As a 19 year old I bought my ebony LP studio gold new on 20 October 1994, I still got the receipt (and the guitar), How time flies, girlfriends came and went but the Les Paul stayed 🙂. Didn't realize these early ones are so revered these days but hearing it makes me even more proud to own one from new. Glad I never sold it and I never will!

When I hear the phrase, “Les Paul Studio,” this is the guitar that pops into my head.

I own the '93 one with the gold hardware and it beats down any recent production Studio that I've tried hands down! A real keeper!!!

You need to make a shirt: "Bit of buckle rash, but nothing toooo bad."

I've owned one of these bad boys from new. Got it back in 1994 as a half-savings/half-birthday present. It now has yellowing to the inlays, lacquer checking everywhere and new Burstbuckers added. And it's not going anywhere. I've owned other Studios too, but these early '90s ones shit on all of them. Even a 2008 Standard that I had felt like a toy compared to it.

I'm obviously LTTP, but I just wanted to say "THANK YOU" for this video. I had the itch to get a Les Paul a few months ago, came across this video after feeling a tad guilty researching guitars worth more than my actual skill allowed for, then found a good deal on a 1993 Wine Red Studio with the Ebony fretboard at Guitar Center. I ordered it right away and, after swapping the pickups to Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers (I prefer vintage spec'ed pickups), it's been my favorite guitar to play ever since. It's really resonant for having a relatively thick finish. Looks like an aged version of the Gibson Heritage Cherry finish. And sounds good through every amp and effect I own. Not to mention the Ebony fretboard is just a joy to play on. Thanks again for taking the time to do these videos on guitars that might not be worth a fortune, but are still wonderful players and instruments in their own right!

no way to compare this Guitars with the studio series after 2000's.... this 90's are amazing

1993 Studio. Wine red. Ebony board. Metal Gibson tuners. $680 new out the door. Awesome guitar. 🎸 Enjoy (almost) as much as my 2006 Black Custom. 💗

I have a '94 Les Paul, ebony paint, ebony fretboard, and gold hardware. I've contributed some dings to it, but it looks gorgeous as hell. Sounds and plays great. You can see it in some of my old videos on my channel.

I have a wine red 94 studio that is just amazing. It sounds completely pissed off and is one of my favorite guitars.

I've got a '95 Studio in wine red, but it doesn't have the ebony fretboard. It has a very nice quality piece of rosewood. Unplugged the tone is somewhat different to other Les Pauls. The bass E does not really have the piano like tone, but is softer and more woody sounding.

I bought my ‘94 in Feb of ‘95. I still own it. It’s my baby!!

I h ave a 93 Wine red with gold hardware, it is amazing, my go to on the road, I have played shows with it for 15 years now. Paid $650 for it in 2003.

I had a 1994 Ebony Standard LP. BEST GUITAR I EVER OWNED! I’ve read forums about early 90’s LP. There is definitely something special about those years. A commenter who says that he use to work at the Nashville plant during that time. He states that the quality of wood was top notch back then. Gibson was trying rebuilding their reputation after the Norlin years. I very much agree Gibson did just that.

My 94 studio has mahogany top and rosewood fretboard - I changed machine heads to Schaller and had Victor Smith from Flatbush Stringed Instruments make a new bone nut and a fret-job. Have had it from new. Really love that guitar.

I own one of these exact models I got from a craigslist sale for 400 dollars, kind of felt bad. Kid didn’t know what he had.

I recommend a Studio to anyone looking at a Epiphone. There is something to a USA Gibson that is their own. Not a fan of the 498’s but other than that, it is a great quality guitar. I own 2-70’s Custom that I move had for 25 years, a rare 3-pu SG LP custom, VOS Gold Top, TV Special and a studio. I leave the Studio at our studio (no pun intended) and that’s what I write and practice with. I took it on tour with me all over the world (easily replaceable if I need to) in a band that needed a LP player, never an issue. It is a solid great guitar. Great to mod, change out pu’s and just play. Sounds the same as my expensive ones, the feel is different but it is a Gibson.

I have a white 94 studio. Bought it new, for $699 but today (2021) she is more of an ivory. And honest to god it sounds as good as any standard I’ve played. Better than a few of them. Had a few offers for it but never getting rid of it.

