Gibson Les Paul Custom VS Studio: What are the differences?
Coil tap, two-piece vs AA Maple top, rounded vs slim taper neck and price
There are technical differences and practical differences when it comes to comparing guitars. And while there are - of course - technical differences between the Custom and Studio, the practical differences are hard to come up with unless you split some hairs. While the Custom is certainly nicer, with more historicity attached to it, the Studio Plus is a far better value and one of the most ideal meetups of price and quality that we can recommend. The coil-tap in the Studio, two-piece Maple top in the Custom, and small rounded vs slim taper neck are the three main differences.
| Specification | Gibson Les Paul Custom | Gibson Les Paul Studio Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody | Solidbody, Ultra-modern Weight relief |
| Body Shape | Les Paul Custom | Les Paul Studio Plus |
| Body Material | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Top Material | 2-piece Plain Maple | AA Maple |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Color | Ebony | Bourbon Burst |
| Neck Material | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Rounded | Slim Taper |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" | 12" |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Mother-of-Pearl Blocks | Acrylic Trapezoids |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium Jumbo | 22, Medium Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Nut Width | 1.6875" | 1.695" |
| Nut Material | Corian | Graph Tech |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Tune-O-Matic with Stopbar | Nashville Tune-o-Matic with Stopbar |
| Tuners | Grover Kidney | Grover Rotomatics |
| Neck Pickup | 490R Humbucker | 490R Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | 498T Humbucker | 498T Humbucker |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 2 x tone | 2 x volume (push/pull coil-tap), 2 x tone |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | Gibson, .010-.046 | Gibson, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case | Softshell Case |
The Gibson Les Paul Custom is one of the nicest and most historical electric guitars money can buy, but it's not cheap. The Studio is a far better value. Image via Caveman Vintage Music
The Gibson Les Paul Studio is one of the highest-value electric guitars on the market. It's pictured here on the left, while the Les Paul Custom is on the right (I think it's the Epiphone version in this photo). Image via Austin Moore
5 Big Differences Between the Les Paul Custom and Studio
Top Material and Body Finish:
- Les Paul Custom: 2-piece Plain Maple top with a Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: AA Maple top with a Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish. The Studio Plus features a Bourbon Burst color.
Neck Profile and Fingerboard Material:
- Les Paul Custom: Rounded neck profile with an Ebony fingerboard.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: Slim Taper neck profile with a Rosewood fingerboard adorned with Acrylic Trapezoid inlays.
Weight Relief:
- Les Paul Custom: No specific mention of weight relief.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: Ultra-modern weight-relieved body for reduced weight, providing extra comfort for extended sessions and performances.
Tuning Machines:
- Les Paul Custom: Grover Kidney tuners.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: Grover Rotomatics tuners, known for their stability.
Coil-Tapping and Controls:
- Les Paul Custom: No mention of coil-tapping. Controls include 2 x volume, 2 x tone.
- Les Paul Studio Plus: Coil-tappable 490R/498T humbucking pickups, providing versatile tonal options. Controls include 2 x volume (push/pull coil-tap), 2 x tone.
The Custom or the Studio? Which Les Paul is the better value?
The biggest distinguishing features like a Maple top, humbuckers, and hardware are all pretty much the same between these two guitars. And yes, there are quality differences between the two-piece Maple in the Custom and AA Maple in the Studio, but we are looking for practical differences for the average buyer.
For most of you, I'm speculating that the tweaks and nuance of the Custom is not going to be enough of an improvement for you to justify the cost, unless you're really set on that particular guitar's specs and attention to detail. Just to recap, the main differences include:
- Two-piece VS AA Maple top
- Rounded VS slim taper neck
- Price
- Coil-tap VS single three-way pickup selection
I believe the Studio Plus is a vastly better value, and will make the most sense for the largest number of potential buyers.
More Gibson Les Paul Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amps & Roundups
Written by Guitar Chalk on Electrics & Roundups
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