Gibson Les Paul Double Cutaway Studio 1998 - Heritage Cherry Sunburst

There is something about a late-’90s Gibson Double Cut that just feels right. It has the familiar Les Paul weight, punch, and sustain, but the double-cut body gives it a faster, more aggressive personality that makes you want to keep moving up the neck. This 1998 Gibson Les Paul Double Cutaway Studio has exactly that feel — a properly broken-in USA Gibson with a killer Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish, a fast neck, and the kind of honest wear that makes it feel like a guitar you can actually enjoy playing.

The Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish is especially cool on this one. The bright amber center fading out into the deep red edges gives it a very classic Gibson look, while the visible grain and natural finish aging give it a ton of character. It is not a sterile collector piece, and that is part of the appeal. This is a real player’s Gibson with a story already built into it.

The double-cutaway design is one of the best things Gibson has ever done with the Les Paul formula. You get the solid mahogany feel and punch you want from a Les Paul, but with easier upper-fret access and a sleeker, more athletic body shape. It feels comfortable in the hands and has a much more effortless feel when you are working above the 12th fret.

Tone-wise, this one delivers exactly what you would hope for. The original pickups are punchy, responsive, and have that unmistakable Gibson midrange that sits so well in a mix. It can cover thick rhythm tones, gritty classic-rock crunch, and singing lead sounds without feeling overly compressed or muddy. The neck has just the right amount of natural worn-in feel, and it plays fast and comfortable without feeling overly thin or unfamiliar.

This example has been thoughtfully upgraded with locking tuners and an upgraded wraparound bridge. The locking tuners make string changes easier and help keep things stable, while the upgraded bridge is a meaningful improvement for intonation and everyday usability. It retains the original pickups and the core character of the guitar, but it is set up to be more practical and reliable for someone who actually plans to play it.

It has recently been set up, the intonation is spot on, and the frets are in excellent condition. The guitar plays great and feels like it has already been properly opened up over the years rather than needing to be babied.

Condition is very good overall with plenty of honest cosmetic wear. There are scratches, dings, and small marks throughout the body, as shown in the photos, but nothing that affects playability, structural integrity, or functionality. It is the kind of wear that gives the guitar personality without taking away from what makes it special. The back and sides show normal player wear, and the finish still presents beautifully from a few feet away.

A hard case is included. The case is stickered and has its own lived-in character, which honestly suits the guitar perfectly.

What stood out to me

• 1998 Gibson Les Paul Double Cutaway Studio
• Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish
• USA-made Gibson
• Classic double-cut Les Paul body shape
• Easy upper-fret access
• Original Gibson pickups
• Punchy, responsive humbucker tone
• Fast, comfortable worn-in neck feel
• Upgraded locking tuners
• Upgraded wraparound bridge for improved intonation
• Recent setup
• Spot-on intonation
• Excellent fret condition
• Honest player wear with scratches, dings, and small finish marks
• No functional issues
• Includes hard case

Like all my guitars, this one has been carefully inspected, tested, and set up to ensure it plays exactly the way a great instrument should. I personally go through every guitar before it ships so there are no surprises when it arrives.

⏳ Quick note

These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 1–5 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window.