Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Electric, Guitars, SOLD, Solidbody
Introduced in 1954 as the top of the line, the Gibson Les Paul Custom featured a gloss black finish on a Mahogany body with carved Mahogany cap, an Alnico-V ‘Staple Top’ pickup in the neck position and a P-90 at the bridge.
This ‘Black Beauty’ theme was the guitar’s form until mid-1957, when the pickup arrangement changed to three of Gibson’s brand new Humbucking pickups. The Custom’s ebony fingerboard has Mother of Pearl block inlays and a ‘Fretless Wonder’ treatment – the frets were very low to allow or encourage a very light touch.
Here we’re looking at an early 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom, built not long before the shift to humbuckers and one of 283 Customs built that year (in both forms). It is in overall good condition, plays well and has really classy looks.
Currently 67 years old, this example has had some necessary work over the years. Long ago the headstock was cracked and repaired, and the area re-sprayed. This example was originally equipped with a Bigsby true vibrato tailpiece. This was removed long ago, the two top mounting holes filled and the area oversprayed after the stop-tailpiece studs were added. At some point, a strap pin was added to the back, and the screw hole remains. The body finish on the back has a fair amount of buckle rash – this guitar was used as intended!
The switch tip and bridge are replacements, as are the gold Grover Roto-Matics; Kluson ‘Waffle Back’ models were originally installed. The pickup and truss rod covers and pickguard are replacements. The control pots date to 1957.
Sold with a modern brown Gibson branded hard shell case.
Gibson has release a re-issue of this model, which can be seen at this link.
- Model: Les Paul Custom
- Year: 1957
- Finish Gloss Black
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 7 3134, built in the first half of 1957 at Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 05/03/2024
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 8.85lbs 4.022kg
- Scale Length: 24.6in 625mm
- Nut Width: 1.679in 42.65mm
