Gibson Les Paul Special

Posted on 02/08/2026 by Guitar Gear

Introduced in 1955, the Gibson Les Paul Special featured a second P-90 pickup along with added volume and tone controls. Also, enhancing the simple Junior design and providing players with the same controls found on a Standard. You still have a slab mahogany body and a set neck, but now the fingerboard is bound. In addition to offering a range of raw, dynamic tones that are more versatile than the Junior due to the extra pickup. The Les Paul Special serves as a bridge between the Junior and the Standard, yet it stands out as a really cool instrument with its own unique character.

Return of the Gibson Les Paul Special

The Les Paul Special makes a comeback to the classic design that established its significance, popularity, and affection. Also, shaping sound across various generations and music genres. It honors Gibson’s Golden Era of Innovation and revitalizes authenticity. First introduced in 1955 as an upgrade from the Les Paul™ Junior, it quickly gained popularity among musicians seeking the simplicity of a Junior combined with enhanced versatility. In addition, the Les Paul Special stays faithful to its vintage heritage, featuring a slab mahogany body and a single-cutaway design that provide its distinctive appearance and powerful midrange punch. The solid mahogany neck boasts a comfortable 50s Vintage profile.

If you’re looking for the timeless vibe of a Standard, the smooth feel of a Modern, the raw edge of a Junior, or a Gibson Custom treasure that stands the test of time, there’s definitely a Les Paul that fits your sound, playing style.

Furthermore, this Gibson Les Paul comparison and buyer’s guide is designed to assist you in making a confident purchase. No matter which route you choose, remember that you’re not just picking a guitar. You’re making an investment in a musical instrument that will endure for generations.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.

Gibson Les Paul Studio

Posted on 02/08/2026 by Guitar Gear

The Gibson Les Paul Studio made its debut in 1983, aiming to provide the iconic Les Paul Standard. Despite offering the latter’s sound and feel at a friendlier price. Usually, it comes with a carved maple top and a mahogany body, but it skips the body binding. This model quickly gained popularity among professional musicians. However, kept evolving, adding features such as weight relief, phase switching, and push/pull coil splits. Lately, the Gibson Les Paul Studio range has grown to feature both the Studio and Studio Session.

When You Discover the Right Gibson Les Paul Studio, You Just Know

When a guitar is truly “the one,” it feels perfect in your hands; it produces the sounds you envision in your mind. It becomes your loyal companion, your musical soulmate, and your source of inspiration, the instrument that allows you to convey your artistic ideas. Gibson created the Les Paul™ Studio Session to serve as that perfect musical partner, the guitar you won’t want to set down. The one instrument you can depend on every time, and that you’ll find yourself reaching for repeatedly. For many years, the Les Paul Studio has been the preferred choice of numerous guitarists who value the blend of essential Les Paul characteristics—humbucking pickups, a glued-in set neck, and a mahogany body with

You’re here because you know you want a Gibson Les Paul, but you’re unsure which one is the best fit for you. Should you go for a Standard, Custom, Deluxe, Modern, Studio, or even a Junior? In this article, I’ll break down all the different Gibson Les Paul models and their collections, helping you pick the perfect Les Paul for your needs.

The Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

Posted on 02/07/2026 by Guitar Gear

First introduced in 1969, the Gibson Les Paul Deluxe stands out due to its mini humbucker pickups. These pickups maintain the hum-free quality of full-size humbuckers while providing a tighter low end and a more pronounced attack. Furthermore, this offered a much more assertive sound compared to a full-size humbucker. Moreover, this became favored by 1970s rock guitarists aiming to stand out.

The Deluxe kept the carved maple top and mahogany body but incorporated what is known as “pancake” construction (two layers of mahogany with a layer of maple sandwiched in between) and later included maple necks. Nowadays, the Les Paul Deluxe is constructed in a more traditional manner with a solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany back, yet its design and sound still honor the original Les Paul Deluxe from the 70s.

The 1970s Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Overview:

1970s Gibson Les Paul 70s Deluxe in wine red finished with a glossy nitrocellulose lacquer, featuring a Maple top on a solid Mahogany body, a Rounded C-shaped Mahogany neck, and a 12” radius Indian Rosewood fingerboard adorned with acrylic trapezoid inlays and medium jumbo frets. It has a scale length of 24.75” and a nut width of 1.7″.

Therefore, the guitar was equipped with Mini humbucking pickups for both the bridge and neck, along with a 3-way toggle switch and individual volume and tone controls for each pickup. It includes a Tune-o-matic bridge and an aluminum stopbar tailpiece, complemented by Gibson deluxe tuners. The total weight is 8.8 pounds, and it comes with a hardshell case.

The USA “Vintage 1977 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe” are in good condition and feature new Grover tuners. Back is worn a bit with a small piece of wood out of the bottom back. Beautiful maple neck with a Rosewood fretboard. Neck is straight and plays with a nice low action and no buzz or issues.

The Gibson Les Paul Custom

Posted on 02/07/2026 by Guitar Gear

In 1954, Gibson launched the Gibson Les Paul Custom, marking it as the premier Les Paul model. It featured multi-ply binding, gold hardware, and a stylish black finish, earning it the nickname “Black Beauty.” The initial versions had a P-90 bridge pickup paired with an Alnico V “staple” neck pickup. Therefore, distinguishing it from the dual P-90 Les Paul Goldtop of that era.

By 1957, the model had progressed to a unique three-pickup setup, which was later favored by both Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Originally launched in partnership with the iconic artist Les Paul in 1952, the Gibson Les Paul™ electric guitar boasts a deep and storied legacy in sound creation.

The initial release featured a Gold finish, equipped with two P-90 pickups and a trapeze tailpiece. As the years went by, the Les Paul evolved through various iterations and models—most notably the legendary sunburst Les Paul Standard versions made from 1958 to 1960—solidifying its status as a beloved essential across nearly all music genres.

The Tuxedo. The Legend. The Gibson Les Paul Custom.

Few guitars are as legendary as the Les Paul Custom. Adorned in a timeless Ebony finish complemented by stunning gold hardware, it makes a striking impression even before you strum a chord. However, once you plug it in, you experience a sound that has shaped generations of music. This creation from the Gibson Custom Shop is not merely a reissue; it is a meticulously crafted instrument designed for the contemporary player who seeks the utmost in tone, feel, and aesthetics. It represents the zenith of Gibson’s craftsmanship—a genuine player’s instrument with a rich legacy to uphold.