Gibson’s Les Paul Modern Studio stands out as merging the characteristics of the Modern series with the traditional charm of a mahogany body and maple top, all crafted in the USA. Priced under $2,000, this model is Gibson’s latest offering of US-made high-quality instruments at more accessible prices.
Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio
Introducing the Les Paul Modern Studio, Gibson’s latest iteration in the Les Paul Studio series, renowned for delivering exceptional value. This model encapsulates the essence of the USA-made lineup, providing musicians with unparalleled quality and performance.
Affordable?
The Les Paul Studio has historically been Gibson’s answer to musicians seeking the legendary Les Paul Standard experience without the premium price tag, focusing on essential features while forgoing elaborate aesthetics. The Les Paul Modern Studio continues this tradition but draws inspiration from the innovative Les Paul Modern design, offering advanced features at a significantly reduced cost.
Key specifications include the ultra-modern weight-relieved mahogany body paired with a maple top, ensuring both resonance and comfort. The Slim Taper neck, coupled with a contoured heel, enhances playability, particularly in the upper frets. The neck’s compound radius and ebony fretboard maintain the sleek feel and aesthetic, subtly incorporating binding for a refined look.
Versatile Switching
The guitar comes with 490R and 498T humbuckers, delivering the ‘Modern Classic’ sound that Gibson fans adore.
Gibson doesn’t skimp on versatility, equipping the Les Paul Modern Studio with an array of switching options. This includes dual push-pull volume controls for coil tapping and tone controls for phase switching and pure bypass, alongside the standard three-way toggle switch. Hardware features such as Grover Rotomatic tuners, an aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, and a Stop Bar tailpiece underline Gibson’s attention to quality and durability.
Finish Options
While the aesthetics are simplified, with options like Wine Red, Smokehouse Satin, and Worn White finishes in nitrocellulose lacquer, the essence of the Les Paul is preserved. We guess that offering these satin finishes will make them cheaper to produce than full gloss finishes, and that saving is passed onto the customer.
Unique to Gibson, a Manhattan Midnight Blue finish adds an exclusive touch. But, you will have to buy these via the Gibson main site.
Guitar Verdict
Despite the streamlined features and more accessible price point, the Les Paul Modern Studio does not compromise on performance, offering a playing experience on par with its higher-end counterparts. This model is not just a smart choice for its aesthetics and specs but also for its affordability, retailing at $1,999, making it an attractive option for guitarists looking for Gibson quality without the high-end price tag.
They come with a Gibson Soft Shell Case and Accessory Kit included in the price. Corners have been cut, to keep that price point down. However, if you want an American-made Gibson, then these are a decent option for a new guitar in 2024.
Available for preorder now at Thomann
More Information
This article contains affiliate links to Thomann that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Don’t worry as you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
