I have a Fender Am Pro ii Strat in SSS configuration and I like it for clean sounds but lately my taste has changed and I'm craving for a Les Paul for all kinds of rock sounds (alternative/classic/hard rock). I've tried and listened to several Les Pauls from different brands and none of them clicked with me. I don't have the budget for a Custom Shop but I can go up to Standart if I really decide on it with a little bit of saving money. I don't wanna buy any of them second handed.

I know it's all preference and everyone has different tastes but I just wanna be satisfied and don't wanna get second thoughts after a while. I need honest comments from people that actually went through my train of thought.

I have thought of the new LP Studio's which is instantly available to me financially at the moment but to be honest, when I think of a Gibson Les Paul with my eyes closed, I picture Les Paul Standart aesthetics and can't help not to. Studio's or Studio Sessions on paper has some modern features that sounds fun at the beginning (thinner neck, weight relief, tonal options etc.) I tell myself: "don't you just want the classic Les Paul sound?" I'm really choking here, maybe this post will make things worse but I just wanna get out of my head and decide finally. I want to play at home and on gig's as well. It's gonna be my main guitar for hard rock sounds.

It's got an ABR-1 straight to the top, vintage small post tuners and a custom shop case.. is this some kind of custom sho limited run?

So I made a post a week or so ago about purchasing a Gibson and I found two that I wanted to try out. I ended up ordering both from guitar center. One is a 2025 LP Studio Session (Blue) and the other is a 2009 LP Studio Deluxe (Silverburst). One of them has to go back though and I plan to shoot them both out side by side to see which I like better.

I’ve played both and they’re both great playing. The 2009 is a lot more beat up than the listing was leading on, many dings and chips and scrapes for a “great” condition guitar and for the price in my opinion. The 2025 is pretty much mint.

What other things to consider other than playability and sound? Which would you guys consider over the other?

Pretty self explanatory. I'm not too big on teles or strats but I like the sound. Do you think LP Juniors or Specials would do the job?

Gibson celebrates 100 years of flat-top guitars with the Custom Acoustic Anniversary Collection. Explore all 5 limited-edition Bozeman models today.

Grabbed this Beauty for $650 with gibson hardcase, Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Slash pickups, and the guy threw in the stock pickups too. How did I do?
Also, pickguard ON or OFF?

New SS bourbon burst. I know some will say more less than paul but I actually love the design of this guitar. There’s a neck cut away for easier access to higher up on the neck, push/pull knobs for coil splitting and phasing , ebony fretboard with neck binding and weight relief but still coming in at a tick under 9 lbs.

I can’t wait to get to know this thing!

Hello! I’ve got an SG ‘90 Double (string through, thank god). Does anyone have any bright ideas for pickups replacements? I find them anemic.

I could do a hot rails in neck,,, and I guess any humbucker in the neck. Would love to hear your ideas!

While we’re here… adding a bigsby would be weird with the string through right? Like, looks wise. Tryna balance that weight!

Thanks everyone!