Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty User Reviews at zZounds

"It has always been a dream of mine to own this guitar..." submitted April 20, 2008

By a customer from aol.com

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Features

Ease of Use

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: active musician

Music Style: Rock/blues

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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. 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?") Ease of Use: see above. I had mine wired to my specs-three volumes one tone-I think Frampton did this too. 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. Manufacturer Support: never had to deal with the company-yet. The Wow Factor: This is justly referred to as, "The Tuxedo." It is, in a word, "Elegant." 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.

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"An exciting excursion into sound and beauty." submitted January 1, 2006

By a customer from warwick.net

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Sound

Features

Quality

Value

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: Rock, Blues

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VERIFIED BUYER

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

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. 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. Manufacturer Support: Can't rate this yet, too new, no experience. The Wow Factor: 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. 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.

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"Unbelievable." submitted March 26, 2006

By a customer from hotmail.com

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Features

Ease of Use

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Value

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Actice musician

Music Style: Hardcore

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Sound: The sound of this thing is incredible. Obviously 3 humbuckers are going to put out some majorly thick sounds, especially the classic 57's. That paired with the body style of the Les Paul and mahagony front AND back make for something that has to truely be heard to be believed. I was also running it through a vintage crate solid state and it sounded great with and with out distortion. I can't even imagine what it would sound like through a tube amp. Pinch harmonics (squeels) were so clear and distinct that the guy in the store who I was talking about it with, and myself, broke out in the biggest smiles ever every time I did one. Feature: Everything about the guitar is flawless. The custom shop case is beautiful. This really is everything you could want in a guitar and more. Ease of Use: The sounds you can get out of this thing are insane. A complete metal head and a jazz musician could each play this and say there is nothing in the world that is better. The playability is simply amazing. The action on it and the 50's neck are unbelievably fast. To put it this way, it makes my Gibson SG Special feel like a piece of plywood with strings. (Not quite, but you get the idea) Quality: Flawless. Gibson quality is always great, and the lifetime warrenty really gives some piece of mind. Value: Obviously, $3,800 isa pretty hefty price tag, but its worth every penny. My local shop is selling it for $3100. The Wow Factor: Here's a story. When the owner of the shop took out the black beauty, everyone stopped what they were doing and just looked at it. Looking led to talking, talking led to touching, touching led to playing, and playing led to amazement. The whole guitar is so eyecatching and beautiful, one can't help but want it. The gloss black finish with the grain of the mahagony still showing through is stunning. The line of three golden humbuckers would make and just say, "wow". This coupled with the gold hardware and yellowish binding material really recreate the look of a classic. The custom head stock with the pearl in it is also a nice touch. Overall: Simply put, the best guitar out there.

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"Owning the Best" submitted January 8, 2006

By a customer from comcast.net

Overall

Sound

Features

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: active musician / 70's / 80's

Music Style: rock / country

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Sound: Sounds like a LP should, the best classic sound. Quality: only changed the frets after a few years to fat style, like ibanez. Value: little over priced, but once you play a real LP, you forget fast how much you pay for it. Manufacturer Support: never had problems The Wow Factor: people will look at you, ill tell you that. You come on stage with it, people will KNOW you mean business. Overall: I owned this guitar 14 years ago, and still wished i had it today. I had the frets all changed to the big fat ones, and this thing was mint. I wish i could locate that same custom and buy it back. It will be easy to spot if it wasn't repainted. I spilled nail polish remover on it right behind where the strings go and had to put a sticker over it :(

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"ONE OF THE TOP IN THE WORLD" submitted January 18, 2005

By a customer from netscape.net

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Sound

Features

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, I play in a band, collect guitars, and play EVERY STYLE of music

Music Style: ALL TYPES

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Sound: this is simply one of the best sounding guitars ever. i own MANY guitars, and of them i cherish my Black beauty. It's stage appeal is UNBELIEVABLE, with the gold on black. the sound is PHENOMINAL with any sound you want comming directly from the three HOTT pickups to your amp. There is nothing to not love... Feature: see above...If you have the chance...buy one now. you will not be dissappointed. a great look, and even better output. buy it NOW! buy 2 of them so you dont have to worry about breaking it! Quality: Id give it a higher # if i could, but common, its Gibson, would you expect any less?? Value: GIBSON GIBSON GIBSON! this guitar practically makes you sound great even if you croak over it! you could be a terrible player on stage but the focus is on your guitar, so it dosn't matter!!! Manufacturer Support: like i said, its Gibson...it dosnt get too much better (I do make custom guitars though, so i have to love them more!!) The Wow Factor: its a Les Paul Black beauty....It dosnt get sexier, hotter, or better than this! Overall: dont look any further if you are seriously considering it. Its got the looks and playability for anyone, along with the tonal range and ease of use for any player, beginner or advanced. BUY NOW WIT CONFIDENCE!

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"Gibson LP Black Beauty-an amazing guitar" submitted January 11, 2005

Overall

Sound

Features

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Sound: the sound of this guitar is just truly amazing, especially in treble-crunch. Feature: the price of this guitar should actually be lowered so more people can afford it. if that was the the case, then there sure will be a lot more people who can enjoy it's incredible sound and quality. Quality: made very, very well The Wow Factor: it is amazing

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

User Ratings

"It has always been a dream of mine to own this guitar..." submitted April 20, 2008

"An exciting excursion into sound and beauty." submitted January 1, 2006

"Unbelievable." submitted March 26, 2006

"Owning the Best" submitted January 8, 2006

"ONE OF THE TOP IN THE WORLD" submitted January 18, 2005

"Gibson LP Black Beauty-an amazing guitar" submitted January 11, 2005