Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,602
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Gibson Les Paul Special". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Dive into the golden era of music with the Gibson Les Paul Special, a modern rendition of an iconic classic. This lightweight, single-cutaway, solid body electric guitar is designed for comfort and sustain, providing a unique tonal platform that's both versatile and authentic.
The P-90 single-coil pickups deliver a raw, punchy tone shaping the sound of rock and roll. They offer a quintessential tone for all varieties of roots music. The rhythm P-90 pickup gives a thick, resonant voice, while the lead P-90 offers cutting power for solos. A three-way toggle switch lets you access each pickup individually or blend them together for maximum tonal versatility.
The Gibson Les Paul Special is crafted with a mahogany body and neck, providing warmth, depth, and sustain. Its single-cutaway shape balances well on the strap and in the lap. The '50s-style mahogany neck has a rounded profile for a fast, easy feel. A rosewood fretboard with medium jumbo frets offers a familiar playing surface for chords and leads.
Key Features:
- P-90 single-coil pickups for raw, punchy tone
- Lightweight mahogany body for comfort and sustain
- '50s-style mahogany neck with a rounded profile for easy playability
- Rosewood fretboard with medium jumbo frets
- Three-way toggle switch for versatile tonal control
- Adjustable wraparound bridge for solid intonation
- Orange Drop capacitors for transparent highs
- CTS potentiometers for smooth volume and tone control
- Breathable nitrocellulose lacquer finish for rich, open tone
- TV Yellow finish for a retro vibe
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Les Paul Special |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Vintage 50s |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Acrylic Dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Nut Width | 1.695" |
| Nut Material | GraphTech |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Wraparound |
| Tuners | Vintage Deluxe |
| Neck Pickup | P-90 Single-coil |
| Bridge Pickup | P-90 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 type of pickups does the Gibson Les Paul Special have?
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The Gibson Les Paul Special is equipped with P-90 single-coil pickups, which are known for their bright, punchy sound and vintage tone, making them ideal for rock, blues, and punk genres.
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How does the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul Special affect playability?
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The Gibson Les Paul Special features a Vintage 50s neck profile, which provides a thicker, more substantial feel, offering comfort and support for players who prefer a traditional, robust grip.
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Is the Gibson Les Paul Special suitable for beginners?
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While the Gibson Les Paul Special offers high-quality construction and classic tone, its Vintage 50s neck profile and solid mahogany body may be better suited for players with some experience seeking a traditional Les Paul feel.
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What is the finish on the Gibson Les Paul Special?
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The Gibson Les Paul Special has a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which enhances the natural resonance of the mahogany body and gives the guitar a classic, vintage appearance.
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Does the Gibson Les Paul Special come with a case?
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Yes, the Gibson Les Paul Special comes with a hardshell case, providing protection and portability for the instrument.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Gibson Specials vs Juniors - P90-powered beauties!
Gibson Specials vs Juniors - P90-powered beauties!
Andertons Music Co
Buyers Remorse? My Gibson Les Paul Special with P90 Pickups
intheblues
New Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute Guitars - Are They Worth The Money?
Andertons Music Co
The Gibson Les Paul Special: A Short History
five watt world
Gibson Les Paul Special, TV Yellow | Gear4music demo
Gear4music Guitars
Gibson Les Paul Special Review
YourGuitarSage
NEW Gibson | Les Paul Special | TV Yellow
GAK
Guitar of the Day: 1960 Gibson Les Paul Special | Norman's Rare Guitars
Normans Rare Guitars
Gibson Les Paul Special - TV Yellow - In-Depth Demo!
