Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $6,486

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup is a reimagined classic, staying faithful to the charm of the 1963 Les Paul SG Custom. Handcrafted by Gibson's elite Custom Shop luthiers, this model is a testament to Gibson's legacy of high-quality craftsmanship, precision, and sound quality. It strikes a beautiful balance between vintage aesthetics and modern playability.

The Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup takes you back in time to the formative years of the legendary solid-body electric guitar, embodying all the vintage-original-spec glory. The instrument features a fast, comfortable 1959 Authentic Medium neck, bound ebony fingerboard, and Plek'd medium jumbo frets, providing an effortless playing experience.

The Maestro Vibrola adds a touch of elegance, enhancing its versatility while offering smooth vibrato effects. The solid ebony fingerboard and reimagined vintage-style electronics help it attain new sonic heights with clarity and sustain.

Key Features:

  • 1-piece lightweight mahogany body; VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish
  • Mahogany 1959 Authentic Medium neck profile, VOS nitro finish
  • Ebony fingerboard, 12" radius, 22 Authentic medium jumbo frets, mother-of-pearl Trapezoid inlays
  • Plek'd frets for optimized playability
  • 3 Custombucker Alnico III unpotted humbucking pickups
  • 3-way pickup selector switch
  • Bridge and neck Volume and Tone controls
  • 24.75" scale length; 1.687" nylon nut
  • ABR-1 bridge; Maestro Vibrola tailpiece
  • Grover Kidney tuners
  • Comes with a hard case and Custom Shop certificate of authenticity
  • Quality crafted in the USA

Product specs

Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Solidbody
Body Shape 1963 Les Paul SG
Body Material 1-piece Mahogany
Body Finish Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Shape 1959 Authentic Medium
Neck Joint Set Neck
Radius 12"
Fingerboard Inlay Mother-of-Pearl Trapezoids
Number of Frets 22, Medium Jumbo
Scale Length 24.75"
Nut Width 1.687"
Nut Material Nylon
Bridge/Tailpiece ABR-1 with Maestro Vibrola
Tuners Gold Grover Kidney
Neck Pickup Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker
Middle Pickup Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker
Bridge Pickup Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker
Controls 2 x volume, 2 x tone
Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
Strings Gibson, .010-.046
Case/Gig Bag Hardshell Case

FAQs

What type of pickups are used in the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup?

The Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup is equipped with three Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker pickups, offering a wide range of classic Gibson tones suitable for various music styles.

How does the Maestro Vibrola affect the playability of the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup?

The Maestro Vibrola tailpiece allows for subtle pitch modulation and adds a unique vibrato effect, enhancing the guitar's expressive capabilities without significantly altering the tuning stability.

Is the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup suitable for lead guitarists?

Yes, with its 22 medium jumbo frets, Custombucker pickups, and 1959 Authentic Medium neck shape, this guitar is well-suited for lead players seeking both playability and a rich tonal palette.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup?

The guitar features a 1959 Authentic Medium neck profile, providing a comfortable and familiar feel that accommodates both rhythm and lead playing techniques.

What kind of finish does the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup have?

The guitar boasts a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which enhances the visual appeal and allows the wood to resonate more freely, contributing to its rich tone.

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Gibson Custom Shop SG Custom Reissue Lightly Aged Classic White | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman

Video thumbnail for Gibson Custom Shop SG Custom Reissue Lightly Aged Classic White | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman by Chicago Music Exchange

Gibson Custom Shop SG Custom Reissue Lightly Aged Classic White | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for Gibson Custom 3-Pickup SG Custom Electric Guitar by Musician's Friend

Gibson Custom 3-Pickup SG Custom Electric Guitar

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for Gibson Custom SG Custom Figured Top 3-Pickup Electric Guitar by Musician's Friend

Gibson Custom SG Custom Figured Top 3-Pickup Electric Guitar

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for 1987 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup Reissue Antique White Review and Demo by The Trogly's Guitar Show

1987 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup Reissue Antique White Review and Demo

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup.

Features and functionality

  • The middle pickup on three-pickup Gibsons often provides a quack-like tone, similar to single-coil guitars, but some find it gets in the way of picking.

    Source
  • The SG 3 model had a limited edition version with the desired four-knob configuration, distinct from other three-pickup models.

    Source
  • The 1992 '67 Reissue SG Custom in cherry finish is known for its rarity, with some reporting cream finishes that are hard to find.

    Source
  • The pickup switch positions are: bridge-only, all three pickups, and neck-only, providing versatility in tonal options.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners use the middle pickup for clean, jazzy, or ambient tones, noting its unique sound compared to typical bridge or neck pickups.

    Source

User experience

  • Some players report the third pickup as primarily aesthetic, feeling it doesn't add much practical value to their playing style.

    Source
  • Players accustomed to guitars like a Strat sometimes find the middle pickup of a Gibson Les Paul obstructive, highlighting a preference for two-pickup configurations.

    Source
  • Owners of the Guitar Center exclusive 3-pickup SG in metallic teal describe the neck as "like butter," highlighting its smooth playability.

