Produced during the early 1970s, Gibson’s ’54 Les Paul Custom reissue was intended as a faithful nod to the company’s original deluxe solid body, capturing the look and tonal character of the first Black Beauty models. This 1972 Gibson Les Paul Custom ’54 Reissue is a good example from this limited early reissue, featuring the distinctive staple P-90 pickup in the neck position.
The guitar is built around a solid one-piece mahogany body with a carved top, paired with a one-piece mahogany neck that retains vintage-correct small frets and omits the neck volute found Les Pauls during this period. The bridge position P-90 offers a clear, articulate response with notable definition and bite, while the staple P90 neck pickup adds a thicker, more assertive character with plenty of midrange presence and excellent breakup through a tube amp.
Appointments are true to the typical Les Paul Custom specification, including multi ply body binding, an ebony fingerboard with block inlays, gold hardware and the split-diamond headstock inlay. The electronics remain original, with full pot codes obscured by solder, but reading 137 72XX.
This guitar is in good condition, with no evidence of any repair work or modification. It has however had the rear of the neck oversprayed at some point from headstock to heel, although there is no evidence of a break or repair. This guitar also includes a period purple lined case.
This guitar has been given a full service and appraisal by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 2 year warranty.
