Gibson 1955 Les Paul Custom

The black beauty versions of these are probably some of my favorite thanks to their ebony fretboard. I'm a big fan of ebony in both looks and feel, so I was right at home with this thing. The guitar features a mahogany body with a maple top, mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard, 22 frets, trapezoid inlays, pickguard, binding, hard tail bridge, two P90s, two volumes, two tones and a three way switch.

UTILIZATION

The guitar was put together nicely, and that's a good thing for Gibson as their QC has been a bit iffy at times. The guitar had a properly cut nut, and as everyone knows, that's rule #1 for staying in tune. The frets were nicely leveled, the nubs were done correctly and they weren't sharp at all. I was able to get some pretty low action on this guitar despite it having a 12'' radius. Access to the upper frets is the same as every other Les Paul in that it sucks pretty hard. The neck joint gets in the way, but you learn to live with it as that joint is an important aspect in tone.

SOUNDS

The P90s are usually pretty fat, and that's a good thing. However, the ebony fretboard on this added some really cool treble that allows you to cut through the mix better. I plugged this thing into a cranked Marshall, and it was just tone for days. However, I wasn't able to get anything past that classic rock sound. With a normal Les Paul Custom, you can get basically any genre of tone due to them being so popular. The P90s kinda fall on their face once you start doing some faster riffing on the lower register. They work great for solos, but just be sure you're used to those lower output pickups.

OVERALL OPINION

These guitars look great, despite them being a bit boring overall. The ebony felt great, the bridge was nice, the P90s sounded solid and it just oozed with old school mojo. However, I questioned whether it was worth the money that Gibson was asking for it.

Gibson Les Paul Custom 1955 Custom Shop Exclusive HB140C - Gloss Ebony

.dropoff Window : Electric solidbody guitar
.dropoff Window Series: 1955 Nashville Custom Shop Limited Edition Exclusives
.dropoff Window Origin: USA
.dropoff Window Body: Mahogany solid building
.dropoff Window Table: Mahogany carved
.dropoff Window Neck: Mahogany al 1 pice, Profile 'Soft Shoulder 55'
.dropoff Window Key: Ebne
.dropoff Window Join body / neck: long neck tenon mortise &
.dropoff Window Frets: 22
.dropoff Window Scale: 24.75 "
.dropoff Window Radius: 12 "
.dropoff Window Nut: nylon, notches positioned Plek Technology
.dropoff Window Pickups: Alnico V 'Staple' (stick) & P-90 (bridge)
Ct microphones 1955 Exclusive Custom resumes the set of the 1954 with a P-90 (bridge) and an Alnico V (sleeve). Dvelopp by Seth Lover in 1952, it is designed as a complmentaire variant of the P-90, using 6 individual rectangular magnets with Alnico V alloy design confrant at a more micro and Christallin articulated. This model ft install on many Gibson Archtops the mid 50s including L-5These, ES-5, or Byrdland.
.dropoff Window Caps: black plastic
.dropoff Window Contrles: 2 volumes - 2 tonalities - slecteur microphone 3 positions
.dropoff Window Electronics: CTS 500k potentiometers Audio Taper - capacities 'Bumble Bee' 022mF - 1/4 sheet "Switchcraft
.dropoff Window Bridge: Gibson ABR-1 Tune-o-matic, aluminum finish dore
.dropoff Window Tailpiece: Gibson Stopbar Tailpiece TonePros' Long Steel Anchors & Long-locking Studs, golden finish
.dropoff Window Mcaniques: Gibson Kluson, ratio 12: 1 gold plates
.dropoff Window Cosmetics: fund board net and handle - handle repres' - buttons' Top Hat '- Reissue Black pickguard
.dropoff Window Color: Ebony (HB140C)
.dropoff Window Verni: Gloss nitrocellulose (glossy)
.dropoff Window Adhesives Franklin Titebond 50
.dropoff Window Accessories livrs: tui Gibson 'Custom Shop Black Pleather' - certificate of authenticity (1955 Innovation Certificate).

