this is what the inside of a new Les Paul Studio looks like

[Help!I'maRock!]

I think you're right, but if they are just figuring this out now (which indicates that at least somebody there has a brain, and which bodes well for their future), it also points to an overarching lack of vision
for the last several decades, in terms of modern manufacturing management, as well as a serious dsyfunctional/dissociative situation between production, marketing, and general management. It's quite frustrating to the guitar buyer player, I think because they really hit on something. once upon a time, and have never really figured out what that was, and tried to capitalize on the brand rather than the product that gave them that brand in the first place.

i agree.

also, it should be noted that i have only been able to find two models, the Standard and Studio, that have this new weight relief as part of their spec. everything else is still either chambered or "traditional weight relief". so while it makes sense to me that they would apply this new pattern to the entire line, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Mark Wein]

i don't think the business is going to be wrecked (anybody who wants to talk about the political aspect can PM me or talk on HCEG, i'm not discussing it here). i think this new chambering has more to do with consolidating the many different ways they make their LPs. the Standard was chambered one way, the Traditionals were swiss cheese, the Studios were chambered a different way because of the short tenon, etc. by standardizing all of their bodies, they can make more guitars and their workers have a smaller margin for error. then it's just a matter of wood grade, electronics, and finishing that determines if it's a Standard, Traditional, Studio, Faded, etc.

Makes sense. I just feel like its possible for them to make a great guitar, but they're becoming just as well known for their missteps these days. I just hate seeing old companies like this either go under from mismanagement or just stray too far from what made them great for no good reason.

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

Makes sense. I just feel like its possible for them to make a great guitar, but they're becoming just as well known for their missteps these days. I just hate seeing old companies like this either go under from mismanagement or just stray too far from what made them great for no good reason.

remember that Rickenbacker factory tour video with the stoned guy from Premier Guitar magazine? Jim Hall says that they went through their product line and found the examples of what people considered the "quintessential models" and programmed those models into the CNC. Ric doesn't even have an import line. and yet, guitarists still complain about small necks, high prices, and other issues. can't please everybody but you can do what you do better than you did yesterday. this could be the next step for them.

 

[Mark Wein]

remember that Rickenbacker factory tour video with the stoned guy from Premier Guitar magazine? Jim Hall says that they went through their product line and found the examples of what people considered the "quintessential models" and programmed those models into the CNC. Ric doesn't even have an import line. and yet, guitarists still complain about small necks, high prices, and other issues. can't please everybody but you can do what you do better than you did yesterday. this could be the next step for them.

hopefully.