First LP, need help with ID: 2002, no Inlays, Transparent Orange

[Chadi]

Hello All!

I've been lurking on this board for a while, and have learned alot from you all, thanks for that! I was in the market for a guitar with EMG pickups, with a LP body. I was considering getting a used Gibson LP and swapping out the pickups, but that was a bit expensive, and I was ready to pull the trigger on an Epi Prophecy or an LTC EC-401.

That was before I stumbled upon this beauty (at least, in my eyes!), and bought it on the spot. It's a 2002, Transparent Orange (its glossy but you see the wood underneath, not sure if thats clear on the pictures). Serial Number: 00832643

Based on this thread which I found searchiing 'Gibson Les Paul 2002 No Inlays), I thought it was one of them, but I cant find the color anywhere: https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/more-info-on-platinum-edition-lp-studio.249274/page-2

Can anybody tell me a bit more about it? The guys at Guitar Center could only say it was from 2002 (but I'm guessing they just got that fromt he Serial Number. Also, what do you think this is worth? Was $700 witht the case a good purchase (I have 45 days- well, 44 now!)"

Thanks guys, I love my early x-mas gift, just curious as I can't find anything like it online, nor any other LP with this color. all the orangy-red LP's seem to be solid finishes, and not transparent like mine.

Thanks in advance!

Chad

 

[integra evan]

Welcome, nice studio, it's one of those limited run special colors (they had a few different colors) from early 2000s.

 

[integra evan]

Good value for it too

 

[MSB]

not a platinum (if it was, i'd also expect the case that came with them)

They made these in several colors that year. No fret markers ebony board. I had the copper top and it had probably the biggest USA Gibson neck I've ever had.

I know they made the copper and blue that year, maybe a yellow, can't recall off the top of my head, I want to say red as well.

If it left Gibson that way (minus the pickups), the price would be decent. However, the faux binding, transparent finish and lack of PG holes in the top lead me to believe its been worked on. If you're ok with that, then no worries (will hurt resale value), but its something to consider since you have a return opportunity.


I'd pop the cavity cover and pickups and see what's underneath

 

[rjwilson37]

Yep, definitely a keeper in my book, great value with the original case that was offered back then.

Nice Score, hope you enjoy her for a long time.

 

[Chadi]

not a platinum (if it was, i'd also expect the case that came with them)

They made these in several colors that year. No fret markers ebony board. I had the copper top and it had probably the biggest USA Gibson neck I've ever had.

I know they made the copper and blue that year, maybe a yellow, can't recall off the top of my head, I want to say red as well.

If it left Gibson that way (minus the pickups), the price would be decent. However, the faux binding, transparent finish and lack of PG holes in the top lead me to believe its been worked on. If you're ok with that, then no worries (will hurt resale value), but its something to consider since you have a return opportunity.


I'd pop the cavity cover and pickups and see what's underneath

Thanks for your feedback. I have no intentions to re-sell, just curious as to what I have, and if the price was fair. Fortunatley, there seems to be ALOT of used studios on the second hand market, so I have alternate options if this turns out to be a total DIY job and should have cost $100 to $200 less. The neck is not 'baseball bat' thick, in fact, it is well thinner than the new 2019 Epiphone LP Customs in stores today (I cant do super thick necks).

I do not believe its a platinum, as you said, they have PG's so there would have been a hole (which I wouldnt have minded, but would mind if the hole was filled), and the finishing is definitely not platinum or copper, and doesnt look like the red from the platinum series. If it wasnt a stock color than I'm thinking it would have cost the original owner an arm and a leg, its a beuatiful transparent orange, and probably wouldnt have ended up on the second hand market- but thats just my gut, I could be waaaaaay off here, it could be a DIY project gone bad, but it doesnt look or sound like it.

Faux Binding: interesting, how can you tell and how can I verify that? I'm not doubting you, I'm brand new when it comes to Gibsons and this was a relatively spontaneous purchase (usually not my style, I'm a tough customer).

Pop the Cavity Cover: What should I be looking for? I'll do that later and snap some pix.

