1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Vintage Electric

Description

An Iconic 'Black Beauty'


This exceptional instrument represents a pinnacle moment in vintage guitar history – a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom.


Revered by players and collectors alike, the "Black Beauty," as it's affectionately known, was Gibson's top-of-the-line solid-body model during this golden era.


Its combination of elegant aesthetics, premium materials, and groundbreaking electronics cemented its status as an icon, favoured by legendary guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Keith Richards, who shaped the sound of rock 'n' roll in the 1960s.


The foundation of this Les Paul Custom's legendary tone lies in its construction. Unlike Les Paul Standard models, which featured a maple cap, this Custom boasts a body crafted entirely from a single, solid piece of Honduran mahogany. The top features a distinctive 'dish carve,' contributing to its sleek profile. Paired with a single-piece mahogany neck, the all-mahogany construction creates a powerful sonic signature.


Legendary PAF Humbuckers and Electronics


This guitar is equipped with a trio of original Gibson PAF (Patent Applied For) humbuckers. These articulate and powerful pickups deliver everything from smooth, vocal-like neck tones to biting bridge sounds with incredible dynamic range. The presence of the original electronics harness ensures the integrity of this classic circuitry. Gold shielding paint has been applied to the pot and switch cavities at some point.



Key Features



  • Model: 1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom "Black Beauty"

  • Serial Number: 8 1xxx

  • Body: Single-piece solid mahogany with 'dish carve' top

  • Neck: Single-piece mahogany

  • Fretboard: Ebony with Mother of Pearl Block inlays, refretted

  • Finish: Original Black Nitrocellulose Lacquer

  • Pickups: Three (3) original PAF Humbuckers

  • Electronics: Original wiring harness, gold shielding paint added to cavities

  • Hardware: Original Gold-plated

  • Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-o-Matic

  • Tuners: Original "Waffle back" Klusons reinstalled with no extra holes

  • Case: Original black pebble hard case with golden-yellow lining


Adorning the guitar is the original gold-plated hardware. This includes the ABR-1 Tune-o-Matic bridge and distinctive original "Waffle back" tuners, known for their unique housing design. It's noted that different tuners were installed at some point with the originals re-installed, leaving some minor scratches near the tuners, but no extra screw holes in the rear of the headstock. The holes were enlarged slightly during this process. A period-correct 4-ply black pickguard complements the ebony finish.


Early 1958 Production and PAF Transition


The serial number, 8 1xxx, is stamped in the typical fashion on the back of the headstock. This low number for the '8 1' prefix is indicative of a manufacturing date very early in 1958. This places the guitar right at the significant transition period when PAF humbuckers were introduced as the standard pickups for the Les Paul Custom model, replacing the earlier P-90 and Alnico V pickup configurations.


While bearing the marks of time with minor scratches and dings on the body and headstock, this Les Paul Custom remains structurally sound with no cracks or repairs. The neck feels perfect with a comfortable action. Significantly, the guitar has received a recent refret, making it a delight to play. The frets have plenty of life left, allowing for effortless bending and smooth playing across the ebony fingerboard.


A Collector's Rarity


As one of only 256 Les Paul Customs shipped by Gibson in 1958, this guitar is a genuine artifact from a highly sought-after production year for Gibson. This limited availability, combined with its status as the premium offering in the Les Paul lineup of the era, helps to solidify its value and importance within the vintage guitar market.



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