A Steadfast Les Paul Custom Reissue Primed to Perform
Gibson’s 50th anniversary celebration for opening its Nashville facility continues with a reimagining of an ever-growing favorite among the Gibson community: the ’70s Les Paul Custom. Designed as a compilation of “best of” features from this highly experimental yet iconic time in guitar building, the ’70s Les Paul Custom channels inspiration from a solid mahogany body. It ups the ante with such period-correct appointments as a 3-piece maple cap; 5-ply binding; a maple neck with a headstock volute; a thin, breathable nitro finish; diamond-shaped Posi-lock strap buttons; witch hat control knobs; a Nashville bridge; and a set of calibrated, era-specific T-type pickups. Many legendary artists are synonymous with playing ’70s-era Les Paul Customs, including Al Di Meola, Ace Frehley, Adam Jones, Randy Rhoads, John Sykes, and Frank Zappa. This ’70s Les Paul Custom not only pays tribute to these timeless guitarists — it also leaves plenty of room for you to make your own mark.
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The best of the Norlin era
Though typically thought of as a contentious and experimental time in Gibson’s history, the core fundamentals of the ’70s Les Paul Custom are sure to win favor from even the most vintage loyalists. To start, a 3-piece maple top joins a solid mahogany body to provide a rich tonal foundation full of sustain. True to late Norlin-era specs, a maple neck adds a crisp and snappy definition with a comfortable ’70s profile neck. No Les Paul from this time period would be complete without an added volute carve near the back of the headstock — a crucial point facet preserving neck stability. All of these combined tonewood elements project a sonic presence that is unmistakably a Les Paul Custom
Equipped for maximum performance
Behind the classic ’70s Les Paul Custom aesthetic lies a host of performance and quality upgrades that make this powerhouse gig-ready right out of the case. Firstly, the 12-inch radius ebony fingerboard not only stays consistent with Gibson’s slick playability, but you also get taller, longer-lasting medium-jumbo frets that allow you to dig into larger-than-life string bends. String resonance and tuning stability are also bolstered by a larger Nashville bridge, Grover tuners, and a Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut, ensuring a highly accurate, snag-free tuning and setup experience.
Throwback T-style pickups project vintage power
As if Sweetwater’s 6-string virtuosos and Gibson fanatics aren’t excited enough about the ’70s Les Paul Custom, let’s not forget the matched T-style pickup set. The T-style set, also created using period-correct specs and materials, offers PAF-style response with greater note separation. Emphasis on a brighter, more immediate attack comes courtesy of their Alnico V magnets. Furthermore, the dynamic and open voice of the T-style set allows for extreme versatility depending on your guitar and amp settings. In particular, the neck pickup warms up beautifully while still possessing a top-end chime to cut through your mix without sounding brittle.
Gibson ’70s Les Paul Custom Features:
- Gibson’s iconic electric guitar celebrates 50 yrs. of operations in Nashville
- The first Les Paul Custom in regular production in over 2 decades
- Mahogany body with a carved 3-piece maple top sets the sonic foundation with a warm, yet snappy sound profile
- Era-correct maple neck with volute reinforces headstock stability
- 12-in. radius ebony fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets facilitates flexible best-of-all-worlds playability
- Posi-lock strap buttons and witch hat knobs complete the ’70s Les Paul aesthetic
- Period-accurate T-type pickups deliver a dynamic voice with clarity and bite
- Classic 2-volume, 2-tone control layout offers vast tonal variety between both pickups
- Nashville TOM bridge with stopbar tailpiece
- 1.69-in. Graph Tech nut augments harmonic richness and reduces string slippage
- 18:1 ratio Grover tuners increase tuning accuracy
- Glossy, breathable nitrocellulose lacquer finish encapsulates a “fresh” vintage aesthetic that gets better with age
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