❌SOLD❌ Gibson Custom 1954 Les Paul Custom VOS LPB-4 Black Beauty, 2011

Introduced in 1952, the gold-topped Gibson Les Paul quickly underwent a series of changes and in 1954, the top of the line Les Paul Custom ‘Black Beauty’ appeared, clad in a simulated tuxedo.

The 1954 Les Paul Custom differed from other models in more than colour – the top, back, fingerboard and headstock are all bound and the metal hardware is gold plated. But the real difference is hidden – the body is all mahogany, without the maple cap of other and later models. As well, on the 1954 model a new Alnico-V pickup, the ‘Staple Top’ model, was placed in the neck position to provide an articulate complement the P-90 at the bridge. An option, as found on this example, was a double-roller Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece. The original Kluson tuners are also remembered, as Gibson Deluxe vintage model with plastic keystone buttons.

Here we’re looking at a 2011 reissue of the 1954 Black Beauty Les Paul Custom from the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. This is a VOS or Vintage Original Specifications model, also identified as an LPB-4 on the Certificate of Authenticity. The VOS seems to refer to visual aspects of the instrument, in particular having the brand-new lacquer finish appear as if it’s aged though not a ‘relic’ and artificially worn.

This model is built using the original Custom concept of a carved mahogany cap replacing the carved maple cap. The neck is one-piece mahogany (except for the headstock extensions) with the long neck tenon design, and the fingerboard is ebony with Mother of Pearl block position markers.

This example is in very good condition, and has hardly been played by its original owner, who has left it for the most part in its case. There is no pitting or wear on the gold plating, and the fairly light finish has no scuffing, though there are one or two small pressure marks on the back.

The original black hard shell case is included and contains the Certificate of Authenticity and all the original hang tags. I expect that this guitar was a special order, so that tag collection does not include a price tag.