I bought my black and chrome LP Studio new in 92’ after my first guitar was stolen. It's been through hell and back with me and now I’m doing a complete restoration including a professional strip and refinish. As tempted as I get to try another LP, this one is special and still plays great despite the many years of abuse. From now on, it’ll be treated like gold.

I traded my 94 studio to my son for his 90's SG The 90's were good years for Gibson. I have a 93 J45 that is also a fine guitar

Looking at my 96 right now, it’s worn, love wine red with the gold that I have worn back to the chrome with my arm on the bridge and pickups, I kept everything standard because this was made perfectly and it kicks the ass out of my 2020 les Paul standard… I mean this really was the golden age for Gibson and the fact it’s the same as a standard or custom but with a plain THICK maple top and no binding I mean they are amazing. I wouldn’t ever sell mine I would sell a few of my other guitars but not this one

I have a black 1990 studio with the ebony . Nothing ever changed on it . I also have a lp standard and a 335 . The studio is with out doubt the best guitar I have ever owned and as he says …. NOT FOR SALE

I have -96 with rosewood fretboard and now I ordered -94 with ebony fretboard. These are so good guitars 😋

I have one of these identical to this one. My parents bought me one back in 94 and I still play it to this day.

My 1996 Les Paul Studio had a case but then again my parents bought it for me in 1998 without my knowledge so maybe they added it on...but I don't think so. I was under the impression that in the 1990's the studio was the level where you started getting a hard case while Specials had a gig bag.

Oooh thanks Trogly! London Underground busker here who plays mostly electric fender violin, but I take a Les Paul studio out occasionally. Bought it 2007 from Fulham Vintage Guitar emporium. They said it was a 97, but they still managed to convince me to part with £800 cos it was pretty much as new apart from the Grovers. I liked it for its ebony fingerboard and the grovers. I've bashed it about a bit, snapping the neck twice and repairing it with superglue. After I'd done that I wasn't too much bothered about leaving the coins I'd busked up in the case with it. Then I saw this review and thought 'Hang on, it can't be a 97 cos of the ebony fingerboard'. Had a look at the serial behind the headstock. I think whoever put the grovers on gave it a sand and refinish cos only 6 digits were visible. I didn't initially realise this, entered them in to a serial search engine and it said '1970s era' and I thought 'eh?' so I had a look at the pots and misinterpreted them as 1979 and thought 'Hang on, is this a really early prototype?' then thought about the grover mods, so I entered the serial in to the search engine again making up the last 2 digits myself 92633456 and got 20th September 1993. Which I'll take as 'sometime in 1993'. I'd never sell this guitar cos it's the only Les Paul I'll ever need or want, but it's nice to know that me thinking to myself when I bought it 'This one must have accidentally fallen in the magic potion while they were making it.' was partially correct.

I like the studios! Excellent guitar and you can find em reasonably priced all day. I have a 2009 and a 2012 and they both rock! The 09 is a Jem. Both have the faded finishes which I really like. Simple, reasonably priced gig rocking machine!

My '95 has Ebony fretboard.well I thought it was a '95 but going by this it is actually a '94! Cool!

my 97 studio is amazing, it was white? at one time in its life, now its a almost YELLOW ish fucking awesome

I have one and it's by far the best Gibson i've ever owned and that includes CS.

I wouldn't swap my 1997 ebony studio for nothing and the scratches and dings make it have character. I've swapped out the bridge for a roller bridge and the nut for a bone nut. Like your studio keep putting out the videos.

I have the exact same guitar, color, year, everything. I love mine as well - really nice guitar, it's a keeper for me.

I had a 92 with ebony board. All original. Sold it for approx. 700 US dollars. Didn’t know what I had, but I didn’t play it because of the weight.

I have one of these. It's even slightly older ('93) but mine is in a better condition and still sports its original tuners. I bought it used in '95 : this guitar still surprises me (pleasantly) after all these years every time I play it.

Hello!!! I'm a fan.... I recently bought a 91 studio and it is just like this one... mine is black. And I bought it for the reasons you stated. It's a great guitar... I have a respectable les paul... and it didn't crush the bank. Thanks... love the show

I have a wine red/gold hardware '95 Studio. Bought it in 1995. Missed by one year!

I have a black '93 Studio, bought it in summer '93 and it had the same case. Excellent guitar, not worse than my Standard.

My brother bought a 1990 black studio with chrome hardware brand new. Amazing guitar still today.

I have what I thought was a '96...but the first two numbers of the serial are 92. So it's a '92 model then? I thought only the 6-digit serials used that YYxxxx format?

You can hear in the video, in the JMP part of it, that this Studio, like mine, kicks SERIOUS ASS when it comes to distorsion, that makes it so fun to play.

I have a ‘91 studio same colour but different.. all original but it has had the headstock repair back in 2000... love it! Came with the golden nobs & pickup covers; & beautiful wood through the stain - it rocks!

I just bought same guitar. Same year as well. Mine was upgraded with Seymour Duncan JB pups n CTS pots n wiring.

I got a 97 ebony w/ gold hardware. If you like these pots that's on you but mine WERE some small junk and the wiring was some plastic cheap wire. I changed all the cheap stuff to better quality kind of stuff. Like CTS 550 pots and cloth wrapped 22 gauge wire, Tonespro locking bridge, Kluson locking tuners, Tusc XL nut. Now it rocks. If I could just get better hands working it then it would be perfect. L O L. Great guitar goes so nicely next to my Amer Deluxe plus Strat. The Paul also came with 496/500 pups and a Chainsaw case for $800 used many yrs ago.

I have 2 1990 Studios. Funny thing is they sound quite different but both are excellent instruments. I had an R8 but sold it because while excellent, it was no better than the Studios

My '98 has dot inlays / rosewood fingerboard / and a Gibson case - all bought new in 1998.

Thank you for your detailed analysis of guitars. I have learned something each time. I find this guitar most pleasant.

I have a 1994 Wine Red Studio that could be this guitar’s twin! The ebony fretboard is so much prettier than the rosewoods you get now. I wouldn’t sell mine unless I was down to my last penny, and even then I would be hesitant to let her go. Best guitar I ever had and the price paid brand new was the best deal I’ve ever seen for a Gibson made Les Paul!

I hear the reason those years are so good is that the quality control guy threw out a sh!t ton of average and bad guitars, only keeping the best. At that time they also used the same woods as the customs, I hear. My '92 studio lite has ebony too; but mine has the 500t pickup combination. Super bright!

I have an 07 Alpine White Les Paul Studio with an ebony board and the same specs. It plays and sounds as good or better than any other Les Paul that I have had or played. I have owned and played many.

Mine (an early 96er) also have the dot from the "i" in the Gibson logo moved a little to the left. I've seen this before in other LP Studios from the 90's. I think this has been corrected through the years, but it freaked me out the first time I realized that on my guitar.

Picked one up last year love it. Though this things a brick, so after a long day of work I prefer my light prs. But on the weekends I have alot of fun with this guitar.

I have a 93 chrome hardware its a beast of a guitar

I have one of these from the 90's. Mine is still is excellent condition. The workmanship is very good. I did change one pickup though.

Strange but I’ve played and heard a few studios that seem to really out play much more expensive models.

I got an 05 studio with ebony and a hard shell case. Had it drive 05 I love it. Burstbucker pros pick-ups

Have you ever seen one of these with actual wear like vintage Les Pauls would get? (I mean, discounting the fact that a 1990s Les Paul is pretty much vintage now as it is.) Because I’ve got a 1992 Studio - wine red like this - and the finish is like a tank where I had a lacquer Tele for a year or so and saw forearm wear (just discoloration, but you could see where it was headed) before my time with it was done. But I’ve been playing that Studio for DECADES and - I know this sounds super shallow - but I want that playtime to be visible.

Hi Trogly! Can you do a neck comparison video sometime? Im thinking of comparing a 90s 59 profile with the 50s and 60s profiles of today maybe how they compare to customshop necks like a R8, R9, or V1 2 3 like on the R0-s. I havent seen any content in this subject but I think it would be very interesting. At least for us nerds :D

Prices of even the Studios have jumped the last few years. Pre pandemic $650 ones now are 950-1100 and have neck repairs. Seeing some decent 90s ones but mainly late 90s

Yes the 90s came with gig bags and the interior on them is a dark green

I have the same studio, but mine is black and it looks badass with a ebony fretboard ✌

I've traded my beloved best 1993 American Blackie maple fretboard stratocaster for this kind of Gibson Les Paul studio

That is a nice one. Guys around here would strip off the finish and tung oil them which really made them scream. Great example.

