Gibson Les Paul Historic Collection 1957 Custom 3-Pickup Black Beauty Electric Guitar (with Case)

Feature:
they did make an LP Custom with a Kahler for a time, I might just do that to this one. Yeah, yeah, I know what yer thinking-"you'll kill the resale value." Not an issue. I will NEVER sell this guitar. I'd bury it with me, if I were that greedy, but I will bequeath it instead.(how often do ya get to use the word,"bequeath?")

Quality:
This is like a Stienway grand piano, or fine furniture. The finish is deep and glossy, with the binding aged to a creamy yellowed white. It is a piece of art.

Value:
compared to other items-face it, guitar prices have gone through the roof. Guitars that used to cost a few hundred are now thousands. BUT as far as VALUE goes-this is not a guitar you buy your kid. This is a finely crafted instrument, and should be earned. You don't buy a Ferrari for a kid who just passed driver's ed.

Desirability:
This is justly referred to as, "The Tuxedo." It is, in a word, "Elegant."

Sound:
This guitar has a deep,rich tone and endless sustain. On the bridge pickup through a cranked Marshall (as if there were anything else!)it screams. Responsive to touch, and three humbuckers,the tonal variations ore endless-you can make it sing,cry,moan,or growl.

Ease of Use:
see above. I had mine wired to my specs-three volumes one tone-I think Frampton did this too.

Support:
never had to deal with the company-yet.

Overall:
When I first saw this guitar, I was fifteen. At that time, I could never afford the $650.00 price tag.(so I bought an SG for $244.00-still have it) Now, 35 years later, I bought one. I will probably be paying it off for some time, but I figured, if I don't buy this now, I will never own one. It has long been a dream of mine to own this guitar. You have to live your dreams. Otherwise you will have regrets. This guitar has not dissapointed me either.It IS a dream.

Feature:
The guitar comes with cord, cloth, picks, nice hardshell case, documentation, etc. I would expect all this for the price. I think the three pickup version has more going for it than the two pickup version, but that's probably a personal choice.

Quality:
Not many guitars out there made better than this one. The finish and fit is really excellent. I will say gold is generally more dificult to maintain, but gold trim on this is a big part of the appearance, so that's what you sign up for when you get a black beauty.

Value:
I surely wish it cost less, but given it's overall quality, sound, and ease of playing, it's worth it when compared to others on the market.

Desirability:
It's been said by many other reviewers, but it is an exceptionally beautiful guitar. Its appeal among guitar fans is almost magical. Some unique visual features include the fine detail in the binding, combined with the deep black finish, and the gold hardware. Very striking on stage.

Sound:
Just strumming it unamplified there was a difference, as soon as it was plugged in, it was apparent this is a really special guitar. This is our band's first experience with a Gibson Custom Shop guitar, and it is exciting. I expected it to be a very fine guitar given the cost, but it is even more than that. It is exceptional. The sound is expressive, musical, open. It reacts to and reproduces very subtle nuances in the playing.

Support:
Can't rate this yet, too new, no experience.

Overall:
This is the instrument most guitarists that prefer Gibson would aspire to own after some other steps on the way to it. Beyond this its either an actual vintage instrument, or something very customized. The least desirable attribute of the Black Beauty is its weight, being all mahogany it is heavy. On the other hand, that is also part of its sound, look, and charm.