Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom - Walnut

A tradition of effortless playability

The Gibson Les Paul Custom is well known for its playability; many guitarists use the word "effortless" to describe it. Soon after its 1954 introduction, players (and Gibson literature) started referring to it as the "Fretless Wonder." It wasn't fretless, of course, but Gibson had fitted the Custom with flat, low-profile frets, which allowed your fingers to fly over the fingerboard. Today's LP Custom is equipped with medium-jumbo frets more suited to contemporary playing styles, but ultra-playability remains a hallmark of this iconic solidbody electric guitar.

Carved maple + weight-relieved mahogany = sustain + comfort

Although the original Les Paul Custom had an all-mahogany body, today's Custom features a carved, 2-piece maple top over a mahogany back. This combo serves up the density needed for massive sustain. For increased playing comfort, Gibson has strategically created chambers within the mahogany body to relieve weight while retaining the characteristic Les Paul sustain. So you can gig all night with this axe, and not have to visit a chiropractor the next day. Gibson's tone recipe also happens to look amazing when the maple top is visible under a translucent finish. The result is a highly playable instrument that looks and sounds incredible. Gold hardware provides a crowning finishing touch for the Les Paul Custom.

Matched humbucker set delivers a universe of tone

This limited-edition Custom is spec'd with a matched pair of 490/498 humbuckers. Naturally, these pickups really shine when pumping out the classic fat, snarling tone that is the Les Paul's stock in trade. They are delightfully responsive, though — simply roll back the volume, and they clean up beautifully. Sweetwater guitarists love this pickup combo, and so will you. Whether you're delivering your musical message with mellow jazz tones, bone-rattling crunch, or a blistering liquid inferno — the Les Paul Custom rewards your touch with world-class responsiveness.

Gibson voiced the pickups on the Les Paul Custom for tonal characteristics similar to their '57 Classics, but with a slight increase in the upper mids for a more contemporary humbucker sound. The neck-position 490R gives you the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, albeit with a slight upper mid bump, which delivers clarity and definition that complement the wonderfully warm sound of this pickup: great for tasty, chimey rhythm work. Gibson's 498T Alnico Humbucker is the ideal bridge pickup if your playing requires an emphasis on mids and highs. A high-output version of the 490T, this pickup combines a slightly hotter Alnico V magnet with a specially wound coil combination. The result is increased crunch and sustain — a potent sonic elixir for heavier music styles. Each pickup's pole pieces are aligned to match the string spacing at the neck and bridge, respectively.

Nitro finish, for the look and feel of a classic

This Les Paul Custom Limited wears a gorgeous nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Nitro finishes — standard back in the day — are significantly thinner than today's polyurethane finishes, allowing the guitar to "breathe." Nitro finishes not only look vintage-y wonderful, but they also enhance the instrument's tonal qualities. This guitar has the look (and feel) of a lovingly cared for classic — one that will only improve with age.

Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Features:

• An iconic solidbody electric from one of the world's renowned guitar makers
• Limited run of only 200 guitars worldwide
• Weight-relieved mahogany body for playing comfort
• Carved 2-piece maple top
• Long neck tenon for maximum sustain
• Matched 490/498 humbucking pickup set
• Nitrocellulose lacquer finish, for the look and feel of a classic
• Classic Custom "tuxedo" appointments include gold hardware and black speed knobs
• High-quality CTS 500K volume and tone pots, handwired harness, Switchcraft toggle switch