 

[Chadi]

Yep, definitely a keeper in my book, great value with the original case that was offered back then.

Nice Score, hope you enjoy her for a long time.

Thanks! Hope you are right, getting mixed comments right about now! But thats what I'm asking for, hopefully a concensus will arise!

 

[Ripgut]

Happy NGD! Nice find! Great price as well!

 

[MSB]

Thanks for your feedback. I have no intentions to re-sell, just curious as to what I have, and if the price was fair. Fortunatley, there seems to be ALOT of used studios on the second hand market, so I have alternate options if this turns out to be a total DIY job and should have cost $100 to $200 less. The neck is not 'baseball bat' thick, in fact, it is well thinner than the new 2019 Epiphone LP Customs in stores today (I cant do super thick necks).

I do not believe its a platinum, as you said, they have PG's so there would have been a hole (which I wouldnt have minded, but would mind if the hole was filled), and the finishing is definitely not platinum or copper, and doesnt look like the red from the platinum series. If it wasnt a stock color than I'm thinking it would have cost the original owner an arm and a leg, its a beuatiful transparent orange, and probably wouldnt have ended up on the second hand market- but thats just my gut, I could be waaaaaay off here, it could be a DIY project gone bad, but it doesnt look or sound like it.

Faux Binding: interesting, how can you tell and how can I verify that? I'm not doubting you, I'm brand new when it comes to Gibsons and this was a relatively spontaneous purchase (usually not my style, I'm a tough customer).

Pop the Cavity Cover: What should I be looking for? I'll do that later and snap some pix.

I guess it "could" be one of the platinums, but it would of had to have had a major overhaul, which I doubt, but my guess its one of the "metallic" series that's had the top refinished to allow for the transparency. You can see the faux binding around the top of the guitar on the sides (its the side of the maple cap), most notably in the cutaway. On the original metallic series, these would be painted the same as the top color (and wouldn't have the wide binding look in the cutaway). On yours the original finish has been scraped, showing the maple (hence the faux part). Gibson has not done this on any of their guitars until the last few years that I can think of. Also, none of the limited color series Gibson did around this time had transparent tops that I'm aware of. That, and I know the metallic series left Nashville with an installed PG, the fact yours doesn't have a hole is a flag (i prefer them off actually, but the fact yours doesn't have one, is not to be expected). Does it have one on the side of the guitar for the bracket?

As far as the electronics, I'd just be curious to see what's in it. These guitars had black backs and necks, so nothing really else to see other than that. As far as under the pickups, it might give an idea as to what the original color was and what codes/markings might be in there to help figure out the model ID. It appears to be quality work, so I wouldn't fret too much about that, but I'm still confident it didn't leave Gibson that way (but i'm by no means swearing to fact this opinion, just my meanderings).

if it plays nice and you like it, by all means, rock it, it looks like quality work and a great color, IMO, and you will NOT see another like it anytime soon unless you look here

Gibson Les Paul Studio: Model with No Fretboard Inlays?

I'm trying to get some more info on a 2002 Gibson Les Paul Studio with no inlays on the fretboard. Is there a name for this specific Studio model? The one I'm looking at, locally for $700, has a transparent orange finish and maybe an ebony fretboard? Any info would be appreciated.

www.thegearpage.net

 

[JMP]

The “binding” to me looks like it’s the edge of the maple cap, not actual plastic binding or paint. At least that’s my best guess per the photos.

Cool LP. I dig it. HNGD!

 

[Chadi]

I guess it "could" be one of the platinums, but it would of had to have had a major overhaul, which I doubt, but my guess its one of the "metallic" series that's had the top refinished to allow for the transparency. You can see the faux binding around the top of the guitar on the sides (its the side of the maple cap), most notably in the cutaway. On the original metallic series, these would be painted the same as the top color (and wouldn't have the wide binding look in the cutaway). On yours the original finish has been scraped, showing the maple (hence the faux part). Gibson has not done this on any of their guitars until the last few years that I can think of. Also, none of the limited color series Gibson did around this time had transparent tops that I'm aware of. That, and I know the metallic series left Nashville with an installed PG, the fact yours doesn't have a hole is a flag (i prefer them off actually, but the fact yours doesn't have one, is not to be expected). Does it have one on the side of the guitar for the bracket?

