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Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar, Alpine White

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000

The introduction of the Les Paul Model in 1952 provided the fundamental template for the design of what would eventually become the most revered stringed instrument in the world. Today's Les Paul Custom is based on the model from the mid-1950s, but with several modern appointments. The Incomparable Les Paul Custom Guitar History Powerful 490R and 498T pickups and Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece. 22-fret ebony fingerboard outfitted with figured acrylic block inlays. The introduction of the Les Paul Model in 1952 provided the fundamental template for the design of what would eventually become the most revered stringed instrument in the world. Yet Gibson president Ted McCarty and the guitar's namesake, Les Paul, also sought to introduce a "deluxe" version of the soon-to-be iconic model. The final design for the new Les Paul Custom was completed in early 1954, and the guitar made its official debut at the Chicago NAMM show in July 1954. Initially, the goal had been to introduce the "deluxe" version in conjunction with the original 1952 Les Paul, yet Gibson's drive to achieve excellence resulted in several unexpected delays. The final product, however, would eventually become Gibson's top model in the original Les Paul line. The 'Fretless Wonder' The first version of the Les Paul Custom was nicknamed the "Fretless Wonder" for its low frets and "Black Beauty" for its rich, contrasting ebony color. It was also introduced at the same time as the Gibson Les Paul Junior and represented the ultimate in Gibson solid body design at the time, with an original price tag of just $325, which was $100 more than the regular Les Paul Model. Aside from its obvious visual enhancements, the Les Paul Custom was the first Gibson guitar to offer the revolutionary ABR-1 Bridge, which was invented by McCarty. This pioneering achievement was a true revelation in intonation and remains one of the most revered and copied pieces of guitar hardware ever developed, setting a standard for simplicity and functionality that has never been bettered. Other standard appointments included a thicker body design and seven-ply body binding on both the front and back of the guitar, along with a multi-bound headstock that featured a prominent five-piece split diamond patterned inlay of genuine mother of pearl--a design that still graces every Les Paul Custom made today. Near-perfect Recreation Today's Les Paul Custom is based on the model from the mid-1950s, but with several modern appointments. The body of the guitar is crafted with a hand-carved maple top, which is then fitted to a body made from a solid piece of mahogany with strategically routed holes to lessen the weight of the guitar, resulting in a Les Paul with enhanced acoustic qualities and improved resonance. The 24-3/4 inch scale length neck is also made from one solid piece of mahogany then topped by a 22-fret ebony fingerboard outfitted with figured acrylic block inlays, and given Gibson's traditional rounded profile. The pickups are Gibson's 490R in the neck position, which offers the tonal characteristics of the original PAFs, and the 498T in the bridge position, which swaps the 490R's Alnico II magnet for an Alnico V, thus making it slightly hotter with emphasis on mid-ranges and highs. Other appointments include Gibson's legendary Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, metal tulip tuners, multi-ply white and black binding on both the top and back, gold hardware, and a 1 11/16" nut width. The Les Paul Custom is available in Antique White, Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sun Burst, Wine Red and Silver Burst, and each guitar comes with the standard Gibson Custom case, custom care kit, and certificate of authenticity. Nitrocellulose Finish Applying a nitrocellulose finish to any Gibson guitar is one of the most labor-intensive elements of the guitar-making process. A properly applied nitro finish requires extensive man hours, several evenly applied coats, and an exorbitant amount of drying time. But this fact has never swayed Gibson into changing this time-tested method, employed ever since the first Gibson guitar was swathed with lacquer back in 1894. Why? For starters, a nitro finish dries to a much thinner coat than a polyurethane finish, which means there is less interference with the natural vibration of the instrument, allowing for a purer tone. A nitro finish is also a softer finish, which makes it easily repairable. You can touch up a scratch or ding on a nitro finish, but you can't do the same on a poly finish. In addition, a nitro finish is very porous in nature, and actually gets thinner over time. It does not "seal" wood in an airtight shell--as a poly finish does--and allows the wood to breathe and age properly. All VOS (Vintage Original Spec) series guitars will use a proprietary process that includes unique steps for staining, wet-sanding, and hand-rubbing; subsequently the guitars reflect what a well-cared for 40-year-old guitar looks like. The result is a remarkable patina that will delight even the most discriminating enthusiast.

