Gibson L-00 Standard vs L-00 Studio : Mahogany vs Walnut Comparison

[@nicero870]

I appreciate your reviews. Very consistent, neutral and professional. The lack of commentary is also a major plus.

[@earlelfrink]

Amen to the lack of commentary!

[@mpa1931]

I understand these guitars are more for finger picking, but the strumming on these are so crisp. Feels like they would be good for studio recording.

[@USNAVDC]

Some of the best videos on KZbin showing off guitars! A super fine guitar picker! I forget I'm supposed to be comparing the guitars and just enjoy some great guitar picking! I do love that sunburst on the Standard.

[@stevec.1802]

For the love and history of mahogany and spruce guitars the walnut has advantages to my ears. Projection, attack and sustain, and note separation. That walnut 00 is a keeper.

[@PaulieHo]

Orville used a ton of walnut in his builds.

[@nicero870]

Agreed.

[@SiggyMe]

I had a chance to play the Gibson L-00 Studio Walnut today and was very impressed. Now I only played it fingerstyle. First the intonation was dead on I checked out the fretboard all the way out, wow, it rang like a bell. The trebs were clear and sweet, and the base was present enough to keep it relatively balance to be able to utilize it. The base was clear and not muddy. In fact nothing muddy about it. The fretwork was level and the ends were clean. It felt as if it was Pleked. It was very light. The walnut was very nice. I played several different styles on it it and it was fun and easy to manage the dynamics after a few minutes of dialing it in. I played a Gibson J-45 standard that was also very clean and the fretboard work was perfect. The base was where it should be not too boomy yet accurate and easy to mange. Then I went back to the L-00 and of course the base is half at best of the J-45 yet enough to hold its own. Then to top it off I played a Eastman AC822. It was one of the best fretboards I have put my hands on even exceeding Taylors. I can only play short scale yet that Eastman long scale was doingable with no pain. It was extremely easy in the two first frets as even and level as one would wish for. The tone was just gougous and the base very present yet clear. articulate, and sweet, not harsh. Yet it give a decent growl. Now I'm thinking about the the Eastman and wondering if all the Eastman are like that and I could buy an Eastman and with the money saved buy that Gibson L-00 studio.

[@john15333]

Walnut for me without question.

[@sherrimcdowellartist2028]

Thank you. Great playing and I also appreciate just hearing the guitars not listening to talking. One can always find talking, but sustained playing without words is so useful, to me anyhow. I love the singing tone of the mid range in the walnut.

[@donaldgossett1736]

I have a walnut 00 Gibson. I have a Mahogany Martin 000. I like them both. The Gibson seems to have more brightness and midrange. The Martin is more mellow and balanced. I tend to keep the Gibson 00 as more of a couch guitar while playing the Martin more with others in different settings.

[@mariodriessen9740]

Great video again, thanks! The differences between the two are very similar to the differences I notice between my J-45 Standard and my G-45 Studio with walnut back and sides (and some other minor changes). In terms of tone, there's no such thing as better or worse. It's matter of taste. However, when it comes to dynamics, the standard versions (the J-45 and the L-00) can be played very delicately and very brutal and everything in between, whereas the walnut versions seem to lack a bit in that dynamic range. It's almost like it compresses the sound. This can be a good thing. I mean, there's a reason why some guitarists always use a compressor, even for their acoustic stuff. But for me, I tend to prefer the standard versions. Unfortunately, I should add. It'd be better for my wallet if the walnut sound was 'my thing'. 😁

[@mandynuttall6627]

I have the G45 studio too, which I love but on this review I preferred the Standard for the L-00. I will have to save up!!

[@mariodriessen9740]

@@mandynuttall6627 : Yeah, it sucks to be a guitar player. I’m saving up a lot for a new guitar and I’m still not even sure which one it’s going to be. 😬

[@Southernguitar74]

Same here. The studio is nice, but the standard is better. Cost difference better.

[@mfratino1567]

Wonderful video! Thank you. I have owned both. They are both lovely and sound incredible. I kept the walnut and sold the standard. Why? It had to do with the neck profile. The standard has a slim profile and the walnut has a chunky one. The walnut felt great in my rather large hands and that cinched it for me along with a lower price tag. Ultimately, you cannot go wrong with either one!

[@nicholascowie5944]

Both sound similar without looking at the video to influence, went back to a riff I liked best - it was the Studio. Actually I like my Alvarez OO just as much!

[@Jam-m7m]

Walnut equals clarity. 50 years from now these Walnut Gibsons will be cherished for their sound

[@alyoshakaramazov8469]

I played both in music stores yesterday. The Standard had a better fingerpicking sound. The Studio was good, but the Standard was excellent. But two different instruments in two different stores. I think the Studio is a bargain for the price, though. I'm waiting before I buy, as I want to try another Standard, and they are hard to find in stores.

[@72Stiles]

Walnut sounded louder, more defined without losing the low end. The mahogany sounded slightly muffled and scooped in comparison.

