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Average Price: $1,255

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Step into the world of classic rock with the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway, an electric guitar that masterfully bridges vintage aesthetics with modern playability. Born from the iconic lineage of the Les Paul family, this guitar channels the retro vibe of the celebrated 1955 Les Paul Special, now reimagined with a double cutaway design for enhanced access to the upper frets. The worn finish gives it an authentic, road-worn look that evokes decades of musical history, while sparing you the battle scars.

Designed with a mahogany body and a slim-taper neck, the Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway offers incredible comfort and agility for both rhythm and lead guitarists. Whether you're riffing through power chords or soaring on solos, the rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth and inviting surface. The dual P-90 pickups are the heart and soul of this instrument, delivering a unique blend of warmth and grit. They capture the vintage single-coil sound with a punchy midrange and a bottom end that adds depth to any genre.

This guitar isn't just a nod to the past—it's a versatile tool for today's musicians. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway is a reliable companion that doesn't compromise on style or substance.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body with a worn finish
  • 1960s style slim-taper mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays
  • 22 frets for expansive playing
  • Two vintage-style P-90 pickups
  • Independent tone and volume controls for each pickup
  • Three-way pickup selector switch
  • Chrome-plated hardware
  • Includes black padded gigbag for protection and portability

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway
Finish Satin Ebony, Worn Cherry, Worn White, Worn Yellow
Year 2003 - 2008
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Red, White, Yellow
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul Faded
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway?

The Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway features a slim-taper neck profile, which provides a comfortable and fast playing experience, ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway?

The Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, delivering a rich, warm tone with plenty of sustain, making it suitable for rock, blues, and classic rock genres.

Is the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway suitable for beginners?

While the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway is designed for players of all levels, its quality construction and versatile sound make it particularly appealing to intermediate and advanced players seeking a reliable and expressive instrument.

How does the satin finish of the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway affect its playability?

The satin finish on the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway offers a smooth feel and a vintage aesthetic, reducing friction on the neck for easier movement and enhancing the guitar's resonance.

What is the body material of the Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway, and how does it impact the sound?

The Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway features a mahogany body, which contributes to its warm, full-bodied tone with excellent sustain and resonance, characteristic of classic Gibson guitars.

Reviews

PROS

  • Lightweight design makes it easy to handle and play.

  • P-90 pickups deliver rich, versatile tones from clean to growl.

  • Slim, slender neck perfect for smaller hands, offers fast playability.

  • Vintage look with TV-yellow finish and double cutaway design.

  • Nitro finish provides a smooth, non-sticky feel on the neck.

  • Short scale length is easier on the hands, ideal for extended playing.

  • Solid mahogany body and neck for great sustain and resonance.

  • Reliable tuning stability with favorite tuners among users.

  • Popular model known to increase in value over time.

  • Perfect for rock and punk genres with its classic sound.

CONS

  • Tune-o-matic bridges may cause pitch accuracy issues.

  • Necks can develop issues from humidity or dryness over time.

  • Tuning stability might suffer due to string angle at the nut.

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway.

User experience

  • Owners describe the guitar as resonating as a single piece of wood, enhancing its acoustic feel and making it a "keeper" upon first strum.

    Source
  • Multiple users express a strong preference for the TV Yellow finish, indicating it's a sought-after color among enthusiasts.

    Source
  • The 2003 model is noted to weigh less than 8 pounds, highlighting its lightweight build as a desirable feature.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the slim taper C neck, describing it as more comfortable than thicker necks, especially for players with larger hands.

    Source

Comparisons

  • One owner noted that the guitar sounds like a Telecaster on steroids, suggesting a powerful and versatile tonal range.

    Source
  • The thinner body of this model leads to a sound closer to an SG Special than a traditional Les Paul Special.

    Source

Build quality

  • The wraptail bridge is favored over the Tune-o-matic by some owners, who feel it contributes to a superior playing feel.

    Source

Other

  • A rare white version exists, with only one allocated per Japanese Gibson dealer, making it a highly collectible variant.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 2005 model features a slim taper neck, which is often highlighted as a key selling point for enhanced playability.

    Source
  • The guitar's separate volume and tone controls per pickup are highlighted as a significant advantage for tonal versatility.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The rise in value of these models is attributed to the popularity increase after the release of the Rick Beato signature models.

