Gibson Les Paul Custom

There are no other guitars in the world like the Gibson Les Paul Custom line, and their rich and full tonal quality are unlike anything else out there. For over fifty years, their definitive sound has been one of the greatest contributions to the rock, country and blues genres of music. Their unique design gives it a feel all their own, and many either love it or hate it.

Fans appreciate the solid wood construction that gives the Les Paul it’s distinctive balance and feel. The solid design gives clean body to bass tones and it’s weight helps make it feel like it sounds- rich and resonant. Additionally, many blues players like the thinner neck found on the Custom line of guitars, which makes it easier to add play and power to any song.

There is nothing like the sound of a Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar, and what was once a preferred guitar for rich and famous artists, the various models on the market today make it easy for almost anyone to get their hands on one. From Epiphone copies to original Gibson’s, prices can range from a few hundred bucks to well over five thousand dollars and more.

While there are a wide range of models to choose from, all of them have that distinctive depth to their tone that comes from a Les Paul. Clean notes along with a lot of body is what makes this the preferred choice for many artists across a wide range of genres. There are limitless options to tonal quality that can be tested, and their versatility makes it the perennial leader in guitars that musicians prefer.

Built to last, these babies are meant to be played. They are designed strong and can hold up under the rigors of playing night after night for months on end. For quality, sound and value, there is nothing else in the world like it, and it gives bands that distinctive power in their sound that only comes from Gibson.

For those looking for a reasonably priced alternative to the Gibson models, consider an Epiphone Les Paul Custom. They have very similar sounds, but the Epiphone is not as tough, and is a little more high maintenance. But, they are considerably less expensive and they produce tonal quality that is very similar to their Gibson counterparts. In the end, there is something for every skill level and every budget, making this legendary sound something within reach of anyone.

Anyone who knows anything about electric guitars knows that the Les Paul Custom offers the most powerful and clean sound out there, and they have been a mainstay for over 50 years. Despite the fact that they were not fully appreciated in the beginning, it didn’t take too long for this famous guitar to capture the hearts and ears of musicians and fans across the globe.

The Les Paul Custom brought a sound to electric guitars that helped to define rock and roll, and their powerful and rich tone became a feature in many other genres of music as well. Blues, jazz and country took to the well balanced bass sound along with the clean and in tune quality of the notes it brought. Nothing sounds like a Les Paul, and it has distinguished itself as a genre in it’s own right, opening the door for musicians and artists to create a whole new smorgasbord of music.

Still considered the brass ring for anyone’s guitar collection, the Les Paul Custom line of guitars has evolved into numerous models and editions, and there is nothing else like it in the world. Gibson and Epiphone are the only two companies that carry the official Les Paul endorsement, and both are similar in sound. However, both differ in price, quality and desirability.

The Gibson brand offers the highest quality mahogany wood in addition to a painstaking manufacturing process that ensures amazing quality along with durability. Using the same material and parts as the original designs, with very little variation, the finished product is a guaranteed, genuine made in America Les Paul, and you know it. Highly collectible and equally expensive, they have come down in price over they years, but for anything decent, expect to pay a couple thousand dollars easy.

On the other hand, the Epiphone is not that bad either, and is the best alternative for an artist on a shoestring budget who wants to define their sound with a Les Paul Custom guitar. From just around a few hundred to a thousand dollars, artists can enjoy the sound, feel and look of the Gibson counterparts for a fraction of the cost. On the down side, the quality is not the same because of a few different factors.

First, they are made overseas, far removed from the music that they are made for. Secondly, they don’t use the same materials, so the parts are not necessary the finest quality. Third, the manufacturing process is not the same, so durability and strength are also different. All in all, the experience is pretty much the same, but for the extra cost of owning a Gibson you get the assurance and guarantee of superb quality and perfection.

In the end, either brand will give that distinctive and definitive sound that only a Les Paul custom can deliver. It really boils down to what your needs are as well as your budget, but rest assured that if you are looking to define your music with the Les Paul tradition, you can find one just right for you.

Many people are wondering if an Epiphone Les Paul Custom is the real deal because they are so inexpensive.  The Gibson versions are known for their quality and authenticity and have an established reputation which makes them the benchmark of the industry.  However, they are so expensive and out of reach for a lot of starving artists out there that many are seeing the Epiphone brand as a reasonable alternative.

There are no serious differences in the sound of either brand,  and many players are happy with both of them because they each have that distinctive Les Paul tonal quality about them.  Additionally, the features and style are also similar as well as the weight of both brands.  So if they feel and sound similar, then why are they priced so differently?

The Epiphone has been involved in the Les Paul revolution since the beginning just as their Gibson counterpart has, but they are meant as a cheaper alternative.  Everything is different from how they are manufactured to the quality of the materials, and this is the quintessential area of debate that keeps circulating between fans from both sides of the aisle.

Both use Mahogany wood, but the Epiphone uses a more common type that is less expensive than the variety Gibson adheres to.  Additionally, the materials that make all of the components are also different as well as how they are made altogether.  This is why a Gibson will cost thousands of dollars more than an Epiphone, however that price also comes with the brand that people value as being the real deal.

So, think of Gibson as a luxury and full priced airline versus a discount carrier.  Both have similar aircraft and fly similar routes, but one costs more than the other.  In the same way, Epiphone is the discount carrier for Les Paul lovers.

While many will rave about the sound, the actual quality of the Epiphone is a common complaint that musicians have against the discount model.  Most of them revolve around tuning issues, and the general consensus is that Gibson produces a better made guitar that holds a tune longer.  But, for the price, many overlook this small flaw in the Epiphone and relegate it to the idea that we get what we pay for.

