electric · single-cut solidbody
Les Paul Custom
| Maker | Gibson |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Type | electric · single-cut solidbody |
| Introduced | 1954 |
| Price | USD 5799 (2026-09) |
| Maker founded | 1894 |
| Status | current |
The Gibson Les Paul Custom is the trimmed-up single-cut with an ebony fretboard, block inlays and multi-ply binding, built by Gibson's Custom division.
Watch
Story
Les Paul asked for it himself. The 1952 Les Paul was a gold-top with P-90s, and he wanted something he could wear with a tuxedo, so at the end of 1953 Gibson built him a black one. Body and neck were mahogany, the board ebony, and the inlays mother-of-pearl blocks. The split-diamond on the headstock was taken from the Super 400, at the time the top of the Gibson line. The pickups were a P-90 at the bridge and Seth Lover's new Alnico V staple unit at the neck. The frets were low and flat, and players called the guitar the Fretless Wonder. It was the most expensive Les Paul Gibson made, and the one the company pointed at when it wanted to show what it could finish - Ebony, Randy Rhoads' 1974 Custom among the ones people actually picture.
Why it matters
The Custom has always been the dressed-up Les Paul, and its ebony board and heavier appointments give it a different response from a Standard. Custom Shop builds sit well above the USA line on price, with limited runs appearing regularly in unusual tops and finishes. For anyone comparing top-tier single-cuts, it is one of the fixed reference points.
Note
"Black Beauty" — tuxedo trim, ebony board, originally all-mahogany alnico; later maple-topped 3-pickup icon.
Specifications
- Scale length: 628.65 mm (24.75 in)
- Neck shape: Modern Medium C
Before you buy
- Weight can be substantial, so ask for a figure on a specific guitar
- Custom Shop pricing moves with limited runs
- Ebony boards react to humidity swings
Other opinions
One video is one opinion. These are the other videos for this entry, most-viewed first. The order is the view count, not a ranking of ours.
Sonic Drive Studio · 2022-01 · 137,746 views
“Thomann Affiliate: My personal Thomann recommendations: My webstore for Captures, presets etc: Thanks for supporting the channel!”
In-depth look at a 2021 Gibson Les Paul Custom with playing samples through a driven amp.
The Peach Boutique · 2021-05 · 125,219 views
“If you'd like to find out more about this amazing instrument, follow the link to Peach Guitars' website here: Website: Peach Guitars YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/peachguitars Facebook: Twitter: Instagram:…”
Close-up shop demo of a Murphy Lab '68 Les Paul Custom in Ebony, played clean and dirty.