N Stuff Music
1960 Gibson Les Paul Special | Guitar of the Day
Normans Rare Guitars
Gibson Les Paul Special, TV Yellow - All New Gibson, Vintage Sound
PMTVUK
There’s Something about the Gibson LES PAUL SPECIAL in TV YELLOW
Landon Bailey
No Talking...Just Tones | Gibson Les Paul Special - TV Yellow
Peach Guitars
Guitar of the Day: 1960 Gibson Les Paul Special | Norman's Rare Guitars
Normans Rare Guitars
The magical pairing of Gibson guitars and Fender amps! Fender 68'CT Reverb & Gibson Les Paul Special
Walt Grace Vintage
Guitar of the Day: 1960 Gibson Les Paul Special Cherry | Norman's Rare Guitars
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Original 1960 Gibson Les Paul Special
Johan Segeborn
Gibson Les Paul Special Faded 2004 - Ebony - Guitar Sound Test
Euromusix
Les Paul Special Satin Black Faded
gtrblues
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional build quality, lightweight under 7lbs, with stellar playability
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P-90 pickups provide versatile, biting, and articulate tones
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Wraparound bridge enhances tone and sustain
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Comfortable 50s-style neck, thick but not cumbersome
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Outstanding tonal range from clean to overdriven
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Beautiful TV Yellow finish with visible wood grain
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Intonation and setup are excellent straight from the factory
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Great for a variety of genres: rock, blues, funk, and reggae
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Hand wired with no PCB, capturing vintage Les Paul essence
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Offers a unique tonal alternative to standard LP or SG models
CONS
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Occasional issues with electronics, such as faulty volume pots
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Sticky lacquer on the neck may be less comfortable for some players
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P-90 hum can be problematic in certain venues
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Special.
Features and functionality
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P90 pickups are praised for their tone, offering a sweet spot between humbuckers and single coils with a quicker attack and more sustain.
Source -
Newer models use orange drop tone caps, whereas older ones might have disc caps; newer models likely use 500k pots over the 300k in older versions.
Source -
Post-2019 models feature a more translucent TV Yellow finish, sometimes with a lime greenish tint, compared to the older solid 'mustard' yellow.
Source -
P-100 pickups were used in older Specials, differing from the consistent use of the basic P-90 in recent models.
Source
Comparisons
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The Les Paul Special is favored for its slimmer, lighter body compared to the Les Paul Standard, making it more comfortable for some players.
Source -
The 2019+ models are closer to 50s specs due to binding, though older models from 2006 may feature nicer rosewood fretboards.
Source -
The original TV finish used a "liming" process similar to mid-century modern furniture, unlike the simpler production model finishes.
Source
Build quality
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The slab mahogany body and set-neck construction contribute to the guitar's sustain and overall sound quality.
Source -
The pearl Gibson logo and fretboard dots add a distinguished aesthetic to the guitar, especially in the TV White finish where the grain pops through.
Source -
The grain in production models may either be fully visible or obscured, as the yellow color coat opacity has varied over the years.
Source
User experience
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Players appreciate the wrap-around tailpiece for easier playability and bending.
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The traditional neck pocket design on newer models can impede access to higher frets, which might be a consideration for players frequently using those notes.
Source -
The neck profile can differ significantly across various years, with a need to consult old catalogs for exact specifications.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Special is noted for its versatility, excelling in punk rock and 90s alternative music but also capable of delivering jazz tones.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Installing a Music City bridge on newer models can improve tuning stability and intonation compared to the stock wraparound bridge.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 11 Reviews and 39 Ratings
52
Gibson Les Paul Special 1960 Custom Historic Single cut TV yellow
I bought this guitar in 2002 from CCity Music in San Diego CA. It is a 2001 model, serial # 0 10XX. I made the mistake of putting in a Lindy Fralin 10% overwound pickup almost immediately after I got the guitar. Since I rarely used both PU's at the same time, I was unaware that they were "out of phase". I have had this guitar through thick and thin and almost lost it to a pawn shop once.Over the years I have replaced almost everything except the original P90 PU's. To my surprise, when I removed the original "white button" tuners, there was a sticker on the inside which said "made in japan"! I was under the impression this guitar was to be an exact replica of a 1960 Special. I now believe that Gibson takes shortcuts whenever they can get away with it. I don't remember the first set of upgraded tuners I had but the current set is really great. I buy most my parts from WD Music in Florida. The current tuners are Kluson Deluxe Locking in a black finish with those greenish tulip keys. I removed the cheap stock wrap around bridge and put on a Tonepros adjustable saddle stop tailpiece also in black. I just recently bought a Deluxe wiring harness from The Toneman.The original pots and caps were pretty much junk. The new harness has Bournes pots and real "paper in oil" capacitors. All the switching and jacks are Switchcraft. I removed the Fralin PU and installed the original Gibson P90. I tried on for size a tortoise shell pickguard but opted to stick with the black one. This guitar has a sound all it's own. One thing I will say is that this guitar sounds, plays, and feels NOTHING like the original 1958 Special I once owned. If you have the money and can afford to do so, find a good deal on Reverb.com for an original 1958 Special. I paid $1900 plus $100 overnite shipping. I've seen "real ones" for around $8K. In the long run, the average layman listening to both guitars would NEVER be able to pick out the original. This is just my opinion and it also depends on your style and the music you play. I, myself prefer a nice loud overdriven amp with a lot of sustain. You be the judge.