As far as the electronics, I'd just be curious to see what's in it. These guitars had black backs and necks, so nothing really else to see other than that. As far as under the pickups, it might give an idea as to what the original color was and what codes/markings might be in there to help figure out the model ID. It appears to be quality work, so I wouldn't fret too much about that, but I'm still confident it didn't leave Gibson that way (but i'm by no means swearing to fact this opinion, just my meanderings).

if it plays nice and you like it, by all means, rock it, it looks like quality work and a great color, IMO, and you will NOT see another like it anytime soon unless you look here

Gibson Les Paul Studio: Model with No Fretboard Inlays?

I'm trying to get some more info on a 2002 Gibson Les Paul Studio with no inlays on the fretboard. Is there a name for this specific Studio model? The one I'm looking at, locally for $700, has a transparent orange finish and maybe an ebony fretboard? Any info would be appreciated.

www.thegearpage.net

awesome, appreciate all that feedback! Hate to open her up but I’m too curious now and will do so later!!

 

[Chadi]

The “binding” to me looks like it’s the edge of the maple cap, not actual plastic binding or paint. At least that’s my best guess per the photos.

Cool LP. I dig it. HNGD!

heres a closer look at the binding

 

[Daniel.S]

That looks awesome! Especially with the black back!
If you decide to keep it, look into getting a black bridge and tailpiece or even a shadow chrome one.

 

[musicmaniac]

If it left Gibson that way (minus the pickups), the price would be decent. However, the faux binding, transparent finish and lack of PG holes in the top lead me to believe its been worked on. If you're ok with that, then no worries (will hurt resale value), but its something to consider since you have a return opportunity.


I'd pop the cavity cover and pickups and see what's underneath

This...

 

[XpensiveWino]

Just my opinions here (that's what's great about forums, no?!?)

If your ballpark was $700, and you were looking for active electronics, I think this is a homerun. You've got a USA Gibson, with ebony neck (!!!), and the quirky detail you were looking for (active pickups).

Again, just my opinion, but worrying about resale on a Studio is not worth your time. These aren't, weren't and likely won't be worth anything as a collector piece, and as a player it's just as valid as any other modded guitar out there. Studios were specifically made to deliver a high caliber instrument without the bling of the main line offerings (standards, classics, and traditionals), at a reduced price.

I think t's very cool for what you set out to accomplish. It's even better how much you seem to love it out of the gate. Let it rip, don't go looking for reasons not to like it. Were there better deals out there somewhere? Sure, probably. I don't think whatever you could have 'saved' on some screaming deal outweighs the benefit having a guitar, at what seems a fair price, in your hands, bringing you happiness, and letting you get on with the business of creating happiness for yourself. (I also believe with the case, you can get the $700 back out of it with little headache down the line.)

Congrats on the find, welcome to the forum!

 

[lpfan1980]

I say keep it play it enjoy its unique and I love the orange!

 

[Chadi]

Thanks guys, I'm definitely keeping her, I can't stop staring at her and she plays great, can't put her down. I'm taking her to a Luthier for a setup and quick checkup as I hear some minor humming when i get agressive on the second string on either of the top three frets (I'm too much of a noob to do any of that myself). I mainly want them to check the nut, bridge positions, frets, and ensure all is good with the electronics. And hopefully they can also clear up whats up with the binding (above posts got me curious)!

Further down the line I do plan on changing the hardware to black, I think it would look sick.

 

[Chadi]

That looks awesome! Especially with the black back!
If you decide to keep it, look into getting a black bridge and tailpiece or even a shadow chrome one.

Oh you know it, she's getting the all black treatment sometime in the next 6 months!!

 

[lpfan1980]

You made the right choice who cares about the future value have fun now enjoy

 

[Uncle Vinnie]

I like it. Very unique. Never saw on like that before.