Gibson info:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/1955-Les-Paul-Custom-Exclusives/Custom.aspx

USE

Neck profile says 'Soft Shouldered 55' which is totally addictive. Custom Shop luthiers have slectionn original sleeve 1955 shapely oversized and have modlis to the smallest detail. Its depth is that of the 'Standard Rounded' rounds of the mid-50s phase diffrant thereof by lgremment rounded edges and offering an extremely comfortable grip.
Ideal weight!

SONORITS

alnico V has a better articulation and definition that got my P90 standards. Let's say, less "cojones" and bite and I find also holds the better gain than the P90. A perfect harmony between the latter and the P90!

NOTICE GLOBAL

A crazy sustain, comfort, ideal weight, it rson everywhere !!!
A Les Paul fabulous! In short, that happiness !!!

Exclusive range 1955 is composed of 5 models - the P90 Black Beauty - The Black Beauty Hot Mod (Humbucker) - Gold Top P90 - The Gold Top Hot Mod - Hot Mod.Chacun the Refin of these models exists in tailpiece wraptail "or tailpiece stop bar. Mine is a Refin Hot Mod (See photo at end of review).
Guitar from the Gibson custom shop VOS finish that is painted with the former (nitrocellulose lacquer, so it sticks in hand after a while it like that) bindings, bridge / tailpiece screwed without adding one piece "female", a more archaic but that offer may be more direct in terms of vibrations, 22 frets, long tenon, Pot CTS with capacity bumblebee, mechanical Kluson etc. ... 1 in a Burstbucker Neck Burstbucker 2 in a Bridge.
The handle is a profile 55' which is the peculiarity of being reworked at the edges, so it is pretty thick but very pleasant, easy, a very good compromise for my taste.
The rosewood is beautiful key. Small feature, split (well edges slip) and back are clear varnish unlike other Les Paul (all? I do not know?)
Which appears darker mahogany.
It's quite successful, it gives one side respectable superannuated old thing.
Not flamed, flamed maple on the table, so sober colors with an old heritage cherry burst, an early polychrome at Gibson. Note that this mod is hot Refin a model that has not existed in 1955, hence the "nickname" hot-Refin-mod a bit complicated.
In fact in 55 point or more stopbar humbucker or even maple top and sunburst I think. So a new model that's good ... hehe it suits me! = Bottom Lutherie 1955 and later options on stopbar the humbuckers and reblablabla.

UTILIZATION

A highlight: the handle. Really perfect for what I like the idea of ​​Les Paul, a thick handle that one feels in the legs but the curvature of the edges makes it magical ...
I did not, however, large paws, or hands, he suits me perfectly. In terms of sound, he gives this side "earth" due to the Les Paul.
I love it.
Binding on the cuffs in the benchmarks are bright red, surprising at first it gives its own touch, a little oldie. Mine weighs 4.2 kg, so it's a Les Paul heavy.
You can find the same model being 500/600 gr less (weight is not a test, anyway), issue of wood. In any case the body of the model 55' is full funding institutions, no holes or bedroom, so it's a Les Paul made his weight. Access to acute ... bah is a Les Paul, Jazz, Rock, Blues, Hard not need anything else. Originally the guitar is properly set. Accuracy is impeccable, the height and curvature string nickel handle it properly.
Nothing touched on, it may just be back in a chouille tailpiece. For a sound, bah is a guitar, you have to play, but it makes you want no doubt, do not fight with her, she is easy, it's just a real musical instrument.
The weight may discard naturellemnt (I play mostly sitting) and the handle not suitable for some styles. A real scratching at the old but excellent.

SOUNDS

Perfect for my style, she obviously does not replace a Start, an SG, a TV, a half-crate, Ibanez vibrato ... in short ... but the sound is full, round and fluted at the same time.
It can play all styles without asking questions.
The 2 pickups are a discovery for me, I knew about the full range of mic Gibson, well I find them very good: these two very powerful BB ideally complement. Bass is awesome, Intermediate position is balanced and gives the best of both, the bridge is not screaming while his office machine flashes.
Excellent clean sounds solid, excellent crunch very well balanced (no need to seek the point "G" on the amp for hours, it's a sign), excellent saturation silky.
Good interplay between a good violin and electronic sound, nothing flashy, but that's normal balance ... ôôôôm.
A special report the race of the volume knobs on the old ... this race is not very gradual, rather exponential, declining volume this happens very quickly ... I do not have a problem with ... see below for very nervous on stage, but it is an easy to adjust if necessary.