Gibson J-200 Custom Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Antique Natural

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000


The Gibson J-200 Custom is the ultimate in visual beauty and tonal qualityâ��the absolute finest of Gibsonâ��s storied Super Jumbo acoustic guitars. This custom â��King of the Flat Topsâ�� takes Gibson Acoustics to another dimension, yet stays true to the time-tested excellence of the legendary J-200.

Gibson Firebird Custom Acoustic Guitar, Antique Cherry

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000

The combination of Gibsonâ��s traditional square-shouldered dreadnought body, coupled with the bright, crisp tone of the maple back and sides, gives Gibson Acousticâ��s Firebird Custom a rich, balanced tone all its own. Its appearance is no less stunning, sporting a premium AAA-grade Sitka spruce top, with back and sides made from solid AAA-grade quilted Western maple with a Cherry finish.

Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Antique Natural

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000

With its abalone trim and distinctive mother of pearl fingerboard and headstock inlays, the new 2009 Songwriter Deluxe Custom is the finest offering from Gibson's Songwriter family of acoustics. It is considered one of the world's finest sounding square-shouldered acoustics, crafted to reflect simple and sophisticated elegance. The EC version offers a cutaway for high fret access. The finest offering from the Songwriter family of acoustics. Gold Grover Rotomatic Tuners Grover's original Rotomatic tuners are an engineering marvel, with abundant style and performance exactly suited for the Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC. With a gear ratio of 14:1, the Rotomatics deliver precision tuning in a durable housing that provides maximum protection for the gear and string post. All moving parts are cut for exact meshing, eliminating the possibility of slippage. A countersunk tension screw lets players regulate the tuning tension to any degree. A special lubricant inside the gear box provides smooth and accurate tuning stability. Pickguard The pickguard on the Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC is a custom line design made from Tortec. As with all of Gibson's pickguards, the coloring, inlay, and binding are all done by hand. Tapered dovetail neck joint allows the body and neck to become one solid piece of resonating wood. Double-ring rosette with an abalone-filled middle. Distinctive mother of pearl fingerboard and headstock inlays. Rosette A rosette is the beautiful, hand-crafted circle around the soundhole, and can be one of the most ornamental elements of any acoustic guitar. It is also one of the most subtle and complicated woodworking decorations on any acoustic guitar. The rosette on the Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC is one of Gibson's finest. It is a double-ring rosette with an abalone-filled middle, with both outer rings consisting of six-ply binding, adding a stylish, understated elegance to the Songwriter line. Ebony Fingerboard with Rolled Edges and New Deluxe Custom Inlays The fingerboard of Gibson's Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC is constructed from the highest grade ebony on earth, which is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled experts before it enters the Gibson factories. The resilience of this durable wood makes the fingerboard extremely balanced and stable, and gives each chord and note unparalleled clarity and bite. The fingerboard inlays of the Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC are a completely new design made of genuine mother of pearl, and inserted into the fingerboard using a process that eliminates gaps and doesn't require the use of fillers. The fingerboard also sports a rolled edge--instead of the usual right angle where the fingerboard surface meets the neck, Gibson Acoustic's rolled edges are slightly beveled for an extremely smooth and comfortable feel, enhancing the playability of the Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC. Body Tonewoods The body design of the Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC is known as a small dreadnought. The top is made from AA-grade Sitka spruce, while the back and sides are constructed from rosewood, giving the Songwriter a balanced, warm tone with clear lows and solid treble registers. Selecting the right wood, and the formula to dry it out, are two of the most central procedures to Gibson's guitar-building process. Beginning with its first catalog in 1903, Gibson has assured its customers that every guitar would be built using woods with "the most durable, elastic, and sonorous qualities," and today's guitars from Gibson Acoustic are no different. Fishman Aura Pro Acoustic Pickup System Gibson's Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC comes equipped with a built-in Fishman Ellipse Aura electronics package, which combines Fishman's most sophisticated onboard preamp design with the power of the popular Aura Acoustic Imaging Technology. The result is acoustic sound that is exceptionally accurate and true to life. Already loaded onto the system are four images that best match the instrument's natural tonal characteristics. You can make adjustments to any of them using the system's Pickup/Image Blend or Volume controls, or use the switchable Natural I and Natural II low frequencies for tone shaping. You can also control feedback with the Phase switch and automatic Anti-Feedback device control. The pickup's ergonomic soundhole-mounted design puts slider controls at your fingertips so you can maintain a natural playing position at all times. The Fishman Ellipse Aura is used by such noted musicians as Brad Paisley, Pete Townshend and Travis Tritt. Bracing Every acoustic guitar made by Gibson features hand-scalloped, radiused top bracing inside the body, a feature normally found only in limited run, hand-made guitars. By scalloping each brace by hand, the natural sound of the acoustic is focused more toward the center of the body, enhancing the instrument's sound projection. The bracing pattern inside the Songwriter Deluxe Custom EC is based on the design used for Gibson's celebrated Advanced Jumbo models of the 1930s, consisting of a wider "X" pattern that allows the top to vibrate more freely and push the sound toward the soundhole. The result is an instrument that delivers incredible response, and a superior dynamic range with balanced, warm tones, clear lows, and solid treble registers. Tapered Dovetail Neck Joint The dovetail neck joint is one of the oldest--and best--ways of securely joining the neck to the body of a guitar. It is also a complex and expensive neck joint to build, but the result is a tight, locking connection that supports the neck at the proper neck-pitch angle, allowing the body and neck to become one solid piece of resonating wood, with no metal to impede vibration. This process is done entirely by hand, requiring patience and skill. Radius Top The top of many "flat-top" guitars are under a lot of stress from the pull of the strings, which can eventually compromise the top. So, while most acoustic guitars are true "flat-top" guitars, all of the acoustics produced by Gibson in Bozeman, Montana have a radiused, or "tuned" top. Instead of being perfectly flat, a radiused or "tuned" top is raised slightly, and a special instrument is used to shape the top braces to the radius of the top. This process adds tension and strengthens the top, creating a less stressful joint where the top meets the sides and reducing the stresses of string pull. It also results in a "speaker cone" effect that maximizes sound projection, adding a significant boost to mid-range levels for a more balanced acoustic tone. Nitrocellulose Finish Applying a nitrocellulose finish to any Gibson acoustic guitar--including the Songmaker Deluxe Standard--is one of the most labor-intensive elements of the guitar-making process. Unlike the polyurethane finishes used by many guitar manufacturers, a nitrocellulose lacquer finish is porous when cured, allowing the wood to naturally "breathe" and mature. Microscopically thin, the finish on a Gibson acoustic guitar first requires seven main coats of nitrocellulose lacquer. After drying overnight, the initial seven coats are then level sanded and given two additional coats. Left to dry for five additional days, the finish is then wet sanded and buffed to its final glass-like sheen. The time-consuming nature of applying a nitro finish has been employed ever since the first Gibson guitar was swathed with lacquer back in 1894. Why? For starters, a nitro finish means there is less interference with the natural vibration of the instrument, allowing for a purer tone. It's also a softer finish, making it easily repairable. You can touch up a scratch or ding on a nitro finish, but you can't do the same on a poly finish.

Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom VOS Electric Guitar, 3 Pickups, Ebony

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000


"Here is the ultimate in a solid body guitar... &aposThe Fretless Wonder&apos... The Incomparable Les Paul Custom Guitar," Gibson catalog, circa mid-1950s The introduction of Gibson&aposs Les Paul Model in 1952 marked the beginning of the electr...

Gibson Custom 50th Anniversary 1958 Korina Flying V Electric Guitar, ¹

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000

This 50th Anniversary reissue of the 1958 Gibson Flying V Electric Guitar is consistent with the original guitar. Features a two-piece Korina body and one-piece Korina neck. Production is limited to only 100 guitars.The Flying V was years ahead of its time, as Gibson dealers tended to think of it as a display prop rather than a guitar to sell. It wasn't until the late 1960s that the electric guitar started to gain popularity. As guitar heroes such as Albert King, Jimi Hendrix and Lonnie Mack adopted it, the "V" quickly became symbolic of rock 'n' roll itself.

Gibson Custom Custom ES-330L Electric Guitar, Beale St. Blue

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000

The Gibson Custom ES-330L is a hollowbody electric guitar with stunning acoustic character that provides performers and songwriters with a very inspiring musical tool. The artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop have created an ES-330 guitar that is not a reissue, yet it has all the highly-desirable attributes of the original 1959 ES-330, such as period-correct 17Â° angled headstock, and black plastic pickup covers. Added to those are superior enhancements including premium tulip button tuners and a vintage period-correct 1-11/16" nut made from Corian that provides superior strength, durability, and musical sustain.Introduced in 1959, the Gibson ES-330 was a revolution in the field of hollowbody electric guitars with its unique laminate top and back, top bracing, neck block, and tenon. The ES-330L has the same great pairing of featuresâ��dog-ear P90 pickups and hollowbody constructionâ��as the Epiphone Casino guitars used by The Beatles to provide punch on recordings such as "Taxman" and "Paperback Writer," and most of the electric guitar tracks on Sgt. Pepper. Full hollowbody The Gibson ES-330L incorporates the finest features including single-ply binding on the neck, small pearloid block inlays, long tenon neck joint, and nickel hardware. The ES-330L body is truly hollow and has no center block, making it a lightweight, comfortable, and uniquely resonant guitar. Without a maple center block the ES-330L is free to vibrate acoustically and the weight reduction is substantial. The Gibson ES-330L guitar features the preferred one-piece mahogany neck for supreme resonance that has inspired both players and songwriters.P-90 tone ES hollowbody signature tone is maintained, regardless of volume control setting, through the special control wiring scheme known today as the Memphis Tone Circuit. It allows a wide array of tonal variations from what many consider to be the best pickup ever designedâ��the P-90. The ES-330L guitar features P-90

Gibson 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS Electric Guitar, Faded Tobacco

