Right on the heels of a notably strong showing at this year's NAMM convention out in Anaheim, Gibson is at it again with a crop of fresh high-end models from the builders at the Gibson Custom Shop.
As posted on the brand’s website earlier today, the new Custom Shop range includes 23 distinct models representing a simplified product line keeping in step with a general back-to-basics ethos that has underlined Gibson's product announcements since new management was brought to the company this past fall.
Perhaps most eye-catching of the new range are a batch of Gibson models adorning the classic Black Beauty Les Paul Custom appointments that go back to the 1950s. Found on the new Custom Shop Explorer Custom, SG Custom, Firebird Custom, and Flying V Custom, these flourishes included black-on-black styling, square inlays, and gold hardware.
Another unique entry in this line is a new design dubbed Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured Top which takes the double cutaway Les Paul Special shape and soups it up with a flamed maple top and Custombucker pickups.
Beyond these reimagined hybrid guitars, the rest of the line is made of relatively standard Custom Shop fare, covering the classic Les Paul, SG, and other reissue model. Spec wise, this year will see the reintroduction of ebony fingerboards as opposed to Richlite on relevant models as well as paper-in-oil caps on the Historic Reissue models.
To see the full range of new guitars, check out Gibson's website here.
Editor's Note:A previous version of this post implied that this year marks the first release of the Les Paul Custom-style models described above when in fact they have been offered in previous years as well.