Gibson Les Paul Studio Plus

Les Paul Studio Plus, made 2002/USA, desert flame top(maple), mahoghany body & neck(rosewood), trapezoid inlays, Gibson tuners, gold hardware, tune-o-matic bridge, stop tailpiece, 498R & 498T alnico pickups,
w/case

That traditional Gibson humbucking sound; a little brighter than a PRS McCarty; am playing through a Fender Blues, Jr. amp, mostly rock & blues; I really like the sound it gives. I am more of an acoustic player, so there is some new exploring for me to do. Sustains really nice.

Action was buzzing before I bought it, so Guitar Center took it next door to their luthier and he fixed it just right. Action is low but comfortable. Desert flame top is beautiful; but this was the fourth
one I saw, and of the bunch this one was bookmatched the best. Some aren't---they vary quite a bit and you just have to evaluate for yourself how important this is to you.
I figured, hey, I'm spending over $1300.00, I might as well be a little picky.
The neck is very comfortable in playing; the thickness and width are just right. This is a fun guitar to play and learn on.
I know Gibson's are a bit pricey, but the flame finish made it worth the investment as opposed to a straight color.
About the tone pots---my only criticism is that they do not gradually turn up the volume--it is at max at about the #4 setting. Any comments from others about this? It doesn't really bother me, but why have the dial scale go to '10' when the volume is up at '4'?
The pickups seem fine; I am no expert on this and leave them where they are.....

It feels like it is built like a brick house(the Les Pauls are a bit heavy), but I am sure it can withstand whatever comes along. With the gold hardware, though, who knows since it is probably a microscopic thin coating....

They seem to be responsive unless you ask them some question that they might perceive as giving away a trade secret(like if their acoustics have forward X-bracing); then they don't respond!
I consider them to be accessible and customer friendly, though.

Been playing acoustics for over 20 years; electric for about 2. If it were stolen, I would look for another, but it would take awhile as the flame maple finishes vary quite a bit(the way Gibson changes it's models, they will probably quit making this one!--would be a big mistake. My only beef is with the non-gradual ascent of the sound from the volume pots(I can easily live with that). A great, comfortable player, though.

Made in USA 1991 There's something to be said about an American tradition. Especially if it's Rock and Roll, Jazz or Blues. The Guitar was well kept. I just bought it used. I Traded in my Ibanez AR200. Red wine color, raised pick guard, Gold is rubbed off the pick-ups, but it adds to the character.

Sound is excellent, Sustain is remarkable. I set the action a little higher than normal and it's still a dream to play. I'm taking Blues and Jazz lessons and it is an inspiration

I set the Action and tone. I set the pick-up sensor. Minor clean-up needed.

It's a very heavy (weight) guitar. I think it will withstand just about anything you do to it. Live, at home, on the road, anywhere.

I got it from my local dealer. What ever needed or needs to be done, He'll do it.

I got my Gibson Dove Custom (71) and Epi, Triumph (46) from him. Reliable dealers are the key to a good used Classic guitar.

Been playing folk for years. Just got into electric. Jazz and Blues.
I'd look for another one if this was lost or stolen.
I hate that I can't play it all day. I gotta eat and I'd starve if I had to play for my supper. The guitar inspires me to practice, practice, practice.
I comapred it to my Ibanez AR200 which is very similar. (Big Difference in the play).

Go the extra mile...
Get the Gibson case for it. When I put it in the case and lay that velvety blanket over it, "That's Love"

Bought in 2002 new. S/no is 00641590 which might tell you the year(?). You can get the spec from Gibson!

It has the "Desert Burst" finish which I think is fantastic. I drool every time I open the case. Talking of which, at this price you should get a choice of colours - the tan outer is bearable (black would be nicer), the "Gibson USA" logo is brash and says "I am worth stealing" - it's the complete opposite of "understated", but then, I am English ha ha!, and as for the colour of the lining (purply pink) yukk!!! Having slagged the case off, it is sturdy and protects the guitar. Just wish I could have had a plain black case of the same build quality.

Another minor whine - some kind of owner's manual would be nice. Or do they assume we all know it all? There is also the perhaps superficial point that when you buy a famous name product it is nice to see evisence of quality, tradition etc. There I go, being English again!

I play at home for fun. I tend to play blues and rock. Since my heroes are Page and Green. a Les Paul of some kind was sort of obligatory! I have a Crate 80 amp but usually record direct to PC via a POD. The POD can make all of my electrics sound good but I know this one doesnt need it. Loads of range from this guitar. Some sounds need single coils of course, but this can do most things I want it to.

I would not consider myself an expert (about 40 years playing but only for fun). IMHO this guitar is wonderful!

I hope so! (Owned since May 2002).

Not had to deal with them. I get the impression that the shop I bought from (Peach Ideas, Essex, UK) are good guys and gals though.

I've been "playing" since 1964ish. Still know sh*t about the whole thing, but enjoy it :-)

I have a Squier P-Bass, A Hondo 12-string, a Kimbara steel acoustic (lovely!), a Squier (why do people insist on calling them "Squire"??????????) ProTone SSH strat (lust at first sight, don't knock them cos of the brand!!! though I think the frets need sorting) and a Takamine EG522SC nylon electro/acoustic as well as the LP. If the LP were lost or stolen I would definately rebuy via my (new for old) insurance. If I were not insured I would sell my wife into slavery to raise the cash.

