Gibson Custom Shop '57 Les Paul Custom - Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aged - USA 2021

This is a stunning Gibson Custom Shop '57 Les Paul Custom, finished in classic Ebony with the Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aging treatment. Known affectionately as the "Black Beauty", the '57 Custom is one of the most iconic and recognisable Les Paul models ever produced, and this example presents in superb condition with subtle, tasteful aging that gives it the look and feel of a well loved vintage example, without the wear of an actual 1957 original.

The Murphy Lab is Gibson Custom's dedicated aging division, named after legendary relic artist Tom Murphy. Each Murphy Lab instrument is individually hand aged by skilled artisans in Nashville, replicating decades of genuine wear through hand applied checking, lightly worn hardware and softened edges. The Ultra Light Aged treatment used on this guitar is the most subtle in the Murphy Lab range, giving the nitrocellulose finish a fine spiderweb of checking and a slightly softened sheen, while the gold hardware shows just the beginning signs of natural tarnish and wear. The result is a guitar that feels broken in and comfortable from day one, with the unmistakable vibe of an original Gibson Golden Era instrument, but with the consistency, playability and reliability of a brand new Custom Shop build.

The '57 Custom itself features a single piece solid mahogany body, a feature rarely found even in todays Custom Shop builds, paired with an ebony fingerboard for that classic dark, punchy tone the Custom is famous for. Multi ply binding and the signature split diamond headstock inlay round out the luxurious appointments that define this model.

At just 3.75kg (8.27lb), this guitar is exceptionally light for a Les Paul Custom, where one piece mahogany bodies often push well past 4.3kg (9.5lb). The reduced weight makes for a noticeably more comfortable playing experience over long sessions, without any compromise to the rich, resonant tone the solid mahogany body is known for.

This guitar is fitted with the full historic spec wiring harness and Custombucker pickups, delivering everything from warm jazzy cleans to full on humbucker growl with ease.

Comes complete with original Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case, Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Certificate of Authenticity (serial 71073), Gibson Gold Warranty booklet, hang tags and all case candy as photographed.

Features:

Model: Gibson Custom Shop '57 Les Paul Custom

Finish: Ebony – Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aged

Serial: 71073

Build Year: 2021

Body: One piece solid mahogany

Fingerboard: Ebony with split block inlays

Binding: Multi ply cream, body, neck and headstock

Hardware: Gold, Murphy Lab lightly aged

Pickups: Custombucker humbuckers, neck and bridge

Headstock Inlay: Split diamond

Switching: 3 way toggle with Rhythm/Treble selector

Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone

Action at 1st Fret: 0.5mm

Action at 12th Fret: 1.75mm

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 23.14mm

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 26.21mm

Nut Width: 42.59mm

Width at 12th Fret: 52.09mm

Weight: 3750g / 8.27lb

Case: Original Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case, Murphy Lab COA, Gold Warranty booklet and full case candy included