Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty VOS

Gibson Custom Shop 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty VOS

"Here is the ultimate in a solid body guitar... 'The Fretless Wonder'... The Incomparable Les Paul Custom Guitar," — Gibson catalog, circa mid-1950s.

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.

The Les Paul Custom VOS re-creates the Les Paul Custom as it was at a pivotal moment in its history-the year when the PAF humbuckers became standard issue. These remarkable new Pickups gave the Les Paul a thicker sound that was at the time especially unique.

Vintage Original Spec series instruments receive a special nitro-cellulose finish treatment yielding the patina of a gently-aged vintage guitar while handcrafting enhances comfort and playability. Each VOS model has a solid mahogany back; historically accurate long-neck tenon for strength and sustain; and period-correct neck profile, hardware, and electronics.