Wow… we may all have our own tastes when it comes to guitars and finishes, but to my mind this latest model from Gibson America is easily one of the most gorgeous LPs currently selling, and it’s surprisingly affordable.
Announced just this morning, Gibson’s new Les Paul Studio 50s Tribute will apparently be selling for a paltry (in Gibson terms,) $1,399 MSRP… and will be available in five “worn” finishes, including Honey Burst (show here,) Gold Top, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Ebony, and classic White.
Built on a chambered mahogany body with carved maple top (a classic tone combination if there ever was one,) the Les Paul Studio 50s Tribute will sport a solid quarter-sawn mahogany neck (rounded 50s profile,) a rosewood fretboard with 12″ radius and 22 Medium Jumbo frets, and vintage tuners with pearloid buttons.
Electronics will include a pair of Gibson soapbar P-90 pickups with Alnico V magnets, individual Volume controls with 300k pots, individual Tone controls with “Orange Drop” capacitors, a traditional three-way Switchcraft pickup switch, and a 1?4” Switchcraft output jack.
Hardware on the Les Paul Studio 50s Tribute will include a Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge, stopbar tailpiece, gold top hat knobs, a single-ply vintage cream pickguard, and traditional aluminum strap buttons.
The guitar is being built in a limited run, but so far no word on how many will be built. It ships with a plush lined gig bad and owner’s manual. I’ll post more info as it becomes available.
- Gibson Giving Away Tickets To Les Paul Tribute Concert, Plus A Les Paul Studio
- Gibson Releases Les Paul Tribute 1952 Goldtop
- Just Three Days Left To Get In On Gibson’s MLB Les Paul Studio Giveaway
- Gibson Announces Guitar Of The Week #20 :: Les Paul Studio Satin Ebony
- Gibson Unveils Robot Les Paul Studio & Robot SG Special
- Epiphone Giving Away A Les Paul Studio!
- Gibson Announces Guitar Of The Week #8 :: Les Paul Antique Deluxe Gold Top
- Gibson Announces Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard
June 9th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Finally! Affordable “worn” guitars from Gibson…although they are basically taking a “Studio” without the binding of a standard on the neck & body and adding a “worn” finish & P-90s.
If these sell for $1000 at the retailers, I’d talk a really hard look. Ideally I’d prefer a 60′s neck and humbuckers.
I’m actually still considering a 72 Telecaster Deluxe Roadworn: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Road-Worn-1972-Telecaster-Custom-Electric-Guitar?sku=423541
but then I think to myself….”too many electric guitars and not enough gigs to use them on.”
June 10th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I know, I am so tempted. Unfortunately, I’ve already got a beautiful P90-equipped SG, and the only other guitar I could justify purchasing at this point (and even then it would be a stretch,) would be a Les Paul with Burtsbuckers…. Still, these have the look I crave — just wish they had the electronics too!
October 27th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
got my 50′s tribute les paul studio today.awsome guitar.got the worn goldtop and it really surprised me.the color is right on.looks like the 1970 les paul goldtop deluxe i had years ago.p-90′s scream the blues like only gibson p-90′s can do.the neck is good and chunky like the old 50′s were.this guitar has good vintage vibe for a great price.i did change the bridge to an abr-1 tune-o-matic.it allows the stop tailpiece to be dropped all the way down without the strings hitting the bridge body.with the tailpiece screwed down tight to the body ,tone and sustain is improved.i have owned dozens of les pauls over the past 30 years.this one is well worth the money and the long wait to get it.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:50 am
I just got one i was shocked to see the way it was put togeather. I looked in side too. i am sure it is made in China The routing was very sloppy with sawdust inside the body like the china junk come’s and it was overall bad quaility. The pickups sounded great tho.
I am didapointed in the Gibson company!