Join for free to get:

  • Private Sales
  • Exclusive Content
  • Weekly Deals
  • Insider Gear News

Plus:

  • Save up to 15% off your order      immediately with a secret call-in code
         for our private Black Friday.
  • Save 5% on orders of 1 item
  • Save 10% on orders of 2 items
  • Save 15% on orders of 3 items or     more
  • Prizes - automatic entry in every      giveaway!
  • PLP Loops - Free!
  • 30 Days of Interactive Guitar Lessons -      Free!

To get your free catalog, we'll need your address:

Sign me up for the zZounds Catalog
Joining is not required in order to shop with zZounds, and you can opt out at any time.
 
Add Something to Your Cart.    
Toll Free 800.ZZOUNDS (996.8637) Open until 1 AM EST
Mention priority code 7FDLWXD when you call
 

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

Mahogany body with Mahogany top. 2 BurstBucker humbuckers. Stopbar Tailpiece.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
           10 out of 10
Features:
           10 out of 10
Quality:
           10 out of 10
Value:
           9 out of 10
I Want It:
           10 out of 10
Sound:
           10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
           9 out of 10
Support:
           9 out of 10
 
 

"One of the closest to perfection."

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          9 out of 10
Value:
          8 out of 10
I Want It:
          8 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          8 out of 10
Support:
          3 out of 10
User: a customer from rogers.com
Submitted: 1/14/2007
Style of Music: Jazz, Blues.
Musical Experience: Once active musician.
Location: Canada (ex-UK resident)

 

 
Feature:
I bought mine in South London, England in 1984 at a time when Gibson were having huge difficulties. There were just no Black Custom LPs anywhere to be found. There were a few in Cherry Red floating around. I had to wait about 10 months for one to be imported and it came to me without accessories(just in a case). The components are first class. Everything was set just right.

Quality:
Overall the product is excellent apart from a few minor snags. The nut had sharp edges to it and for some reason the grooves on the nut won't accept any other guage but .09-.42 strings. This must have something to do with the problems Gibson were having in the early 1980s. One day i will change the nut. But the guitar is rock solid! Built to last, and i'm sure it will outlive both me & my family. After 23 years it still looks almost brand new.

Value:
The thing to remember about LP Customs is that the only customised specs are the colour, gold trimmings,pearl inlays. Other than this the electric components are no different to any other LP models. So bearing this in mind i'm not sure why the price difference is so vast between the Custom & other models. It should be alot cheaper and more accessible to those less likely to afford it.

Desirability:
If you're intending to stand all night onstage with it then it might be advisable to wear an athletic support. It's hard to look sexy if your back is curving. But if you are seated then it's comfortable. The Les Paul Custom is an eye catcher and looks just the way Les Paul intended ( like an expensive Tuxedo).

Sound:
I play jazz. In comparison to other LP models this one is suited better for a jazz guitarist. It has a warmer tone, woodier & rich and that's probably why Les Paul himself used it on many of his TV appearances. It can be adapted for rock but the other LP's, i.e Standards, Classics, etc tend to be more metallic sounding.

Ease of Use:
The first thing i noticed about it was the very low action. Fast but wide neck which is chunky. I have small hands and the neck width took getting used to but the low action compensated for this.(i think the LP Standard has the thinnest neck and is great for small hands) String bends can prove a problem though with very low action. Again if you play jazz then you don't bend strings all that much. You can acheive a variety of sounds but i tend to prefer to switch to middle position where one gets a unique, hollow, almost semi-acoustic tone. The biggest problems i have with this guitar is the weight (11 lbs) and the heavily lacquered neck which tends to get grabby when hot. I have been told the remedy is to use wire wool to take a layer of lacquer off.

Support:
Tried to contact the company back in 1984 concerning the minor problems but nothing transpired.

Overall:
Well, i've had it for 23 years and i'm not sick of it yet. We humans are hard to please and we're always on the search for the ultimate. I have considered getting a lighter instrument but then perhaps the sustain would not be the same as on the Custom(?) In certain ways once you play one of these all other electric guitars feel inferior. But the price should be slightly less. It has quadrupled since i bought mine in '84.

6 of 7 people (85.71%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"Black Beauty is the perfect words for this guitar~!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from flmtgif.org
Submitted: 12/6/2004
Style of Music: southern, country gospel
Musical Experience: active musician
Location: Cassadaga, NY. USA

 

 
Feature:
I have the 3 pickup model and it has a variety of sounds so no matter what syle you play you can find your own sound.