Also from 1994, Trogly's shorts at 10:24

I have 3 of this LPstudio 90!! The Good Wood Era..as they call it...the 90's studios are exactly like 90's Standard but with no "make up"(custom is another story :D) ... the pots you got are originals...there's not hardcase with these...they originally comes with a black gig bag like today.... the idea from Gibson behind that is basically Studio were for Recording studio and Standard were for live concert.. the sound is exactly the same. Nowdays are a completely different story...from the early 2000's the quality of the studio is dropping down...now we are at faded stuff..etc...

I have the exact same case too.

Awesome! My guitar!! Same color same everything! Bought it used from a friend for 400 bucks way back in the mid 90's... I love it, I really need 2 polish mine she's gone from gloss to almost flat! Great review bro, I have been looking everywhere to learn more about her, I love the ebony fret board, Last forever, I just checked my serial # and its 90881525... Does that mean it's a 90? She does have an ebony fretboard like that 94, If I remember right I bought it from a buddy in 92, Maybe they used ebony from 90 to 94? I have another friend of mine that liked it so much back then he bought a new one in 95 and he has a rosewood fretboard... Just wondering if mine, wine red, chrome hardware, ebony same everything as what you have in the video, is a 90 or 94 like yours? Thanks bro

I have a 1991 lespaul and im not sure if its a studio or a standard, there wasnt a rod cover because my friend gave it to me and it was used a lot,

Dude that 1 wat Marshall kicks ass ! Awesome guitar

Tengo exactamente la misma Studio. Es hermosa, la compre en 1993. Tener el puente puesto al revés. Las séllelas tienen que tener la caída para el lado del tailbar.

1993 ebony frets and gold hardware ;-)

My 94 studio came with that exact case from guitar center. Paid $450 for the guitar.

I have an opportunity to buy one of these in wine red as well. Not sure if an original case is part of the deal though. Did they originally sell with a hard case or gig bag back in the 90s?

Came with a brown Gibson hard shell case, I believe in 1993 they were an option.

Hi! How does a studio lite 93 compare? Are they worthy?

Love my '94 Studio

Rub a black sharpie on the scratches then wipe it right off with your finger. The marks almost disappear. Then Armor All the case. Looks like new! Well, almost anyway.

Why mine 1994 studio have rosewood fretboard? Are also desirable???

ANOTHER AWESOME VIDEO!!!

Well done.

Hello Trogly and Friends! I just wanted some help dating my own 90's Les Paul Studio. It's black with rosewood fretboard and dot inlays. If I read the serial as 1st and 5th digit it dates as a 1999, however if I read the serial as first two digits as Trogly mentions in the video it would date as a 1990. Hmm I'm perplexed with this one

Mine is a wine red 1995 and I don't have the ebony fretboard :( but my case is nicer :p a gibson brown outside pink inside case I think it is the same as very expensive gibsons. But yeah we don't play cases.

I have a beat up authentic relic one of these with a headstock repair I bought around 20 years ago. If anyone is intrested it's up for swap or cash offer. Good way to own one without paying top price.

Nice...a '98 model has just come up for sale near me. I'm gunna do it. (".)

Had the same one except mine was ebony.

I now have a 97.

I've got a 92 studio

What about a guy who doesn't really like Gibson binding and the nibs that often have a gap where the fret ends. Playing along fine then "jink" the high E gets into the gap. Unbound boards all day. Decorative anyway.

I just bought a 1990 les paul studio. And the everything checks out under a black light. But the made in USA stamp is very faint. Is that normal for a studio of that age? Thanks in advance.

My guitar teacher has one exactly like this

I love my 94 but mine doesn't have ebony fret board

This is great ✊

Love all ya vids,,just making me jealous

I have a 94 but for some reason mine has body cream molding.

I have a question my serial no. is 92687469 what year was made?

hey man, what's a good year for a les paul within say 1300 dollar price range, I am going to buy one and I need help I've been a strat person all my life and lps are new to me!

Does he ever play it? I gave up after eight and a half minutes of minute dissection of the scratches.

My '92 studio lite is awesome... my '97 regular studio is... meh, just ok.

Does the 2005 model have ebony??

It came with a gig bag

i have so many dings in the head of my guitar, it looks like a battering ram