Gibson Les Paul Historic Collection 1957 Custom 3-Pickup Black Beauty Electric Guitar (with Case)
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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
This electric guitar, designed after the original classic '57 model, is powered by 3 high-output BurstBucker pickups. Rounding out the perfect Les Paul tone is a solid mahogany body.
Overview
Grab a piece of electric guitar history with the three-pickup 1957 Historic Les Paul Custom Black Beauty. Combining the power of 'PAF' humbuckers with high-end hardware and superb looks, the legendary Black Beauty Les Paul Custom stands as one of the most iconic and sought-after guitars ever made. With this reissue, Gibson has captured all the brilliance of an original '57 Custom in a stunning recreation of one of the finest releases from Gibson's golden age.
- Three powerful Gibson Burstbucker pickups with ample 'PAF' tone
- Solid Mahogany body with carved mahogany top and deep-set mahogany neck
- Elegant ebony finish with mutli-ply white back and top binding
- Comfortable '50s rounded neck profile
- Sturdy stopbar tailpiece and ABR-1 bridge
- Vintage-style pearl block inlays with Les Paul Custom style headstock emblem
- Included hardshell case and Gibson documentation
The first Les Paul Custom was designed to be the best solid-body guitar ever made. The Black Beauty Les Paul Custom of 1957 was -- simply put -- the best of the best. With the Gibson Historic reissue of the '57 Black Beauty, this timeless piece of electric guitar history can be yours. read less
Legendary Les Paul Custom Tone
By 1957, Les Pauls came standard with the revolutionary humbucker pickups as designed by Seth Lover. Keeping in stride with the high-end concept behind the Les Paul Custom, the option of a third humbucker was added to give players an even more heaping helping of fat, double-coil tone. The 1957 Historic Les Paul Custom features three Gibson Burstbuckers(r) which ignite this Black Beauty with the sizzling, full-bodied sound of a vintage Les Paul. True to the original release, this guitar uses a solid mahogany body with a carved mahogany top to foster rich resonance and sophisticated overtones. The neck is also made from mahogany and set with a deep-running tenon joint for greater sustain through the whole guitar.Unmistakable Black Beauty Looks
The tuxedo-like look of the Black Beauty Custom make a statement of pure elegance and gravitas. The lush ebony finish is complemented by white multi-ply binding on the back and top as well as high-end gold hardware including an ABR-1 bridge,… read more stopbar tailpiece, and vintage-style tuners. Expanding the dashing appeal are pearl block inlays along the ebony fretboard and a distinct Les Paul Custom headstock emblem.Features:
- Classic Les Paul Custom Black Beauty design- Three powerful Gibson Burstbucker pickups with ample 'PAF' tone
- Solid Mahogany body with carved mahogany top and deep-set mahogany neck
- Elegant ebony finish with mutli-ply white back and top binding
- Comfortable '50s rounded neck profile
- Sturdy stopbar tailpiece and ABR-1 bridge
- Vintage-style pearl block inlays with Les Paul Custom style headstock emblem
- Included hardshell case and Gibson documentation
The first Les Paul Custom was designed to be the best solid-body guitar ever made. The Black Beauty Les Paul Custom of 1957 was -- simply put -- the best of the best. With the Gibson Historic reissue of the '57 Black Beauty, this timeless piece of electric guitar history can be yours. read less
Specs
Body
Top wood: Carved mahogany
Back wood: Solid mahogany
Binding: Multi-ply white/black on top and back
Finish Colors: Ebony
Neck
Neck construction: 1-piece mahogany
Fingerboard wood: 22 fret ebony
Inlays: Pearl block
Binding: Single-ply white
Profile: Rounded
Scale length 24 3/4 in.
Nut width: 1 11/16 in.
Strings: Brite Wires .010 -- .046
Electronics and Hardware
Pickups: BurstBucker 1 (rhythm) and 2 (treble); BurstBucker 1 in middle position on 3 pickup configuration
Other: CTS pots and bumble bee caps
Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way switch
Hardware color: Gold
Bridge: ABR-1
Tailpiece: Aluminum stopbar
Other: Thin, original-style toggleswitch washer and jackplate
Tuner style: Kidney bean
Collateral
Custom Shop case, and certificate of authenticity.
Top wood: Carved mahogany
Back wood: Solid mahogany
Binding: Multi-ply white/black on top and back
Finish Colors: Ebony
Neck
Neck construction: 1-piece mahogany
Fingerboard wood: 22 fret ebony
Inlays: Pearl block
Binding: Single-ply white
Profile: Rounded
Scale length 24 3/4 in.
Nut width: 1 11/16 in.
Strings: Brite Wires .010 -- .046
Electronics and Hardware
Pickups: BurstBucker 1 (rhythm) and 2 (treble); BurstBucker 1 in middle position on 3 pickup configuration
Other: CTS pots and bumble bee caps
Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way switch
Hardware color: Gold
Bridge: ABR-1
Tailpiece: Aluminum stopbar
Other: Thin, original-style toggleswitch washer and jackplate
Tuner style: Kidney bean
Collateral
Custom Shop case, and certificate of authenticity.
Gibson's Description
Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty
In 1957, Patent Applied For humbuckers became standard issue on both the Les Paul Model and the Les Paul Custom. To go along with its already upscale appointments, the Les Paul Custom was now available with either two or three of these quiet, powerful new pickups.All Historic Collection Les Pauls feature a holly head veneer, long neck tenon and non-weight relieved body.
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
(44 ratings)
Submitted April 20, 2008 by a customer from aol.com
"It has always been a dream of mine to own this guitar..."
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.
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.
Features
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… read more
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."
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
Rock/blues read less
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.
Features
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… read more
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."
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
Rock/blues read less
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