458
P-90 Growl in a Lovable Les Paul Body
Fitting into my guitar tonescape between two classics, the Telecaster and humbucker equipped Les Paul, the easy to play and lovably sized LP Special with P-90s is simply a joy. It produces wonderful sounds, beautifully clean to gnarly, screaming overdrive, the P-90 does it all.
202
As much Les Paul as I need!
I’m generally more of a Fender player, but this scratches my Gibson it’s when I have it! Love the wrap-around bridge; it makes palm muting effortless. I’m really stuck with the quality whenever I hold it. It feels like a heirloom piece compared to my fenders.
397
Great
Mine was a black HH Les Paul special, and I wrote some of my best riffs on that guitar. It was given to me as a graduation present, but taken back eventually. I put a Duncan JB in the bridge and it was phenomenal.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Bridge pickup Dimed
143
Best guitar ever made.
I own a 97 model. It is the ONE guitar for me.
It comes with p100 pickups which are stacked humbuckers in a p90 case. These pickups are of course super quiet, but they don't sound anything at all like old school p90s. The p100 is kind of bell like in its volume and tone response. The sound tapers off really quick. I think the p100 might be one of the best funky clean pickups ever made - but when you want to get singing leads it's a useless pickup.
The solution for m0st of us p100 era owners is to swap out the bridge for a p90 to get somewhere to go when it's lead time. I would never swap out the p100 neck pickup - it's awesome. With the two versions of pickups the guitar still sounds complete and it has a great range.
I would probably die if I lost mine.
Nice for the $$$
Great guitar for under $1,000 (used), unfortunately is a cheap Gibson guitar, you can figure it out because of the faded finish and flat mahogany top, so I highly recommend to swap pickups, the one I used to have was loaded with Seymour Duncan Seth Lover set, those pickups improved by far the sound of the stock guitar.
217
Tougher Guitar - not for everyone, but cool for those chosen ones.
Narrow neck, heavyish, unforgiving. BUT sounds really nice - vintagey. Slight issues with holding in tune. I have 1996 issue from Nashville plant. Currently considering custom pick-ups to replace the P-90s to squeeze more rock out of this jazzish instrument. Hopefully it will work out, will advise.
2423
great guitar
use it on a number of songs. mine is in vintage sunburst. the bridge pickup has been replaced with a Seymour Duncan Antiquity Firebird Bridge Pickup and I added a Bigsby b7 and a Harmonica bridge. all around great guitar and I do recommend it.
41029
only if she'll have you
The one we play is actually brown.
La mejor guitarra de la historia. Fin. The best guitar ever. End.
Artist usage
Add artist
Billie Joe Armstrong used his Gibson Les Paul Special while playing "Letterbomb", in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony. a Good shot of this guitar is at 1:33.
On Johnny Marr's website, he lists a Gibson Les Paul Special among his guitars.
In this live performance of Come Together with Elephant's Memory, John is seen using a cherry-red Gibson Les Paul Special. The guitar can be seen throughout the entire song
Billy Corgan is playing a tobacco sunburst Les Paul Special in this photo.
"The Cherry Red double-cutaway. I got that at Gruhn’s, in Nashville. I loved that guitar up until two weeks ago, when we did the photo shoot. I was like, “How come I haven’t played this recently?” So I plugged it into Sam’s half-stack there in the studio, and I just didn’t get anything from it. I was like, “Oh no,” which is the beginning of the reverse neurosis, where I tell myself, “I have to get rid of this because…”
Mark Knopfler purchased this guitar from Gary’s Classic Guitars in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November 2005. The Les Paul Special was soon put to use on a session, when Knopfler recorded the electric guitar part for Nashville singer-songwriter Paul Burch’s song Before the bells at British Grove Studios in late 2005, which would be released on the album East to West in 2006.
First pictures of this guitar date back to the recording of the first album in May 1969, and they are pretty solid proof that Santana used the guitar to record some of the stuff on the first album – if not all. At that time the guitar was finished in TV yellow, and featured two P90 pickups as well as the Maestro tremolo.
