Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 Les Paul Custom 3-Pickup VOS w/Bigsby

Black Beauty Rides Again

Take yourself back in time to 1957 and imagine you're at a jazz gig. You've maybe seen one or two Les Paul Standards, but you're not that familiar with solidbody electric guitars, because few people are at this point in history. Now picture the guitarist reaching into his case and pulling out a black Les Paul Custom with three pickups and a Bigsby tailpiece. It practically oozes swagger and elegance. Wouldn't your jaw hit the floor?

It's a testament to the Custom's enduring appeal that, more than six decades after its birth, I had the same reaction as our hypothetical gig-goer in 1957. The pearl block inlays, the black-as-night ebony fretboard, the gold hardware, the cream binding, and the three pickups still create an unmatched sense of sophistication with a strong undercurrent of rock and roll menace.

These particular appointments also give the '57 Custom from the Historic Collection a voice unlike other Les Pauls in Gibson's lineup. The Bigsby tailpiece allows you to use expressive vibrato, and it also has a strong effect on the guitar's tone. The front end of each note has a little more growl, and the sustain has a bit more sweet metallic chime in the highs. Overall, this makes the '57 Custom sound more vocal and a bit brighter than usual.

Having three pickups is also a nice option. The bridge Custombucker has plenty of midrange punching power, and the neck pickup is fat and warm, which is standard territory for a Custom. However, the middle pickup gives you a thinner sound with more quack and midrange chirp and adds an additional inspiring color to your palette.

We're proud to present the 1957 Les Paul Custom from the Gibson Custom Historic Collection. We know its singular sound and jaw-dropping looks with inspire you to no end!