Gibson Les Paul Studio

Gibson Les Paul Studio
Gibson Les Paul Studio in Cherry Sunburst.

The Gibson Les Paul Studio made its debut in 1983, aiming to provide the iconic Les Paul Standard. Despite offering the latter’s sound and feel at a friendlier price. Usually, it comes with a carved maple top and a mahogany body, but it skips the body binding. This model quickly gained popularity among professional musicians. However, kept evolving, adding features such as weight relief, phase switching, and push/pull coil splits. Lately, the Gibson Les Paul Studio range has grown to feature both the Studio and Studio Session.

When You Discover the Right Gibson Les Paul Studio, You Just Know

When a guitar is truly “the one,” it feels perfect in your hands; it produces the sounds you envision in your mind. It becomes your loyal companion, your musical soulmate, and your source of inspiration, the instrument that allows you to convey your artistic ideas. Gibson created the Les Paul™ Studio Session to serve as that perfect musical partner, the guitar you won’t want to set down. The one instrument you can depend on every time, and that you’ll find yourself reaching for repeatedly. For many years, the Les Paul Studio has been the preferred choice of numerous guitarists who value the blend of essential Les Paul characteristics—humbucking pickups, a glued-in set neck, and a mahogany body with

You’re here because you know you want a Gibson Les Paul, but you’re unsure which one is the best fit for you. Should you go for a Standard, Custom, Deluxe, Modern, Studio, or even a Junior? In this article, I’ll break down all the different Gibson Les Paul models and their collections, helping you pick the perfect Les Paul for your needs.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.

The Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

Gibson Les Paul Deluxe
Gibson Les Paul 70s Deluxe in Wine Red with hum-free, mini pickups.

First introduced in 1969, the Gibson Les Paul Deluxe stands out due to its mini humbucker pickups. These pickups maintain the hum-free quality of full-size humbuckers while providing a tighter low end and a more pronounced attack. Furthermore, this offered a much more assertive sound compared to a full-size humbucker. Moreover, this became favored by 1970s rock guitarists aiming to stand out.

The Deluxe kept the carved maple top and mahogany body but incorporated what is known as “pancake” construction (two layers of mahogany with a layer of maple sandwiched in between) and later included maple necks. Nowadays, the Les Paul Deluxe is constructed in a more traditional manner with a solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany back, yet its design and sound still honor the original Les Paul Deluxe from the 70s.

The 1970s Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Overview:

1970s Gibson Les Paul 70s Deluxe in wine red finished with a glossy nitrocellulose lacquer, featuring a Maple top on a solid Mahogany body, a Rounded C-shaped Mahogany neck, and a 12” radius Indian Rosewood fingerboard adorned with acrylic trapezoid inlays and medium jumbo frets. It has a scale length of 24.75” and a nut width of 1.7″.

Therefore, the guitar was equipped with Mini humbucking pickups for both the bridge and neck, along with a 3-way toggle switch and individual volume and tone controls for each pickup. It includes a Tune-o-matic bridge and an aluminum stopbar tailpiece, complemented by Gibson deluxe tuners. The total weight is 8.8 pounds, and it comes with a hardshell case.

The USA “Vintage 1977 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe” are in good condition and feature new Grover tuners. Back is worn a bit with a small piece of wood out of the bottom back. Beautiful maple neck with a Rosewood fretboard. Neck is straight and plays with a nice low action and no buzz or issues.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.

The Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Gibson Les Paul Custom
The Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue in Ebony.

In 1954, Gibson launched the Gibson Les Paul Custom, marking it as the premier Les Paul model. It featured multi-ply binding, gold hardware, and a stylish black finish, earning it the nickname “Black Beauty.” The initial versions had a P-90 bridge pickup paired with an Alnico V “staple” neck pickup. Therefore, distinguishing it from the dual P-90 Les Paul Goldtop of that era.

By 1957, the model had progressed to a unique three-pickup setup, which was later favored by both Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Originally launched in partnership with the iconic artist Les Paul in 1952, the Gibson Les Paul™ electric guitar boasts a deep and storied legacy in sound creation.

The initial release featured a Gold finish, equipped with two P-90 pickups and a trapeze tailpiece. As the years went by, the Les Paul evolved through various iterations and models—most notably the legendary sunburst Les Paul Standard versions made from 1958 to 1960—solidifying its status as a beloved essential across nearly all music genres.

The Tuxedo. The Legend. The Gibson Les Paul Custom.

Few guitars are as legendary as the Les Paul Custom. Adorned in a timeless Ebony finish complemented by stunning gold hardware, it makes a striking impression even before you strum a chord. However, once you plug it in, you experience a sound that has shaped generations of music. This creation from the Gibson Custom Shop is not merely a reissue; it is a meticulously crafted instrument designed for the contemporary player who seeks the utmost in tone, feel, and aesthetics. It represents the zenith of Gibson’s craftsmanship—a genuine player’s instrument with a rich legacy to uphold.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.

The Gibson Les Paul Standard

Gibson Les Paul Standard
The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s in Tobacco Burst.

The Gibson Les Paul Standard represents the ultimate Les Paul, featuring its signature mahogany body. In addition, offering a beautifully carved maple top, dual humbucker™ pickups, and a set neck. For musicians seeking the most genuine and authentic Les Paul experience, the Standard is the ideal choice. Every aspect of the current Les Paul Standard is designed to replicate the same playing feel and sound as the Les Pauls from Gibson’s golden era.

The first Gibson Les Paul Standard to showcase the famous Cherry Sunburst finish was launched in 1958. Although the Les Paul model made its debut in 1952 with P-90 pickups and a trapeze tailpiece, the 1957 Goldtop, equipped with humbucking pickups and a Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, paved the way for the Standard we recognize today. In addition, introduction of the Sunburst finish marked a significant design evolution for the Les Paul, and the Les Paul Standards manufactured between 1958 and 1960—affectionately known as Bursts—are considered some of the finest solidbody electric guitars ever created.

The Gibson Les Paul Standard Specs:

The Gibson Les Paul Standard is a legendary solid body electric guitar made in America, priced between $2,299 and $3,100+. It is celebrated for its rich tone, mahogany body, maple top, and dual humbuckers. Moreover, notable models for 2025 feature the ’50s version (with a vintage neck and nickel hardware). Moreover, the ’60s version (featuring a SlimTaper neck and Grover tuners), along with choices for AAA maple tops, P-90 pickups, and a variety of finishes.

Gibson Les Paul Standard features a carefully selected range of premium guitars, which includes exclusive, limited-edition, and handcrafted models. Custom shop reissues and specialized amplifier series are also offered. When purchasing Gibson guitars and amplifiers together, an extended service period is usually provided.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.