A Majestic Les Paul Custom Modified with HS Sonics The Gibson Custom 1954 Les Paul Custom Reissue authentically replicates Kalamazoo’s original black-on-black single-cut icon. Well, with one major exception: a dual-coil Custombucker pickup loaded into the bridge position. It’s an instrument inspired by the many modded-out Gibsons in guitar history, marrying the high cleans and thumping bass response of a vintage-accurate Custom Staple P-90 pickup in the neck with the warm, rich, and dynamic brawn of the bridge humbucker. Apart from this dual-coil detour, this guitar’s all-mahogany body lies firmly in the original ’54 Custom mold, sporting multi-ply double binding and a golden Tune-o-matic bridge. Next, a 1950s Chunky D–profile mahogany neck comes primed to please players who crave a vintage-correct feel. Meanwhile, the bound ebony fingerboard gleams with a set of mother-of-pearl block inlays and a split-diamond design atop the headstock. You also get a majestic set of Kluson Waffleback tuning machines to ensure optimal string stability. Coated in a Heavy Aged nitro lacquer finish from the Murphy Lab, the Gibson Custom 1954 Les Paul Custom Reissue grants you two of Gibson’s greatest golden-era tones in a single 6-string. The sweetness of the staple meets the bite of the ’bucker Ask any of Sweetwater’s Gibson fanatics, and they’ll tell you that there’s no contest between Gibson’s P-90 and humbucker pickups — you simply have to have one of each. Luckily, this 1954 Les Paul Custom Reissue’s anachronistic HS setup covers both bases with a Custom Staple P-90 in the neck and a Custombucker in the bridge. First up, the vintage-correct Custom Staple P-90 rounds over a standard P-90’s rough edges with a smoother, sweeter character. This pickup is often referred to as a “hi-fi” P-90, and its percussive bass response and chiming high end make for lush and dynamic clean tones. And while a true ’54 Custom would have featured a standard P-90 in the bridge, this guitar takes it up a notch with an Alnico III Custombucker. From its warm and dynamic sound to its very components, the Custombucker replicates the tone of Gibson’s legendary PAF humbucker. Taken as a whole, the 1954 Les Paul Custom Reissue covers serious sonic ground. Artfully aged in Gibson's Murphy Lab Under the leadership of Master Artisan Tom Murphy, Gibson Custom Shop's Murphy Lab performs one specific function: to craft artfully aged instruments using the most cutting-edge tools available. This Gibson Custom 1954 Les Paul Custom features the Murphy Lab's Heavy Aging treatment, boasting prominent checking patterns, along with lots of buckle rash, light arm wear, and neck wear. Think of it as a guitar that’s experienced 50-plus years of life on the road. Murphy Lab heavy-aged hardware puts the final touch on this exquisite instrument. Beyond that, this guitar's extra-rolled fingerboard binding mimics the broken-in look and feel of a Golden-era Gibson. If you clamor for the authenticity and distinct character of a well-worn vintage-style instrument, there's a Murphy Lab–aged guitar that will feel tailor-made just for you. Hair-raising vintage-style hardware One of Gibson's many accomplishments during the 1950s was the development of the ABR-1 — the famous Tune-o-matic bridge — which allows for precise intonation of each string. The patent for this design was granted to Gibson president Ted McCarty, a fact that has never been in dispute. However, it wasn't until more recently that McCarty's many innovations have been fully recognized. Since then, millions of guitars have been built with variations on this theme. This 1954 Les Paul Custom includes an ABR-1 bridge, further enhanced by a stopbar tailpiece and Kluson Waffleback tuning machines. Gibson Custom 1954 Les Paul Custom Reissue Features: A re-creation of the original Les Paul Custom, tweaked with a suite of non-standard features from the Limited Edition Collection Vintage-accurate all-mahogany body rings with a warm and lively resonance 1950s Chunky D–profile mahogany neck perfectly fills out your grip with era-authentic vintage heft Bound ebony fingerboard studded with luxurious MOP block inlays Custom Staple P-90 provides a cleaner, more hi-fi twist on the traditional Gibson P-90 Alnico III Custombucker bridge pickup captures all the warmth, depth, and dynamic range of Gibson’s legendary PAFs Gold Kluson Waffleback tuning machines and an ABR-1 bridge ensure top-quality stability Traditional Les Paul Custom adornments include multi-ply body binding, a split-diamond headstock inlay, and gold hardware Heavy Aged Murphy Lab nitro lacquer finish re-creates the feel of a vintage axe that’s seen decades of gigs and sessions