Gibson Les Paul Custom

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Posted May 9, 2010 by Gibson in Pictures | No comments yet

Gibson Les Paul Goldtop & Gibson Les Paul Custom

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Gibson Les Paul Custom (1976)

Posted May 9, 2010 by Gibson in Pictures | No comments yet

Image taken on 2010-03-20 13:30:41 by Frank Taillandier.

1971 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Posted May 9, 2010 by Gibson in Pictures | No comments yet

Image taken on 2009-03-03 20:10:42 by xNBSx.

The Gibson Les Paul Custom Guitar

Posted March 15, 2010 by Gibson in Blog | No comments yet

The Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar is one of many variations of the standard and very popular Les Paul. This model is one of the more expensive ones in the Gibson catalogue, and is intended for players or collectors looking for a superior quality instrument. It was designed by notable guitarist and inventor Les Paul, who worked with Gibson to produce the original version in 1952.

The original Les Paul guitar was among the first of the solid body electric guitars following in the footsteps of the Fender Telecaster. What differentiated the Les Paul from the Telecaster was that its strings were anchored on the surface of the guitar, instead of through its body. The Les Paul was also available in different colors and finishes.

From the start, the Les Paul Custom guitar was designed with a more formal look in mind. It has a completely black finish, which where it got its nickname the Black Beauty. Les Paul said the design was inspired by a tuxedo. Its top was mahogany, rather than the maple top of the standard edition. Starting in 1957, the Custom came fitted with Gibson's new humbucker type of pickup, which gave the guitar a thicker, warmer tone.

Today's Customs also have an ebony fretboard, which gives them a more sharp sound. The frets themselves are also lower than standard frets, giving the Custom a second nickname: the fretless wonder.

Many famous guitarists have used a Les Paul Custom guitar throughout the years. Examples include The Edge of U2, Ace Frehley of Kiss, James Hetfield of Metallica, and the legendary Jimi Hendrix, to just name a few.

The modern custom costs several thousand dollars brand new. It has branched out from its roots as the Black Beauty and is now available in different colors and finishes including Cherry Sun Burst, Wine Red and others.