While Les Paul remains deeply influential as a guitar player, perhaps his greatest legacy will be his contribution to the evolution of electric guitars. By 1951, Les Paul was a respected guitar player, and he was known as a bit of an innovator, too. He had experimented with the solid-body electric guitar concept for years, so Gibson president Ted McCarty approached him that year to discuss a collaboration. The result was the Gibson Les Paul Model, which remains one of the most influential and forward-thinking electric designs ever conceived. Since the 1950s, it has been the flagship of Gibson's electric lineup.
Gibson introduced the Les Paul Studio in 1983 as a more cost-effective, stripped-down iteration of the LP. The Studio has the same graceful carved top, but with no binding whatsoever, and that's the easiest way to spot it. Over the years, some Studios have had some cost-driven design considerations, but the modern Studio is a substantial Les Paul with a lot to offer. It might not have the wild Flame Maple top and cherry sunburst finish, but it's a reliable guitar that does what it needs to.
This 2022 Les Paul Studio has a Maple top and Gibson's "Ultra-Modern" weight-relieved Mahogany body design. This one is the Ebony finish that is a deep black. It's a fast player with a Slim Taper mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. Under the hood, Gibson 490R and 498T pickups provide tight, high-output humbucking performance. With push-pull pots to tap the coils of the pickups, the controls allow for a wide range of versatility.
This 2022 Les Paul Studio weighs in at 7 lbs 14.7 oz. This guitar has been played, and it shows some superficial cosmetic wear in various spots, especially around the playing area (see photos). The hardware is slightly tarnished, especially the edge of the bridge and tailpiece where you might rest your palm. Fortunately, it is free of any severe dings, deep scratches, or other cosmetic blemishes. The previous owner swapped out the original speed knobs for eye-catching pearl dice. The perfect flair to set off the all-black motif. This is an excellent Gibson that does the LP thing in a package that won't break the bank. It includes its original deluxe carrying case.