The original Les Paul guitar was among the first of the solid body electric guitars following in the footsteps of the Fender Telecaster. What differentiated the Les Paul from the Telecaster was that its strings were anchored on the surface of the guitar, instead of through its body. The Les Paul was also available in different colors and finishes.
The Les Paul Custom guitar was designed from the start to be a more high quality and stately guitar. It was nicknamed the Black Beauty for its slick black design. Les Paul stated that the design was meant to be reminiscent of a tux. The guitar's surface was made from solid mahogany, instead of maple like the standard model. Starting in 1957, the Custom was outfitted with the humbucker style pickup, giving it its defining bulky and warm sound.
Modern Customs feature a fretboard made of ebony, which provides a sharper tone. It also has lowered frets than the norm, which has led the Custom getting an additional nickname, which is the fretless wonder.
Many famous guitarists have used a Les Paul Custom guitar throughout the years. Examples include The Edge of U2, Ace Frehley of Kiss, James Hetfield of Metallica, and the legendary Jimi Hendrix, to just name a few.
A brand new Custom today is worth several thousand dollars. They are no longer limited to just being Black Beauties; Customs have since produced with different finished including Antique White and Silverburst.
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