Gibson Les Paul SmartWood Studio Electric Guitar (Muir Body, with Case)

Made of "Smart Wood" that is harvested without destroying the environment.

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Gibson Les Paul SmartWood Studio Electric Guitar (Muir Body, with Case) reviews

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68 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

7 People wrote reviews

Read all Gibson Les Paul SmartWood Studio Electric Guitar (Muir Body, with Case) reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"Better than the studio, almost all you'll need"

Feature:
Gold hardware is beautiful. Wood finish is also very eye-catching. Pictures do it no justice. Its funny that this is supposed to be environmentally built, but the neck is mahogany just like every les paul. Tuners working great so far but I prefer the grovers.

Quality:
Very well built, looks like it will last forever, especially with that kind of finish. The gold is easier to keep from rusting or aging than Nickle. When it arrived truss rod needed slight adjustment, probably because it went through some cold temps. Most new guitars need a little tweaking. Worst aspect of quality is probably the case because little lose ends of the sewing keep appearing and multiplying.

Value:
Yes, for the kind of sound you'll get from this guitar you could spend $500 more than this easily. This has got to be the only Paul with gold hardware in this price range. The pickups aren't as hot as the ceramics in more expensive models, but man they are close enough. I think they saved money on the non-lacquer finish, which is fine since it looks so good.

Desirability:
For me, such a unique twist on a classic instrument is a very desirable thing.

Sound:
Sound is great for a wide variety. Rhythm position is good for use in jazz and clean stuff, sings when distorted. Middle position is generally solid sound, growls when distorted. treble gets twangy and screams when distorted.

Ease of Use:
I like how there are separate volumes and tones for each pickup, it allows you to switch instantly between high contrasting sounds. However it gets confusing in the middle position, especially when you mess with either tone, or both volumes, they should wire them so one or the other takes over in middle position, not both. bridge functions well, but fenders are better since you can individually adjust string action.

Support:
Talked to Gibson on the phone. Helpful and kind, relatively quick. However he didn't know anything about a "Gibson Les Paul studio with BFG electronics" I was asking about. Well it's one of their guitars of the week so they should be informed.

Overall:
I held off on writing this review. I wanted to play it for a while and get a good sense of the guitar. I've played for about 6 years. I've owned and sold many guitars but I'll always keep this thing. Sometime down the road I might also want a more traditional Les Paul or maybe an es 335 because I am obsessed. However, for most people, this is a stand alone guitar. Get this and a fender with single coils and you will have every sound you can imagine. I have a fender highway one telecaster and they complement each other's sounds quite nicely.

Submitted: 12/4/2007

Style of Music: rock, alternative, jazz, blues

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* * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

Gibson Les Paul Smartwood Customer Review

Feature:
I don't mind the "antique" tuners but would have preffered gold Grovers. Nothing much to say about features. It's a Les Paul. The carved back near the top is AWESOME. Taking that corner away where it digs into your ribs is a great idea as well as relieving some weight. I can have this guitar slung on my shoulder all day and not get tired or sore. I can last about 30-45 minutes on a CUSTOM before the fingers in my left hand goes numb.

Quality:
Gold Grover tuners would give it a 10.

Value:
It is comparable to a Les Paul Studio without the high polish. $1000 is the most I would pay, understanding that it is the standard inflated Gibson price. Like it or not, you are paying to have that GIBSON name on the guitar.

Desirability:
It caught my eye immediately when I saw it. It was unique. It's a great travel electric. Leave your expensive Standards and Customs at home.

Sound:
Describing tone in words is a little hard but I'll try. The attack is brighter and crisper than a thicker/heavier Les Paul Custom or Standard. Almost strat like but still a heavier Les Paul humbucking sound. I own 2 68 Custom Reissues, a 59 reissue, a 2005 Supreme and a 1999 Studio and this plays the closest to a Studio, just a tad crisper. Great for Rock and Blues but hard to get a clean jazz tone that a CUSTOM is more suited for.

Support:
Gibson support is great. I just wish they had more information on some of their custom shop models.

Overall:
If I had to sell any of my LPs, this would be the first one to go. Not because of playability, but for colectible reasons.

Submitted: 12/7/2005

Style of Music: Folk, Blues, Rock, Jazz

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About This Product!
Description
Multimedia
For years, the guitar has been used as a tool by socially conscious musicians to spread a positive message. It only makes sense that the guitar upholds the same values as the artist who plays it. With these principles in mind, Gibson has introduced SmartWood guitars, a line of instruments made of "Smart Wood" that is harvested without destroying the environment. The Studio features a great-looking Muir top, with shades of Brown to Red and irregular strips of Dark Brown and Grayish-White, a Mahogany neck with a Preciosa fingerboard, Gibson 490R and 498T humbucker pickups and gold hardware including a Tune-o-matic bridge.

Technical Info

Body: Carved Muir

Neck: Mahogany

Neck Profile: '59 Rounded Les Paul

Fingerboard: Preciosa

Inlay: Dot

Scale: 24Ó in.

Nut Width: 1-11/16 in.

Bridge: Tune-o-matic

Tailpiece: Stop bar

Hardware: Gold

Pickups:
490R Alnico magnet humbucker
498T Alnico magnet humbucker

Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way switch

Strings: Les Paul Signature .009-.046

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