Gibson CS '68 Les Paul Custom Ebony (2023)

This 2023 Gibson Custom Shop ’68 Les Paul Custom in Ebony is a striking blend of vintage-inspired craftsmanship and contemporary firepower. A true statement guitar in both looks and performance, this Les Paul Custom is built to deliver the timeless elegance of a late-’60s classic, elevated with modern hardware and pickups designed for today's demanding players.

The Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom in an elegant ebony finish represents a masterclass in craftsmanship and vintage-inspired design. This model is a reissue of the classic late-60s Les Paul Custom, often dubbed the "Black Beauty" due to its luxurious aesthetic. It features a solid mahogany body with a carved maple top for added brightness, coupled with a solid mahogany neck set with a long neck tenon for optimal sustain and strength. The neck sports a rounded '68 medium C profile and is topped with an ebony fretboard adorned with mother-of-pearl block inlays and multi-ply binding. Its hardware is finished in gold, adding to the premium look, with vintage-style Kluson tuners and an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge for classic tone and tuning stability.

This specific model has been upgraded with the EMG James Hetfield Signature Set pickups, replacing the stock Custom Buckers for a more modern, high-output tone. The Het Set features individually voiced pickups: the JH-N (neck) offers a smooth, vintage PAF-style tone with enhanced clarity, while the JH-B (bridge) delivers aggressive output with tight low-end response, ideal for heavier rock or metal playing. Both pickups feature EMG's solderless installation system and come in a sleek brushed stainless steel finish. This upgraded configuration retains the guitar's vintage appearance but dramatically expands its tonal range, offering a perfect blend of old-school elegance and modern performance for discerning players.