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000

Gibson's Les Paul Standard model from 1959 is the most highly acclaimed, widely recognized solid body electric guitar in the entire world, coveted by both players and collectors as the ultimate example of playability, attractiveness and tone among all six-stringed instruments. In an industry filled with imitations and replicas, the iconic 1959 Les Paul Standard simply has no equal. The most highly acclaimed, widely recognized solid body electric guitar in the entire world. History Gibson's legendary Burstbucker pickups and Tune-o-matic bridge. 22-fret rosewood fingerboard outfitted with acrylic trapezoid inlays matching the size of color of the originals. Named after Lester William Polsfuss, aka Les Paul--legendary American jazz guitarist, and true pioneer in the development of recorded music--the Les Paul model guitar became the "Standard" in July 1958 after company president Ted McCarty and his staff decided to add the new designation and forego the guitar's traditional Goldtop finish for a new, brighter finish dubbed Cherry Sunburst, which allowed the natural beauty of the Les Paul Standard's maple top to be showcased. The company was hoping the changes would improve its sales of solid body electric guitars, which had been declining since 1953 when the Gibson shipped 2,245 Les Paul Model guitars. Unfortunately, sales of the new Les Paul Standard continued to dip, and after shipping only 643 guitars in 1959 and another 635 during the early part of 1960, Gibson once again instituted another redesign of the guitar, abandoning the Les Paul design as we know it today and creating the SG Standard. No one could have imagined, however, that those 1,278 Les Paul Standard guitars--especially the 643 from 1959--would become the most sought after guitars in the world. Body While the full impact of the 1959 Les Paul Standard was still several years away from being realized, its influence on guitar design was already well underway. Besides its exceptional tone and playability, the 1959 version of the Les Paul Standard was renowned for its two "bookmatched" pieces of maple wood that made up the top of the guitar. While most of the Les Paul Standard tops in 1958 were considered "plain," some of the maple tops in 1959--and into 1960--were "flamed" or "figured," adding a three-dimensional, cosmetic element never before seen on any solid body guitar. The beautiful patterns, however, went largely unnoticed at the time, with Gibson paying no particular attention to selecting wood with distinct grain patterns. Other cosmetic changes on the 1959 Les Paul Standard included a slightly thinner neck profile, a smaller heel, and a change to larger "jumbo"-sized frets, which are still in use today. Finish The guitar's new Cherry Sunburst finish also saw its first full year of use in 1959, despite problems with the consistency of the red pigment used to paint it--a problem that wasn't corrected until late 1960. This caused the finish on many guitars to fade to some degree of amber, honey or yellow hue, further adding to the beauty and mystique of the instrument. Famous Players One of the first guitarists to recognize the potential of the 1959 Les Paul Standard was The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, who obtained a 1959 model in 1964 that had been outfitted with a Bigsby tremolo tailpiece. Around 1966, emerging British guitarist Eric Clapton--himself influenced by the early 1950s Les Paul models played by Freddie King and Hubert Sumlin--also recognized the Les Paul Standard's exceptional tone and playability, and began playing them almost exclusively. Before long, the Les Paul Standards of the late 1950s had found their way into the hands of future guitar legends Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Duane Allman, Peter Green and Michael Bloomfield, among others, eventually helping to reshape the sound of a worldwide musical movement, while forever changing the standard by which all other electric guitars are measured. Near-perfect Recreation The 1959 Les Paul Standard reissue produced today by Gibson Custom is true to all of the original instrument's features and characteristics, including Gibson's traditional hand-carved "figured" maple top and solid, non-weight relieved mahogany body. The headstock is made from Holly head veneer, as opposed to fiber, just like it was in 1959, and the vintage-style tulip tuners are mounted in a straight line, also as they were on the original. The 24 3/4-inch scale length neck is made from one solid piece of mahogany, and attached to the body using a long neck tenon--one of the Les Paul's more distinguishing characteristics of the 1950s. The neck is topped by a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard outfitted with acrylic trapezoid inlays matching the size and color of the originals. Of course, two of Gibson's legendary Burstbucker pickups deliver all the subtle variations of true, classic "Patent Applied For" humbucker tone by using historically "unmatched" bobbin windings and Alnico II magnets. Other historical appointments include CTS potentiometers, bumble bee capacitors, rolled creme-colored fingerboard binding, single-ply creme-colored binding around the body, and a period-correct thin toggleswitch washer and jackplate. The 1959 Les Paul Standard comes in either a V.O.S. or Gloss finish, and with the standard Gibson Custom case, custom care kit and certificate of authenticity. They are available in Faded Tobacco Burst, Washed Cherry Burst and Iced Tea Burst.

Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar, Ebony

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000

Gibson Custom L-5 CES Electric Guitar, Natural

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:21:11 +0000

The depth and mellowness of the Gibson L-5 CES is winning acclaim for this fine jazz guitar from the most discriminating artists. The tonal quality of the acoustic guitar and the advantages of an electric are combined in one instrument. Very few carved guitars are built each year because of the scarcity of the wood required and the handcrafting involved. The building of the L-5s is overseen by Jim Hutchins, a Gibson Builder since 1963. The process has remained relatively unchanged since the 1950s, including the hand-tuning of the top and back. Guitarists sing the praises of the comfortable vintage neck; the fast, easy action; and the rich beauty of the carved spruce top. Other features on the Gibson guitar include a figured, carved maple back with solid maple rims; a pearl inlaid ebony fingerboard; and beautiful multi white-black binding. With the creation of the L-5 in the 1920s, the modern archtop guitar was invented and it has set the standard for all carved guitars that have followed. (Click on "Private Reserve" at left to see more gorgeous pics.)