The Les Paul Studio Session is one of Gibson’s more interesting modern takes on the Studio platform, keeping the familiar carved maple-over-mahogany Les Paul construction while adding several features normally associated with more contemporary models. This 2024 example is finished in Honey Burst over a genuinely attractive AA figured maple top, with an Ultra-Modern weight-relieved mahogany body, mahogany neck, bound ebony fretboard, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and a SlimTaper profile with Gibson’s modern contoured heel for noticeably easier access to the upper frets.

The Honey Burst really suits this particular top. The figuring is strongest around the outer portions of the body and changes quite a bit depending on the light, while the center stays relatively clean and understated. Combined with the cream pickguard, pickup rings and amber knobs, it has much more of a traditional Les Paul appearance than most guitars carrying the Studio name. The exposed mahogany back keeps the whole thing from feeling overly dressed up.

Electronics are also much more versatile than a typical Les Paul. Gibson fitted these with a ’57 Classic in the neck and a hotter ’57 Classic Plus in the bridge. Both volume controls are push/pull for coil tapping, while the push/pull tone controls provide phase switching and Gibson’s Pure Bypass function. That gives you the normal full humbucker sounds, brighter tapped tones, the hollow out-of-phase middle-position sound, and the ability to send the bridge pickup directly to the output for the shortest possible signal path. It is a surprisingly deep control layout while still looking like a completely traditional four-knob Les Paul.

Hardware includes Grover Rotomatic tuners with Keystone buttons, an aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece, and a Graph Tech nut. The ebony board and SlimTaper neck give this one a noticeably quicker, smoother feel than a traditional thick-neck Les Paul, and the modern heel contour is something you immediately appreciate once you start playing higher up the neck.

This guitar is in very good overall condition and is honestly much closer to excellent cosmetically. The body, neck and fretboard are all extremely clean, with only some very light buckle rash on the back keeping me from calling it truly like-new. The frets are excellent, it has fresh strings, the intonation is spot on, and it recently received a setup with comfortable medium action. All electronics tested perfectly and the pickups and hardware remain original.

It includes the original Gibson soft shell case along with the complete pictured case candy and paperwork.

What stood out to me

• Beautiful Honey Burst AA figured maple top
• ’57 Classic neck and ’57 Classic Plus bridge pickups
• Push/pull coil taps on both pickups
• Phase switching and Pure Bypass functions
• Bound ebony fretboard
• SlimTaper mahogany neck with modern contoured heel
• Ultra-Modern weight-relieved mahogany body
• Grover Rotomatic tuners and aluminum Gibson hardware
• Fresh strings, excellent frets and spot-on intonation
• Very clean overall with only light buckle rash on the back
• Original Gibson soft shell case
• Complete pictured case candy

Like all my guitars, this one’s been cared for and dialed in—no guesswork, no surprises, just a great instrument that’s ready to play. I personally inspect and test every guitar before it ships, making sure it’s in the exact condition I’d want to receive myself. These guitars come from me, not a shop—each one gets the kind of attention and care only a real guitar lover gives. Ships fast and insured.

⏳ Quick note: These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 3–7 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window!