Gibson Les Paul Custom '57 Reissue

History

Les Paul Black Beauties are not associated with many guitarists but Billy Thorpe & John Fogerty, (both playing 68-69 reissues), Doug Ford (Masters Apprentices), Robert Fripp, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Johnny Winter, Jimmy Page, Mick Ronson, Steve Jones, Jimi Hendrix and Joe Bonnamassa are fans. A classy guitar played by Rock royalty.

While there have been one-off LPCs which different finishes and/or features the production Les Paul Custom has gone through a three distinct phases:

1. Original vintage guitars produced 1954-61. The black finish, ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl markers, double bound body, bound headstock with split-diamond headstock inlay features remained consistent with some minor build variations. The main differences in this period were the pickup configurations. Initially, the 1954-57 runs were equiped with two single coil pickups, a P-480 (using Alnico V magnets) and P-90. In 1957 the Les Paul Standard and Custom replaced their single coil pickups with the new Humbuckers pickups, the Standard was fitted with two pickups while most of the up-market Customs acquired three (a small number of two Humbucker pickup Les Paul Customs [estimated between 15-22] ordered 1957-60. These guitars amongst the rarest solid body production Gibsons ever made).
2. Reintroduced Les Paul Custom from 1968. The specification of these guitars: Mable cap, two pickup and different hardware from the original spec were nevertheless very much in demand. The production specification changed over time to include variations in electrics, body/neck construction, weight relief (with some non-weight relief guitars have been rumoured to weigh 14 lbs.) and hardware e.g. Nashville bridge. The LPC was built on the regular Made In USA production line until 2001 when the build was transferred to the Custom Shop. The descendent of the original 1968, (with the variety of changed features), is still available.
3. Reissue 1954, 1957 and 1968 models: These models seek to reproduce the vintage specifications. By 2018 the '57 model, my favourite, is now pretty close to the original spec.

It's ironic that the rarer, more expensive Custom is now less desirable than the flashy Sunburst Standards in the vintage market thanks to Eric Clapton!

So what's the story with two pickup Les Paul Customs?

The '57 LPC was the first solid body Gibson to be equipped with three pickups reflecting its up-market specification. I guess most buyers would want the new up-market three pickup specification but some might know/learn that the middle pickup restricts picking action. Gibson claims that a small number of buyers "custom ordered" two pickup LPC variants (no such orders are know to have been placed for SG Customs). This is the most probable explanation. However, it's also possible the Gibson had a number of two pickup 54-57 style bodies on the line when the new three Humbucker LPCs were announced. Rather than re-wire/re-rout these bodies for three humbuckers the existing pickup routs were enlarged to accomodate two of the new humbucker pickups. And I note that all the two pickup LPCs I've seen are built with 57 hardware i.e. no Klusons, updated post 1960 new volume and tone control knobs and amber selector switch knob. As mentioned, vintage two pickup Les Paul Customs are rare. I've seen about four guitars including Johnny Winter's and Joe Bonamassa's, below.

Joe Bonnamassa's 2 PUP LPC

Joe's guitar is even fitted with Grover Imperials and a (factory installed?) Bigsby. Johnny has a two pickup LPC and an even rarer 2 pickup SG Custom (I've never seen one before).

Johnny Winter's 2 PUP Les Paul Custom

While the three PUP Customs have a slightly different middle selection sound, in my opinion the different sound doesn't justify the obstruction of the middle pickup.

Preamble

In 1972 I was buying a $22 Japanese Strat rip-off in Grace Bros. I saw Japanese copy of a Les Paul Custom for about $75. It looked beautiful but outside my budget (but a lot more affordable than a Gibson Les Paul Custom which was re-introduced 1968). Since then I've been itching to get one but never got close enough to pull the trigger, until now. There have been a number of stops along the way:

1. 2003: Gibson Les Paul Standard. I was thinking now I don't need a LPC. I sold it when I bought the Custom Shop '59 reissue;
2. 2005: PRS Custom 24. I was thinking now I don't need a LPC. I didn't bond with it so sold;
3. 2007: Reading and rereading Guitarist Feb/Mar, 2007 review of the '57 Custom Shop LPC put the hook in keeping the flame alive all while watching Custom Shop LPC build get closer to the original '50s build specs;
4. 2009: Gibson Custom Shop '59 Les Paul Standard. That should have put my desire so sleep but;
5. 2007- 2024: Seeing Custom Shop guitars getting more and more expensive. Occasional 2nd hand '57 reissues keeping the flame alive (but sellers seem to ask almost as expensive as new models). Recently I checked a second hand 2016 model for sale at around $8.5K, I enquired about the weight. The seller said it "wasn't super light or super heavy". Light weight is a selling point so I guess it was heavy;
6. 2024: An online price check and found a new Gibson Murphy Lab 1957 Les Paul Custom - Ultra Light Aged priced for $10.5. Not much more than 2nd hand prices. Itch scratched?

