Les Paul Studio Limited Edition 1996 (video)

For your consideration: a stunning Les Paul with a story. Built on August 22, 1996, this Gibson Les Paul Studio is virtually a closet queen. It seems to have hardly been played. I am a firm believer that a lot can be known about the life of an instrument by studying its case. See the photos: this case (with classic pink “California Girl” interior) has never known the road. The condition of the guitar itself is amazing for a thirty-year-old instrument. There are various minor dings and other imperfections, but these are eclipsed by the dazzling beauty of the finish. I am a stickler for a glass-like back of the neck: indeed, this one is smooth as a baby’s bum. The finish is so gorgeous I couldn’t help removing the pickguard and pickup switch ring to expose more wood. But I reinstalled both, as you’ll see in the photos. As a player, I can attest that the neck is chunky but fast, the frets are in great shape, the action is low and the pickups scream. (Please see the YouTube short I recorded below for a demonstration with moderate dirt.)

So what’s the “story”? It pertains to the “Limited Edition” label, and also to the notation on the original receipt “Special Instrument.” In a letter dated August 2000, an anonymous prior owner wrote:

“I called the guys at Gibson to ask about the ‘Limited Edition’ stamp on the back of the headstock.” According to the letter (which I will include with the sale) the Gibson representative looked up the guitar and said he believed it was:

"a 1 of 1/ one of a kind and that I should hold onto it. He told me that they used a lower quality top on the Studio model Les Pauls because they were painted solid colors…He said that they were probably making a run of Studio model Les Pauls and ran out of the lower quality tops and borrowed a high end piece from another run. He went on to say that the luthier building the guitar probably could not bring himself to 'hide' such a pretty top with a solid finish so he got permission to do something special and went with Heritage Cherry Sunburst.”

I can’t speak to the authenticity of the letter, but the instrument is certainly “special.” This is not a studio “lite” guitar. It is a heavyweight, and with the tone to match. A real deal American Les Paul from the middle of the “good wood“ era that will turn heads.

Nut width: 1-11/16”

Weight: 9 lbs 3.4 oz 

If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to ask!