Gibson Les Paul Studio Wine Red 1997
Gibson Les Paul Studio, Wine Red, made in USA 1997. If you're a discerning sort on the hunt for a Les Paul Studio, here's the two highlights you're after: ebony fretboard, and under 4kg.... hell yeah. This beauty was made in 1997 and originally sold in Japan, and in an unusual twist for the era, it was blessed with a gorgeous midnight-dark ebony board, which looks and feels super lush. The yellowed and faded pearl inlays only add to the vibe. This arrived in quite a state: very dirty indeed, featuring spider webs and all manner of filth, as well as a couple of dodgy electronic hiccups. Our excellent house tech Mark went to town, doing a comprehensive strip-and-clean and replacing the offending pot and jack. It's beautiful now: that rich, dark red is very snazzy, and the chrome and plastics all came up great. The tone is en pointe too: clear and percussive on the neck pickup with a walloping bass, creamy and growly on the bridge with a wide harmonic spread. It's fair to say I like this one... you will too.
Model: Gibson Les Paul Studio
Made: USA, 1997, Nashville factory
Serial: 91057400
Finish: Wine Red, gloss nitro
Body: mahogany, carved maple top
Neck: mahogany, ebony fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, slim 60s profile
Weight: 3.980kg
Mods: bridge volume pot repalced (CTS 500k), Switchcraft jack installed
Pickups: Gibson 490R/T humbuckers
Accessories: original brown/pink case, docs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples and scuffs on the end, scuffs on the edges, checking on the back and some peeled sections in the clearcoat, scuffs and checking on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, rub wear on the edges of the board and some scuffs, dimples and rub wear on the back. The back has widespread minor scuffs and surface scratches, buckle rash around the switch cavity and some dimples along the back edge. The sides have minor scuffs all over and some dimples in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has surface scratches around the knobs and behind the tailpiece, elbow area and above the pickups, a dent near the neck pickup, dimples in the elbow area and play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only