Gibson Murphy Lab 1957 Les Paul Custom - Ultra Light Aged

Specification

Body

• Type: Solid Body
• Colour: Ebony
• Orientation: Right Handed
• Body Shape: Les Paul
• Body Material: 1-Piece Solid Mahogany
• Binding: Multi-ply
• Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer; Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aged
• Weight Relief: None

Neck

• Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
• 
  Neck Shape: Chunky C-Shape (50s Rounded Medium C)
• Scale Length: 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
• Fretboard Material: Solid Ebony
• Fingerboard Radius: 304.8 mm / 12 in
• Number of Frets: 22
• Fretboard Inlays: 1950s Pattern Mother of Pearl
• Fret Size: Historic Medium-Jumbo
• Nut Material: Nylon
• Fretboard Radius: 12" (304.8mm)
• Nut Material: Nylon
• Nut Width: 1.69" (42.85mm)
• End Of Board Width: 56.89 mm / 2.239 in
• Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit

Hardware

• Finish: Gold; Murphy Lab Light Aged
• Bridge: No-Wire ABR-1
• Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
• Tuning Machines: Kluson Waffleback with Pearloid Tips
• Pickguard: Multi-ply Laminated Acrylic
• Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube
  
• Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply Les Paul Custom
• Control Knobs: Butyrate Black Top Hats
• Switch Tip: Amber Catalin
• Switch washer: Replica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
• Jack Plate Cover: Multi-ply Laminated Acrylic
• Control Covers: Black Royalite
• Strap Buttons: Brass
• Mounting Rings: M69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
• Pickup Covers: Authentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver
• Tuners: Kluson Waffleback with Pearloid Tips

Electronics

• Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
• Bridge: Pickups Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
• Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
• Output Jack: 1/4" Switchcraft

Miscellaneous

• Strings: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
• Case/ Bag Included: Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch
• Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity, Mounted Custom Shop Switch Plate Medallion; Reissue Switch Backplate in Case

Observations

The guitar was badly packed and the case was bouncing around inside the shipping box. I feared the worst. Surprisingly the case seemed to protect the guitar from any damage.

First impressions:

• I was initially disappointed to find 2022 Les Paul Customs were supplied with a Brown Lifton case, usually associated with the Les Paul Standard. The vintage Les Paul Customs came with a black case with gold plush. However, it's noted that some original '50s Customs came with Brown Cases when they ran out of gold plush. The Brown Lifton cases seem to be more valued in the market these days so not disappointed after all;
• Murphy Lab COA;
• Case candy, hang tags and instructions (as supplied with on the 50s models);
• Optional white or amber switch tips;
• A Black Royalite switch backplate, which I used to I replace the heavier Custom Shop Switch Plate Medallion;
• The neck has a similar profile to my '59 Standard but slightly smaller radius and the rolled edges made it very comfortable to play over the length of the neck;
• Relatively light weight at 8.97 lbs. which makes it a easier to play all night;
• However, I was surprised by the aging. It doesn't look like Ultra light aging to me. Fender are better at relic'ing than Gibson.

Playing the guitar

The guitar has great tonal balance between Treble/Rhythm selector positions and usable settings from 0-10 with the Audio pots. I can't hear the dark mid-range tone as advertised by Gibson. It's sounds great clean of overdriven as controlled by the volume controls

Concerns

• Switch Tip: The Amber Catalin Switchcraft switch tip should be supplied with the guitar. Looks like somebody replaced the original part with an Epiphone part. No problem. The store send me a Gibson Original Tip;
• Aging: I thought the Murphy aging looked fake but subsequently found some vintage guitars showing similar ageing. While it might by similar to some vintage guitars the finish seems to be flaking off. I'll have to keep an eye on this.

