The essentials to know about the Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio "Smokehouse Satin"
- Lightweight "Ultra Modern" mahogany body with maple top for warmth/attack balance and extended comfort.
- SlimTaper profile neck, modern contoured heel, and bound ebony fingerboard with compound radius for smooth playability up to the last frets.
- Versatile electronics: 490R/498T humbuckers, coil tap, phase inversion, and "Pure Bypass" for sounds ranging from bright single-coil to thick vintage/modern rock.
- Black nickel hardware, satin nitro finish "Smokehouse Satin," and soft case included: a sleek, professional, and effective look.
An icon reimagined for the modern era
A direct descendant of the legendary Les Paul Studio, the Modern Studio retains the "no-frills" DNA that has made the model famous in the studio and on stage, while incorporating improvements from the Les Paul Modern. The compound radius ebony fingerboard, contoured heel, and expanded electronics place this version at the crossroads of classic and contemporary, with an ideal positioning for discerning guitarists seeking the reliability of a Studio and the flexibility of a Modern.
For whom and for what styles?
Perfect for intermediate to expert guitarists, this Les Paul excels in rock, hard rock, blues, and metal, while also opening up to funk, pop, and indie thanks to the coil tap and phase control. Its SlimTaper neck and optimized access to the upper frets make it a great partner for fast solos, precise rhythms, and sessions where one switches between registers.
The sound
The duo 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge) delivers a wide palette: warm mids and smoothness at the neck, incisive attack and tight projection at the bridge. The coil tap offers a brightness closer to a single coil, the phase inversion creates very musical scooped textures in the middle position, and the Pure Bypass sends the signal directly to the output for maximum clarity and dynamics. The mahogany/maple combination enhances sustain and definition, while the Tune-O-Matic/Stopbar duo ensures stable intonation and exemplary note hold.
Recommended compatible accessories
Opt for a set of 10?46 nickel strings (original gauge), a hard case type Les Paul for optimal protection, a comfortable leather strap, a curved capo for 6-string electric guitar, and a quality 1/4" / 6.35 mm jack cable. A floor stand will ensure safe storage at home or in the studio.
Technical specifications
Body
- Body shape: Les Paul
- Body material: Mahogany
- Top: Maple
- Weight relief: Ultra Modern
- Finish: Satin nitrocellulose lacquer "Smokehouse Satin"
- Binding: Single black ply (fingerboard)
Neck
- Profile: SlimTaper with modern contoured heel
- Scale length: 24.75" / 628.65 mm
- Fingerboard: Bound ebony
- Fingerboard radius: Compound
- Frets: 22, Medium Jumbo
- Nut: Graph Tech
- Nut width: 43.053 mm / 1.695"
- Fingerboard width: 57.404 mm / 2.26"
- Inlays: Acrylic trapezoid
- Neck/body joint: Set neck (glued), modern contoured heel
Electronics
- Neck pickup: 490R (humbucker)
- Bridge pickup: 498T (humbucker)
- Controls: 2 push/pull volume (coil tap), 2 push/pull tones (phase & pure bypass)
- Pickup selector: 3-way toggle
- Output jack: 1/4" / 6.35 mm
Miscellaneous
- Bridge: Nashville Tune-O-Matic in aluminum
- Tailpiece: Aluminum stopbar
- Tuners: Grover Rotomatic Keystone buttons
- Pickguard: Black
- Truss rod: Adjustable, black 2-ply "Studio" bell cover
- Control knobs: Black Speed
- Selector tip and washer: Black (washer not mounted)
- Pickup rings: Black
- Covers: Black jack plate and control covers
- Strap buttons: 2
- Original string set: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
- Case: Soft case
- Accessories: Gibson accessory kit included
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