Pricing and availability

Average Price: $1,409

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

The Gibson Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers is a distinctive blend of classic design and modern innovation, perfect for any guitarist eager to explore a wide spectrum of tones. Celebrated for its mini humbuckers, this guitar offers a unique sonic character that stands out with its bright, articulate sound, bridging the gap between single-coil clarity and humbucker warmth. This solid body electric guitar maintains the iconic Les Paul shape, ensuring timeless style and comfort during performances.

Crafted with a mahogany body and neck, the Les Paul Special delivers rich resonance and sustain, while its rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth playing surface for both rhythm and lead parts. The guitar features a traditional tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, ensuring tuning stability and precise intonation. With its simple yet versatile controls, you can easily dial in the exact sound you want, from crisp clean tones to gritty overdriven textures.

Whether you’re performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Gibson Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers is engineered to meet the demands of every musical setting. Its combination of classic aesthetics and modern performance capabilities makes it a valuable addition to any guitarist's collection.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body and neck for rich tone and sustain
  • Mini humbuckers for a unique, articulate sound
  • Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece for stable tuning
  • Simple, versatile control layout for easy sound shaping

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers
Year 2025
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Wrap-Around
Color Family Brown
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
Model Family Gibson Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Gibson Les Paul Special
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.695"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Gibson Original
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the mini humbuckers on the Gibson Les Paul Special?

The mini humbuckers on the Gibson Les Paul Special offer a bright, clear tone with more punch and clarity compared to standard humbuckers. They are versatile and well-suited for genres like rock, blues, and jazz.

Is the Gibson Les Paul Special suitable for beginners?

The Gibson Les Paul Special is generally more suited for intermediate to advanced players due to its set-neck construction and specific tonal characteristics. However, beginners with a serious interest in guitar may also appreciate its quality and sound.

How does the wrap-around bridge on the Gibson Les Paul Special affect playability?

The wrap-around bridge on the Gibson Les Paul Special provides a simple, direct string path, which can enhance sustain and resonance. It also makes for easier string changes and setup adjustments.

What is the neck profile like on the Gibson Les Paul Special?

The neck on the Gibson Les Paul Special features a comfortable, rounded profile typical of Gibson's design, offering smooth playability that caters to both rhythm and lead guitarists.

How does the mahogany body influence the sound of the Gibson Les Paul Special?

The mahogany body of the Gibson Les Paul Special contributes to a warm, rich tone with strong midrange frequencies, enhancing sustain and providing a classic, full-bodied sound.

What is the scale length of the Gibson Les Paul Special, and how does it affect playability?

The Gibson Les Paul Special has a 24.75" scale length, which offers a slightly shorter reach and lower string tension, making it easier to play bends and fast passages.

The Guitaristas

The Guitaristas

Gibson Online Exclusives! 🎸 Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers Review

Video thumbnail for Gibson Online Exclusives! 🎸 Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers Review by The Guitaristas

Gibson Online Exclusives! 🎸 Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers Review

The Guitaristas

The Guitaristas

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers demo ft. Derek Wells by Gibson Gear Guide

Gibson Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers demo ft. Derek Wells

Gibson Gear Guide

Gibson Gear Guide

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers.

Comparisons

  • Mini humbuckers are described as having a sound closer to P-90s, without the noise issues of hum-cancelling P-90s.

    Source
  • Some owners find the sound of these pickups comparable to those in an Epiphone Riviera, suggesting a similar tonal character.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Mini humbuckers excel in clean tones, with a brighter sound suitable for those who prefer single-coil-like clarity but still want some humbucking characteristics.

    Source
  • The guitar is praised for its versatility in studio settings, especially when paired with pedals like the Revv G2 and Solar Chug for diverse tones.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Users suggest replacing mini humbuckers with Firebird pickups for increased clarity and snarl, noting Lollar AlNiCo 5 FB pickups as a popular choice.

    Source
  • Owners suggest swapping in P-90s or Firebird pickups, noting that P-90s fit mini humbucker routes with minimal modification.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Mini humbuckers offer a midrange punch and clarity that some owners find preferable to full-size humbuckers, particularly in clean settings.

    Source
  • Mini humbuckers in the SG Tribute are identical to the high-end $7K Custom Shop Firebird pickups, offering premium quality at a lower price.

    Source

User experience

  • Some players report mini humbuckers as versatile, offering a balance between single coil bite and humbucker sustain. They are favored for genres needing clarity over thickness.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The 70’s Tribute with mini humbuckers is frequently cited as a bargain at $580, with potential for resale at a profit if desired.

    Source

Critic Reviews

“The mini humbucker fits into the same sized pickup cavity as a P-90 and delivers low-noise humbucking pickup performance and a slightly brighter and more open tone”: Gibson remixes the Les Paul Special with mini humbuckers | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Gibson's Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers offers a refreshing twist on a classic, blending the familiar all-mahogany build with modern pickup configurations. The mini humbuckers promise a bright, open tone with low noise, appealing to players seeking versatility. Despite its exclusive status, the guitar's aesthetic upgrades are minimal, sticking to traditional features with a bound fingerboard and dot inlays. The option to replace P-90s with mini humbuckers provides players a chance to experiment with sound, though purists might find the changes subtle. Priced at $1,799, it includes a hard-shell case, making it an attractive package. However, the design might not justify the price for those expecting significant visual enhancements.

Gibson gives its Les Paul Special a mini-humbucker overhaul | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

More Gibson Solid Body Electric Guitars

Artist usage

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides