Overview Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom :- Of course, there is always a number of issues to consider when buying a used Les Paul Custom – And for many of us, then the guitars condition is one of them – Anyone who has tried to clean their windows at home, or indeed clean and polish a black car, in order to make it look perfect, will know that you are often fighting a losing battle – Every polishing smear stands out and this is the case here as well – As an overview the guitars condition is excellent – No dings or dints – No scratches or grazes – In fact apart from a few pick marks on the scratchplate you may well ask the question ‘has this guitar ever been played’ – But the more fussy you are then the more negative issues you’ll find – Yet each negative issue is minimal – I can’t say it is in as new/mint condition, but I will say that you’ll probably struggle to find a cleaner example – The merest hint of ‘fade’ to the gold hardware is minimal – And again we know that polishing gold hardware is a nightmare – To be honest, it needs to be played far more, then we can get rid of this ‘nigh on perfect condition’ tag and just accept that it is used in very good condition – The deluxe ‘vintage-esq’ case is included as is the relevant Custom Shop wallet/certificate – Re-strung with a set of 10-46 gauge strings and set-up with a slinky easy playing action
Key details for this used Les Paul Custom from 2023 with an ebony nitro gloss finish :-
- Guitars weighs 9lbs and 14oz – For some reason, LP Customs tend to be heavier than an LP Standard – Not sure why that is the case, but it often is
- Gibson Custom decal on the rear of the headstock
- CS serial number
- Deluxe black case with vintage style clasps + pinned logo badge on the outside + inner ‘accessory’ pocket
- Custom Shop certificate/wallet + factory checked tag with appropriate 2023 date
- Bound ebony fingerboard
- One piece mahogany neck – Fullish C profile that measures .846″ around the top nut end and 1.00″ at the 12th fret – Not quite as chunky as many vintage replica models like an R7, R8 and R9 – But it does have depth to it
- Grover machine heads with kidney buttons
- Believe the pick-ups are 490R neck and 498T bridge – measure 7.62 neck + 13.58 bridge
- Re-strung with 10-46 strings + set-up with a slick easy action that will respond to a light touch
Not sure I even need to pass any comments with regards to the playing performance of this LP Custom – Surely any such stories and reports have been posted many times in the past – I’ve spent a short time with it hooked up to my demo amp and played it on clean amp settings, more of a subtle rock/blues overdriven amp setting and a hi-gain amp setting – The key asset I look for is can I control the amp from the guitar, to supply me with different levels of emotion, as and when required – On a clean amp setting I might want chilled out jazz/blues, or crisp funky rhythm – I might want Muddy Water blues, or Larry Carlton licks, on more of a subtle overdriven amp setting – I might want bone crunching riffs, or scorching lead on a hi-gain amp setting – Either way I want to see if I can start with the guitar’s volume pots on, or around, 6/7, but still retain the guitars character and tonal quality, then turn it back towards 10 as and when I require more of a full on turbo approach – Easy answer is yes, as it delivers what I expected – Lush tones from the neck that ooze quality with crisp clear highs – For many, bone crunching riffs to screamin’ lead breaks are what a bridge pick-up is all about when you talk about an LP Custom – Yet back off on the gain for more of a melodic approach that suits the jazz/fusion player – The LP Custom may well have started off as the jazz players guitar, for the posh gig that needed a tux – But Keith Richards, Peter Frampton, Zakk Wylde, Lindsey Buckingham, Robert Fripp, Mick Jones, Randy Rhoads, Mick Ronson, James Dean, Brian Robertson , plus many other influential players, have all helped to make the Les Paul Custom a ‘must have’ guitar
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Guitars4You is not another corporate high street guitar store - My selection of premium grade guitars is about quality not quantity. Every guitar has been selected, inspected and approved by me, with particular attention to the set-up and playing performance. Every sale, phone call, email and mail order transaction is handled by me. A journey that is now over 50 years old, has fuelled my knowledge, experience, love, devotion and passion for exceptionally fine guitars.