LP Studio quality

[echobeach]

On a recent trip to the USA I decided I would purchase myself a Gibson Les Paul Studio.I already have a LP style guitar,an Epiphone LP 100 that I cannot fault even though it is a low end epi , I also have a Dot. So I thought I would get a real Gibson. I get to the USA and there is only one Gibson dealer where I was staying.They had 2 Studios,an ebony and a wine red
both with chrome hardware for $1079 + tax. The wine red was the guitar I wanted it looked stunning so I ask for assistance. A young very helpfull assistant tunes it up and takes me to a demo room full of amps and sets me up with the amp of choice to demo the guitar. I start playing The tone is to die for and the playerbillity is excellent. then after a short while its out of tune, so I call the guy over he goes to get a tuner meanwhile I give the guitar a shake and it rattles something chronic,and I think oh I'd better give this baby a closer look . The inlays have two snot green ones among the whitish ones and the strap pins looked so cheap and nasty I thought I'm not paying good money for this crap. So I left the store. later that day I bought a Fender AM Deluxe HSS with Locking Tremolo for $1199 a nice guitar but not what I really went out to buy. Now it just gathers dust as I still only play my Epi's as I just love them.
Now I'm thinking were my expectations to high in not purchasing the Gibson or was I just unlucky to only have a small selection to choose from.
I'm still gonna get one on my next visit to the states hopefully I'll have a better understanding in what to expect quality wise.

[Swordscythe]

Yeah, I'm wondering if this is something you get with showroom models, or this is all-round, cause I can only order something, so I don't get to play it... and I don't wanna order a crappy guitar

[NewtoyLPVM]

Echo, what part of the world are you from?

[echobeach]

Australia

[scozz]

You were simply unlucky to have a small selection to choose from, as you put it. Although, I've heard quite a few complaints about the early 07 chambered LPs having that rattle you described. I believe Gibson has corrected the problem. Try again, there's nothing like a Gibson Les Paul.

[loneguitar]

I agree, I bought mine also a wine red with gold hardware and it is beautiful, no complaints at all, it has the tone and sustain you can only get with a LP, I suspect that 1st being a showroom model and only 2 to choose from you didn't get a wide enough selection, although I've heard of the complaints across the board about quality, I haven't seen it, try MF, I've bought 2 from them and never a bad experience, and they have a 30 day return on their products, although normally I would want to play it before I bought it, with the return policy and availlbilty being limited to you I would say check them out, just my 2 cents

[Volusia]

BTW - welcome to MLP.

[coldsteal2]

You just got a lemon,
my studio is showroom perfect, and almost everyone
on this forum love thiers

[Hero]

I love my Studio. Best bang for the buck for a LP in my opinion.

[LJGriggs]

Maybe I'm biased because I own one, but I can't tell any difference in the quality, playability, or tone between my LP Studio and the various Standards I've played over the years. Basically, it is the same guitar with a few less cosmetic frills...
I think you may have come across a bad one...

[dwagar]

Originally Posted by Hero

Best bang for the buck for a LP in my opinion.

+1

[Gibsonblues]

I bought a 07 Studio Vintage Mahogany and it is absolutely wonderful. It has a killer Les Paul tone and it doesn't rattle or have any issues that I can see. Fit and finish is pretty decent too. I looked at 4 and picked this one. A great value in my book... Gibsonblues

[Satch0922]

I have a 1993 wine red/gold and a 1996 Alpine white/gold. Both are awesome guitars. Like anything else, you have to find one that "feels" right. Don't expect to pick up a random guitar of any make and have it be perfect. Sales departments put the ones they want to move out on the floor. You should have asked him to unpack a new one. (Btw, why did you need a tuner?)

Anyhow, I think the LP Studio is a fantastic guitar all around.

[scozz]

Originally Posted by LJGriggs

Maybe I'm biased because I own one, but I can't tell any difference in the quality, playability, or tone between my LP Studio and the various Standards I've played over the years. Basically, it is the same guitar with a few less cosmetic frills...
I think you may have come across a bad one...

Griggs nailed it,,,,,,,,,,it's pretty much the same guitar as a Custom without the ebony board, the inlays and the bindings. Back in 1983 when the Studio first came out it was lighter, and thinner than a Standard or Custom. Today, it has evolved into the same guitar, (body wise).

[echobeach]

Thanks for all your replies, I think you all may be right about getting a lemon.
Meanwhile I just tried a Standard at a local store with a 60's neck and all I can say is wow ,these guitars need good homes, now I gotta work on the missus I think she needs another holiday in the US.

[im_b0r3d_]

Originally Posted by scozz

You were simply unlucky to have a small selection to choose from, as you put it. Although, I've heard quite a few complaints about the early 07 chambered LPs having that rattle you described. I believe Gibson has corrected the problem. Try again, there's nothing like a Gibson Les Paul.

+1

I have a 2006 Studio that has no problems what so ever. *Non chambered*
Good luck when you get yours, you'll love it! And Welcome!

[61LPSG]

Welcome echo
I agree that you just got a lemon.
A friend of mine just bought a white w/gold LP Studio on Wednesday. No rattles,great tone,great looks, great player. Definitely the best bang for the buck at under $1100 US.
And maybe that rattle was something very minor like a loose nut or ring on one of the pots, or the jack. Better safe than sorry, wait for the right one.