Differences Between the Gibson Les Paul Special and Les Paul Studio
Pickups, top piece, style, neck, and aesthetics.
In our opinion the Studio is a much better value than the Special, and certainly the more versatile between the two. A figured AA-grade Maple top, extended controls, Grover tuners, and an overall better aesthetic are all reasons (among others) we'd recommend the Studio over the Special. That said, the Special has more of a vintage and bluesy vibe, given the P90 pickups and flatter body design. For heavier, go with the Studio, and for lighter, go with the Special.
Les Paul Studio
Les Paul Special
| Specification | Gibson Les Paul Special | Gibson Les Paul Studio Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Body Material | Mahogany | Mahogany with AA Maple Top |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer (TV Yellow) | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer (Heritage Cherry Sunburst) |
| Neck Material | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Vintage '50s | Slim Taper |
| Fingerboard Material | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Acrylic Dots | Acrylic Trapezoids |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium Jumbo | 22, Medium Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Nut Width | 1.695" | 1.695" |
| Pickups | 2 single-coil P-90 | 490R and 498T Humbucking (with coil-taps) |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 2 x tone | 2 x volume (push/pull coil-tap), 2 x tone |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Wraparound | Nashville Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Stopbar |
| Tuners | Vintage Deluxe | Grover Rotomatics |
| Weight Relief | None | Ultra-modern |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case | Softshell Case |
The Special is a more subtle and simplified type of Les Paul. Image via Playtime
The Gibson Studio Plus is high-value at its typical price point, with a heavier and more modern edge to it and all the Gibson amenities. Image via Smosyu Music
Les Paul Special and Studio Price Guide (compare pricing)
Prices updated Fri, August 21st, 2026.
5 Biggest Spec Differences
Pickups:
- Les Paul Special: Equipped with two P-90 single-coil pickups.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: Features 490R and 498T humbucking pickups with coil-tap functionality for greater tonal versatility.
Body and Top Construction:
- Les Paul Special: Does not have a top piece and is instead a single, solid piece of Mahogany.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: Has a separate top piece made of AA-grade Maple, and carved or "figured" with the more nuanced Les Paul body contour.
Neck Profile:
- Les Paul Special: Vintage '50s mahogany neck, typically thicker and rounder.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: SlimTaper Mahogany neck, designed for faster playability and comfort, akin to '60s Gibson necks.
Aesthetic and Finish:
- Les Paul Special: Simple, classic design with a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish in TV Yellow.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: Has the Maple top we mentioned, with a custom nitro finish, and comes in Heritage Cherry Sunburst, which gives off a more luxurious appearance, in our opinion.
Additional Features:
- Les Paul Special: Hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: Coil-tap functionality on the pickups, adjustable via push/pull volume controls, offering a broader range of sound options.
Which Les Paul is the better value?
When I wrote this page the Les Paul Special was actually a little more expensive than the Studio Plus, so make sure to check the price guide above for updated numbers. But even if the Studio was the more expensive instrument, I think the value there is far better, especially if you're looking for a heavier, more modern, and more powerful guitar.
The Special is going to have less punch and more subtlety, given the single body piece and single coil pickups.
So there's an argument to be made for the Special if you're in lighter styles like blues or other genres that don't require thicker guitar tones.
But overall, I'd take the Studio Plus instead of the Special.
If you disagree or want to just share your thoughts on this comparison, feel free to reach out via the comments section below.
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