I'm trying to decide between these two. If I decide to buy the Studio (60s Tribute) it would cost me about $799, plus $150 or so for the hardshell Gibson case so around $950-1000 all said and done.
If I go for the Standard, it'll cost be somewhere around $2,600.
Let me start by saying that I am a preoffesional musician (full-time) and that this guitar is intended to last me the rest of my life. The Studio is in a beautiful worn honeyburst finish, and the Standard is in either an Ebony or Honeyburst of some sort.
My heart is set on the tone, look, and feel of the Gibson Les Paul, but I'm not sure which would be ideal. I'd have to wait a little while to be able to comfortably afford the Standard, but I can absolutely jump on the Studio any day, but I don't want to make any quick desicions.
Any opinions on what I should do? Wait it out for the Standard or is the Studio perfect?
Update:Typo fix: "Professional". I don't like typing on an iPad.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
I think that the Studio has far less tone control knobs. It doesn't have the feel of that Standard. It also doesn't fit to the modern times. But, it still depends on you.
The Standard, as the name implies, has more control knobs, and it has been put up to the standards of modern times, unlike the Studio.
But if you ask me, I'll get the Studio. But I recommend that you play both and compare. Its the easiest and most probable way of knowing what you want.
I'm sorry that I can't give you any in depth advice, as I have not owned one of these (too damn expensive), I picked my Stratocaster over the Les Paul. Cheaper, and IMO has better tone for my genre.
Less tone control knobs? What the hell are you talking about Jethro? It has exactly two tone control knobs, same as any Les Paul. First off I have to ask if you have played both. As a professional musician obviously you know not to spend that kind of money based on specs alone. As far as the differences, the Standard will use better wood than the Studio. Gibson has a pecking order as to which guitars get the better pieces of wood. Of course this can make a huge difference in tone/sustain. The Standard has a rosewood fretboard while the Studio uses baked maple. The Standard has better tuners and bridge and of course the AAA flamed maple top. One of the biggest differences will be the pickups. You can't really compare any humbucker to a P90. That's just personal preference. I love P90s and the only Les Paul I own is a '56 RI Goldtop with P90s I and love them, but if a humbucker tone is what you want then you will not be happy with P90s which are also a bit noisy. The Studio is a great workhorse a good Gibson for the money. If I were buy a guitar to keep and play the rest of my life I'd get the Standard if finances allowed.