Gibson Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio
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| Gibson Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio | |
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| Manufacturer | Gibson USA |
| Period | 2003 — present |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Solid |
| Neck joint | Set |
| Woods | |
| Body | Swamp Ash |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony or Rosewood |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Tune-o-matic |
| Pickup(s) | Dual Humbucking |
| Colors available | |
| Natural Satin | |
The Gibson Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio is a solid body electric guitar produced by Gibson USA.
Contents |
[edit] Background
The Gibson Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio was introduced in 2003 alongside the Les Paul Voodoo. These two instruments were essentially identical except for the Voodoo's dark finish, "Goth" aesthetic and it's different complement of pickups.
[edit] Features
[edit] Construction
All Gibson Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio guitars are built in Nashville, Tennessee USA.
The body of the Swamp Ash Les Paul consists of a carved swamp ash top over a multi-piece swamp ash back. The neck is made from mahogany and is "set" into the body (as opposed to being bolted-on). This is the standard neck construction for all Les Paul guitars. The fretboard may be either ebony or rosewood (depending on production year).
[edit] Electronics
The Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio features two pickups; one at the bridge position and another at the neck (as is a standard feature of nearly all Les Paul model guitars). A Gibson 490R Alnico magnet humbucker is installed at the neck and a Gibson 498T Alnico magnet humbucker is located at the bridge position.
Controls consist of two volume, two tone, and a 3-way selector switch. A standard 1/4-inch guitar cable jack is located at the bottom rim of the instrument.
[edit] Variations
[edit] Fretboard
Early Swamp Ash Studio guitars (aprox. 2003 - 2004 model years) were produced with ebony fingerboards. These models are significant in that they lack any fingerboard markers (a somewhat rare feature among Les Paul models). They are preferred by many players not only for the choice of fingerboard wood, but also for the more minimalist appearance created by the unadorned fingerboard and the striking contrast of ebony on "raw" ash. Many consider the "ebony" Swamp Ash Studios to be collector's items. However, the market as-of-yet does not seem to reflect that.
Current models feature a rosewood fingerboard with dot inlaid fingerboard markers.
[edit] Orientation
A relatively-small number of Swamp Ash Les Paul guitars have been produced in a left-handed configuration.
[edit] Certification
All of the swamp ash used in the Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio is certified environmentally "responsible" by the Rainforest Alliance via their SmartWood program. The Rainforest Alliance is accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Gibson is independently audited on an annual basis by the Rainforest Alliance to ensure that only FSC-certified swamp ash is used in the construction of the Swamp Ash Studio and Gibson's SmartWood line of instruments[1].
[edit] Production Figures
As of 2006, Gibson only released production numbers for limited-run models with production set at the time of announcement. According to Gibson, the Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio is a "limited edition" model. Despite this, exact production numbers are currently unavailable.
Total production for Gibson's swamp ash guitars will depend on the availability of environmentally certified wood.[2]
[edit] Notable Users
Gabriel Lai, a punk rock guitarist in the band fLucker
[edit] External links
- Gibson Les Paul Swamp Ash fact sheet
- TopGuitars.info Review
- The Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program
- "SmartWood commitment extending across Gibson USA" by Michelle Nikolai
[edit] References
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| Black Beauty (Custom) · Doublecut · Junior · Standard · Studio · Swamp Ash Studio | |