Quality:
Gibson guitars in my opinion are made the best, and this custom shop one is even a touch better

Value:
Worth the money and watch the value go up

Desirability:
I bought it

Sound:
Great sound, like an electrified guitar should sound. Sweet and responsive to it's master.

Support:
never needed any,and thats the best kind of support

Overall:
It's a keeper, if I eveer got ride of it, it would be to my son and then only if I didn't play anymore, never!

Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"The Guitar"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
Submitted: 12/19/2004
Style of Music: Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal
Musical Experience: Active Musician
Location: Galena Park, TX

 

 
Feature:
You can get "The Sound" you want from this guitar to match to your preference

Quality:
Excellent quality in wood and pickups

Value:
For top of the line Gibson equipment this is a great price and well worth it, do your research and youll also agree

Desirability:
Gibson has a great appeal not only in its quality but craftsmansihp as well

Sound:
The sound is flexible and quality is great, perfect for any style of playing

Support:
You wont need much support with a product of this caliber

Overall:
Top of the line Gibson

Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"A True Dream Come True"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from aol.com
Submitted: 10/16/2002
Style of Music: everything ranging from rock to country, to church music
Location: Chattanooga, TN

 

 
You won't find a guitar that will produce a wider variety of tones with the superior gibson quality. This is the best sounding guitar in the world
Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"If you say it rocks - its true - even before you touch it!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          8 out of 10
User: a customer from hotmail.com
Submitted: 12/15/2001
Style of Music: Reggae, Rock, Funk, Fusion Jazz
Location: Jersey City, NJ

 

 
Smoothest playability. Greatest tone on planet. It's stronger than Kryptonite on Superman. But those who play them - are real superheroes.

It's OK to let mom scream to shut the door!! It's man's true love.
Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"SWEET TALKIN GUITAR WITH SMOKIN RIFF ABILITY. SCREAMS, CRIES, OR PLAYS SMOOOOOOOTH. THE CHOICE IS YOURS. EASIER TO HOLD THAN"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          8 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from AOL.COM
Submitted: 9/27/2004
Style of Music: ROCK/COUNTRY
Musical Experience: SEMI-ACTIVE. STILL DO RADIO JINGLES AND SOME OCASSIONAL APPEARNACES
Location: DUNCANSVILLE, PA. USA

 

 
Feature:
I prefer a more slender neck like the 60's feel. I dont care for the four knobs. I never use the tone control on the guitar. I put them at 10 and forget they exist. The volume controls are uncomfortable but the only time I use them is for sound effect on a slow lead.

Quality:
love the feel and the sound. what more can you ask for. i have some friends that think it's too heavy

Value:
a little pricey

Sound:
can be warm or crunchy with equal quality just depends how you want to set your gear

Support:
never needed it

Overall:
every instrument has a character of its own. to say i'd get tired of it would be a misconception. i wouldn't get rid of it because of it's special character, feel, sound, smoothness, look, appeal, etc. I wouldn't stop looking at other instruments for the same reasons. somewhat of a coneseaurs reasoning.

Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

Gibson LP Black Beauty Customer Review

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
Submitted: 9/10/2004

 

 
Feature:
i feel like its the best

Sound:
this is the best guitar ever

Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"Chunky, heavy, nasty... it rocks."

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          6 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Submitted: 6/6/2002
Style of Music: Rock, blues, jazz, electronic
Location: New York

 

 
Flawlessly constructed. Well balanced. Heavy - weight and sound. If you play hard or edgy music - this is one to consider. Will increase in value over the years but I'd never sell it. I pump it thru my Bogner and sometimes throw on my Rat and it's sick.
Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"sweet"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          8 out of 10
Submitted: 2/15/2002
Style of Music: rock
Location: southern cal

 

 
mine is three pickup model and she screams!!!!If I could only own one guitar this would be it..................
Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"Made like a piece of jewelry/ sounds like gold!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          8 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from yahoo.com
Submitted: 4/25/2002
Style of Music: Almost everything.
Location: Florida

 

 
This is a heavy instrument but plays great and has outstanding tonal character. I have a tendency to want to baby it too much!
Awesome beautiful!
Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 
Questions? Our musicians can help you right now!
Call Toll Free:  800.ZZOUNDS (996.8637) Hours
Mention Priority Code 7FDLWXD When You Call. Toll Free En Español: 800.460.7976 1 AM to 1 AM EST
Shop with those who respect your privacy— we do. Copyright © 1996-2009, zZounds Music, LLC. Terms of use apply.
A-ID: 3745