What a beauty!!! In 1957, after four years of production of their new Les Paul Custom model (then equipped with two pickups), Gibson introduced the Black Beauty — a Les Paul Custom, still in an Ebony finish, now fitted with three PAF pickups. Although very rarely offered in a two-pickup version, the Black Beauty quickly became a benchmark within the Les Paul lineup and is now among the rarest and most expensive instruments of the 1950s. From the 1960s onward, artists such as Jimmy Page and later Peter Frampton helped popularize this magnificent creation from one of the most iconic American guitar makers during its golden era.

Here we have a superb 1996 Les Paul Custom ’57 Reissue 3 pickups that has seen plenty of playing time but ultimately shows only moderate wear and tear. This guitar displays some playwear, scattered light scratches, and minor marks, and a few modifications and repairs have taken place over its 30-year lifetime: the nut has been replaced, the first fret has been changed, the remaining frets have been leveled and crowned, and at one point the neck and bridge pickups were replaced, though the original pickups are now back on the instrument. Different tuners were also installed temporarily. The original Grover tuners are now back on the guitar, with the holes from the previous tuners still visible. The playing comfort is phenomenal, and the leveled fretwork offers a truly unique playing experience. Honestly, all new guitars should have their frets leveled and dressed… yes, really.

The Classic ’57 pickups combined with the mahogany body and top deliver a full, round tone. This instrument is powerful while remaining articulate across modern playing styles, perfect for high-gain distortion. Playability is excellent, and despite its three pickups and Grover tuners, this guitar weighs 4.48 kg and feels very well balanced. A magnificent Les Paul Custom ’57 Reissue 3 pickups, which, thanks to years of honest playwear, now has the vibe of an original fifties instrument. Delivered with an original Gibson Custom Shop case from the 2000s, without COA.