Neck finish flaking

I was so worried about Murphy Lab '57 finish flaking I returned the guitar to the retailer. I was still after a '57 but VOS rather than Murphy Lab. They found me a lightweight guitar that I picked it up directly from the Australian Gibson distributor.

Return Timeline

The neck finish began to chip off. Gibson (Tom Murphy) said this is normal for a Murphy Lab guitar. I found it disturbing. My chronology with the guitar:

• 16/01/2024: Bought the Guitar;
• 24/01/2024: Delivered to my house;
• 23/03/2024: Notified vendor of concerns regarding flaking finish
• 16/04/2024: Delivered Guitar to Australis (local Gibson distributor) for assessment;
• 03/05/2024: Picked up guitar from Australis;
• 10/06/2024: Notified Sky Music of ongoing concern regarding flaking finish (especially if the serial number flaked off);
• 17/06/2024: Returned the guitar. Sky Music was prepared to accept the return of the guitar (with a minimal restock fee). Great customer service.

_______________________________________________________________________

Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS

The Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS is oozing with classic tone and vintage-original-spec authenticity. Its eye-grabbing VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish captures the depth, and richness of a genuine '57 Custom — one of the most iconic solidbody electric guitars ever made. Handcrafted by Gibson's elite Custom Shop luthiers, the 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS features top-shelf tonewoods, including a 1-piece mahogany body and a fast, comfortable Chunky C profile mahogany neck topped by a silky smooth ebony fingerboard with 22 Historic medium jumbo frets, Plek'd to perfection. Plug this beast into your favorite tube amp, and experience searing PAF tones, courtesy of two powerful CustomBucker Alnico III unpotted pickups. Premium appointments, including gold hardware, mother-of-pearl '50s Pattern inlays, and Kluson Waffleback tuners complete the amazing 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS.

Every inch of this Les Paul has vintage vibe

To capture the essence of the original 1957 Les Paul Custom, Gibson painstakingly re-created each part piece by piece. The mahogany body, nitro finish, and solid ebony fingerboard are only the beginning. Not only do you get the Chunky C profile neck you've been craving, but the accuracy of the details go all the way down to the positioning of the instrument's vintage-style Kluson Waffleback tuners and the size and shape of its mother-of-pearl '50s Pattern inlays.

CustomBucker pickups deliver pure vintage PAF tone

Gibson Custom paid just as much attention to this guitar's electronics as they did to its aesthetics. Every part of its internal signal path was designed to deliver dead-on 1957 Les Paul tone. Of course, it's next to impossible to find genuine '50s PAFs (even for Gibson). Instead, the 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS sports a dynamic duo of Gibson's CustomBucker humbuckers. The CustomBucker is the most historically accurate PAF copy ever. Take it from Sweetwater's guitar experts: The Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS nails the look, sound, and feel of an original 1957 Les Paul Custom.

Chunky C neck and Plek'd frets for optimised playability

Comfort and playability were two of Gibson's primary concerns when they were designing the 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS. You'll be delighted at how this guitar's Chunky C profile neck comfortably fills your hand in just the right way. For your playing pleasure, the bound ebony fingerboard is buffed to silky smoothness and the frets are dressed to perfection using a Plek Pro machine for optimized playability. Typically reserved for top-dollar custom guitars, this process levels the frets with pinpoint precision, providing you with the most playable fretboard you're likely to own.

Vintage Original Sheen finish, for the look and feel of a classic

Gibson Custom's Vintage Original Sheen finish option comes standard on Custom Shop Historic Reissue models. The VOS finish package includes lightly aged parts that imparts an authentic vintage patina. The nitrocellulose finished it buffed to a light matte appearance, giving a look and feel of a guitar that has been lovingly played and cared for over the years.

Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS

Specification:

• 1-piece mahogany body; VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish
• Mahogany neck, Chunky C profile, VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish
• Ebony fingerboard, 12" radius, 22 Historic Medium Jumbo frets, mother-of-pearl '50s Pattern inlays
• Plek'd frets for optimized playability
• 2 unpotted Custombucker Alnico III humbucking pickups
• 3-way pickup selector switch
• Volume and Tone controls for bridge and neck pickups
• ABR-1 bridge with lightweight aluminum Stop Bar
• 24.75" scale length; 1.69" nylon nut
• Kluson Waffleback tuners
• Elegant gold hardware
• Factory strings: Gibson 10–46, standard tuning
• Single-action truss rod, headstock access
• Vintage Original Sheen finish package with light matte nitrocellulose and aged hardware
• Includes hard case and Custom Shop certificate of authenticity
• Quality crafted in USA

Tech Specs

GENERAL

• Number of Strings: 6
• Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed

BODY

• Body Type: Solid-body
• Body Shale: 1957 Les Paul Custom
• Body Material: 1-piece Solid Mahogany
• Body Finish: VOS Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Color: Ebony
• Body Style: Les Paul
• Binding: Multi-ply
• Body Finish: Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
• Weight Relief: None

NECK

• Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
• Profile: 50s Rounded Medium C
• Fingerboard Material: Ebony
• Inlays: 1950s Pattern Mother of Pearl
• Neck Radius: 12"
• Scale Length: 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
• Fingerboard Dimensions: 304.8 mm / 12 in
• End Of Board Width: 56.89 mm / 2.239 in
• Frets: Historic Medium-Jumbo
• Fret Count: 22
• Nut Material: Nylon
• Nut Width: 42.85 mm / 1.687 in
• Neck Joint: Set Neck, Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
• Neck Pitch: 3°
• Headstock Pitch: 16°

HARDWARE

• Hardware Finish: Gold
• Bridge: No-Wire ABR-1
• Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminium Stop Bar (or Bigsby if applicable)
• Tuning Machines: Kluson Waffleback w/ Pearloid Tips
• Pickguard: Multiply Laminated Acrylic
• Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube
• Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply Les Paul Custom
• Control Knobs: Butyrate Black Top Hats
• Switch Tip: Amber Catalin
• Switch washer: Silkscreened Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
• Jack Plate Cover: Multiply Laminated Acrylic
• Control Covers: Black Royalite
• Strap Buttons: Brass
• Mounting Rings: M69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
• Pickup Covers: Authentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver

ELECTRONICS

• Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
• Middle Pickup: Custombucker Alnico III (if applicable)
• Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
• Controls: CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
• Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
• Output Jack: Switchcraft

MISCELLANEOUS

• Strings Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
• Case: Black/Gold Lifton case
• Accessories: Gibson Custom Switchplate Medallion (w/ Historic Black Plastic Cover in Case), Certificate of Authenticity Booklet, Historic Reissue Hang Tags
• Manufacturer Part Number: LPB57VOEBGH1LP(Les Paul)
• 57(57 Reissue)
• VO(Vintage Old Spec)
• EB (Ebony)
• GH(Gold Hardware)
• 1 (Right Handed)

Observations

There are a few differences between the Murphy Lab and the VOS version:

• Ageing: I love the VOS finish models that Gibson are now calling this Vintage Patina. I've prefer to polish away the VOS grime. It's now like a shiny matt finish;
• Guitar Case: The Murphy Lab had a Lifton case. This guitar has Black Case with gold plush as supplied with vintage LPCs;
• Case Candy: The case candy is the same except for the Custom Shop vs. Murphy Lab certificate;
• Weight: I thought the Murphy Lab was light at 8.97 lbs. The VOS is even lighter at 8.5 lbs.;
• Overall Condition: the guitar is in excellent condition.

Playing the guitar:

It sounds just like the Murphy Lab, so no change due to lighter weight. I'm not sure whether it's due to the Custombucker pickups or the all mahogany boy but I prefer the sound of the LPC to my '59 reissue at the moment.

Verdict:

Swapping the Murphy Lab for the VOS was the right decision. I feel very happy with the guitar and for now play the '57 Custom more often than the '59 Standard.

Differences between my Les Paul Custom and SG Custom

In 1961 the Les Paul range (Junior, Special, Standard & Custom) changed from the old body shapes to the SG body. The usual explanation was that sales of the old body had decreased and Gibson responded by updating the to the new SG body shape. While it's true that competitors, especially Fender with their more modern appearance and features, were stealing Gibson customers I think a main reason for the transition to the SG body was cost reduction. By 1960 Gibson were making two different body shapes, the double cutaway Junior and Specials and the single cutaway Standard and Customs. While sales of both models were picking up the different body shapes especially the time consuming Standard and Custom extended the production line and the extra labour reduced profit. To address these issues Gibson adopted a single, more modern looking bevelled body shape, the SG. The flat body shape also allowed easy installation of "Vibrolas". This provided Gibson with lightweight, modern looking guitars with vibrato and in the up-market models, Gibson's unique humbucker pickups. Gibson must have felt they now were in direct competition with the up-start Fender and sales rose to support the strategy. It all looked good until Eric Clapton triggered demand for the older single cut-away guitars. The Les Paul single cut-away was re-introduced in 1968.