    Source
  • Owners report that models from 1998 feature a "Custom & Historic" decal and an inked serial number on the headstock, starting with "9 8."

    Source
  • A user mentioned that owning a similar guitar since 1999, despite aging, still considers it a "beast" and values its enduring performance.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The middle pickup on a Gibson Les Paul can create a twangy sound reminiscent of a Telecaster, though some prefer the two-pickup setup for simplicity.

    Source
  • The Gary Clark Jr. model comes with soap bar pickups, differing significantly from traditional humbucker-equipped models in sound and mod potential.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • For the Gary Clark Jr. model with soap bar pickups, P90-sized humbuckers like those from Dimarzio are recommended for those wanting a humbucker sound without modifying the body.

    Source

Build quality

  • The 1998 '57 Reissue Les Paul Custom 3 Pickup retains its original golden hardware, which has resisted corrosion, even in a coastal environment.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Walter Schreifels uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Walter Schreifels

Singer, Guitarist

Gorilla Biscuits

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In an interview with Premier Guitar, Walter Schreifels discusses using the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup, highlighting its role in his post-hardcore sound with Quicksand.

See how Jan Akkerman uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Jan Akkerman

Guitarist

Focus

...
Verified via Photo

In this pic you can spot the Les Paul SG in Jan's hands

See how Brian Robertson uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Brian Robertson

Guitarist

Motörhead

...
Verified via YouTube

Brian can be seen playing a Gibson SG custom in this Top of the Pops episode from 1978

See how Daniel Kim uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Daniel Kim

Guitarist, Composer

wave to earth

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Vintage White

Daniel Kim is known to frequently use a Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup guitar, as evidenced by its appearance in numerous live performances and video recordings. This guitar, along with a standard 2-pickup SG in midnight blue/dark purple and another 3-pickup SG in the same color, is among his most utilized instruments. This white SG Custom in particular is rarely seen with Daniel, but it can be seen in several videos on WTE's live performances. However, whether or not he used this specific guitars in any recordings by WTE and The Poles is still unknown. An image from Equipboard provides visual confirmation of this guitar's use by Daniel Kim.

See how Parker Lundgren uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Parker Lundgren

Guitarist

Queensrÿche

...
Verified via YouTube

You can see Parker playing the guitar throughout the video.

See how Ryan Lerman uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Ryan Lerman

Guitarist, Bassist

Scary Pockets

...
Verified via YouTube

In the attached video, Ryan is holding and occasionally playing his Gibson SG Les Paul with 3 pickups.

See how Erkin Koray uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Erkin Koray

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Erkin Koray owns a Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup guitar, which he reportedly purchased at a flea market for a bargain price. In a shared anecdote, he fondly recalled this acquisition, grinning and looking at the guitar with the delight of a child. The proof is supported by a user-uploaded photo.

See how Martin Jenner uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Martin Jenner

Guitarist

The Everly Brothers

...
Verified via Musiciansolympus

Jenner can be seen on this page playing a heavily customized SG Custom 3 pickup with Barbara Dickenson band.

See how Ivar Bjørnson uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Ivar Bjørnson

Guitarist

Enslaved

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, Ivar can be seen playing his Gibson SG 3-pickup guitar at the Ottobar in Baltimore, Maryland on Thursday 31 January 2013. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/metalchris/8436075967

See how John Etheridge uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

John Etheridge

Guitarist

The Secret Police

...
Verified via YouTube

Do you recall what your gear setup was in the Soft Machine days?

“By then, I’d got my Gibson SG Custom - a great guitar I could really fly around on. I used a Marshall 50-watt head and a 4x12 cabinet. That was simply because it was the ‘band amp’ - I inherited it. I plugged straight in, no pedals, although by the time of the album Alive & Well, I’d got an MXR overdrive pedal that I used as a boost for solos.

See how Bernard Falaise uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Bernard Falaise

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

Falaise (left) on stage with Miriodor, Montreal 2013. Several other sources also: it appears to be his main guitar. For example:

https://youtu.be/2Q7HA6ireNo?t=11

https://youtu.be/dA8XI6D_Umg?t=222

https://youtu.be/mzH48IO8x9o

See how Jamie Murphy uses Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup

Jamie Murphy

Singer, Guitarist

Space

...
Verified via Photo

This guitar is featured amongst Jamie's equipment in live performances during 1998.

Album Usage

The Gibson Les Paul SG Custom 3-Pickup has been featured on the following albums:

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 SG Custom 3-Pickup, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Gibson SG Standard Solid Body Electric Guitars
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Boss DD-5 Digital Delay Delay Effects Pedals
1
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Boss TR-2 Tremolo Tremolo Effects Pedals
1
Marshall JCM900 4100
Marshall JCM900 4100 Guitar Amplifier Heads
1
Fender Telecaster Deluxe
Fender Telecaster Deluxe Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Boss PN-2 Tremolo/Pan
Boss PN-2 Tremolo/Pan Tremolo Effects Pedals
1
Sunn Beta Lead 200-Watt Head
Sunn Beta Lead 200-Watt Head Guitar Amplifier Heads
1

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