Gibson Les Paul Studio vs Custom Shop - That Much Of A Difference?

In this video, we look at a Gibson Les Paul Studio and compare it to a Gibson Les Paul Custom shop to see if can really hear the £3000 difference in price.
Here's what Gibson say about the Les Paul Studio
The Les Paul Studio has been a popular choice of hard-working guitarists everywhere ever since its introduction in 1983. Now, Gibson USA brings increased sonic versatility and performance upgrades to a new Les Paul Studio as part of its big 2013 Year of Les Paul celebrations. The 2013 Les Paul Studio blends timeless tonewoods and components with improved comfort, powerful humbucking pickups with built-in coil-splitting switching for the added versatility of single-coil tones, and the classic looks that define it as a genuine Gibson Les Paul. To ram it all full speed into the 21st century, the 2013 Les Paul Studio is now also available with optional Min-ETune™ automated “robot” tuning, which can be added to your guitar with no internal modification for a nominal upcharge. All this, and the 2013 Les Paul Studio looks stunning in your choice of Ebony, Alpine White, Wine Red, or Vintage Sunburst finish, all in high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, or Goldtop with dark back and neck. A left-handed version is also available, and for an added touch of class, there’s a 2013 Les Paul Studio Gold Series, with gold-plated hardware and pickup covers, and a gloss top finish with satin back and neck.
Here's what Gibson say about the 57 Custom Shop
The Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Darkback Reissue VOS is oozing with classic tone and vintage-original-spec authenticity. Its eye-grabbing VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish captures the depth, richness, and hue of a genuine '57 Goldtop Darkback — one of the most iconic solidbody electric guitars ever made. Handcrafted by Gibson's elite Custom Shop luthiers, the 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Darkback Reissue VOS features top-shelf tonewoods, including a solid mahogany body and Chunky C profile neck, a two-piece maple top, and a silky smooth Indian rosewood fingerboard with 22 Historic narrow tall frets, Plek'd to perfection. Plug this beast into your favorite tube amp, and experience fat, snarling '50s PAF tones, courtesy of CustomBucker Alnico III unpotted pickups. Premium historical appointments, including cellulose Trapezoid inlays and vintage-style Kluson tuners complete this meticulous reissue.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[TenPester]

One thing I've found with playing a high end guitar is that you get out what you put in, which makes you want to play, fret the notes and sound better. It's such a personal preference as everyone's high end is different. But one thing i've noticed is that a really nice amp can also make the world of difference.

[marka]

No, replace the pickups, like the ones you put in your sheriton, get the studio setup really well by a top Luthier. Will sound and play as well as any custom shop Les Paul

[nohrtillman]

In the “clean test” going from the CS to the Studio, the Studio pickup switch was in the middle position. Almost always cuts the output down from neck or bridge position.

[SirVicc]

Might not be the pickups. The reissue has 500k pots, the Studio likely has 300k pots. That would make a big difference to top end and clarity.

[leejay]

I have a 93 LP studio in wine red just like that but with ebony fretboard (less common I think) I swapped the 490T and 490R pickups for a 57 and 57 plus, sounded much better. Just shows how good a studio can be without shelling out standard/custom prices

[jeffroq]

@ 1:51 James says - need to change these pickups - 1:51:01 I'm thinking Iron Gear something? Blues engines with an overwound in the bridge. Alternative - Tesla Sharks. Also James my old Studio had 490T/Rs and 300k pots as stock

[joeygentile]

A few online discussions are stating the 1980’s Studio’s came with Tim Shaw pickups. I had a 1984 Les Paul Custom that had Tim Shaw PAF pickups in it, so it’s possible that the info is pretty accurate.

[BamaDega]

I have had a few Les Pauls over the years. A 2008 Les Paul Studio, mahogany red, is the one I ended up keeping. It was $599 on sale, and new.

[jlu]

Gibsons of the era usually had 300k pots. That dullness is more likely contributed to that, and not the pickups in my opinion! Put in some 500k pots and itll even the playing field

[gben]

I have a Dean LP copy, made in Korea, sounds like a LP. Difference is the Dean has a nice back cut at the neck joint that allows for easier access to the upper frets. I think it's better than my 76 Gibson Pro Deluxe.

[MrMattsac]

I was always a skeptic of the custom shop, in fact Gibson guitars in general lagged behind other manufacturers for years in terms of their quality. However, having now owned one, I can say for certain that the custom shop Gibson's are worth it. The quality is significantly higher than the standard or studio lines. It's evident the minute you pick the guitar up.

[KRAZEEIZATION]

I'm planning on buying a Studio model very soon. Wine red, gold hardware. Mint 2010 with case. I best go buy a set of gold plated strap locks!
Here the CS sounds like a guitar you're listening to on a record while the Studio sounds like a guitar you'd use to make the record!

[TJauernigElectronics]

I’ve always heard that a really good LP should sound like a high output Tele

[mvenuti]

With the same pickups in each guitar, you can get the same sound. However, now that I’m 4 custom shop Gibsons in, I can say the feel is miles different.

[davepugh]

James, iron gear blues engine pickups would be a nice addition the the studio.but if you really want to make as good as the custom a set of Monty’s PAFs are ace and for hand made they are very reasonable and they sound just right 🤘

[johnladdsmusic]

They put the 490 series in Studios. I just changed mine out with Seymour Pearly Gates…wow different guitar!

[pwrmac]

I agree with what a few others have said, it is more likely that the custom shop has 500k pots and the studio has 300k, swap the pots and it will most likely open up the sound.

[johnnewman]

Call me crazy (and possibly YouTube compression distorts the listening impression more than commonly realized) but I didn't think the pickups in the studio sounded that bad. No they weren't as bright, but that's what the tone knob is for. If you roll down the volume a smidge and roll the tone all the way up you can brighten 498/490 pickups quite a bit. Raising the pickups might help too; the bridge pup (probably a 498) is fairly hot so people tend to lower them further than they should. Just a suggestion anyway. I've owned studio Les Pauls and Standards and no there isn't a huge difference in terms of what each as a tool will accomplish. However, a guitar, for most of us is far more than just a tool, which is really where the justification comes in for spending 3-5X as much for the very best Lester you can find. A studio is a tool, a Custom Shop Les Paul is an heirloom.

[robertgraham]

Great video. I am about to get a Studio so was great to see this. That piece of music you played at about 6:05 on the Custom! What was that? Absolutely beautiful, did you make that up on the fly? One day I hope to play like that.

[KelsterVonShredster]

Excellent video as usual....cheers and Happy Friday!