Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,535
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
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Standard
High-end
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Description
The Orville by Gibson Orville Les Paul Custom is a distinguished piece of craftsmanship, embodying the iconic appeal of the Les Paul lineage with a touch of Japanese artistry. Crafted under the supervision of Epiphone Japan, this electric guitar captures the essence of the classic Les Paul Custom while offering an accessible yet highly authentic playing experience. It stands as a testament to the collaboration between Gibson and Japanese luthiery expertise.
This solid body electric guitar is renowned for its superb build quality, featuring a mahogany body and a carved maple top, which together deliver a warm and resonant tone. The neck is crafted from mahogany as well, with a smooth and fast-playing ebony fingerboard that offers excellent playability and sustain. The guitar is fitted with high-output humbucking pickups, ensuring a robust tone that can handle anything from creamy jazz riffs to heavy rock power chords.
Its hardware includes a tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, providing stable tuning and precise intonation. The Orville Les Paul Custom is a reliable companion for any guitarist seeking both vintage aesthetics and modern performance.
Key Features:
- Mahogany body with carved maple top
- Mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard
- High-output humbucking pickups
- Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
- Authentic Japanese craftsmanship under Gibson's supervision
- Classic Les Paul Custom design
Product specs
| Brand | Orville by Gibson |
| Model | LPC Les Paul Custom with Rosewood Fretboard |
| Finish | Alpine White, Antique Ivory, Cherry Sunburst, Ebony, Transparent Red, Wine Red |
| Year | 1988 - 1993 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Red, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
FAQs
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What kind of pickups does the Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom have?
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The Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, which offers a warm, full-bodied tone suitable for a variety of music genres, particularly rock and blues.
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Is the Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom suitable for advanced guitar players?
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Yes, the Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom is well-suited for advanced players due to its high-quality craftsmanship, set-neck construction, and versatile tonal capabilities, making it ideal for professional performance and recording.
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What is the neck profile like on the Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom?
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The Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom features a set-neck construction with a mahogany neck, providing a comfortable and smooth playing experience, often favored by players who enjoy a classic Les Paul feel.
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How does the Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom compare to a Gibson Les Paul?
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The Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom is a Japanese-made version that maintains many of the classic Les Paul features, such as mahogany body and set-neck construction, offering a similar tone and playability at a more accessible price point.
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What finishes are available for the Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom?
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The Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom is available in several finishes, including Alpine White, Antique Ivory, Cherry Sunburst, Ebony, Transparent Red, and Wine Red, allowing players to choose a style that suits their personal aesthetic.
Videos
The Trogly's Guitar Show
What's the Deal with Orville by Gibson Guitars? | 1989 ObG Les Paul Custom Wine Red | Review + Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Resonant instrument with original Bill Lawrence pickups, surpasses many Gibsons
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Custom shop quality at a competitive price
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Retains treble frequencies when adjusting volume
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Vintage PAF tone pickups ideal for classic rock and blues
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Heavy mahogany body with beautiful binding and engraved inlays
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Comfortable C shape neck with flat radius rosewood fretboard
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Stays in tune for extended periods, even during intense play
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High-quality electronics with functional tone and volume knobs
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Fast and smooth playing experience
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Excellent vintage-style hardware
CONS
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Over 10 pounds, may cause discomfort during long sessions
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Lacks binding on the neck compared to some Gibsons
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Does not include an original hard case
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Orville by Gibson Orville Les Paul Custom.
Setup and maintenance
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A maxed-out truss rod is a significant red flag and may require costly repairs or expert luthier intervention to ensure proper playability.
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Build quality
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Some guitars have loose inlays, which can be fixed but indicate potential quality control issues.
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Orville by Gibson instruments, particularly the "by Gibson" versions, are praised for their nitro finish, adding to the vintage appeal and sound quality.
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The quilt top on some models displays bigger, wavier patterns, which offer a unique, softer aesthetic compared to tighter quilt designs.
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Comparisons
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Owners suggest that at current prices, these guitars are often less appealing than a similarly priced used Gibson USA model.
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The ESP Navigator line is considered the closest in quality and sound to Gibson, surpassing other Japanese clones like Burny, Greco, and Tokai.
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The Tokai LC254S BB is noted for its flawless fit and finish, directly comparable to a $6200 Gibson but priced at around $1500.
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Many prefer these Orville models over recent Gibson USA guitars due to superior Japanese craftsmanship, reducing the need for returns or repairs.
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Value and pricing
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Once considered good value at $500, current prices and potential repair costs can make these guitars less attractive compared to new, high-end Tokai models at similar prices.
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Prices for quilt top Orville Les Pauls in good condition can reach £1500 and above, with rare tops driving higher demand.
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Features and functionality
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The Orville by Gibson guitars with "by Gibson" on the headstock use American electronics and a nitro finish, while those labeled just "Orville" use Japanese parts and a poly finish.
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User experience
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Owners note that Orville by Gibson guitars feel and sound similar to Gibson Juniors, indicating high satisfaction with playability and tone.
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The use of original Gibson parts in Orville by Gibson models is highlighted by owners as a selling point, ensuring authentic sound quality.
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Orville by Gibson series guitars were discontinued in the early to mid-90s, yet continue to be valued for their authentic Gibson hardware and craftsmanship.
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Owners highlight the significant weight of certain models, which some players find enhances the playing experience.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings
390
A great Les Paul
This Japanese copy of the classic Gibson black beauty is very much like the real deal. In terms of construction you get a heavy mahogany body (over 10 ponds! mind your back) with beautiful binding on both sides and on the headstock. The Orville logo and inlays on the fretboard are engraved as they should be in the finest quality instruments. It has a comfortable and fast C shape neck with a flat radius rosewood fretboard. It looks and feels like a high quality instrument. The golden hardware is excellent; vintage style tune-o-matic bridge and accurate tulip tuners. Electronics are great as well. The tone and volume knobs are really functional and get you a lot of tones. The guitar does not lose any treble frequencies when rolling the volume down. Pickups are just great; they have a vintage PAF tone hard to find in modern and more expensive instruments. They do not have tons of output, but they sound fat and yet defined as a Les Paul should do. They might be too fat for some tastes but to play classic rock and blues they really provide awesome crunchy and overdriven tones. The neck pickup give you f*** awesome lead tones! It stays on tune forever. I've played 2 hour shows without having to tune, no matter how much I bent the strings. I've played Gibsons that are way more expensive and I do prefer this Orville in most cases. Gibsons however come with binding in the neck and a nice case, this Orville does not and it is fair to say it. Mine is a 1990 version from the Terada factory; all stock and I wouldn't change a thing. Well, perhaps I would love it was a little lighter but I am not in the mood to play chambered Les Pauls. On the good side, put this on your shoulder and save the money from the gym!
Artist usage
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In this video you can see the Orville logo at about 2:32 you have to pause it just right to see it. Plus you can tell from the paint it’s a custom
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 Orville by Gibson Orville Les Paul Custom, it is most commonly used with the following gear.