GIBSON USA Custom Shop Hand-Picked 50's Top 1 of 81 "Iced Tea Burst + Rosewood"
Gibson USA Custom Shop Hand-Picked '50s Top 1 of 81 "Iced Tea Burst + Rosewood" (2018)
Specifications
- Model: Hand-Picked '50s Top Les Paul Standard (1 of 81)
- Year: 2018
- Finish: Iced Tea Burst (VOS Nitrocellulose Lacquer)
- Top: 2-Piece Hand-Picked Flame Maple (Chevron Top)
- Body: Lightweight Solid Mahogany
- Neck: Solid Mahogany, Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
- Neck Profile: ‘Carmelita’ (Based on Collector’s Choice Model)
- Scale Length: 24.75"
- Fingerboard: Solid Rosewood, Hide Glue Fit
- Radius: 12"
- Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
- Nut: Nylon
- Nut Width: 1.687"
- End of Board Width: 2.240"
- Inlays: Cellulose Trapezoid
- Truss Rod: '50s Tubeless
Hardware & Electronics
- Bridge: ABR-1
- Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum
- Hardware Finish: Nickel
- Pickups:
- Neck: Custombucker
- Bridge: Custombucker
- Electronics:
- 2x 500K Volume Pots
- 2x 500K Tone Pots
- Hand-Wired Harness with Bumblebee Capacitors
- Switchcraft Toggle Switch
- Pickguard: Replica Laminated Acrylic
Personal Thoughts
This Hand-Picked '50s Les Paul is one of only 81 made and features a seriously jaw-dropping chevron flame top. Commissioned by Guitar Guitar, these were put together with some of the best tops Gibson had to offer, making them stand out even among Custom Shop models.
The Carmelita neck carve is a huge plus—it’s got that ideal late '50s profile, full but not overly chunky, with rolled fingerboard edges that give it a smooth, broken-in feel. This one is particularly resonant, with fantastic sustain and a really balanced tone. The Custombucker pickups deliver that full-bodied vintage PAF magic, with just the right amount of bite and warmth.
At 8lbs 11oz, it’s in that perfect weight range for a solid mahogany Les Paul—substantial enough to sustain beautifully, but not a boat anchor.
Condition Report
This one is in mint condition. Frets, hardware, and electronics are all pristine, and it comes with the original brown/pink case, COA, and all tags.