Gibson USA Les Paul Studio T 2017 – Same Design, More Power

Body And Neck:
Electronics:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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Aside from perhaps the Tele and Strat, it’s hard to imagine a guitar that’s had more of an impact on the world of music than the Gibson Les Paul. And this modern Les Paul Studio 2017 T, from Gibson’s new 2017 range, is a stunning made-in-America model that boasts a classic look and feel, with contemporary playability and upgraded components. It’s a must-view for any serious guitarist!

Body And Neck

The body of a Gibson Les Paul doesn’t need much introduction! This model retains the famous single-cutaway shape, with a Grade-A maple top and solid mahogany body that benefits from Gibson’s ultra-modern weight relief, giving players comfort without compromising on tone. The body comes finished in three cool colors: Ebony, Black Cherry Burst, and Wine Red, all highly glossed and sleek to touch. The set neck is very playable, made from matching mahogany with a comfortable Slim Taper profile, and a rosewood fretboard featuring 22 medium frets. It’s hard to fault the looks of this legendary model, which has the quality craftsmanship you’d expect from an American-made Gibson.

Hardware

The Les Paul Studio T 2017 follows previous models in that there are no bells or whistles – nothing that you don’t need. What you do get are good quality components that make your life easier and playing smoother. Such as the responsive Grover ‘kidney’ tuners on the headstock, a self-lubricating TekToid nut, and the tried-and-tested pairing of a chrome aluminum tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece, for solid tuning stability and super sustain. The guitar is conveniently housed in a stylish Gibson-branded traditional brown hardshell case, and also comes with a premium leather strap, a multi-tool, and a polishing cloth.

Electronics

The upgraded electronics give this Les Paul plenty of power, and ensure it thrives when dealing with pretty much any style of music – on stage or in the studio. It features two mighty humbuckers: a 490R at the neck and a 498T at the bridge, which are both built to perform. You also get coil-splitting on both humbuckers for a wide tonal range, while each pickup is controlled by its own individual volume and tone control knob, with a three-way selector switch – no longer featuring the rhythm/treble ring of yesteryear.

Sound

The two humbuckers give you all the famous Les Paul tone you’d want – clear and warm when played clean, with an aggressive growl when overdriven. The pickups work well together – the 490R has tonal characteristics of an original PAF, while the super-hot bridge 498T provides enhanced mids and trebles. When you throw in the coil-splitting, this Les Paul becomes a versatile workhorse, coping very well with everything from fast-paced classic rock to gritty blues.

Conclusion

With traditional looks, classic sound, and a modern feel, it’s hard to find a flaw with the Les Paul Studio T, which exhibits Gibson’s ethos for delivering the highest quality. With a hefty price-tag you would expect this guitar to display nothing but quality and it doesn’t disappoint in terms of sound, playability or craftsmanship. A real work of art, and worth considering for all serious guitarists with modern and classic metal at heart.

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