Gibson announces new Les Paul Specials, with a hint of Firebird
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Gibson has come up with a new Les Paul Specials series, which is to use traditional vintage Firebird colours and have matching coloured headstocks. It’s an unusual move, but then Gibson has become something of an unusual guitar maker…
Matching colours
This limited edition has the traditional Les Paul Special specifications in terms of wood choices and hardware. Where they all differ vastly from the norm is in the nitrocellulose finish. The following colours are all normally associated with vintage ’60s Firebirds – Inverness Green, Cardinal Red, Frost Blue, Kerry Green and Pelham Blue.
Each guitar also has a matching coloured headstock rather than the more traditional black style which you would normally associate with the brand.
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- Gibson Les Paul Special 2017 in a Firebird custom finish · Source: Gibson
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- Gibson Les Paul Special 2017 with matching headstock colour. · Source: Gibson
Gold Hardware
The woods used are a solid mahogany body and medium C profile neck with a rosewood fretboard that has 22 frets. The guitars have a twin, cream-coloured Custom P-90 pickup configuration, cream pickguards and gold hardware which includes Kluson Deluxe 3-on-a-plate tuners and a wrap-around vintage-style bridge.
The price includes a vintage-style brown Gibson Custom Shop case, with the traditional pink lining (sometimes referred to as a ‘Cali Girl’ case, ahem…) and a certificate of authenticity. Unfortunately, though, the price is an eye-watering USD 3499 , so these brightly coloured Les Paul Specials will probably be going to collectors, rather than players.
I like a Les Paul Special and think they have always been exceedingly versatile guitars. I’m just not convinced that a colour change and a few bits of gold hardware warrants such a price point. However, you may well think they are amazing and feel the need to purchase one.
RRP – USD 3499 inc hard case
Gibson Les Paul Special limited run product page
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