B comparison once some decent pickups are in Jivey's!
Great work guys.
I just received a new LP Studio ystrdy and though it plays superbly I quickly spotted 4-5 defects in the finish, including chipped off nitrocelluloce on each side of the nut! Horrible! And for $1500?! Sending it back tomorrow. Very shocked at Gibsons QC! And 8 mos ago had to send back a $3000 LP Standard. Anyone else having these issues?
I went to Guitar Center yesterday and tried out a new LP Standard. The color bled into the binding and the toggle switch was pushed so far into the body, you’d think someone sat on it. The strings also buzzed like crazy. For $2700, this was completely unacceptable. I love LP’s but I’d never buy one without playing it first for that reason. They still have serious QC problems.
Bout to get 96 studio,ebony fretboard
Studios from 90's have ebony fingerboards and custom shops should mount saddle into the wood directly.
I thought I was the only one who prefers non-bound Les Paul bodies.
490r /498t p/u's in studios and supreme les pauls the workhorse i plug into a boss metalzone pedal and a boss Katana Head and let the fun begin.......
use wiring pattern of R7 into Studio and you might not need to change anything
Pickups electronics hardware (correct bridge with brass saddles, and a quality aluminum tail piece, steel studs etc.) are the main sonic differences between the two guitars. The other main component is the workmanship of the build and overall quality and attention to detail. Production model gibsons are are built fast and cheap. Custom shop are built slower with attention to detail. Neither are worth the price. But if you want that sound then 🤷🏽♂️
I have a Studio Plus with 490/498 pickups. Not in love with the pickups. Looking for more of a vintage tone but, good for the price.
They use the 490/498 on endless custom shops too you know. I have 490/498 on mine now, which I much of prefer over the BB pro pickups on my last Les Paul...
@@thadlogan51 Recently lowered the pickup heights on the LP and a lot happier with the sound I’m getting. Small adjustments can go along way.
@@bubberdy76 agreed... I understand your concern though... the 498 is a hot pickup. If you want real vintage tone then you would want something less hot. I like the 498 because it's a good combo between modern and vintage... and I like pickups that are hotter...
If they aren’t as bright sounding turn you treble up lol.
schecter solo ii used for around 700 .. build quality twice as good .. sound is on par with any Gibson and feel is perfection .. korean made to a higher standard than overpriced overated gibson.
I had a Les Paul Studio for about 11 years and when I started making money, I bought an amazing LP Classic. My first gig with it was a massive surprise… it was like you had to re-learn how to handle the thing live. It was so much more sensitive and heard a lot more every time you touched it. The studio got sold as it gathered dust as more Les Pauls arrived. It was like going from a BMW to a Maserati.
It depends on the pick up sensitivity
To be honest, in this case I'd prefer the studio. The custom shop sounds very " narrow" and boxy.
Custom Shop. Done
After every video I seem to go straight to EBay to see there’s one of whatever for sale...Marshall Guvnr, JCM 900, now Les Paul Studio. Please stop........😅
Any guitar company charging as much as gibson without providing added functionality are a ripoff.
Get a 500k pots on a pre 2000 studio and there will be almost no no difference
no Paul, you change your pickups lol
if can really hear the £3000 difference in price.
NO. The price is NOT in the tone; its in the construction and the cosmetic stuff.
None
If you change the pickups of a Studio, don't say you love the Studios. You DON'T. You love the pickups, not the guitar.
I love my Tangerine Burst just the way it was made.
Guitarists are so gullible🙄
I have a 94 studio in wine red with ebony fretboard. As good or better than my 2023 custom. 2007 satin studio chambered gives redneck southern sound. 2003 studio with 50's neck and ebony fretb. has thickest rythm tone of all guitars. 2008 dark fire that has beautiful round tone, 2023 custom axcess gives brite and lively tone. The best question a guitarist can ask is. "What is the program material?" Judicious ears wins the day. Use different guitars to achieve different tones. Especially when playing clean or light od.