Gibson Les Paul Studio Session DPB

Gibson Les Paul Studio Session DPB review

The Gibson Les Paul Studio Session DPB brings a familiar Les Paul foundation together with expanded pickup controls and a striking Dark Purple Burst finish. Its mahogany body and neck, AA flamed maple top, and ebony fingerboard set out a classic specification, while push-pull volume controls add options beyond the standard three-way pickup selection. The guitar has been available since July 2025, is made in the USA, and lists for $1,839.

Buyer feedback describes a notably clean instrument, with no visible blemishes and no reported fret buzz. One owner said it arrived nearly in tune, though not perfectly. That is a useful distinction: the reported setup was close, but players should still expect to check tuning and setup after delivery. The same owner praised the instrument's low weight and comfort during extended playing. No weight figure is provided, so that impression should be treated as an individual report rather than a guaranteed specification.

Construction and playing feel

The core materials are mahogany for the body and set neck, maple for the top, and ebony for the fingerboard. The top is specified as AA flamed maple, with trapezoid inlays and single-ply neck binding. The Dark Purple Burst finish gives the figured maple a strong visual role. One purchaser felt the top looked especially impressive in person and said photographs did not capture the color well. Appearance will vary with lighting, but the feedback suggests the finish is a major part of this model's appeal.

The neck has a Slim Taper profile, a 43.5 mm nut width, and a 628 mm scale, also listed as 24.75 inches. There are 22 frets, with a shaped heel intended to improve access to the upper frets. A buyer specifically praised the neck profile and upper-fret reach. These details make the guitar worth considering for players who want a relatively slim neck and easier access high on the fingerboard, though personal comfort depends on hand size and playing style.

Pickup range and controls

The pickup configuration is two humbuckers, identified as 57 Classic models at the neck and bridge. The control layout includes two volume knobs with push-pull functions for coil tapping, phase switching, and pure bypass, plus two tone knobs and a three-way toggle. This gives players several ways to reshape the basic humbucker sound without changing guitars.

One owner highlighted the range, describing the tapped settings as approaching a brighter, more single-coil-like character, while the full humbucker sound delivered a much thicker response. That is a useful account of the available contrast, not a promise that coil tapping will exactly reproduce a dedicated single-coil guitar. The practical strength here is having more tonal options at hand, from leaner sounds to fuller humbucker output. The provided specifications do not detail the precise switching combinations, so players should check the instrument's control documentation to confirm how each push-pull function operates.

Hardware and included accessories

A Tune-O-Matic bridge, Grover Rotomatic tuning machines, and chrome hardware complete the listed hardware package. There is no tremolo system. The guitar ships with a gig bag, but not a hard case. That distinction matters for players who regularly travel with their instrument or need the added protection of a rigid case. The included bag offers a ready-to-carry option, though buyers who require a hard case should budget for one separately.

Verdict

The Les Paul Studio Session DPB looks strongest as a flexible, well-equipped take on the established Les Paul format. Its mahogany-and-maple construction, ebony fingerboard, Slim Taper neck, and 22 frets cover the essentials, while the push-pull controls broaden the range beyond a fixed humbucker setup. Buyer reports are particularly positive about finish quality, playing comfort, and tonal variety. One purchaser who had previously been wary of Gibson's quality control reported excellent craftsmanship on this guitar.

At $1,839, it is a considered purchase, and the included gig bag rather than a hard case is worth factoring in. The available feedback also includes a complaint about a long wait before the guitar reached the retailer, attributed by the buyer to Gibson's delivery process. That is not a measure of the instrument itself, but it may matter when timing an order. For players drawn to the Dark Purple Burst finish and looking for a Les Paul with several useful switching options, the Studio Session DPB has a compelling specification and encouraging owner feedback.