Gibson LP vs LPJ

I'm kind of facing a dilemma here. I've already read posts on a couple other forums, and I'm still not entirely sure on the matter:

I love the color white for Gibson Les Pauls. If it were based on looks alone, I would get a white Gibson LPJ. Not only do I like the color, but I like how everything is flat on the LPJ's. But the million dollar question: do they sound as good as a regular Les Paul, or even the Les Paul Studio? I'm assuming it's playability is the same, but I'm not too sure if the humbuckers sound the same.

Any advice?

~Rusty

I've been playing a lot of Gibsons lately . The biggest difference I find is in the pickups.
I'm not sure about those new zebra coils in the J models . Didn't try one of those . But I have herd good things.
My favorite Gibson picks are the 57 classics. In my opinion the sound way better than the rest.
Also watch the neck profiles. Very different from model to model .
I thing the studios sound a lot like their standard counterparts

Hi Rusty - Re: LPJ ... I've checked them out and agree that they have improved the Junior dramatically. Personally, I couldn't justify the extra $$ for a studio. The pickups would have to be a LOT better - which they're not (IMO).

In a year or so USED LPJ's will surface in the the $450-ish range at which point I would consider them a sound buy. In the meantime, I think you can buy a lot more guitar for the money you'd spend on a new LPJ or Studio - elsewhere. Ur a Gibson guy, I get that - both models are " better than they were " but the studio will hold it's value better. What-ever you decide on - consider doing a review on this site so we'll know how it went. Thanks/Good Luck

Are the LPJ's part of the "faded" series? If so, pay attention to how the frets are dressed, how the back of the neck feels, and how the fretboard feels. My Les Paul is a faded series LP. After 2011, the LPJ series too this over as I recall. If I run my hands up/down the sides of the fretbaord, I can feel the frets sticking out. The fingerboard wood is has a very rough finish that turns out to be very rough on my fingers after playing for an hour or so. The back of the neck has a very rough finish too.

Each of these things by themselves isn't too big of a deal, but all together it has caused me to become discontented with the guitar and made me realize you get what you pay for. When I pick up my american standard strat, it feels so smooth and refined in my hands compared to the LP. I wish I had spent the extra $$$ for a regular LP studio. I may sell this guitar and use it to fund a 2014 LP Studio Pro.

Just some things to look for when you are trying the guitar out.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Maggior: thanks for the heads up. I'm fairly certain that all LPJ's have a thicker neck, not the 60's slim taper that I'm used to. But I do have fairly big hands so maybe I'll like it. But not if the wood is rough at all!

I have a Fender Strat as well, and its fretboard is so smooth. Feels like butter when I bend the strings.

But either way, I'm going to get a Gibson for its chunky sound and its looks, but I'll make sure to get whatever model has the smoothest fret board.

I'll let you guys know what I get and how it works out for me!

~Rusty

Alright...

I just got back from Guitar Center a few hours ago. I played both the LPJ (2013) and the Studio (2014). I wanted to try and get the LPJ because that's the only one that's fairly new where you can get it in white, but honestly, I can't handle the thicker neck. One, because I'm not used to it. But an even bigger reason, as you get down to the higher notes, it's just too thick to be comfortable.

So I played the 2014 Studio, and it's awesome! They don't make it in white, so I wanted black but they didn't have one in the store. So they ordered a black one for me. I did notice that the frets kind of feel too high, so you feel bumps when you slide around on the neck. But they said their tech could file those down a bit. Hopefully that wouldn't mess with the intonation or something??

~Rusty

I'd be leary of having major fretwork done on a brand new guitar. That might invalidate the warrenty too. Basic setup like action and truss rod adjustments are different.

okay I'll keep that in mind. Except I did spend the money to get the all-out warranty for 3 years, which pretty much means even if I intentionally set the guitar on fire, they'd have to replace it.

The only thing it doesn't cover is theft, of course. Because how would they know that I'm not lying and just trying to get a second guitar haha.

~Rusty

Originally Posted by: bbzswa777I'm kind of facing a dilemma here. I've already read posts on a couple other forums, and I'm still not entirely sure on the matter:

I love the color white for Gibson Les Pauls. If it were based on looks alone, I would get a white Gibson LPJ. Not only do I like the color, but I like how everything is flat on the LPJ's. But the million dollar question: do they sound as good as a regular Les Paul, or even the Les Paul Studio? I'm assuming it's playability is the same, but I'm not too sure if the humbuckers sound the same.

Any advice?

~Rusty

I have had an LPJ (white) since June of 2013. I really enjoy playing it. The standard pickups could be changed at some point but for an every day player I like it. I have a LP Trad Pro II that is smoother but as far as tone, I am getting the same out of both guitars. I play through a Marshall DSL40 and a Blackstar HT Club40.
For an entry level LP the LPJ is a great value and is a good workhorse. I am happy with my purchase. Though I am adding the Minetune and 57 classic pickups to it. Think I'll have it for a while with those additions.