1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard Tobacco Sunburst Vintage USA Electric Guitar, (Used)

The 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard in Tobacco Sunburst is a highly desirable mid-1980s USA-made Les Paul that sits in an interesting space between the stripped-back Studio concept and the more traditional Les Paul Standard format. With its classic single-cut body, carved maple top, mahogany body, set neck construction, rosewood fingerboard and dual humbucker layout, it delivers the warmth, sustain and punch players expect from a vintage Gibson Les Paul.

This pre-owned example is listed in Very Good condition, meaning it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

A strong choice for collectors, working guitarists and Gibson enthusiasts, the 1986 Les Paul Studio Standard offers proper vintage character, mid-1980s Gibson appeal and a practical player-focused specification for rock, blues, classic rock, indie, punk, alternative and studio work.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Studio Standard
Year	1986
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst
Country of Manufacture	Made in USA
Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Body Shape	Les Paul Single Cutaway
Body	Mahogany with Maple Top
Neck	Set Neck
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Pickup Configuration	HH
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic with Stopbar Tailpiece
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Main Appeal	Mid-1980s USA Gibson Les Paul with Studio Standard specification
Best For	Rock, blues, classic rock, studio work, live performance and Gibson collectors
Skill Level	Intermediate to professional

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard is in Very Good condition. This means it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership, but remains fully functional and ready to play.

Very Good condition is ideal for players who want a clean and dependable vintage guitar with normal signs of age and use, while still retaining strong overall presentation.

What’s Included?

✔ 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard Tobacco Sunburst Electric Guitar
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This guitar shows light signs of previous use such as small marks, light surface scratches, minor dings, lacquer checking or general age-related wear consistent with a Very Good condition vintage instrument.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing. The guitar has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.

Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment

This pre-owned 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Electronics tested
• Humbuckers checked
• 3-way pickup selector tested
• Volume and tone controls checked
• Output jack tested
• Frets inspected
• Rosewood fingerboard checked
• Neck condition assessed
• Tuners checked
• Tune-O-Matic bridge checked
• Stopbar tailpiece checked
• Hardware inspected
• General playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

This Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Hardware checked
• Bridge setup checked
• Intonation checked

Please note that guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.

Why Choose The 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard?

Mid-1980s USA Gibson Appeal

A 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard is a genuinely interesting vintage Gibson. These guitars come from an era when the Studio line was still relatively young, and the Studio Standard offered a more traditional Les Paul feel than the plainer Studio models.

Studio Standard Specification

The Studio Standard combined the player-focused Studio concept with appointments that moved it closer to the Les Paul Standard format. That makes it a desirable option for players who want vintage Gibson tone and feel without needing a heavily ornate instrument.

Classic Les Paul Tone

With its mahogany body, maple top and dual humbucker layout, this guitar delivers the thick, sustaining and mid-rich Les Paul voice that works beautifully for rock, blues, classic rock, punk, alternative and lead guitar.

Tobacco Sunburst Finish

The Tobacco Sunburst finish gives this Les Paul a classic vintage look. It suits the mid-1980s Gibson character perfectly and gives the guitar strong visual appeal on stage, in the studio or as part of a collection.

Set Neck Sustain

The set neck construction contributes to the solid, connected feel players expect from a Gibson Les Paul. It gives the guitar excellent sustain, strong resonance and a reassuringly substantial playing response.

A Strong Player’s Vintage Les Paul

This is not just a collector’s piece. A Les Paul Studio Standard from 1986 is still a very usable working guitar, offering the sound and feel needed for rehearsals, recording and live performance.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard vs Gibson Les Paul Studio

A standard Les Paul Studio is designed to deliver Les Paul tone with fewer cosmetic appointments. The Studio Standard adds more traditional Les Paul styling and specification, making it a more desirable bridge between the Studio and Standard models.

Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard vs Gibson Les Paul Standard

A Les Paul Standard usually offers the classic full-production Les Paul package with more familiar appointments. The Studio Standard gives players a more unusual mid-1980s Gibson option with strong vintage character and a slightly more specialist identity.

1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard vs Modern Gibson Les Paul Studio

A modern Les Paul Studio offers current Gibson production features and modern reliability. A 1986 Studio Standard gives players the feel, age and character of a vintage USA Gibson from a much earlier Studio-era period.

Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard vs Epiphone Les Paul

An Epiphone Les Paul can be an excellent value choice, but a USA-made 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard offers a higher level of collectability, vintage appeal and authentic Gibson build heritage.