For sound and feel, an Epiphone Les Paul custom is definitely worth the money, but there are some shortcomings that go along with saving some serious cash.  But, for a new artist or someone looking for that distinctive Les Paul sound without investing a fortune, they make the perfect alternative and a not-so-bad guitar either.

Les Paul was not only a legendary musician who can be considered to be the pioneer of the electric guitar, he created a whole new sound that changed the world of music. Not just with guitars either, but his pioneering work on multi track recording and experimentation with reverb spoke to the creative souls of musicians and audiences across a wide range of genres. The Custom Les Paul guitar gave music soul, depth and power that is still being developed today.

Artists ranging from Paul McCartney to Slash to ZZ Top have defined their music and sound with the powerful smoothness of Les Paul guitars, and many will argue that rock would not have had it’s impact without it. What started as a simple customization turned into the standard which guitars from across the spectrum are compared to.

For fans of the Les Paul, there is nothing like it in the world, and you can definitely tell when someone is playing one. The solid body allows for less vibration, making for a more natural and rich sound. This is especially noticeable when you hear that full and clean bass come through. The heaviness of the pure Mahogany creates great balance and stability, and the quality is unlike anything else out there today.

Over the years, many variations have been released, improving on the original model that had such a definitive impact on music. Today, the Les Paul Custom is offered in a variety of price ranges, from extremely high end limited edition guitars to ones that even a starving artist can afford. Because of this reach, it continues to have an impact on the sound that artists are know for.

While not everyone is a fan of Les Paul’s tonal quality and richness, and prefer lighter feeling and sounding guitars. But for those who’s ear is inclined to richness and depth and clarity, there is nothing else in the world like it, and it is the coveted prize that can be added to any collection.

The Custom Les Paul is the perfect balance between luxury and power and usability, and its legendary quality brings them all together in one bad ass guitar that means business. It’s funny that as technology changes the world every five minutes or so, this one of a kind guitar has retained much of its initial design and features. Truly generations ahead of its time, there is little that can be done to improve perfection, and it will be the gold standard for years to come.

Gibson has released their 50th anniversary Les Paul Custom “Black Beauty”, and it is one of the finest releases to date. Aside from the enormously high price (trust me, if you see the MSRP, you’ll think twice), which is usually not what most retailers charge, this special edition is one of the finest guitars anyone could ever hope to play.

This special edition remains as faithful to the original specifications, with just a few modifications to make it the ideal blend of classic and contemporary. Formed out of a single, solid piece of Mahogany wood, the anniversary edition has the same dimensions and shape as the original, including the single cutaway that makes the upper frets easier to utilize.

Layer upon layer of lustrous ebony is applied to give it a deep and rich finish, and everything from the Tune-O-Matic bridge to the kidney button tuners are gold plated in tribute to this legendary guitar and its sound that has changed the world of music for generations.

Painstakingly created to reproduce the same features as the original Black Beauty, the materials for the reproductions are true to the originals. Additionally, details such as the famous back angled headstock give it its signature resonance and delightful tonality.

This is a player’s guitar, and the ‘fretless’ frets make it easy to dance on the strings and let its true potential come through. It even retains it’s weight, from the solid wood construction, that gives it its distinctive form and balance that artists have come to appreciate and value.

While more expensive than many would hope for, the average going rate for the 50th Anniversary Les Paul is between three and four thousand bucks, which isn’t much different than the originals on auction sites. However, Gibson has capitalized on fifty years of improvements which the original didn’t yet offer.

All in all this is one of the finest releases yet offered, and anyone fortunate enough to get their hands on one of these will experience the Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty as it has never been experienced before. But many question whether or not this is something that needs to be experienced, considering that so many models exist that offer that definitive and powerful sound. However, this was not meant to be a mainstream release, and its appeal to collectors and those looking for the finest new-old guitar in the world has yet to be determined.

With a sluggish economy and a decimated recording industry, no one expected much in terms of enthusiasm with the release of the 50th anniversary Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar; however, Gibson has done quite well with the limited production of this $4000.00 guitar and proved many of their skeptics to be wrong. For some reason, this famous line of electric guitar has mesmerized audiences and musicians alike, and has been doing so for half of a century.

When Les Paul first agreed to use his name and stage appearances to market this innovative instrument, it wasn’t as widely received as many people would have hoped. Although, as time progressed and the rarer the originals became, something magical happened. Musicians loved the way it felt and sounded, and everyone wanted a Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar. It became the crème de la crème of guitar collectors, rock lovers and the benchmark in any musician’s career. Once you had a Les Paul, you really had something to brag about.

Taking a huge risk of looking like idiots, Gibson decided to release the 50th anniversary special anyway. Thank God they did because musicians at large can now know, feel, and experience what it is like to play a one of a kind guitar. Exquisitely designed and manufactured with precision detail, every inch of the guitar is re-created to match what the original production models.

While it isn’t cheap, and there will be far more of these floating around then other anniversary editions, they are worth their weight in gold and make any budding musician’s collection mean something. In the end, it’s the sound and feel of playing an instrument that makes musician fall in love, and they have not disappointed with this latest release.

This special anniversary edition comes at a time when maybe connecting rock with its roots isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and there’s no more authentic way to do it than with a Les Paul. Even if it was made yesterday, it still embodies the look, feel, weight, parts, quality and originality of those first productions. Not to sound overly nostalgic, but there is something amazing about watching young artists interact with history as they make music on this beautiful guitar.

Is it worth the average selling price of around $4000.00? That depends who you talk to, but if they love the guitar, chances are they’d be willing to pay a lot more if they had to. Will they lose their charm? Not a chance. It’s a Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar, and as long as they strike a chord with musicians, their value will only continue to improve with time.

All about the classy Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar, introduced by Les Paul in 1954.