Description
The Gibson Les Paul Custom 70s brings back one of the most celebrated eras in Gibson's electric legacy; and in its classic Ebony finish, it hits with the same unmistakable swagger that earned it the nickname "Black Beauty" in its earliest iterations. This USA-made recreation captures the essence of that tuxedo-styled original-elegant, commanding, and built for the stage. Whether you're a longtime fan of 70s Gibson craftsmanship or simply seeking a bold, no-compromise tone machine, this Les Paul Custom delivers in spades.
The "Black Beauty" nickname dates back to the model's debut in 1953, when Les Paul himself asked for an upscale, all-black version of his signature guitar. By the time the 1970s rolled around, the Custom had evolved significantly-retaining its luxurious aesthetic while adopting key changes like a three-piece maple top and maple neck construction. These updates, introduced during the model's transition from Kalamazoo to Nashville, gave the Custom a brighter, snappier tonal response that made it a favorite among rock, fusion, and hard rock players of the time. Now, Gibson brings it back to the USA lineup, faithfully recreating the features that made those vintage 70s Customs so special.
The construction is pure Custom Class: a solid mahogany body with a three-piece maple top, finished in deep Ebony and wrapped in multi-ply binding. The maple neck features the distinctive 70s profile with a volute, providing a stable, familiar grip. It's topped with a bound ebony fingerboard adorned with mother-of-pearl block inlays and fitted with 22 medium jumbo frets for a feel that's both slick and substantial under the fingers.
Tone is delivered through a calibrated set of T-Type humbuckers-voiced to reflect the brighter, slightly scooped tone of the late 70s Customs. Paired with Orange Drop capacitors and vintage-style controls, they offer clear cleans, biting midrange, and thick, articulate overdrive tones that cut through any mix. From classic rock to doom-laden drop tunings, this one's got the headroom and character to handle it all.
Gold-plated hardware rounds out the package, with an aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece providing solid sustain and precise intonation. Grover Rotomatic tuners with keystone buttons ensure tuning remains stable through heavy bends and long sets, while 70s-era cosmetic details like Witch Hat knobs, Posi-Lok strap locks, and a five-ply pickguard keep the vintage aesthetic intact.
With its Ebony finish, mother-of-pearl Split Diamond headstock inlay, and storied heritage, this version of the Les Paul Custom 70s isn't just a guitar-it's a piece of living history. Cream City Music is proud to offer this modern-day Black Beauty for those ready to plug in and make their own mark on the legacy.
Specifications:
- Shape: Les Paul
- Material: Mahogany
- Top: Maple
- Binding: Multi-ply Top, Back, and Headstock, Single Ply Fretboard
- Neck: Maple
- Neck Profile: 70s, With Volute
- Nut Width: 1.695" / 43.053mm
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Scale Length: 24.75" / 628.65mm
- Number of Frets: 22
- Nut: Graph Tech
- Inlay: Mother of Pearl Block
- Bridge: Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic
- Tailpiece: Aluminum Stop Bar
- Tuners: Grover Rotomatic with Keystone Button
- Plating: Gold
- Neck Pickup: Calibrated T-Type Neck
- Bridge Pickup: Calibrated T-Type Bridge
- Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone; Hand-wired with Orange Drop Capacitors
- Case: Hardshell
Sku: LPCU700EBGH1
