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Key Features
The incomparable Les Paul Custom Guitar born of the 1950s classic. This timeless Gibson guitar, originally nicknamed the 'Fretless Wonder' or 'Black Beauty', is being constantly developed and tweaked by Gibson. The latest spec change saw the Ebony fingerboard replaced with Richlite resin and we have one of the last few pure Ebony fretboard models available.
Product Ref: 31018
Gibson recently changed the specs on this guitar to use Richlite resin on the fingerboard rather than Ebony. As many Gibson purists will agree, a Les Paul Custom without a pure wood fingerboard can lose some of its rich, classic tone. This guitar is our last Les Paul Custom remaining with the original Ebony fingerboard.
When the Les Paul guitar was introduced in 1952 it provided the template for the classic that would become one of the most revered guitars in the world. The first version of the Les Paul Custom was nicknamed the "Fretless Wonder" by some, due to its low frets, and "Black Beauty" by others, because of its rich Ebony finish.
Apart from the obvious beauty of the model there were other more functional aspects which made the guitar so popular. The Les Paul Custom was the first ever Gibson guitar to offer the revolutionary ABR-1 Bridge invented by Gibson president, Ted McCarty. This bridge represented a true revelation in intonation and is still one of the most respected and copied pieces of guitar hardware available. It set a standard for both simplicity and functionality that Gibson still relies upon.
Although based on the classic mid 50s model, today's Les Paul Custom features several modern appointments. The guitar's body has a hand carved Maple top fitted to the solid Mahogany body. Strategically routed holes within the body make this famously heavy guitar lighter easier to play at length.
The 24 3/4" scale length neck is also made from one solid piece of Mahogany topped by an Ebony fingerboard with figured acrylic block inlays and Gibson's traditional rounded profile. This results in a guitar with enhanced acoustic qualities, improved resonance and a smooth touch.
Other appointments include Gibson's legendary Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, metal tulip tuners, multi-ply white and black binding on the top and back, gold hardware and a 1 11/16" nut. This Les Paul Custom comes in the classic Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish.
That Les Paul sound purists know and love is generated, in part, by the classic humbucker pickups. The Les Paul Custom features a 490R at the neck - a "Modern Classic" pickup with tonal characteristics similar to the '57 Classic but with a slight increase in the upper mids which gives a full and contemporary humbucking roar. The Alnico II magnet really makes these beauties sing, delivery pure quality whenever you need it.
At the bridge the Les Paul Custom features a 498T with a lightly hotter Alnico magnet in a specially wound coil combination. This "Hot Alnico" has a higher output and emphasises mids and highs making the 498T the perfect rock pickup.
To listen to a demo of the Gibson Les Paul Custom, please download the MP3 from the link below.
Gibson Les Paul Custom Guitar with Ebony Fingerboard
Body & Bridge:
Neck & Fingerboard:
Hardware and Electronics:
Included Case:
Included Accessories