    Source
  • Discontinued models like these 2005 editions tend to appreciate over time, making them more valuable in the current market.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • This guitar is noted for its comfort and is praised for offering the positive aspects of an SG without the common neck dive issue.

    Source
  • Playing unplugged is enjoyable due to the guitar's resonant body, which allows for a satisfying acoustic experience even without amplification.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Gibson Les Paul DC Faded Review | Guitar Jar

guitarjar.co.uk

The Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway is a straightforward, no-frills guitar that offers a blend of classic Les Paul and Stratocaster features. With its solid mahogany body and P-90 pickups, it delivers a balanced sound that’s versatile enough for slide playing and more. While the guitar excels in sound quality, featuring a clear and warm neck pickup and a Tele-like middle setting, there are some reliability concerns, such as issues with the pickup screws. Despite being discontinued, it's cherished by its owner as a lifelong companion, making it a worthy addition for those seeking a unique tonal palette.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 12 Ratings

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4 star
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gerry_lafemina

Great Guitar

Vintage p-90 growl, Les Paul sustain, and some weight relief...perfect for the old school punk we play, and it pairs perfectly with our other guitarist's Fender set up.

Roles:
Genres:
amacchi

Easy to play, gorgeous design

P90's on this guitar sound neat, light weight and the double cut design makes it easy to play. Love it

djlove_stellarmusic

Speed and Accuracy

This guitar is so much fun to play. It's a no-frills, right-to-the-point axe that's ready to rock. I like it best for rock and roll and punk rock.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Thomas DeLonge uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

Thomas DeLonge

Singer, Guitarist

Blink-182

...
Verified via Photo

Tom is seen playing a Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway in TV Yellow in the studio.

See how John Dwyer uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

John Dwyer

Singer, Guitarist

Thee OhSees

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video you can see John Dwyer playing on a Gibson Melody Maker

See how Nels Cline uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

Nels Cline

Guitarist

Wilco

...
Verified via YouTube

Nels Cline also owns a faded Gibson Les Paul double cutaway guitar fitted with two P90s. According to Cline, the guitar was, "given to [him] by Jeff Tweedy when [he] joined the band...but it's the guitar I play in open tuning, which is GGDGGD," (4:53). "It's vitrtually indestructible for a Gibson," he said, at (6:00) "although the headstock did snap off at some point."

See how Jimmy Smith uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

Jimmy Smith

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Foals

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture, Jimmy Smith is playing a guitar that very closely matches a Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway Electric Guitar in Worn Cherry finish.

See how Allen Collins uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

Allen Collins

Guitarist

Lynyrd Skynyrd

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture you can see Allen playing a Gibson Les Paul Double Cutaway on stage

See how Gotoh Masafumi uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

Gotoh Masafumi

Singer, Guitarist

Asian Kung-Fu Generation

...
Verified via Photo

Gotoh Masafumi is shown with two red Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway guitars in an Instagram post by gotch_akg, tagged with #asiankungfugeneration.

See how Alex Chilton uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

Alex Chilton

Singer, Guitarist

Big Star

...
Verified via ArtsBeat

In a New York Times article titled "Alex Chilton, Rock Musician, Dies" by Dave Itzkoff, Alex Chilton is pictured playing a Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway with P-90 pickups.

See how Harrison Koisser uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

Harrison Koisser

Singer, Guitarist

Peace

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, taken from Peace’s 2015 Glastonbury performance, we see Koisser playing a double cutaway Gibson Les Paul in red. This particular guitar appears to have been modified to fit double humbuckers

See how Nathan Willett uses Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway

Nathan Willett

Singer, Guitarist

Cold War Kids

...
Verified via Photo

Nathan Willett can be seen here playing a blonde double cutaway Les Paul, P90 configuration.

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 Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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daniel_mueller

daniel_mueller

Gear IQ 566

daniel_mueller

daniel_mueller

Gear IQ 566

2 alternative and related items for Gibson Les Paul Faded Double Cutaway, curated by the Equipboard community.

Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cut 2015

$995.00

newer similar sound

This is a 100th Anniversary 2015 version of the same guitar

Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cutaway

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high-end alternative

The 60's special NOT faded would be the high-end alternative of this one. Better built quality.

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