Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Black Beauty – USA 2004

From Gibson –

“Gibson Custom Shop is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates Gibson’s legacy through accuracy, authenticity and attention to detail.

With its elegant lines and Ebony/Pearl/Gold aesthetic, the Les Paul Custom is easily one of the most iconic and beautiful guitars ever made. It features a body carved out of a single large piece of solid mahogany, unique among Les Paul models. The resulting dark mid-range tone from the body pairs perfectly with its bright-sounding solid Ebony fingerboard. All together, it’s the pinnacle of guitar craftsmanship, design and tone. Gibson Custom Shop is proud to revive every last detail of the original “Black Beauty” for this Les Paul Custom Reissue, from the dimensions and contours to the precise inlay patterns to the entire ownership experience.

Body Shape                   Les Paul

Body Material               1-Piece Solid Mahogany

Binding                          Multi-ply

Weight Relief                None

Finish                              Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)

Neck Material                Solid Mahogany

Profile                             Chunky C-Shape

Scale Length                   24.75″ / 628.65mm

Fingerboard Material    Solid Ebony

Fingerboard Radius     12″

Number Of Frets           22

Frets                                Historic Medium-Jumbo

Nut Material                  Nylon

Nut Width                       1.69″ / 42.85mm

End of Board Width      2.24″ / 56.89mm

Inlays                               Mother of Pearl

Joint                                Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit

Hardware Finish          Gold

Tuner Plating                Gold

Bridge                             No-Wire ABR-1

Tailpiece                        Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar (or Bigsby if applicable)

Tuning Machines         Grover

Pickguard                      Multiply Laminated Acrylic

Truss Rod Cover          Authentic Les Paul Custom

Pickup Covers             Authentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver

Neck Pickup                 Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)

Bridge Pickup              Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)

Controls                       CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors

Pickup Selector           3-Way Switchcraft

Output Jack                 Switchcraft

Case                               Gibson Custom Art Historic hard case

Well balanced and acoustically resonant, this Les Paul has a very powerful and authoritative tone unplugged that translates well through the Custombucker pickups. The bridge position unit has a powerful and guttural sound, with a very musically rich set of tonalities that range from aggressive growl to detailed and smooth with the tone rolled back a little. The neck position pickup is full, precise and glassy, with a snap and articulation that pairs particularly well with the solid mahogany body.

This guitar is in excellent condition. There are a few minor marks here and there, consistent with a 16 year old instrument, but nothing offensive. The neck is straight, truss rod works perfectly, tuners are solid, no discernable fret wear and the gold hardware still gleams.

The neck is a full C profile, thickness measuring 0.877" at the first fret and 1.025" at the 12th. Feels great in all positions.

Weight is 9.9 lbs

There is something about the Black Beauty finish that oozes class and power, and this one has superb playability to match its distinguished appearance.

Excelling both at cleans and high gain crunch, this Custom Shop Les Paul Custom model epitomizes the quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that has made Gibson’s Custom, Art & Historic line a favourite with players and collectors alike.

Comes in its Gibson CS hard case in excellent condition along with its Certificate Of Authenticity and case candy.