I am offering here an original Gibson Les Paul Custom Ebony from 1989, a handcrafted in Nashville, Tennessee (USA), vintage luxury model of the Gibson Les Paul, featuring a solid mahogany body (without weight relief), arched 2-piece maple top, set-in mahogany neck with medium “C” neck profile and 42.9mm nut width, bound ebony fingerboard with thick mother-of-pearl block inlays, two legendary Gibson Bill Lawrence “The Original” HB-R/HB-L humbucker pickups, high-quality Tune-O-Matic bridge with stoptail tailpiece and Grover Rotomatic Keystone gold tuners in an authentically aged ebony nitrocellulose high-gloss finish with multi-ply cream binding and black pickguard in very good original condition, including black Gibson Custom hardshell case and professional setup with 10-gauge Elixir strings.

In 1954, Gibson introduced an even more luxurious version to complement the Les Paul Standard, which had been in production since 1952: the Les Paul Custom. Visually far more opulent than the comparatively simple Standard, it quickly earned the nickname “Black Beauty” due to its deep black finish, and the rest is history.

This “Black Beauty,” built in 1989 at the Gibson Nashville factory, impressively reinforces the notion that the early years following the Norlin era were exceptionally good years. The guitar features a resonant solid mahogany body topped with an arched two-piece maple top, as well as a set mahogany neck. Weighing in at 4.68kg, this Vintage Paula is no lightweight, but it offers a particularly creamy sustain, a powerful punch, and the rich tone typical of early Custom models.

At the heart of this Les Paul Custom are the two original “Circuit Board” humbuckers developed by Bill Lawrence, which impress even at higher gain settings with their melodic, singing qualities, complex and rich overtones, and extremely dynamic tonal response. Great growl and clarity at the bridge, a balanced and detailed middle position, and a warm, full-bodied neck pickup ensure a lively and versatile sound.

A sound sample of the model can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

The medium-width neck profile, which leans toward the ‘50s style, sits comfortably in the hand, and together with the 42.9mm-wide nut and the 628mm scale length, it results in exceptionally smooth playability.

Visually, the classic ebony finish complements the shiny gold hardware and the deep black ebony fingerboard perfectly.

Technical Specifications:

• Origin: Nashville, TN, USA
• Year of Manufacture: 1989
• Body: Solid mahogany (no weight relief)
• Top: 2-piece arched maple top, solid
• Neck: Mahogany, set-in
• Neck profile: “C”
• Fingerboard: Ebony with mother-of-pearl block inlays, bound
• Fingerboard radius: 12”
• Frets: 22
• Nut width: 42.9mm
• Headstock: Black Face with custom mother-of-pearl logo inlay, 5-ply bound
• Pickups: 2x Gibson Bill Lawrence “The Original” HB-R/HB-L Circuit Board Humbuckers
• Electronics: 3-way switch, 2x volume & 2x tone controls
• Tuners: Grover Rotomatic Keystone Gold Tuners
• Bridge: Tune-o-Matic with Stopbar Tailpiece
• Hardware: Gold
• Bindings: Cream/black, 7-ply
• Pickguard: Black, 5-ply
• Finish: High-gloss Ebony, Nitrocellulose
• Scale length: 628mm
• Weight: 4.68kg
• Serial No.: 82519552
• Includes black Gibson Custom Art & Historic hardshell case, strap with straplocks, original strap pins

These post-Norlin era Gibson Les Paul Custom guitars (“Good Wood era”) are now extremely rare and highly sought after as collector’s items or player guitars with that certain vintage vibe.

This guitar is in very good original condition and technically flawless. Visually, there is only occasional age-related fine superficial wear which blends in seamlessly into the instrument’s vintage patina (see photos). The frets are still in top condition.

The instrument has received a professional setup with 10-46 Elixir Optiweb strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it fully insured with DHL for €49.99 within Germany or €119.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping available—individual shipping costs upon request.

All images shown are of the actual instrument for sale.