OVERALL OPINION

I acquired this guitar 3 months ago. I wanted input publish an opinion on what I consider to be a very good instrument.
I waited, history does not fix me hot because I'm usually pretty hard and then ignited.
And volunteer she did not disappoint me, of course 3 months is not a life but I believe she will follow me a bit as qqls few other guitars.
The value for money ... I forties, I bought a really good guitar, the original balance. It cost me € 3300, so it's still too expensive but good! Do not be fooled, even the custom shop but they really should charge you feel extra care at all levels ... all these little attentions make a big difference in the end, and then the "odds" Gibson has proven, there it's a really good Les Paul with his faults and his enormous qualities. Yes I would do this ... uh ... what wedding choosing without hesitation. I put 9 / 10, 10/10 we will see in 10 or 20 years. Too bad for the Argus, I do not care.

1955 Gibson Les Paul Custom Custom Shop HB140C Exclusive - Gloss Ebony

. Type: Solidbody electric guitar
. Series: Custom Shop Limited Edition Exclusive Nashville 1955
. Origin: USA
. Body: Solid Mahogany Full
. Top: Carved mahogany
. Neck: 1 piece mahogany glued in profile 'Soft Shoulder 55'
. Fingerboard: Ebony
. Joint body / neck: long neck tenon & mortise
. Frets: 22
. Scale: 24.75 "
. Radius: 12 "
. Nut: Nylon, nicks positioned by Plek Technology
. Pickups: Alnico V 'Staple' (handle) & P-90 (bridge)
Hand microphones, the 1955 incorporates the Exclusive Custom set of 1954 with a P-90 (bridge) and Alnico V (neck). Developed by Seth Lover in 1952, it is designed as a complementary alternative P-90, using 6 individual rectangular magnets with Alnico V alloy, giving the design a more micro christallin and articulated. This model was installed on many Gibson Archtop the mid 50s including L-5CES, ES-5, or Byrdland.
. Caps: black plastic
. Controls: 2 volume - 2 tones - 3 position micro switch
. Electronics: CTS 500k Audio Taper Potentiometers - capacity 'Bumble Bee' 022mF - jack 1 / 4 "Switchcraft
. Bridge: Gibson ABR-1 Tune-o-matic, aluminum gold finish
. Bridge: TonePros Tailpiece Gibson stopbar 'Long Steel Anchors & Studs Long-locking, gold finish
. Tuners: Kluson Gibson, 12:1 ratio, gold-plated
. Cosmetics: net cash edge and handle - handle benchmarks''- buttons 'Top Hat' - Reissue Black pickguard
. Color: Ebony (HB140C)
. Verni: Nitrocellulose Gloss (shiny)
. Adhesives: Titebond 50 Franklin
. Included accessories: holster Gibson 'Custom Shop Black Pleather' - certificate of authenticity (1955 Innovation Certificate).

Gibson Info:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/1955-Les-Paul-Custom-Exclusives/Custom.aspx

UTILIZATION

Profile stick called 'Soft shouldered 55' which is totally addictive. The luthiers of the Custom Shop has selected an original 1955 to handle non-standard curve and modeled in detail. Its depth is the 'Standard Rounded' sleeves of the mid-50s phase, differing from them by the edges and rounded légèremment offering extremely comfortable grip.
Ideal weight!

SOUNDS

alnico V has a better articulation and definition that the P90 standard for my taste. Say, less "cojones" and bite and I think would also gain better than the P90. A perfect agreement between it and the P90!

OVERALL OPINION

Sustain folly, comfort, ideal weight, it resonates everywhere!
A Les Paul fabulous! Briefly, what happiness!
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