Gibson LP Studio Gem Series, 'Amethyst' finish, made in USA 1997. The Gem Series was made from 1996-8 and sold largely to the Japan market. The recipe is fantastic: take the classic Les Paul Studio, doll it up with some gold hardware, add some cream covered P-90 single coils and paint them up in rare finished inspired by precious gems: sapphire, emerald, ruby and in this case, amethyst. It looks supremely fly in the flesh: the rich, dark purple pops against the aged cream plastics and gold details, and is further enhanced by some checking and play wear around the edges. The neck is an agreeable slim-60s style shape, which paired with the (relatively) light body makes for an easy player in the hands. The pickups sound terrific: gorgeous singing detail on the top end, paired with a gloriously responsive midrange brimming with complexity and dynamic range. Why Gibson doesn't offer a Studio with P90s at all times is a bit beyond me, but hey... it's best not to try to understand our friends at the big G sometimes. Here's what I can easily understand though: this guitar rules, it's dripping with swagger.

Model: Gibson Les Paul Studio Gem Series Amethyst
Made: USA, 1997 (serial 90177479)
Finish: 'amethyst', dark purple, gloss nitro
Body: mahogany, maple cap, chambered
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, slim 60s shape
Weight: 3.975kg
Mods: 3 tuners replaced
Pickups: Gibson P-90 single coil x2
Case: Gibson brown/pink hard case 

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has checking lines on the back, some scuffs and peeling on the front and some rub wear on the end. Note that a couple of tuners were replaced and have the wrong coloured washers. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has a few sticker fade marks and widespread scuffs and surface scratches around the whole body, the most notable marks are near the top edge in the waist area. The sides have minor scuffs and dimples around the whole body, as well as some rub wear and slight balding on the edges from the elbow area around to the jack. The front has widespread light checking lines, a couple of small finish chips around the pickups, some bald patches in the elbow area, dimples and scuffs near the knobs and in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have some normal wear, there's a little bit of pitting but they're pretty even with no major buzz issues, 6/10 for fret life left. No headstock breaks. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.