In my understanding Studio's are the same as Standards minus binding. That is of course in relation to older models not today's standards (which I dont like at all personally).
Anyhow, I used to own a les paul studio mahogany for a while and there wasn't a single construction issue with mine. Awesome guitar. Les paul worn mahogany finish.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=517536" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That was the one I had in the worn brown finish.
This is no cheaper les paul, its still a carved top like the studio, just didnt have that thick gloss finish on it. It also has the same pickups as the 2008 standards. If I was to need a les paul I'd get one of those. Or atleast try one, theyre usually in stock at most major music stores.
I got rid of it because I traded my strat in for it, then after a year or so I couldnt live without a strat as I am really a strat guy mainly, so I traded it back in in 05 for my american standard strat.