Les Paul Modern Studio? Or Les Paul Classic?

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Rex Rocker

Rex Rocker

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I really like my satin-finished Gibsons. They feel great, they look cool, they wear interestingly, and they have cool something going on in the sound which I'm not sure is caused by the finish, but they both have it, so I guess it is?

I have a Tribute and a Modern Lite, and I love both. I reach out for the Modern Lite more, though, because the neck is way more comfy and fits my hand more. It has the 60's slim taper as opposed to the 50's rounded in the Tribute. They both sound cool, though. Acoustically, they're both louder than any most other guitars I've owned. I have Suhr SSH+'s in both, and I like how the Tribute is a bit more "full-range", meaning more lows and highs. The Modern Lite is a bit more midrange-focused, kinda like an SG, but with more of the Les Paul's lower midrange growl.

So I kinda want something like "the best of both worlds", I suppose. Is the Modern Studio it? I like the white and the red.

It would be a no-brainer, but the thing is I've been saving up for a Classic, but I don't really know if it's what I want anymore. I love the looks with the ebony finish and the zebra pickups, and I like that it has the thin neck. It's also got the slightly thicker body, and my subcouncious would feel more like I'm playing a "real" Les Paul. But I kinda like the feel of the satin nitro, and, like I said, I think it does something cool to the tone. The Studio also comes with pickups that I like more, but I don't know how relevant that is since I'd probably swap at least the bridge out for a JB or something. I suppose it's a matter of do you think I'd be happier with the Classic or the Modern Studio?

Thanks!
 
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I'm a Les Paul nerd and have a Standard, older Classic, and new Studio. The newest Classic LPs sound killer but are pretty hefty. If you don't care about weight, I'd grab one of those.

I like my Studio and is light and plays great. The only downside is that you can't easily swap pickups. It has those R2D2, Vulcan grip computer chip connectors.
 
My 02 Classic is one of the best LPs I’ve played. It's seen many great ones (a Slash, R8, Silverburst Custom/Standard and a Corsa) come n go. It's at the top of the list if I had to trim down to 3 or so guitars.
I recently had it refretted with ss jumbos, and loaded in some pafs from @scottosan .
I love playing all of my other guitars, but when I pick this one up, it's badass and special.

Oh, and yeah, it's heavy af.
 
I, like Bobby and Reaper, recommend seeing if you can find the right classic. If you find the right one, they punch way, wayyyy above their weight class/price range.

For whatever reason, they seem to churn out more good ones of that series

As far as any other gibson USA model, I would strongly suggest playing it in person first. I would not buy the modern studio before trying it out in person. It might be awesome for you, but it might not be :dunno:

I would be way more confident recommending a classic to someone, especially if they are ordering online and can't try before buying.
 
Geo said:
If you already have a paul, why not try an SG?
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Love my Silverburst SG.
Took a while to find the right bridge pup (Motor City Detroiter) that made it feel and sound on par with my other Gibbys.
It can do a lot of things my other guitars can do, often better, and some things the others don't do.
My friends are turned off by how the neck is positioned farther away.
Also by the way my Explorer sits, even if it is the fastest playing guitar I own.
I keep telling them that quality time with each will reveal the endearing qualities of both.
It'd be difficult to let the SG go. And my Explorer.
I digress.
The Classic rules the roost.
Shoot, now I wanna play the 335 to be sure I feel the same way about it. Lol
So, I guess my answer is...
Run the racks. Get a Classic. Then do the same and get more Gibbys. A great Gibby is special. A stable of great Gibbys is a collection of special guitars.
Get em all.
Welcome to the addiction.
 
For the money would say neither. For a bit more or the same as the Classic with a discount a Faded 50s Standard would be worth considering given opportunity cost and overall value IMO. They offer two color options and they come with a case too ^_^


You can always apply some car wax like Meguiars Wax or Turtle Wax to the top if you want to make it pop but keep the neck and the rest of it satin...... won't add a coat of thick Gloss either and yeah your going to get more out that top that way too. And with a discount or a deal on an open box...... the Faded Standard 50s LPs are worth a big consideration.


https://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPS5F01?siid=361607

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...Tvdu1vHxIrD2RTRMO-gaAl7OEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

1000001507.jpg
1000001508.jpg
 
LPMojoGL said:
Love my Silverburst SG.
Took a while to find the right bridge pup (Motor City Detroiter) that made it feel and sound on par with my other Gibbys.
It can do a lot of things my other guitars can do, often better, and some things the others don't do.
My friends are turned off by how the neck is positioned farther away.
Also by the way my Explorer sits, even if it is the fastest playing guitar I own.
I keep telling them that quality time with each will reveal the endearing qualities of both.
It'd be difficult to let the SG go. And my Explorer.
I digress.
The Classic rules the roost.
Shoot, now I wanna play the 335 to be sure I feel the same way about it. Lol
So, I guess my answer is...
Run the racks. Get a Classic. Then do the same and get more Gibbys. A great Gibby is special. A stable of great Gibbys is a collection of special guitars.
Get em all.
Welcome to the addiction.
Click to expand...
I have an 02 Classic, it's a boat anchor but def sounds and plays killer.

Not sure the new LP's in general will ever sound as good as an 02 Classic.
 
Geo said:
I have an 02 Classic, it's a boat anchor but def sounds and plays killer.

Not sure the new LP's in general will ever sound as good as an 02 Classic.
Click to expand...

It depends on the year.

The classics in the late teens could be hit and miss, but the last 5 years they've been fantastic :dunno:

As with most of gibson usa's qc
 
romanianreaper said:
I'm a Les Paul nerd and have a Standard, older Classic, and new Studio. The newest Classic LPs sound killer but are pretty hefty. If you don't care about weight, I'd grab one of those.

I like my Studio and is light and plays great. The only downside is that you can't easily swap pickups. It has those R2D2, Vulcan grip computer chip connectors.
Click to expand...
I've bought those connectors off Ebay forever ago to set up aftermarket pups.
They are fragile in my opinion.

But then again, I never liked the idea of a pcb in my guitar, so I have gutted the electronics a few times over the last few years when Ive come across that set up.
 
DanTravis62 said:
It depends on the year.

The classics in the late teens could be hit and miss, but the last 5 years they've been fantastic :dunno:

As with most of gibson usa's qc
Click to expand...
Yeah, no way I'm ever buying a Gibson without playing it first, again. I've had to send the last few back. Can't believe they left the factory.
 
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Geo said:
I have an 02 Classic, it's a boat anchor but def sounds and plays killer.

Not sure the new LP's in general will ever sound as good as an 02 Classic.
Click to expand...
My 2019 Standard is damn near perfect. My Classic is a 2003 and is amazing as well but covered in stickers, lol. That is my punk guitar.
 
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