Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty 3 Pickup VOS (with Bigsby)

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Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty 3 Pickup VOS (with Bigsby)

The introduction of Gibson's Les Paul Model in 1952 marked the beginning of the electric solid body guitar era. The launch of the company's "deluxe" version two years later – the Les Paul Custom – cemented Gibson's legacy as the industry leader. Nicknamed the "Fretless Wonder" for its low frets, or "Black Beauty" for its rich, contrasting color, the Les Paul Custom was introduced at the same time as the Gibson Les Paul Junior and represented the ultimate in Gibson solid body design at the time.

Today’s 1957 Les Paul Custom from Gibson Custom is presented with all the historically accurate appointments and legendary tone of the original. No detail is overlooked, including a solid, non-weight relieved mahogany body with carved mahogany top. The headstock is made from Holly head veneer, as opposed to fiber, just like it was in 1957, and the vintage-style kidney tulip tuners are mounted in a straight line, also as they were on the original.

The 24 ¾-inch scale length neck is made from one solid piece of mahogany, and attached to the body using a long neck tenon — one of the Les Paul’s more distinguishing characteristics of the 1950s. The neck is topped by a 22-fret ebony fingerboard outfitted with acrylic block inlays matching the size of color of the originals. Of course, three of Gibson’s legendary Burstbucker pickups deliver all the subtle variations of true, classic humbucker tone by using historically “unmatched” bobbin windings and Alnico II magnets.

The guitar’s Ebony finish also matches the hue of the earliest versions, giving this Gibson Custom model the accurate and distinct appearance of the original model. Other historical appointments include CTS potentiometers, bumble bee capacitors, multi-ply white and black binding on both the top and back, gold hardware, period-correct switchwasher and jackplate and Gibson’s traditional early ’50s rounded neck profile. This 1957 Les Paul Custom features three pickups,with a VOS finish (gently aged to look like an especially well cared for original), and the option of a Tune-O-Matic fixed bridge or Bigsby tremolo system. Each guitar also comes with the standard Gibson Custom case and certificate of authenticity.