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Average Price: $5,971

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$1001+

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Description

Step into the realm of timeless sound with the Gibson 1969 Les Paul Black Beauty, a guitar that elegantly blends historical craftsmanship with legendary performance. This iconic instrument, renowned for its illustrious tonal depth and aesthetic allure, re-emerged in 1968, reviving the distinguished Les Paul Custom legacy with a modern twist. The 1969 model introduces a multi-ply body construction featuring a Maple top, deviating from its all-Mahogany predecessors, to deliver a balanced resonance that caters to the refined ear of seasoned musicians.

Meticulously designed, the guitar boasts a single cutaway solid body, ensuring ease of access to the higher frets for those intricate solos and expressive musical ventures. Nestled within its elegant frame are two humbucker pickups that offer a rich, full-bodied sound, making it a versatile choice for any musical style—from rock and blues to jazz and beyond. The neck, available in either Mahogany or Maple, is complemented by an Ebony fingerboard adorned with block inlays, promising a smooth playability and visual sophistication.

This piece of musical history is not just about performance; it's about the experience. With gold hardware, a bound fingerboard, and a striking headstock inlay, it stands as a testament to Gibson's dedication to quality and detail. Whether you're channeling the energy of Jimmy Page or the soulful riffs of Slash, the 1969 Les Paul Black Beauty is your partner in musical creation.

Key Features:

  • Multi-ply body construction with Maple top
  • Mahogany or Maple neck with Ebony fingerboard
  • Two humbucker pickups for a versatile sound
  • Kluson deluxe tuners and gold hardware
  • Single cutaway solid body for easy fret access
  • Block inlays and bound fingerboard for aesthetic appeal
  • Stopbar tailpiece and Tune-o-matic bridge
  • Three-way pickup selector and four control knobs

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Les Paul Custom
Finish Ebony
Year 1969
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul Custom
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups are used in the 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty?

The 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, providing a warm, full-bodied tone ideal for a range of music styles, from rock to jazz.

What is the neck profile of the 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty?

The 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty features a set-neck construction, which typically offers a comfortable, smooth playability with enhanced sustain, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead playing.

Is the 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty suitable for professional use?

Yes, the 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty is highly regarded for its craftsmanship and tonal versatility, making it a preferred choice for professional musicians across various genres.

What is the fretboard material of the 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty?

The fretboard of the 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty is made of ebony, known for its smooth feel and durability, contributing to the guitar's rich tone and playability.

How does the 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty differ from other Les Paul models?

The 1969 Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty is distinguished by its ebony finish, mother of pearl inlays, and dual humbucker pickups, offering a unique aesthetic and sound compared to other Les Paul models.

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Gibson Les Paul Custom from 1969 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg & Tobias Hoffmann

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Custom from 1969 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg & Tobias Hoffmann by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Gibson Les Paul Custom from 1969 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg & Tobias Hoffmann

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for 1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom by Emerald City Guitars

1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom by Emerald City Guitars

1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty Vintage All Original Guitar Amp by Guitar Gear Demos

1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty Vintage All Original Guitar Amp

Guitar Gear Demos

Guitar Gear Demos

Video thumbnail for 1969 Gibson Les Paul 'Black Beauty' & 1940 Martin D18 | New Arrivals #204 by The Fellowship of Acoustics

1969 Gibson Les Paul 'Black Beauty' & 1940 Martin D18 | New Arrivals #204

The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Custom Black 1969 Player Grade Original Vintage | Demo by Paul Audia by Guitar Sauce

Gibson Les Paul Custom Black 1969 Player Grade Original Vintage | Demo by Paul Audia

Guitar Sauce

Guitar Sauce

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty 1969.

Build quality

  • The lack of fret nibs is often due to refretting, common on these models as they originally had "fretless wonder" frets.

    Source
  • The dotless "i" in the Gibson logo is a characteristic detail from the Norlin era, not necessarily a sign of fakery.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Bridge replacements are noted, often switching from the original harmonica style to other models for improved stability.

    Source
  • Owners suggest routing the mini humbucker cavity to fit a full-size humbucker for enhanced tonal versatility.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Some Norlin LP Customs came with nickel hardware from the factory, despite gold being more common.

    Source
  • The lack of a volute and potential one-piece body are sought after by many players for their structural and tonal attributes.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar's weight, often around 13 pounds, is a telltale sign of its authenticity as a 70s model.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Despite extensive modifications, a heavily modded 1969 Les Paul Deluxe at $1700 is considered a fair deal for players seeking vintage tone and feel.

    Source

User experience

  • Players find the guitar's "lived-in" appearance and wear to indicate a history of extensive play, suggesting it may have excellent playability.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The 1969 model's lack of a volute and potential one-piece body are contrasted with later 70s models, which are generally less desirable in these aspects.

    Source

Other

  • It's noted that some buyers specifically seek out birth year guitars, making the 1969 model appealing to those born in that year.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Sonny Vincent uses Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty 1969

Sonny Vincent

Singer, Guitarist

Testors

...
Verified via Heretodaygonetohell

In this link Sonny Vincent talks about Shotgun Rationale with Bob Stinson:

"When Bob first started playing with me he didn't have a guitar. After the Replacements told him he was out,, he sold his guitar and he got a job washing dishes at a dinner on Lake Street. Eventually Tommy his brother lent him a vintage Gibson SG but after a month or so Tommy needed it back. So for the remainder of our playing together Bob used my second guitar which was a vintage 1970 Les Paul Black beauty, the one I played was a 1969 (also a black beauty "Fretless Wonder")."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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