Here is a rare beauty – a Gibson Custom Le Grand archtop electric model from 2008, the successor to the classic Johnny Smith model built from 1961 to 1989. The Le Grand made its debut in 1993 and while it hasn’t appeared on Gibson’s website or catalog since around 2010, is still available on special order. The ‘stock’ finish is a Vintage Sunburst, with the Natural finish seen here as an extra-cost option.

Always intended for the serious professional guitarist and never in mass production, the Gibson Custom Le Grand features a 17 inch wide body with carved, solid Sitka Spruce top, carved solid and highly figured Maple back and figured maple sides. The neck is five piece based on three highly figured Maple sections with narrow Walnut laminations. The bridge base and bound fingerboard are Ebony, The head plate is Gibson’s usual dyed-black veneer and the back strap appears to be a painted effect as the underlying grain and laminations are visible in the right light.

All the metal parts of the Gibson Custom Le Grand are gold plated. Hardware includes Schaller style Gibson tuners with metal keystone buttons, the Oettinger style six-finger adjustable tailpiece, the ABR-1 bridge on ebony base with Abalone accents, and of course the pickguard-mounted ‘Johhny Smith’ pickup. The volume control is also mounted on the bound, faux-tortoise pickguard. The pickguard touches the top in only two places to minimize interference with the top’s vibration. Those spots are the location screw next to the treble end of the 19th fret and a support block at the bridge corner of the pickguard. The gold-plated support bracket mounts to the side.

This wonderful Gibson Custom Le Grand is in very good condition. While it’s been played enough over the last 13 years to develop light fret wear, it has been very well cared for and the nitrocellulose lacquer finish, while developing a lovely light amber tone, is in very good condition.

It plays very well, is very resonant and responsive with the classic archtop “thump”.

This Gibson Custom Le Grand is sold with its original hard shell case.

Gibson Custom Le Grand Archtop Electric Specifications: