Gibson Les Paul Studio Premium Plus 2006 - Natural

This 2006 Gibson Les Paul Studio Premium Plus is exactly the kind of Les Paul that makes people stop scrolling. The Studio line has always been about giving players the core Les Paul experience without unnecessary flash, but the Premium Plus takes that formula and dresses it up with one of the best-looking tops Gibson was putting on Studios in this era. The natural gloss finish lets the carved flame maple top do all the talking, and this one has a seriously strong, wide, consistent flame that moves beautifully across the body.

This one is in excellent condition all around, with hardly any visible wear and a very well-cared-for feel. The body, neck, and frets are all excellent, the fretboard is clean, the electronics test perfectly, and it has been restrung and recently set up with comfortable action and spot-on intonation. It weighs just 6.61 lbs on my scale, which is extremely light for a Les Paul, but it still has that lively resonance and solid Gibson feel you want when you pick one up.

The Premium Plus model was a short-lived upgraded Studio variant from the mid-2000s, known for its carved figured maple top, mahogany back, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, trapezoid inlays, Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece, gold hardware, and classic Gibson dual-humbucker layout. Reverb’s model guide notes that the Les Paul Studio Premium Plus was produced from 2006–2008 and featured the same rosewood fingerboard and 490R/498T humbucker setup as Studios of the era, with the upgraded flamed maple top and finishes including Natural. Sweetwater’s 2006 NAMM coverage also lists the model with a AAA maple top, mahogany back, mahogany neck, 24.75" scale length, and ’59 Les Paul rounded neck profile.

This guitar sounds absolutely incredible. It has the warmth and sustain you expect from a Les Paul, but what really stands out is how clear it is. Some Les Pauls can get thick to the point of feeling muddy, but this one stays open and articulate. Chords have definition, lead lines bloom nicely, and the guitar has a clean, musical response that makes it easy to settle into. The neck has more of a comfortable ’60s-style feel in the hand, and the playability is excellent — bends are smooth, the frets feel buttery, and the setup makes it feel effortless without losing the punch and authority of a proper Les Paul.

Visually, this one is a standout. The natural flame top is the obvious centerpiece, but even the neck and headstock wood show some attractive figure. The gold hardware still presents very well too, without the heavy tarnishing you often see on gold-equipped Gibsons from this age. It has that premium, golden, almost boutique look while still keeping the clean Studio identity.

What stood out to me:

• Excellent overall condition with very little visible wear
• Highly figured natural flame maple top with a strong, wide flame pattern
• Extremely light at 6.61 lbs on my scale, especially for a Les Paul
• Recent setup with comfortable action and spot-on intonation
• Smooth, easy bends and excellent fret feel
• Very clear, resonant Les Paul tone without the muddy low-end buildup
• Gold hardware still looks very good for its age
• Attractive flame/figure visible even through parts of the neck and headstock wood
• Includes inspection sheet and a nice Epiphone hard case

Like all my guitars, this one’s been cared for and dialed in—no guesswork, no surprises, just a great instrument that’s ready to play. I personally inspect and test every guitar before it ships, making sure it’s in the exact condition I’d want to receive myself. These guitars come from me, not a shop—each one gets the kind of attention and care only a real guitar lover gives. Ships fast and insured.

⏳ 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!