I have no issues at all with the quality of my Gibsons. As for the gloss nitro on the Studios, it is done just as nicely as it is on the upper end models and both of my Studios are gorgeous. I really like the wine red finish. The ones I've seen in person have been gorgeous.
The 490R / 498T pickups in the Studio won't sound like the SD '59 / JB you have in your Epi. I played my Studio Plus for several years with the stock set before I changed them out........................I put a Suhr Doug Aldrich set in it and the guitar sounds amazing with them. I'm not saying the 490R / 498T set sounds bad......................the Aldrich set just sounds much better to my ears.
Do yourself a favor - get out and play some Studios before you pull the trigger on the order. Don't go in blind. It's always best to know exactly what to expect.
Guitars: 2008 Gibson SG Classic, 2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard LE, 2002 Gibson SG Supreme, 2001 Gibson Les Paul Studio Plus, 1996 Les Paul Studio Gem, American Deluxe Double Fat Strat, Bluesville "Super" Strat Copy, MIK Fender "Limited Edition" Tele, JD Bluesville "Night Pilot", Yamaha AES 820, Steinberger Spirit GT Pro, Taylor 355CE, Ovation 1897 Adamas, Ovation CC057 Celebrity
Amps: Axe FX centered rack rig, Mesa 4x12 cab. Germino Club 40, Johnson JM150 Millennium, Johnson JM250 Millennium, Gibson Titan Medalist Frankenstein.
Effects: Tonebone Trimode, EH Holy Grail, Boss CH-1, Dunlop Crybaby Classic, Framptone Amp Switcher, THD Hot Plate, Yamaha AG Stomp Acoustic Processor, Boss BCB-60 Pedal Board.