I have a Telecaster and wanted to add the option of humbuckers to my existing single coil choice. Of course, the Gibson brand with its mighty heritage and reputation (and also price!) had been in my mind for some time. Looking at various flavours of Les Pauls I began to favour the Studio option, in particular the Studio Session Cobalt Blue. Why the Studio? Apart from the price, I didn’t feel I was losing much with a lack of binding on the body amongst other minor cosmetic differences. The difference between the Studio models and the Studio Session models was more pronounced. The Sessions feature an ebony fretboard and for my taste better mechanics amongst other things, so when I came across the Modern Studio Wine Red Satin at a very competitive Thomann price the choice became even easier.
While I was making my selection, it was difficult to really discover what I was ordering beyond the actual guitar itself. This is what was in the beautiful package when it arrived:
- A nylon guitar strap (Gibson-branded) cheap-ish looking and simple but practical if you don’t already have one
- A Gibson-branded cleaning cloth
- The rhythm/treble circle to stick over the pick-up switch if desired
- Keys for tightening and exchanging strings
- Hand signed-off warranty card
- Free trial offer for Gibson learn to play app
- Beautiful premium “softcase” in black, Gibson-branded. This is not a gig bag but a rigid case with a soft outer faux-leather finish
The case is a definite plus in my view.
Back to the guitar, it is absolutely stunning: the satin finish is a real eye-catcher and very comfortable to play, especially moving up and down the neck. The ebony fret board is a joy to touch and the tapered heel makes it very easy to reach those higher frets. The sound is out-of-this-world: The pickups are a delight and the 4 push-pull volume/tone controls provide an endless variety of sounds which I am still happily exploring.
The Gibson Les Paul Modern Studio WRS has all the essential ingredients of the Les Paul if you don’t mind not having the body-binding, is of the highest quality and is designed to be played and enjoyed.
I have nothing really negative to say, although I would mention that the shape of the Les Paul in general is less comfortable on the lap - it tends to slide where my Tele remains steady.
From the Thomann side everything was absolutely 100% spot-on.
