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

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

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

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

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
 
 
 
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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.

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Gibson Les Paul Smartwood Customer Review

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
 
 
 
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.

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Gibson Les Paul Smartwood Customer Review

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Has all it needs.

Quality:
Beautifully made. Have had it for years & looks as beautiful & works as well as the day I bought it!

Value:
Really a great value for a very unique axe.

Desirability:
People are always telling me what a beautiful guitar this is & how great it sounds. Friends often ask to borrow it for gigs.

Sound:
Not as muddy as an LP Standard when playing chords but missing some of the tradiitonal LP growl when playing individual note lines.

Ease of Use:
Would prefer the thinner 60's neck, but that's a matter of personal taste only. I have professional player friends who love the '59 LP neck shape.

Support:
Never needed it, but Gibson has followed-up with communications about caring for the wood & finish twice since I purchased it.

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"Great guitar made for rockin but at a great price."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Hemp Case

Quality:
One of the best made guitars made for a reasonable price.

Value:
Yes it is worth every dollar.

Desirability:
yes it has appeal

Sound:
None

Ease of Use:
It is a very playable and has kick ass tone.

Support:
Only a GIBSON is good enough.

Overall:
This meets all of the goals i have had for sound.

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"WELL MADE GIBSON, BUT A LITTLE PRICEY."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Excellent plush hardshell case. Kind of cheap plastic tuning pegs, but gold hardware looks great against the striped wood body.

Quality:
Very well crafted. Perfect in every way except for the plastic tuners. Dont know if that is standard for Les Pauls these days.

Value:
Kind of high dollar. Cant compare to other since its the only guitar I own. Might consider adding an SG to my collection but this one seems to be worth the price. Wouldn't spend any more than 1000 on it.

Desirability:
Beautiful looking guitar. Aesthetically 10, if it had trapezoid inlays I would give it a 12.

Sound:
Good sound. Nice treble & Bass balance. Sounds good distorted and holds up very well with a clean tone. Sustain is incredible. Nice low action guitar.

Overall:
I will be keeping this one as long as I play guitar. It is very well made and one of a kind.

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"Prices on this instument vary alot. It definately worth 1000 but I would not pay double that"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
The features are pretty standard for this guitar

Quality:
As should be expected excellent quality

Desirability:
Nice Looking

Sound:
Excellent sound for the price of a Les Paul. I will sustain forever if you let it

Support:
No support needed

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"Vewy noice"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Nothing special, but what it has it has done right

Quality:
Very well built - it's a Gibson

Value:
Definitely worth it

Desirability:
Oh man it's so pretty... i'd make love to it *runs away*

Sound:
Great substain and overall tone

Support:
Haven't needed any...

Overall:
Everyone always wants more guitars... but this one would last for a long time.

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