Who Is It For?

Gibson Les Paul Players

This guitar is ideal for players who love the Les Paul format and want a less common mid-1980s Gibson model.

Vintage Guitar Enthusiasts

Collectors and vintage fans will appreciate the 1986 year, USA construction and Studio Standard specification.

Rock And Blues Guitarists

The dual humbucker layout, set neck construction and Les Paul body shape make it a natural fit for rock, blues, blues-rock and classic rock.

Studio Musicians

The Les Paul Studio concept was built around the idea of delivering the sound players need in the studio, and this Studio Standard continues that practical appeal.

Live Performers

The straightforward control layout, humbucker power and strong sustain make this a dependable stage guitar for players who want classic Gibson tone.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard is well suited to:

• Rock
• Classic rock
• Blues
• Blues-rock
• Punk
• Indie
• Alternative
• Hard rock
• Pop
• Soul
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rehearsals
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Pedalboard-based rigs
• Players wanting a vintage USA Gibson Les Paul

Educational Section: Why Choose A 1980s Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard?

The Gibson Les Paul Studio was introduced to give players the core Les Paul sound in a more practical, less ornate package. The idea was simple: keep the tone, feel and recording usefulness, while reducing some of the visual appointments found on higher-end models.

The Studio Standard is especially interesting because it sits between the more stripped-back Studio and the more traditional Les Paul Standard. It retains strong player appeal while offering a more distinctive place in Gibson history.

A 1986 example gives players a vintage USA-made Gibson with the warmth, sustain and punch associated with the Les Paul design, along with the added interest of being from an earlier Studio Standard production period.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Gibson Les Paul, vintage electric guitar or pre-owned USA-made instrument? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: The Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard

The Les Paul Studio line was created for musicians who wanted the sound of a Les Paul without paying for the more decorative features of the Standard or Custom models. The Studio Standard took that concept and added back some of the more traditional Les Paul-style appointments, creating a model with its own identity.

Produced during the 1980s, the Studio Standard has become increasingly interesting to players and collectors because it represents a specific chapter in Gibson’s Les Paul history. It is not as common as a regular Studio or Standard, which gives it additional appeal on the pre-owned market.

This 1986 Tobacco Sunburst example captures that appeal well: vintage Gibson character, classic Les Paul feel and a specification that makes it a serious player’s instrument.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Studio Standard
Year	1986
Country of Manufacture	Made in USA
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst
Body Shape	Les Paul Single Cutaway
Body Material	Mahogany
Top Material	Maple
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Neck Material	Mahogany
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Scale Length	24.75"
Nut Width	1-11/16"
Number of Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	HH
Pickups	Dual Humbuckers
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Pickup Selector
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Stopbar
Hardware Finish	Chrome
String Configuration	6-String
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Power Requirements

No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric guitar and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard or audio interface.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard Tobacco Sunburst is a superb vintage USA-made Gibson for players who want classic Les Paul tone with a more unusual model identity. Its mahogany body, maple top, set neck construction, rosewood fingerboard and dual humbucker layout give it the warmth, sustain and authority expected from a proper Les Paul.

This Very Good condition example is a strong choice for collectors, studio players and live guitarists looking for a characterful mid-1980s Gibson with real player appeal.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

What condition is this 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard in?

This guitar is listed in Very Good condition, meaning it shows light signs of previous use while remaining fully functional.

Is this Gibson Les Paul made in the USA?

Yes. This is a USA-made Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard.

What is the finish?

This guitar is finished in Tobacco Sunburst.

What makes the Les Paul Studio Standard different from a regular Studio?

The Studio Standard sits between the simpler Les Paul Studio and the more traditional Les Paul Standard, offering a more traditional Les Paul feel than the stripped-back Studio format.

What styles does this guitar suit?

It suits rock, blues, classic rock, hard rock, indie, alternative, punk, studio recording and live performance.

Is this suitable for collectors?

Yes. A 1986 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard has strong appeal for collectors and players interested in less common vintage Gibson models.

Is this suitable as a main gigging guitar?

Yes. The dual humbucker layout, set neck construction and Les Paul format make it a dependable option for stage use.

Does it require a battery?

No. This is a passive electric guitar and does not require a battery.

Is this good for recording?

Yes. The Les Paul Studio concept was built around practical recording usefulness, and this Studio Standard offers a strong, mix-ready humbucker voice.

Can I try this guitar in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Gibson Les Pauls, vintage electric guitars and pre-owned USA-made instruments.