Worth getting this Les Paul?

[InTheEvening]

You might want to look at the 496R/500T combo if you like hi-gain pups, and also the Dirty Fingers.

Here’s a good rundown:

Gibson Pickups

I’m pretty sure Gibson has used these pairs in a lot of different guitars: Les Paul, Studio, SG, Explorer, V & Firebird for example.

-edit-

I found my Studio for 740$ at Guitar Center. I’ve seen some less than 700$ Also try Music Go Round.

I think mine is 490R/498T but i just like how it played and sounded and never bothered to look!

Thanks for that link! There's so many pickup options depending on the year and model of Les Paul, having an idea of which ones I should look for helps a lot.
Glad to hear you found a good studio and they can be had for under $800. I'll check Music Go Round as well.

It's frustrating that the guitar you tried (and liked, that is a huge plus) has this electrical fault - maybe on balance (as other people have already suggested) you could live with it and at a later date rip it all out and fit a proper old-style harness?

Buying unseen is a pain, as there is so much variation due to just the wood, never mind all the other factors, and Gibson specifications have jumped all over the place as the years go by.

490R/498T are these days treated as "basic" but they used to be widespread over the Gibson range, e.g. 1990s Standards, SGs, etc. The 496R/500T and Dirty Fingers are ceramic magnets, higher output, built to drive amps hard. I don't think they clean up well, they sound kind of lost without overdrive . . but that's just, like my opinion, man.

Indeed. I can't stop thinking about this guitar. I keep looking up video reviews too and it just sounds amazing. I'm confident I'll like other studios with similar specs and build but I know no two guitars feel the same, and finding another used studio with this pickup combo that feels as good in my hands will def take some time. And as you mentioned going online and buying unseen has it's own challenges as you can't play it before buying. I'm checking local for sale postings for now as well, that way I can see the guitar in person and play it if I find one up for sale.

That's good to know that other models and years can have the pickup combo I like. I still really want a Les Paul but it might not be a bad idea to consider SGs and other models.

Hi in theEvening( cool handle btw)
You asked what it was about the Studios I have had and felt let down by. First let me start with ....I have owned 4 at different times over the years. Out of the four I only liked one of them I believe it was a 97 in TV silver.That thing rocked. I dont even remember what the pups were but she played nice and stayed in tune well. The other 3 well I got rid of them not long after I bought them. For me I guess it's an overall quality thing. I feel that if you are paying well over a grand for a Gibson guitar.....it ought to be near perfect w/o any issues out of the factory. To me anyway.... .I feel gibson does not put in the effort on their lower end guitars as they do the higher end ones. Paint that is uneven or checked.Sharp fret endings...faulty electronics...cracked dials or tuners that are slipping. I'm talking out of the box....not ware. I have experienced this with every studio I have bought (never had a used one)Even had some issues with higher end models that's another story however.....but what it all comes down to is this. Most of the time you will get what you pay for. I prefer to pay a little more and get what I want than settle for something that I can just live with .you know what I mean?
At any rate I wish you the best of luck my brother and hope you find " the one"

Thanks! It's still one of my favorite Zeppelin tunes. Really appreciate you detailing that out. It is true, I definitely have some concerns about quality control and I've heard it's worse in the lower end for Gibson. This electronic issue should not be inherent on a guitar worth over a grand. I wish Gibson was more consistent, but as it is, I'll definitely be trying many guitars until I find that right "one". I would save more for a higher end one, but there's something about the faded and studios that really appeal to me. I also like the plaintops more than flame maple.

You might want to consider a Japanese copy of these guitars. For 750 you can get an incredible instrument from Tokai or Edwards (used). Especially for Tokai's make sure they are made in Japan and not elsewhere.

If you do have a bug on the Gibson logo, you can get a Studio a bit older without the electronics issues you've found. I wouldn't upgrade to a Traditional or up for $1000. If $750 is a lot of money for you, $250 is 33% more than "a lot".

Note: I own a Traditional myself. At least for the older studios I had the opportunity to play (from 2005 to 2009), they were great player's guitars.
I haven't played a studio for a long time, so I'd do a bit of research on years after 2009. I'd specifically ask each individual seller if the guitar is (a) set up and (b) does it have any electronics problems.

Thank you! I hadn't thought of those brands but I do remember hearing about Tokai years ago and how good MIJ Les Pauls are. I would like one someday as a second Les Paul, but I want to have one Gibson in my musical arsenal before I get anything else.

And yeah, that's definitely where I am at in terms of pricing. I'm willing to save more, but $750 to $1000 is a big jump, it's also why getting this studio and putting in $200 to repair the pot made the decision tougher.
I'll look at studios from those years, hopefully something pops up.

In the $750ish price range, what are thoughts on the Les Paul Faded T? I like the stripped down look and these are more easy to find used within my budget. The pickups are different and neck is thicker, but is quality and overall feel as good as the studios?

 

[rock'n'rollforever!!!]

I prefer tributes over studios. They are a little more expensive yes, however they are well worth the money. Studios are nice to but, I think tributes are better. Just my opinion.

 

[LPTDMSV]

I prefer tributes over studios. They are a little more expensive yes, however they are well worth the money. Studios are nice to but, I think tributes are better. Just my opinion.

That could well be true in general, but there's so much variation - from year to year in specifications (different weight relief, pickups, tuners, neck shape), but probably more importantly from individual guitar to individual guitar (finish detail, weight/resonance of wood, etc., etc.). If you're buying within a tight budget, I would say buy on sound and feel, not model or year.

And after a few years of use, it can be hard to tell how well a guitar has been finished. I'm pretty sure that my 2012 guitar wasn't half so well finished as my 2015 model, but it doesn't really matter now.

BTW, I wouldn't consider an SG to be a substitute for a Les Paul - it's a different beast, the tone is somewhat different (though that can be heavily disguised by a lot of gain or a really good player) and they feel very different in the hands, sitting or standing.