By December 1969 when Santana played at Altamont, the guitar was almost completely stripped down of it’s paint and the tremolo was removed leaving visible screw holes. Since we know that his two SG Specials also had the tremolo piece, it is possible that the Maestro from this guitar ended up on one of his SGs.
It was spotted in 1:49 where there is a good angle to see it, he also played this Les Paul on the song "New York City Cops" and "Taken for a Fool"
Thurston Moore used a Gibson Les Paul Special, which was purchased immediately after a gear theft in July 1999. Initially played by Kim during the remaining July gigs, this guitar was subsequently used by Thurston during the songwriting process for "NYC Ghosts & Flowers." Although he replaced it with a "real" Les Paul in July 2000, he seemed to continue using the Maroon one. It was later used by Lee in 2004 and was still part of Lee's reserve guitars at the 07/28/09 show, with GGCGCD noted on the back of the headstock. This guitar resurfaced as Lee's screwdriver guitar during their final gigs in 2011, as evidenced by the source image provided on Equipboard.
In this picture, we can see Luke holding his Gibson Les Paul Special
Sonic Youth's website states:
"Used by Kim/Lee/Jim: 1999-2005 1999 -- GGDDGG (LEE) & DGDDBB (Free City Rhymes, Renegade Princess - KIM) 2000 -- DGDDBB (Free City Rhymes, Renegade Princess - KIM) 2001 -- DGDDBB (Free City Rhymes - KIM) 2005 -- GGDEGB (Unma it is said:
de Bed, Paper Cup Exit, I Love You Golden Blue, Peace Attack, Rain on Tin, Mote - JIM) NOTES:
Purchased immediately after the gear theft in July 1999, this was originally played by Lee during the remainder of the July gigs, then used by Kim for "nyc ghosts" material. Jim later replaced his Tele Deluxe for GGDEGB with this guitar in 2005. Mustard yellow body 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch, taped up 4 knobs Black pickguard Listed as "MUSTARD" on 2000 set lists."
Sonic Youth's website states that Kim Gordon used a Gibson Les Paul Special, and includes this information about said guitar:
"Used by Thurston/Kim/Lee: 1999-2004 1999 -- CGGDDD (THURSTON) & FGCFAF# (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete, Side2Side, StreamXSonik Subway, NYC Ghosts & Flowers, Lightnin' - THURSTON) 2000 -- FGCFAF# (Nevermind, Side2Side, NYC Ghosts & Flowers, Lightnin' - THURSTON) 2001 -- FGCFAF# (Nevermind, Side2Side, NYC Ghosts & Flowers, Lightnin' - THURSTON) 2002 -- FGCFAF# (Nevermind - THURSTON) 2004 -- EBEEAB (Eric's Trip - LEE) NOTES:
Purchased immediately after the gear theft in July 1999, this was originally played by Kim during the remainder of the July gigs, then used by Thurston during songwriting for "nyc ghosts & flowers". In July of 2000, he replaced it with a "real" Les Paul, but seems to have continued using the Maroon one instead. Apparently Lee began using this guitar in 2004. This was still in Lee's box of reserve guitars at the 07/28/09 show, with GGCGCD on the back of the headstock, so it was possibly used for 'Bull' as well. Maroon body 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch 4 knobs Black pickguard Rectangular sticker Gauges for FGCFAF# = .064 .062 .036 .028 .020 .017 Listed as "MAROON" on 2000 set lists."
Album Usage
The Gibson Les Paul Special has been featured on the following albums:
Blow My Fuse
Kix (2024)
One Deep River
Mark Knopfler (2024)
High Country
The Sword (2015)
In Humor And Sadness
'68 (2014)
Taken For A Fool
The Strokes (2011)
From Beale Street to Oblivion
Clutch (2010)
The Eternal
Sonic Youth (2009)
Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has A Body Count
From First to Last (2004)
Hard To Explain/New York City Cops
The Strokes (2002)
NYC Ghosts & Flowers
Sonic Youth (2000)
Kaya - Deluxe Edition
Bob Marley & The Wailers (1978)
Kaya
Bob Marley & The Wailers (1978)
Gimme Back My Bullets (Expanded Edition)
Lynyrd Skynyrd (1976)
Santana
Santana (1969)
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 Special, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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