Pricing and availability
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Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $5,073
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Gibson Custom Les Paul Goldtop Reissue 1956". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Step back in time with the iconic 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Reissue. This guitar brings back the rare and coveted combination of P-90 pickups and an adjustable ABR-1 bridge, which was a signature feature in the '56 Les Paul.
The thick and satisfying '56 profile neck is a prime attraction for players who love a substantial grip. This, coupled with the Custom Soapbar P-90 pickups, delivers a sound that is warm, full of life, and diversely adaptable. These classic pickups give the 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue a wide range of tones, perfect for any player looking to explore the sonic landscape.
The Gibson Custom's Vintage Original Sheen finish option comes standard on this reissue, imparting an authentic vintage patina and giving it a feel of a guitar that has been lovingly played and cared for over the years. Each element and feature contributes to a playing experience that is as close to the original as it gets.
Key Features:
- The perfect instrument for early Les Paul fans
- Chunky “C” neck profile for a satisfying grip
- P-90 pickups serve up classic, fat Les Paul snarl
- Hide-glued mahogany neck for exceptional sustain and response
- Aged cellulose nitrate trapezoid fingerboard inlays
- Thin, vintage-correct, nitrocellulose-lacquer finish enhances tone
- Arched maple top and mahogany body
- One-piece rosewood fretboard
- 22 x Historic tall / narrow frets
- Kluson single ring machine heads
- Nickel hardware and ABR-1 bridge
- Aluminium stoptail
- Colour: Double Gold
- Includes custom case
- Made in USA
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | 1956 Les Paul |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Top Material | 2-piece Plain Maple |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Chunky C |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Aged Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoids |
| Number of Frets | 22, Narrow Tall |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Nut Width | 1.687" |
| Nut Material | Nylon |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | ABR-1 with Aluminum Stopbar |
| Tuners | Kluson Single Line |
| Neck Pickup | Soapbar P90 Single-coil |
| Bridge Pickup | Soapbar P90 Single-coil |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 2 x tone |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | Gibson, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Reissue?
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The neck profile of the 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Reissue is a "Chunky C" shape, which offers a substantial feel that is comfortable for players who prefer a thicker neck.
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What type of pickups are on the Gibson Les Paul 56 Goldtop VOS?
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The Gibson Les Paul 56 Goldtop VOS is equipped with Soapbar P90 single-coil pickups, known for their punchy, bright sound with a bit of vintage growl, ideal for a range of genres from blues to rock.
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Is the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue suitable for beginners?
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While the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue offers high-quality craftsmanship and sound, its premium features and price point may be more suited to experienced players and collectors.
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What is the body construction of the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue?
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The body of the Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue is made from solid mahogany with a 2-piece plain maple top, providing a classic tone with rich sustain and resonance.
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Does the 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue come with a case?
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Yes, the 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue comes with a hardshell case, ensuring protection and safe transport for the instrument.
Videos
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Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional resonance; vibrations are felt, enhancing overall playing experience
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"Chunky C" neck profile is comfortable, especially compared to other Gibson models
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P90 pickups deliver a distinct, honky tone with impressive highs and woody bass
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Goldtop finish is aesthetically pleasing and timeless
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Offers a snappy attack and impressive sustain
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Versatile sound suitable for jazz, blues, rock, and even country
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Lightweight relative to similar models, enhancing playability
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High-quality craftsmanship from Gibson's Custom Shop
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Simple to modify; adaptable to personal preferences
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Consistently praised for outstanding tone and workmanship
CONS
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Neck size may not be ideal for players with shorter fingers
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Custom Les Paul Goldtop Reissue 1956.
Build quality
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The guitar weighs 9.43 lbs, lighter than expected for its age and type, providing a manageable playing experience.
Source -
The truss rod cover placement on some reissues is noted as being 1/2” from the nut, which is unusual for Gibson models.
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Discrepancies in gold finish and control plate screw aesthetics were noted, suggesting variations in reissue models.
Source
Features and functionality
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P90 pickups are noted for staying bright white compared to other aging plastics, highlighting their unique visual aging characteristics.
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Owners highlight that the guitar's P90 pickups deliver a bold, clear tone that aligns well with punk styles, especially for Stooges and Pixies covers.
Source
User experience
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Owners report the guitar stays in tune perfectly despite its age, suggesting excellent craftsmanship and maintenance.
Source
Comparisons
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Older Gibsons, like the '56 Goldtop, are often regarded as better quality than many newer models, praised for their playability and tone.
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The 2004 reissue is more similar to 2003 and 2006 models than to 2010 or current versions, indicating subtle changes over the years.
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The 1956 Goldtop reissue is described as more organic and warmer compared to a Les Paul Studio with EMGs, offering classic tones over modern ones.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Played through a Fender Quad Reverb, the guitar reportedly sounds great, making it suitable for blues and vintage rock styles.
Source -
Users emphasize that managing the 60 cycle hum with P90s can be done without sacrificing tone; it's not an issue for punk genres that don't require ultra high gain.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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The control cavity is not shielded, contains finish buildup, and isn't routed straight, which may affect performance.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Some players mention using a dummy coil with dual-P90 Gibsons to mitigate hum, though this may slightly reduce single coil sparkle.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 12 Ratings
2423
Great Guitar
Pat got it 4 years ago and has used it well. he has modified it with a bigsby b7 and roller bridge. he also switched the bridge pickup out for a Firebird Pickup he flipped upside down, added a coil split on bridge pickup and in/out of phase switching. has been using it consistently on the majority of the last 2 albums. great guitar and would recommend.
195
Artist usage
Add artist
In this photo of Slash guitar collection, you can see Gibson Les Paul 1956 Reissue.
In this photo, Dan Auerbach can be seen playing a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Reissue guitar in a live performing with The Black Keys, at The Glass House in Pomoma, CA.
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc0OGjwmfl4#t=72
Adam Jones is seen with a natural finish Les Paul Custom, likely from the 1970s, as evidenced by a user-uploaded photo.
In this photo, Graham Coxon can be seen playing a Gibson Custom 1956 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue in 2009.
This guitar is named Cait after his wife. It has P100s in it. Tone Pros hardware. Dunlop jumbo frets. And Pete Townsend scribbled under the bridge “Pete loves Viv” with a screwdriver.
Rick mentions having a ‘56 reissue with P90s in studio.
In the description of a photo on Pinterest, it is stated that for Wayne was made a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Reissue with a Bigsby Tremolo System and a Freebird Mini Humbucker in the bridge position. He used this guitar for the song "Natural" during the Mercury Tour.
Early in 1979, Buchanan switched to a Fender Stratocaster for a few years. He vacillated between guitars until 1985, when he permanently retired his ’53 in favor of a 1983 Tele loaded with Bill Lawrence pickups and a Gibson 30th Anniversary Les Paul goldtop. During this period Buchanan explored a variety of amplifiers, including Peaveys, Mesa/ Boogies, and Marshalls, before eventually settling on a Roland JC-120. He also began experimenting with a Boss DD-2 delay pedal.
In an interview with GuitarPlayer, Trevor Rabin discusses his use of the 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Reissue.
“The main guitar that I use is a ’56 VOS Goldtop Gibson Les Paul. I flip the volume knobs, so that the bridge volume is closer to my finger – then I can grab it with my pinky and do volume swells.”
- Brian Fallon, April 2011
Presumably used around the time of American Slang and Handwritten.
He is using Gold Top LP here
Album Usage
The Gibson Custom Les Paul Goldtop Reissue 1956 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Custom Les Paul Goldtop Reissue 1956, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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