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Gibson Les Paul

Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul "Studio Custom" Roland Ready Synthesizer Controller

Features and Specifications:

  • Body: Maple and Mahogany
  • Finish: Lacquer
  • Neck: Maple
  • Fingerboard: Ebony or Rosewood
  • Frets: 22
  • Bridge: Gibson Tune-O-Matic
  • Nut: Plastic
  • Tuning machines: Grover or Schaller
  • Pickups: Tim Shaw Humbuckers
  • Scale:24 3/4"
  • Truss Rod: Single, Adjustable
  • Neck Width: 1 11/16"
  • Body Width: 12 21/32"
  • Body Length: 17 3/8"
  • Body Depth: 1 15/16"
  • Overall Length: 39 1/4"
  • Weight: 9 lbs 2 oz
  • Retail Price: $1,299.00
Gibson Les Paul Natural Finish with EMG pickups

Introduction to the Custom Shop Les Paul "Studio Custom":

Beyond the standard Roland offerings in the G-X0X series, there are vintage 24-pin Roland-Ready guitars for just about every niche: the Hard Rock Hamer A7, the traditional player's Zion Strat, or the cutting edge Steinberger GL-2T/GR.

But the classic, eternal, "Cadillac" of the series has got to be the Limited Edition 1985 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul "Studio Custom" with the Roland LPK-1 Electronics. These vintage guitars combine all the craft and musicality with the feature-rich Roland LPK-1 electronics package, the same electronics found in the G-303 or G-808 guitars.

How Many Were Made?

Since this page went online, I had a few owners contact me about how many of these guitars were actually made. I was contacted by Randy Leonard who worked for Gibson from 1977 to 1990. Randy did all the assembly and setups of these amazing guitars at the Gibson facility in Nashville, TN. According to Randy's personal ledger, 51 Les Pauls and 18 Explorers were made. I have seen at least three red models, the one shown here, another one with a sanded down neck, and a third owned by Steve Howe of Yes, all with different serial numbers. And at least 4 black models, two shown here, plus the Bob Welch guitar (with trem), and a fourth guitar located by Eric Fisher missing the internal electronics. And finally the sunburst models includes Julien's Auctions, one owned by Manfred Lindner, one with a pickguard, and 'darksould2014' sunburst guitar.

Bob Welch Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom with EMG Pickups Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom with Pickguard
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Every one of these guitars is a stunner, combining the timeless grace of the single cut Les Paul with vintage analog electronics ready for a Roland GR-100, GR-300, GR-700 or GM-70. If you love Les Pauls, you will love these guitars. A decade ago you could find one on ebay for $600, lately they are trading in the $2500 price range, which is to be expected for a mint, custom-shop Les Paul.

Greg Howe with Custom Shop Les Paul

Thanks to Eric Fischer for kindly providing the photos of his red Les Paul, which really inspired putting the page together.

Enjoy!

One of a Kind: Cherry Sunburst Roland Ready Les Paul

Cherry Burst Les Paul Custom Shop wiht Roland LPK=1Gibson employee Randy Leonard was kind enough to share this photo of a one-of-a-kind Custom Shop Les Paul from 1985 with a stunning cherry sunburst finish!

This guitar is a real beauty! No idea where you can find this baby today!

Photos - Custom Shop Les Paul "Studio Custom" Ferrari Red:

Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red
Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red
Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red
Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red
Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red Custom Shop Les Paul Studio Custom Ferrari Red
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Photos - Custom Shop Les Paul "Studio Custom" Tobacco Sunburst:

Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Natural
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Photos - Custom Shop Les Paul "Studio Custom" Black:

Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Black
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Videos:

Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Repair Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Repair Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Repair Gibson Les Paul LPK-1 Repair
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