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Average Price: $6,222

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$400

$1001+

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Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 19, 2026.

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Description

Celebrating two decades of timeless craftsmanship, the Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty is an exquisite homage to one of the most iconic guitars in history. This masterpiece is meticulously crafted in Gibson’s Custom Shop, adhering to the Vintage Original Specifications that make it a true collector’s item. The guitar sports a hand-selected, one-piece solid mahogany body, delivering rich, resonant tones that only a non-chambered body can produce.

Its one-piece mahogany neck is complemented by an elegant ebony fretboard adorned with LP Custom pearl 'Blocks' inlays and a distinctive Split Diamond headstock inlay, ensuring you stand out on any stage. The long neck tenon, all hide glue construction, and Holly veneer headstock further enhance its authentic vintage appeal.

At the heart of this Black Beauty's sonic prowess are two Unpotted Custombucker (AlNiCo 3) humbucker pickups, renowned for their warm, dynamic sound that captures the essence of the original 1957 model. The ABR-1 bridge and aluminum stopbar, along with gold-plated Waffle Back machine heads, ensure exceptional tuning stability and sustain. With gold-plated hardware and a finish that evokes the elegance of yesteryear, this guitar is a true work of art.

Whether you're a seasoned performer or a dedicated enthusiast, this Les Paul Custom is more than just an instrument—it's a legacy.

Key Features:

  • Custom Shop - Historic Collection
  • VOS - Vintage Original Specifications
  • One-piece solid mahogany body (non-chambered)
  • One-piece mahogany neck with LP Custom neck profile
  • Ebony fretboard with LP Custom pearl 'Blocks' inlays
  • Split Diamond headstock inlay
  • Long neck tenon and all hide glue construction
  • 2 Unpotted Custombucker (AlNiCo 3) humbucker pickups
  • Gold-plated Waffle Back machine heads
  • ABR-1 bridge and aluminum stopbar
  • Gold-plated hardware
  • Includes case and certificate
  • Made in the USA

Product specs

Available since March 2018
Colour Black
Body Mahogany
Top None
Neck Mahogany
Fretboard Ebony
Frets 22
Scale 628 mm
Pickups HH
Tremolo None
Incl. Case Yes
Incl. Gigbag No
Limited Run 2018
Model 1957 Black Beauty
Shape LP-Style
Pickup System HH

FAQs

What makes the Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty unique?

This guitar is a limited edition reissue of the iconic 1957 Les Paul Custom, featuring a mahogany body and neck, an ebony fretboard, and dual humbucker pickups, which provide a rich, warm tone.

Is the Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty suitable for modern rock music?

Yes, the dual humbucker pickups deliver a powerful and versatile sound that is well-suited for modern rock, offering both clarity and depth.

Does the Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty come with a case?

Yes, this guitar includes a case, ensuring protection and easy transport.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty like?

The neck is crafted from mahogany, providing a comfortable grip with a traditional feel, which is ideal for both rhythm and lead playing.

How many frets does the Gibson 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty have?

This guitar features 22 frets, allowing for a full range of playability across the fretboard.

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Custom Shop 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty • SN: 73509

Video thumbnail for Gibson Custom Shop 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty  •  SN: 73509 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Custom Shop 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty • SN: 73509

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Custom Shop 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty  •  SN: 73580 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Custom Shop 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty • SN: 73580

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Custom Shop 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty  •  SN: 73526 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Custom Shop 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty • SN: 73526

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Big neck ideal for those who prefer chunkier profiles

  • Darker sound appeals to fans of classic Les Paul Customs

  • Excellent craftsmanship with crystal-clear ebony tone

  • Flat string action enhances playability and comfort

  • Sound is rich and full, making it a top choice for many

CONS

  • Unpotted Custombuckers may not suit those who use high gain

  • Some users noted imprecise transitions, affecting overall finish quality

Critic Reviews

Gibson announces 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star
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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Slash uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Slash

Guitarist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via Google

Slash is known for his Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty, affectionately dubbed "Black Death." This guitar is prominently featured in numerous images available through a Google search, underscoring its significance in his collection.

See how Taylor York uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Taylor York

Guitarist

Paramore

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:27 into this performance of Misery Business, Taylor can be seen playing this guitar

See how Lenny Kravitz uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Lenny Kravitz

Singer, Guitarist

The Plastic Ono Band

...
Verified via YouTube

Lenny used the Black Beauty on tour for the album "Strut" as seen in the video

See how Robby Krieger uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Robby Krieger

Singer, Guitarist

The Doors

...
Verified via Photo

According to TheDoorsGuide.com, a website that aims to be the ultimate resource for one of the most innovative bands to come out of the west coast music scene in the late 1960s, "Robby Krieger acquired a 1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty in mid-1968 for bottleneck playing. Gibson's replica of this guitar is missing the gold Bigsby tailpiece and has a Seymour Duncan mini-humbucker in the neck in place of the stock Alnico V pickup (modifications Robby made in later years). This is the guitar Robby used in the studio to record "Wild Child." He can also be seen playing it at the Hollywood Bowl, in the group's Critique television appearance, and during the Post-Morrison Doors tours."

This is verified by Gibson from this article.

See how Billy Duffy uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Billy Duffy

Guitarist

The Cult

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "The Cult - Fire Woman HD," Billy Duffy is seen playing a Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty.

See how Tom Kaulitz uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Tom Kaulitz

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Tokio Hotel

...
Verified via YouTube

In this live show of the "Humanoid City Live DVD" we can see Tom using this guitar. He started using this model since first concerts of Tokio Hotel.

See how Papa Emeritus III uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Papa Emeritus III

Singer

Ghost

...
Verified via Guitar World

"We did four rhythm tracks on everything. On one side we had a Les Paul gold top with P-90s that went through an Orange amp, and also a white [Gibson] Explorer from, like, ’82 or something like that—that typical James Hetfield sort of guitar—that went through an old Marshall rack amp from the early Nineties. And then on the other side it was a mid-Seventies Les Paul Black Beauty 20th Anniversary through one of those old Laneys that Tony Iommi used and an early Eighties [Gibson] Flying V that went through another Orange. Then I had a Seventies Strat for a lot of the leads, and I think I did overdubs mostly with the Explorer. So it was quite simple."

See how Sean Coyle-Smith uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Sean Coyle-Smith

Guitarist

Shame

...
Verified via YouTube

Uses this guitar Live on KEXP and at the Punk Rock Bowling 2019 and also at the Reading + Leeds festival in 2018

See how Mark Potter uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Mark Potter

Guitarist

Elbow

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this picture from this 2011 interview with MusicRadar.

In this other interview with MusicRadar, Potter stated the following about the recording of Elbow's "Grounds For Divorce":

It was a Gibson Les Paul through an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff pedal and then I used a '54 Vox AC30 head with a vintage Marshall 4x12 cab. It's not like I thought 'I'm writing a rock riff, therefore I must use a Les Paul'. My favourite guitar is a Gibson ES-335, but I played it on that and it didn't quite have the sort of crunch that I was going for, so as soon as I picked up my Black Beauty Les Paul, that was it - it sounded great. Originally I just recorded the one riff and then I thought 'Well, how about if I track it two or three tones up the octave?' Then I did down the octave and then I played it on a bass, bending the note on that as well. When we twinned these four or five signals of the same riff played in five places on the guitar, it just sounded massive.

See how Josh Weaver uses Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Josh Weaver

Guitarist

Royal Thunder

...
Verified via Guitar World

According to Royal Thunder's interview with Guitar World, Josh plays a Gibson 1957 Historic Black Beauty Custom.

Album Usage

The Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty 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 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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