Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $3,369

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

In the world of electric guitars, the Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) stands out as a true masterpiece, merging tradition with bespoke craftsmanship. Designed during an era known for innovation, this guitar captures the essence of the classic Les Paul while introducing modern enhancements that elevate its playability and tonal versatility. Crafted from a highly figured maple top, each guitar boasts a unique visual flair that is as individual as the musician wielding it.

The neck, designed for speed and comfort, is a slim-tapered profile that allows for swift, smooth transitions across the fretboard, making it perfect for shredding solos or intricate chord progressions. The abalone inlays add a touch of luxury, making each performance not just an auditory delight but a visual one as well. Equipped with a pair of humbucking pickups, the Les Paul Elegant offers a rich, dynamic range of tones, from warm, rounded lows to bright, cutting highs.

Beyond its aesthetic and sonic capabilities, this guitar is a testament to Gibson's dedication to quality and precision, ensuring that musicians can rely on it for both studio recordings and live performances. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring virtuoso, the Les Paul Elegant invites you to explore and redefine your sound with every strum.

Key Features:

  • Custom Shop model from the late '90s
  • Highly figured maple top
  • Abalone fretboard inlays
  • Slim-taper neck profile for enhanced playability
  • Dual humbucking pickups for versatile tonal range

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul Elegant
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Custom Shop

FAQs

What distinguishes the Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) from other Les Paul models?

The Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) is known for its unique chambered body, which reduces weight while maintaining the classic Les Paul tone. It features a luxurious quilted maple top and high-end appointments, making it a standout in both aesthetics and sound.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version)?

The Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) typically features a slim-taper neck profile, offering a comfortable and fast playing experience ideal for lead guitarists who favor speed and precision.

What type of pickups does the Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) have?

This model is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, providing a rich, full-bodied sound with plenty of sustain and versatility suitable for a wide range of music genres.

Is the Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) suitable for beginners?

While the Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) offers exceptional quality and craftsmanship, its premium features and price point may be better suited for intermediate to advanced players seeking a high-end instrument.

How does the chambered body of the Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) affect its tone?

The chambered body design reduces the guitar's weight while enhancing resonance and sustain, providing a slightly brighter and more open tone compared to traditional solid-body Les Paul models.

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

I Was Excited to Win This Auction! | 1999 Gibson Les Paul Elegant All Silver Flow

Video thumbnail for I Was Excited to Win This Auction! | 1999 Gibson Les Paul Elegant All Silver Flow by The Trogly's Guitar Show

I Was Excited to Win This Auction! | 1999 Gibson Les Paul Elegant All Silver Flow

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for Now That's What I Call Fancy! 1997 Gibson Les Paul Elegant Natural Flame Top | Review and Demo by The Trogly's Guitar Show

Now That's What I Call Fancy! 1997 Gibson Les Paul Elegant Natural Flame Top | Review and Demo

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for GIBSON CUSTOM SHOP LES PAUL ELEGANT LEMON DROP QUILT TOP ABALONE INLAYS GUITAR UP CLOSE VIDEO REVIEW by Essex Recording Studios

GIBSON CUSTOM SHOP LES PAUL ELEGANT LEMON DROP QUILT TOP ABALONE INLAYS GUITAR UP CLOSE VIDEO REVIEW

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version).

Features and functionality

  • The Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant from the '90s features a unique compound radius fretboard and a distinct chambering method not used in later models.

    Source
  • Its abalone fret inlays and highly figured tops are distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other Les Paul models.

    Source
  • The presence of abalone inlays and ebony fretboards on Elegant models adds a level of luxury and visual appeal uncommon in other Gibson Les Paul variations.

    Source
  • Users highlight the Gibson Custombuckers for their tight, crisp sound even at high gain, offering great clarity and high-end bite without being shrill.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Checking authenticity involves verifying Gibson-branded pots and ensuring the truss rod has an acorn nut, not a hex fitting.

    Source
  • Owners suggest loosening strings and checking under pickups for Gibson markings to verify genuine parts.

    Source
  • Installing a graphite nut is suggested for improved string changes and tuning stability, particularly when combined with locking hardware.

    Source

Build quality

  • The neck typically includes two glued-on "wings" at the headstock, which is a hallmark of genuine Gibson construction.

    Source
  • The inclusion of quilt and flame tops in the Elegant series is noted, highlighting a level of craftsmanship and aesthetic attention not typically found in standard models.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners remark that the Gibson Les Paul Elegant's quilt maple tops are comparable in visual impact to high-end custom shop models, distinguishing it from standard Gibson offerings.

    Source
  • The 500T and 496R pickups from a 1998 Gibson Flying V are recommended for those seeking a hotter, clearer sound, especially in high-gain settings.

    Source

User experience

  • A user with multiple Gibson Les Paul Elegants confirms that chambered construction results in a noticeably lighter guitar compared to other Les Paul models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar's aesthetics, such as its highly figured quilt top and abalone inlays, make it particularly appealing for collectors and players seeking standout stage presence.

    Source
  • Custombuckers are noted for their ability to maintain clarity and avoid muddiness during high-gain performances, making them ideal for players seeking tight palm-muted sounds.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners praise the stability and ease of use provided by installing Grover self-locking tuners and a TonePros TP6A bridge and T1ZS tailpiece for enhanced tuning stability.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bob Dylan uses Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version)

Bob Dylan

Singer, Guitarist

Traveling Wilburys

...
Verified via Dailymotion

Used during Dylan's September 27, 1997 performance at the World Eucharist Congress in Bologna, Italy. The guitar is first visible in this video at 0:20, identifiable by its unique headstock decal.

See how John Norum uses Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version)

John Norum

Guitarist

Europe

...
Verified via Gstatic

John Norum used the Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version) during his performances with Europe and Dokken in the 2000s, as evidenced by the image sourced from Gstatic.

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 Shop Les Paul Elegant (90s Version), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Shure 520DX "Green Bullet"
Shure 520DX "Green Bullet" Dynamic Microphones
1

Community setups

Show yours
rom_cd

rom_cd

Gear IQ 137

More Gibson Custom Solid Body Electric Guitars

Similar

Gear Guides