I have both a Les Paul Custom and its successor the SG Les Paul Custom. While there are many shared features the SG body guitar has a completely different vibe. Visually the difference is black and white:

• Visual: Many people think the SG is a smaller guitar than the Les Paul but the overall external dimensions are quite similar. However, the LPC looks more traditional while the SG looks devilish with its pointed horns;
• Body: The LPC body is a solid one-piece mahogany body with double binding. The SG body is much thinner carved one-piece mahogany body. The SG cutaways might allow easier upper fretboard access but it also results in a tenuous neck - body joint and the SGs notorious reputation of neck breaks;
• Neck: Although the SG appears to have a shorter fretboard, the LP and SG have the same board length. The LP neck shape is a chunky C on the Les Paul while the SG is a thin C profile. The LPC neck joins the body at the 16th fret while the SG neck joins the body at the 22 fret. The LPC has the '50s fret makers patterns and while the SG is '60s style.
• Hardware: Both guitars share similar hardware excepting the Vibrola on the SG. The tuning keys on the LPC, replica Kluson waffle-back with Pearloid Tips are correct for '57 reissues, while the replica Kluson Deluxe with Pearloid Tips are not vintage correct. The 61 SG would have been fitted with Grover tuners.
• Electronics: The LPC is fitted with 2 x Custombuckers AlNiCo III pickups while the SG is fitted with 3 x Burstbucker AlNiCo II pickups, BB1s in the Neck/Middle and a BB2 in the Bridge.
• Playability: Although 8.5 lbs. is light for a LPC the thinner SG weighs in at 7.46 lbs.  The LPCs body larger body allows a greater neck pitch angle than the SG so the LPC is more comfortable to play, seeming to wrap around the body. The SG with its shallower neck pitch and position of the strap buttons position the guitar front and to the left. In the past I had a preference for SGs but this LPC with its light weight and neck geometry is very comfortable to play.
• Sound: SGs are thought to be brighter than Les Pauls, presumably due to the thinner body. More likely the SG neck tenon places the neck and middle pickups closer to the bridge making those pickups brighter that the LPC and the thinner body has less bass response.

Final Thoughts

Today, Les Paul Custom's, with their one-piece all mahogany bodies, are viewed as less desirable than the maple capped "Bursts". Even Les said Gibson got the spec wrong, the LPC should have had the maple cap body with the less costly Standard should have been all mahogany. This might be re-writing history based on the now legendary status of the 58-60 bursts today noting that:

1. Les Paul spec'd the Standard - Gold and the Custom - Ebony. Any visual impact of a maple cap would be obscured by their respective finishes;
2. A one piece body is a more expensive (up market) feature requiring:
• a bigger one-piece slab of mahogany carefully selected to avoid excessive weight;
• more effort in carving a cap on a one piece body whereas the Standard bodies and caps were created in seperate construction processes;
• more effort in wiring the pickups with a whole drilled from the output jack under the pickups through to the pickup selector whereas the Standard body was routed for pickup wiring before the maple cap was fitted;
3. From '68 both Customs and Standards have maple caps with no discussion regarding the benefit of a maple cap on the Custom;
4. And most significantly, would a mahogany capped Standard burst enjoy the fanatical status of the flamed maple cap Standards today? The answer is probably indicated by resale values of '60s SG models with both the Custom and Standard both one piece mahogany construction.

A lot of effort has been taken to make the '57 LPC reissue 'vintage correct'. in contrast, most Les Paul Standards reissues miss one historic feature, Brazilian rosewood fretboards.

The LPC '57 is a guitar I've always wanted. The black and gold colour scheme is very classy. I think my '57 sounds better than my '59 Standard. This could be: unique sound of this guitar, one-piece mahogany body, CustomBucker pickups or just my personal preference. "Black Beauties" have their own vibe and fans. I am a fan!