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Average Price: $1,200

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$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

The Gibson Les Paul Smartwood is an electric guitar that beautifully marries sustainability with classic rock heritage. Designed for the environmentally conscious musician, this guitar features responsibly sourced tonewoods, delivering the iconic Les Paul sound while minimizing its ecological footprint. The Smartwood series highlights Gibson's commitment to sustainability without sacrificing the quality and performance expected from a Les Paul.

This model provides the rich, warm tones and sustain that have made the Les Paul a staple in the guitar world. Its chambered body design not only reduces weight for increased comfort during long sessions but also enhances its resonance. Paired with a set of high-output humbuckers, the Smartwood delivers a versatile range of sounds, from smooth jazz to hard-hitting rock.

The neck is crafted for playability, offering a fast and comfortable feel that suits both intricate lead work and solid rhythm playing. Aesthetically, the Smartwood maintains the classic Les Paul look, with a natural finish that celebrates the beauty of its unique wood grain. This guitar is not just an instrument, but a statement of craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.

Key Features:

  • Chambered body design for reduced weight and enhanced resonance
  • Responsibly sourced tonewoods for sustainability
  • High-output humbuckers for versatile sound
  • Comfortable neck profile for improved playability
  • Classic Les Paul aesthetics with a natural finish

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Les Paul Smartwood Exotic
Finish Ambay Guasu (Light Natural), Banara (Yellow Natural), Canacharana (Dark Brown Natural), Curupay (Dark Brown Natural), Peroba (Light Brown Natural), Taperyva (Brown Natural)
Year 1999 - 2002
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown, Tan
Fretboard Material Curupay
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul Studio
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Smartwood

FAQs

What makes the Gibson Les Paul Smartwood unique compared to other Les Paul models?

The Gibson Les Paul Smartwood is unique for its use of sustainable exotic woods, offering a variety of natural finishes like Ambay Guasu and Curupay, which not only contribute to its distinct appearance but also its tonal characteristics.

What type of pickups does the Gibson Les Paul Smartwood have?

The Gibson Les Paul Smartwood is equipped with a dual humbucker pickup configuration, providing a rich, warm tone suitable for a variety of music genres, from rock to blues.

Is the Gibson Les Paul Smartwood suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Gibson Les Paul Smartwood is well-suited for live performances, thanks to its solid mahogany body and set-neck construction, which offer great sustain and stability on stage.

How does the fretboard material of the Gibson Les Paul Smartwood affect playability?

The Gibson Les Paul Smartwood features a Curupay fretboard, which is known for its durability and smooth feel, enhancing playability and allowing for easy movement across the frets.

Can the Gibson Les Paul Smartwood handle different music genres effectively?

Absolutely, the Gibson Les Paul Smartwood is versatile and can handle various genres such as rock, blues, and jazz, thanks to its dual humbucker pickups and solid body construction, which provide a wide range of tones.

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Muiracati-ah-what Top? 2007 Gibson Les Paul Smartwood Studio Review and Demo

Video thumbnail for Muiracati-ah-what Top? 2007 Gibson Les Paul Smartwood Studio Review and Demo by The Trogly's Guitar Show

Muiracati-ah-what Top? 2007 Gibson Les Paul Smartwood Studio Review and Demo

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for Gibson Smartwood Les Paul Studio by solidbodyguitar

Gibson Smartwood Les Paul Studio

solidbodyguitar

solidbodyguitar

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Smartwood.

Build quality

  • The guitar features a satin finish on both the neck and body, offering a different tactile experience compared to standard Les Pauls.

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  • The use of swamp ash in the body is highlighted for its unique tonal characteristics and distinct visual appeal.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report the guitar can have low action issues, with strings touching frets, requiring a setup for optimal playability.

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Comparisons

  • Despite being 2/3 the thickness, it has a similar weight to early 2000’s Les Paul Standards, providing a chunky feel.

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Features and functionality

  • The Smartwood series integrates eco-friendly and eco-certified woods, with the top made from Chancarana and the neck and back from mahogany.

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User experience

  • The comfort cutaway is reminiscent of a Strat, making it appealing to those used to that body style.

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  • The green leaf on the truss rod cover distinguishes early Smartwood Exotics, while later models have different features.

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  • Owners note a significant weight difference, with some finding it the lightest Les Paul they've used, while others report it as heavy, likely due to wood variations.

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  • The guitar's weight varies significantly; some report it as only 8 lbs, contributing to its appeal for those seeking lighter Les Paul models.

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Mods and upgrades

  • One owner swapped the pickups for Seymour Duncan Black Winters, enhancing the guitar for death metal tones.

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  • Owners recommend DiMarzio Air Classics for versatility, inspired by Paul Gilbert’s endorsement, enhancing the guitar's adaptability across genres.

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Value and pricing

  • One owner acquired their Gibson Les Paul Smartwood for $500, citing it as an exceptionally good deal given its condition and features.

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  • Current market trends suggest these guitars can sell for around $1,000, though this is based on limited availability and sample size.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
steve_underhill

Gorgeous looks, LP tone and sustain on a budget

Sometimes found as the "SmartWood Exotic", this Gibson was made in a few varieties. The early ones from the late nineties featured several optional top woods harvested from sustainable rainforests in cooperation with the Rainforest Alliance. Features mahogany back and neck, 490R and 498T humbuckers, and a distinct flat black headstock plate omitting the usual Les Paul logo.

Despite the lower weight and slimmer profile, the Smartwood has the distinctive tone and sustain of a larger, pricier LP, and is capable of achieving a blistering sound thanks to the 490/498 humbucker setup. Was around $1,000 new, and usually found around $700 in 2015.

jimmarchi1

my buddy had a great smartwood 335, he traded it to another of my friends for a fancy tele who promptly traded it for a AVRI jazzmaster, they were both crazy, the smartwood exotic guitars look and sound amazing

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