I paid $700 for a flat finish Gibson Les Paul Studio that was equppied with the same electronics as the $3500 shiny Standard. The only reason to buy the $3500 Standard is if you want to look cool on stage.
I think the one I bought sells now for about $1000. If you close your eyes there is no way to tell it from the Standard. It’s just not very pretty.
And yes it is made in the USA.
Yup that gloss and binding is a big premium.