Gibson Original Collection Les Paul Standard ’50s Custom Shop Top

Sitting On Top of the World

Wildwoodians, we are loath to contradict AC/DC, but it is NO LONGER a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll, as long as the top you are seeking is made of exquisite maple. That's right–our friends at Gibson are building souped-up USA Les Pauls with jaw-dropping, outlandishly beautiful tops from the Custom Shop wood vault! If you let out a Ric Flair-esque "WOOOOOOOOO" upon learning that information, you're not alone, as there was much yelling, screaming, and open joyous weeping around the shop when we learned Gibson was building these bad boys. You see, a Custom Shop top on a USA instrument is simply unprecedented, and we love firsts here at Wildwood.

We also love pickups with serious vintage PAF vibes, sweet finishes, uber-comfy necks, and (of course) gorgeous wood. Naturally, we're as hyped about these guitars as Pete Townshend is about performing windmills during "Won't Get Fooled Again," so let's dive deeper and see what makes the Original Collection Les Paul Standard Custom Shop Top so special!

Custom Shop Magic

Of course, the magic of these guitars starts with the top. Though beauty is self-explanatory (take a look to the left of this text and all will be revealed!), let’s try to explain it anyway. The tops the Gibson Custom Shop uses may be from the same species of maple as their counterparts, but they’re a different breed nonetheless. Though they do meet a sky-high standard for quality figuring, what really sets them apart is their uniqueness. They’re like snowflakes, no two exactly the same, each pattern of flame in the grain a sentence in a different musical story. Each one has its own personality and style, so you can find a Les Paul Custom Shop Top that reflects who you are as a player and person, and that is the true magic of Custom Shop maple!

Pugnacious PAF-Style Pickups

Though the Original Collection Les Paul Custom Shop Top is a guitar of uncommon beauty, there’s nothing worse than a pretty face with nothing to say. Thankfully, they come equipped with pickups that help them speak quite eloquently and powerfully: two Wildwood Spec '59 Tribute Humbuckers.

These pickups capture the mojo and tone of vintage Gibsons beautifully. They have enough power, brawn and gristle to storm the gates of Valhalla, but they also display outstanding touch-sensitivity and a tremendous capacity for subtlety and nuance. Played clean, they create a beautiful world of warmth and sparkle that’s easy to get lost in. Played dirty, they make you feel like you’re crushing a 1992 Honda Civic in a monster truck!

The bridge pickup is a delight: punchy with plenty of snarl in the midrange, tight, muscle-bound low-end and sizzling-sweet highs. In the neck position, you’ll find deep, warm, woody lows along with broad, vocal midrange and singing highs. These are the kinds of sounds that make you remember why you fell in love with Gibsons in the first place, and their capacity for musical inspiration is boundless.

Fabulous Fifties Flavor

This particular Les Paul Standard Custom Shop Top is a ‘50s-inspired model, which means it comes with some pretty nifty appointments. It has a fifties-style neck profile that feels pleasantly chunky but not too thick, and it’s a joy to play. It also has vintage-style tuners with keystone buttons and top hat knobs to complete the vintage aesthetic.

Top-to-Bottom Excellence

We’re proud and excited to share the Original Collection Les Paul Standard Custom Shop Top with all of you wonderful Wildwoodians. We believe their powerful pickups, beautiful finishes, comfy necks, and magic maple tops will inspire you to embark on all sorts of exciting musical adventures on your journeys across their fretboards.