[@bobaldo2339]

The studio version has a 16" fretboard radius; the standard a 12" fretboard radius.

[@iannicholls7476]

I liked that very much. The Standard has a beautiful, soft, rounded tone which is beguiling. The Studio is harder (and louder!) but maybe better for that finger picking, bluesy stuff. One is not necessarily better than the other but if I had the money I’d go for the Standard. Who doesn’t love an acoustic with a sunburst top?!

[@ianmeadows6351]

so true!

[@georgedavidla]

I ended up buying the standard, too. Thanks for this video, man.

[@ogjoseywales1823]

The studio has a walnut burst I think is a little prettier

[@fixfix980]

Fellas, how's the L-00 for fingerpicking, Im not using a pick at all?

[@gunjabeans]

I listened on my iPad and on my studio monitors and on the iPad the mahogany came across much more balanced. In the monitors it is not as dramatic, but there is a midrange bump to the walnut and less bottom in this example. Still trying to understand walnut because there is a rare guitar I am looking at online in lefty with walnut back and sides, and I don't know if I should take a chance on it...

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Wow, I'm surprised, I think I prefer the walnut here and I'm a blues player!

[@papacorndogs]

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the rosewood model!

[@aaronlarsen7447]

The Studio sounded slightly brittle and harsh. Compared to the Standard, it was not as open and round. The standard sounded smoother richer, more full and sophisticated. The first D chord on the Studio, at 2:15 sounded out of tune. The standard looks better too. I think the price difference is justified.

[@oldstarouijaboard42]

I believe with age the walnut will have a more distinct sound. But 2 brand new ones I think the standard sounds better

[@earlelfrink]

Mahogany has a cleaner, more focused tone to my ears. Both sound great. But its the mahogany for me. Walnut sounds a little too compressed.

[@music-writinglife1813]

Walnut...Louder and has an edge to it...

[@joefarmer7727]

to my ears, for smaller guitars mahagon seems to be more balanced. but a bigger kind of muddy guitar would benefit greatly from walnut, which sounded more transparent.. but in this guitar at least for me.. a bit to tinny. mahagony was just right for this shape i think. maybe walnut if you only fingerpick.. to get more top end.

[@LottimusMaximus]

I prefer the studio :)

[@bws1billsimpson362]

I’m trying to decide between the L-00 standard and studio. Did the necks seem the same? I like a slim neck. Also was body depth same or does one have a thicker body? Thanks.

[@TheSunIsMad]

Great playing. Both sound awesome.

[@saintless]

I'm clearly not a fan of the walnut.. although it does sound better with the capo.

[@BaktaBak3]

Nice comparison. Both are nice. For my style playing , I'd go with the Standard. Is the Gibson 50's Lg2 basically the same guitar as the Standard ? Just wondered what the difference is .......if any ?

[@ianmeadows6351]

Yep, its the same guitar with more traditional appointments, but there is nothing else that sets it apart

[@BaktaBak3]

@@ianmeadows6351 Thank you Ian .

[@joelaming6814]

I'm trying to figure out if the studio is thinner, less depth. All of the other studio models are a little thinner. is it the case with the l 00?

[@youpvanligten5788]

You probably found out by now but they have the same depth. The the difference in depth of the j45 vs j45 studio models can be confusing

[@edhume5219]

They are the same dimensions, just different wood. I own the Studio and it’s the best sounding guitar, in my humble opinion, among the crowd I play with regularly, which includes a bunch of nice Taylor’s and a couple of 70’s-era Martins.

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

No the studio, whatever the models, are thinner than the standards. Also have a 16 inch radius whereas the standard has 12. This is because Gibson sponsor these differences as more modern appointments for the studio.

[@joelaming6814]

@@rodolphep0nthus555 the l00 is the same for whatever the reason. Now the new g00 different story

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

@@joelaming6814 are you sure? I've read everywhere that the Studio L00 are slightly thinner in depth. If you search you'll find this info about everywhere.. Haven't verified this myself, but that's what everybody is saying on the Web.. I was looking for a L00, and finally found today an LG2 American Eagle.. I'm done in my quedt, gotta have a 2h drive tomorrow to get it.

[@eryljones8389]

Prefer the standard sound

[@tomd8041]

Walnut for sure. It’s like comparing a Taylor to a Martin. Taylor’s sounds alive and colorful. Martin’s sounds flat and boring. All a matter of taste I suppose.

[@musikus7092]

The Studio sounds better to my ears

[@jennyomalley]

There is a big price difference , ?? makes no sense.

[@TecxasDave]

Sound aside, I'm thinking the price difference has to do more with marketing.

[@garychen483]

There’s a big tone difference between those two guitars.

[@garychen483]

I now know and agree why standard one is $500 more. It definitely sounds more clear and cleaner than the rosewood. Both are great guitars by the way.

[@kanker5256]

mahogany is better for sides and walnut better for back. but i prefer walnut overall