Yes, it's a Studio Goth Les Paul. Im not into Goth, nor is she, but I have always loved the blacked out subtlety of the look. She has always loved it too. She hasn't seen the "goth" studio model yet, but she's been wanting an all black Les Paul, and the Goth model fits perfectly. The Goth finish is a satin black and just looks awesome. She loves the satin finishes too, so again, perfect match. I prefer the studio, because it has the hardware of the Standard, but more stripped down on trim and gives it a cleaner look. The studio doesn't have binding, and other cosmetic bells and whistles. The binding on a studio wouldn't have any function anyway, because it is a solid mahogany body. The standard is also mahogany, but the carved top is maple, so the binding is more needed not only to strenthen the bonding of the two pieces, but also to cover the mating line. The Goth to me, just has that "Rat Rod" look both me and my daughter love.
mds, it's not going to be wrapped. It's not really part of what she knows as her Christmas. We have other stuff under the tree for her, and she thinks that's it. Our family tradition has always been (since I was a kid) to have a gift opening Christmas Eve night, go to bed, then Santa comes and brings the rest. Since my daughter figured out Santa was me, We still have Santa gift under the tree for her, and it's there before Christmas, but that one she has to wait till Christmas morning. That gift is under the tree now, and she's been picking it up, and shaking it every so often wondering what it is. The guitar is a TOTAL suprise, because there is nothing under the tree near the size, or even hints it's coming. Where our tree is, there is a guitar wall hanger right behind it where one of my vintage banjos usually hang. I had her take the banjo down when she put up the tree so it wouldn't be in the way of the "tree". So, there is nothing hanging from it right now. But after she goes to bed Christmas Eve night, I am going to sneak back to the living room (sneaky Santa) and hang her Les Paul on that hanger behind the tree unwrapped. She's going to get up in the morning to unwrap her single Santa gift that is under the tree, and I am going to see how long she goes before she even notices the Les Paul hanging there behind the tree. THAT will be freak out time I know, lol.. She'll notice, because she is like her old man, and VERY observant about things around her, especially stuff like that, hehheh..
Can't wait.. Been imagining the whole senerio in my mind for days now..