I love it cos I have wanted a Les Paul ever since I heard Peter Green (didn't know what the guitar was!) and then saw Jimmy Page (knew by then!). What I love about it is that it's a Gibson LP and I've always wanted one. I hate nothing about it, although I admit Gibson prices are a rip-off. OK I also hate that (in the UK at least) if you want to buy one, it's "POA" in all the adverts.

Only gave it 9 rather than 10 because 10 is rated "fantastic value" and Gibson are obviously overpriced. Mind you, some people seem to think it's worth spending over the odds to have a prancing horse on your car....

2001 desert burst

I own 3 strats and a gibson ES175 and I wanted a beefier sound. I was extremely peased with the tone and higher output from the ceramic humbuckers. I have custom shop texas specials and Fat 50 p/u's in the strats and the les paul is half again as loud as any of the strats. Complete headturning rock and distortion sounds. However for clean and bright sounds I'll stick to a strat.

Action and fit I love, however the finish on the neck seems sticky after I play it for a while. I can't explain it but when my hand starts to sweat the wax or varnish on the neck feels sticky. I had a similar problem on my ES-175 and finally took it in to be wet sanded and refinished. (for$50)

I think the finish on this guitar makes it more attractive to the PRS / custom type guitar crowd. I do plan on gigging out with it and I have already been putting it through the ringer at 6 hour practices once a week. It seems to be holding up nicely

Haven't had to call yet

Been Playing 20+ years I own a 2000 Taylor 614CE acoustic, a 68 Gibson ES-175D blonde, a 73 Fender Strat, a 74 Fender strat and a 2000 Jimmy Vaughn Strat and now a 2001 Gibson Les Paul Studio Plus. I am satisfied with my purchase however, I will be purchasing a Gibson lespaul goldtop within the next year. The only thing that really bugs me about this guitar is the lack of binding! I didn't notice it when I picked it up but now at home it's driving me nuts.

Year 2000....normal controls.....with a larger neck and body than the previous 2 years' models.Georgeous flame maple top in Desert burst.
The first year flame tops have come on Studios

Amazingly, this guitar, flame top and all, has one of the Darkest tones of all my guitars. Great clean tones, warm and Jazzy or bright and ready for some Country-fried picking. Distortion tones...how many do you want? If you have a brain, and know how to use your volumes and pickup switch, there is NO limit to what you can do.Metal?no problem.Anything else? again ,no problem.

The only " iffy " was my gold hardware bleached on the TOB after only 3 weeks. Points off for this one. I readjusted the pickup height myself, but I always do this anyway. All in all no problems except the hardware bleaching out.

This beast has lived throughout MANY shows in a cover band and an original band.No problems,misgivings, or unhappiness of any kind.
As for the " without a backup..." NEVER play without a backup..shit happens...and it always happens when there is no backup/

Bad News here......Gibson wanted nothing to do with the untimely bleaching out of the hardware. I was told that they do not make the hardware, so they would not touch this. EAT ME..If you pay what you pay for a Gibson,EVERYDAMNTHING should be under warranty. The only consolation I got here was the store I bought it at, aplusguitars.com
agreed that Gibson was in the wrong and took care of me and my problem.Great store and website, no bullshit.

Overall, probably the nicest guitar I have. Great tone, great finish,all but the hardware, made like a tank<duh LP's are tanks>.
Stolen?Death to the offender.I would replace< if I had the money again>in a heartbeat.If you want a Really nice LP but don't have the green for a Standard Plus or any of the Other plus models, this is your man.

This Model of Les Paul is new model in 2000's
and have standard volume and tone knob just like other les paul
I love this AA grade Maple Top..I bought Desert Burst colour
it looks like very vintage.

I'm a metalhead recently, my other one guitar is BC Rich Warlock
I usually play doom metal stuff, I'm using Marhsall JCM900 head,ADA MP-2 preamp,Boss GT-3 effector and Marshall 1960A 4*12 cabinet..

this guitar can turns from bright to rich sound..what can I ask for more?and unique gibson's les paul mellow sound really make me fall.
And have nice sustain just like screaming...COOL!

ha..many people dislike Gisbon's guitar action set up too high and rounded neck but I think it's quite comfortable..

I think this model's shortcoming is no any neck binding..haha..I'm quite into this..haha..anyway it doesn't matter

just new bought today..so.....

just new bought today...so.....

if u like Gibson's Les Paul figure and don't want pay too much money..
this is the best choice

year: 2001
the body is mahogony with an awesome "AA" flamed maple top (it has a holographic effect), color is amber, gold hardware. same features as a standard les paul studio except for the above mentioned.

sounds like your average les paul

there was a slight buzzing when i bought the guitar. I made a couple slight adjustments ad it dissapeared. this wasn't a big deal for me (I work at a authorized Gibson repair shop). Other than that the fit and finish of the guitar was good.

i just bought the guitar so i can't comment on this.

like i mentioned before, i work a gibson repair shop and they're a great company to deal with.