NGD- '94 Les Paul Studio Score!

So I've been dabbling with GC's used guitars online, you can return them for a full refund at any shop (minus shipping cost, which is only $10), and the prices are really good, better than Ebay (for most stuff I've looked at anyway). I've been on a les paul quest lately, been through a few Epiphones and a 2012 Gibby Studio 50s tribute w 'buckers. I really don't like the faded/satin finish, and the Tribute was chambered and sounded very bright, almost too tele like to me (I've got plenty of those already). Saw a couple used studios for under $600, so i called up the shops and asked them about them. I decided on a black one w gold hardware, the guy told me it was a '99, which I later learned have the tiny inlays and thinner body, so I was a little bummed but still thought for $606 shipped it was a deal. He also said it was a "player", with a lot of dings, frets somewhat low, etc. So anyways, the guitar arrived, it's a 1994 (used different serial system for that year as it was a centennial thing). Condition is pretty good, just some scuffs but not too many real dings, none on the back of the neck- Frets are actually almost perfect! And here's the sweetest thing, it's an Ebony fretboard too! Anyways, love the guitar, much better than the new Studio tribute, may pop a burstbucker or 2 in it but the 490r is great in the neck. So I'm feeling good about this one!

Look for some D Allen humbuckers because he makes equally good pups as the burst bucker, but they cost a little less and the money goes to a small business. HNGD!!! It's nice

Nice score. How would you compare it to the Epi's you had?

I've had good experiences with GC used as well. Sometimes the condition is better than described, sometimes worse, but the folks at my local store have been great handling the returns.

great score. a good year for Studios!
I replaced pups in my 94, but the originals were fine pickups. real good for blending -middle toggel setting, tone rolled all the way off on one pup - then balance in the 2 volumes. Warren Haynes goodness...

Those are nice guitars , my buddy has one, the stock pickups actually sound very good in that particular guitar, great necks on them too.
I'd just play it...

Studios are weird..some are Meh some are brilliant. Congrats on a great one.

Very cool.

Hey guys, sorry I went missing for a bit- as for comparing with the Epis- I think the main difference is the wood and the nitro finish- the Gibson just is way more responsive to picking dynamics, more "boing" in it, if that makes sense. The epi's seem to be more "note on/note off". But I got the Epis I had to play beautifully (all but one that had some fretboard issues), the necks were good on them, but I like the bigger 59 profile, and most epis are a little slimmer. I do like the 490r neck pickup, I find the 498t to be too mid-heavy to sound good clean. I got a new set of Burstbuckers (1 & 2, the alnico IIs) for $135 shipped. We'll see how they pan out. I could definitely live with the stock pickups though (I've just got the damned disease, can't stop tinkering). On a super nerdy note, I put that amber switch tip on there-

My first Gibson Les Paul was one of those, the former owner had replaced the stock pickups with DiMarzio pickups, which sounded awesome but I made the mistake of replacing them with Burstbuckers, it never sounded as good after that.

I had a 94' SG Special with an ebony fretboard. It was called a "Studio Special". I wonder if it's from the same series?

I had an early 90's studio in black, and it was a great guitar... Should've kept it. The ebony board really made the guitar. Enjoy!

I had an early 90's studio in black, and it was a great guitar... Should've kept it. The ebony board really made the guitar. Enjoy!

I was thinking the same thing. This post made me reminisce about my early 90's black LP Studio.

Very cool, congrats! :cool:

Congrats!!

On a super nerdy note, I put that amber switch tip on there-

C'mon man - everybody knows Black switch tips sound better on black guitars! :wink:

nice