Gibson Les Paul Studio Session IB
The Gibson Les Paul Studio Session IB pairs a familiar mahogany-and-maple build with ebony, two 57 Classic humbuckers, and coil-tap options. At $1,899, it offers useful tonal flexibility, though it comes with a gig bag rather than a hard case.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Gibson Les Paul Studio Session IB: Technical Review
The Gibson Les Paul Studio Session IB is a U.S.-made electric guitar listed in Iguanaburst, also spelled "Iguana Burst" in the detailed specifications. Its stated price is 1,899, and it has been available since April 2026. The listed item number is 640582. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is limited to the supplied specifications. It does not make claims about sound, comfort, build quality, or performance in use.
The instrument follows a familiar solid-body recipe: a mahogany body, maple top, mahogany set neck, and ebony fingerboard. The combination identifies the materials, but by itself does not establish the guitar's weight, resonance, or tonal character. The ebony fingerboard has trapezoid inlays and 22 frets. A single-ply binding runs along the neck, while the neck profile is listed as Slim Taper. That name describes the stated profile designation, not a measured thickness or a guarantee of how it will feel in a player's hand.
Scale Length and Neck Specifications
There is a small but notable discrepancy in the scale-length data. The summary lists 628 mm, while the detailed specifications give 629 mm and 24.75 inches. Those metric figures are close, but they are not identical. The detailed figure is consistent with the listed inch measurement after rounding, so 629 mm (24.75 inches) is the clearest published reference. Buyers who need an exact measurement should confirm it with the retailer or Gibson.
The nut width is specified as 42.5 mm (1.673 inches), and the nut is made by Graph Tech. The provided information does not identify the string gauge, fret dimensions, neck thickness, or factory setup. Those omissions matter for players comparing necks by detailed measurements rather than by profile name alone.
Pickups and Switching
The pickup configuration is two humbuckers: a '57 Classic Plus at the bridge and a '57 Classic at the neck. These model names identify the specified pickups, but no output measurements or frequency response are provided. The guitar has two volume controls with push-pull coil-tap functions, giving the player a way to alter the pickup wiring from the control itself. The specifications call this a coil tap; they do not explain the exact switching circuit or describe the resulting sound.
A three-way toggle selects between the neck pickup, bridge pickup, or their combined position. Two tone controls are also listed, with the description "Phase and Purse bypass." That wording is unclear and may contain an error in the source data. It would be unwise to assume what those controls do beyond the stated tone-control count until Gibson or the seller clarifies the function. In particular, the supplied details do not define a phase switch or explain what "Purse bypass" means.
Hardware, Finish, and Included Gear
The bridge is a Tune-O-Matic design, and the guitar has Grover Rotomatic machine heads. The hardware finish is chrome. A cream-colored pickguard is included in the listed specification, providing a visible contrast with the Iguanaburst finish. No tremolo is listed, which is consistent with the stated Tune-O-Matic bridge setup. The data does not specify the tailpiece, so no further hardware details should be inferred.
A gig bag is included. The general listing also says "Including Case: No," so the supplied information distinguishes the included bag from a hard case. A player who needs hard-shell protection will need to check whether a separate case is available. The sales unit is one piece.
Who Should Consider It
On paper, the Studio Session IB is aimed at players seeking a Les Paul-style guitar with a mahogany body, maple top, set mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, and two humbuckers. The coil-tap functions add switching options, though the precise wiring behavior and the ambiguous tone-control description should be verified before purchase. Its listed 22 frets, 42.5 mm nut width, and 24.75-inch detailed scale measurement offer useful comparison points, with the scale discrepancy worth noting.
At a stated price of 1,899, the specification sheet presents a defined set of materials and hardware, but it does not provide enough information to judge setup, finish execution, weight, or sound. Those are practical areas to inspect in person or confirm with the seller. The most important pre-purchase checks are the exact scale measurement and the functions of the tone controls. The included gig bag is documented; a hard case is not.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Mahogany body and neck with a maple top and ebony fingerboard.
- Two 57 Classic humbuckers, with a 57 Classic Plus at the bridge.
- Push-pull volume controls provide coil-tap options.
What bugged me
- A gig bag is included, but a hard case is not.
- The listed scale length differs slightly between the specifications: 628 mm and 629 mm.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players seeking a USA-made Les Paul with a Slim Taper neck and ebony fingerboard. Also suited to guitarists who want humbuckers with coil-tap options and a three-way pickup selector.Look elsewhere if
Less suitable for buyers who require a hard case in the box. Consider another option if you need a product listing with a single, consistent scale-length specification.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Iguanaburst
- Body
- Mahogany
- Top
- Maple
- Neck
- Mahogany
- Fretboard
- Ebony
- Frets
- 22
- Scale
- 628 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- None
- Including case
- No
- Incl. gigbag
- Yes
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Does the Gibson Les Paul Studio Session IB include a case?
It includes a gig bag. A hard case is not included.
What pickups are installed?
It has a 57 Classic Plus humbucker at the bridge and a 57 Classic humbucker at the neck.
Can the pickups be switched to a single-coil-style sound?
The two volume controls have push-pull coil-tap functions, providing additional pickup settings.
What is the scale length?
The specifications list both 628 mm and 629 mm, and also give the equivalent as 24.75 inches.
What are the main construction and hardware details?
It has a mahogany body and neck, a maple top, an ebony fingerboard, a Tune-O-Matic bridge, and Grover Rotomatic tuners.
The last word from the bench
This USA-made Les Paul combines a mahogany body and neck, maple top, and ebony fingerboard with a Slim Taper neck profile. Its bridge and neck humbuckers, coil-tap options, and three-way switch give players several ways to shape their sound. The Tune-O-Matic bridge and Grover Rotomatic tuners round out the hardware specification. Buyers should note that the package includes a gig bag, not a hard case, and the listed scale length has a minor discrepancy.
Hanging next to it
Gibson Les Paul Studio Session IB
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
Guitar Gear Reviews