Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Gloss Ebony CSM #CS501938

The Les Paul Custom: the historic high-end model in the Les Paul family

Following in the footsteps of the Les Paul Custom models introduced in the late 1950s, this Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom incorporates the features that established the model’s reputation: luxurious aesthetics, meticulous finishes and a rich midrange response. Within the range, the Custom stands out through its level of detail (multi-ply binding, block inlays, ebony) and its more "large-format" approach to the Les Paul sound—dense, controlled and incredibly stable in a professional setting.

The Custom Shop brings rigorous construction and a level of setup precision that can be felt from the very first minutes: a crisp attack, long note sustain and a sense of solidity that inspires confidence on stage as well as in the studio. The "9-hole" weight relief is designed to improve comfort without altering the full, singing character expected from a Les Paul Custom.

A guitar designed for demanding musicians (studio, stage, touring)

This Les Paul Custom is primarily aimed at intermediate to expert guitarists looking for a responsive, precise and consistent instrument capable of handling low tunings and firm picking attacks. The neck and ebony key promote clean, articulate and fast playing, making this guitar ideal if you alternate between tight rhythm parts and solo phrasing.

When it comes to styles, it excels at jazz (round, defined neck pickup tones), blues (expressive crunch at the volume control), classic rock and hard rock (a more incisive and powerful bridge pickup), as well as pop and any music that calls for a guitar that "fills out" the mix. Thanks to its pair of humbuckers and separate controls (2 volumes, 2 tone controls), you can shape very gradual gain transitions, which is particularly useful in live situations.

A Les Paul Custom sound: dense mids, silky highs and generous sustain

The maple top / mahogany body combination delivers that famous Les Paul balance: a more pronounced and articulate attack provided by the maple, along with a thick, musical and "singing" low-midrange supported by the mahogany. The long tenon contributes to the sense of rigidity, projection and broad sustain that allows notes to breathe, even during sustained bends or open chords.

The 490R in the neck position emphasizes warmth and presence: perfect for deep cleans, jazz chords that remain clearly separated, or blues leads where every vibration comes through. At the other end, the 498T at the bridge provides higher output and more bite: precise riffs, firm palm-mutes, easily triggered harmonics and solos that cut through without becoming aggressive. With CTS 500K potentiometers and the 3-way selector, the guitar responds extremely well to your picking hand and volume settings: you can "clean up" a saturated sound without losing all of its body, then instantly return to a sharp attack.

The ebony key also contributes to the instrument’s character: a smoother feel under the fingers, a slightly more immediate attack and a level of precision that helps maintain definition in complex chords. The 12" / 305 mm radius and Medium-Jumbo frets encourage modern playing (comfortable bends, controlled vibrato) while preserving the Les Paul DNA.

Recommended compatible accessories

To stay close to the original balance, a 10-46 nickel string set is an excellent choice for this 24.75" / 629 mm scale length, offering comfortable tension and good tuning stability. A Custom Shop case is included, ideal for everyday transport and protection. For playing standing up, a standard strap (possibly a wider one if you play long sessions) improves comfort. Finally, a lint-free microfiber cloth is recommended to preserve the glossy nitrocellulose finishing and minimize marks after playing.

Technical specifications

Category	Single cut	Scalloped	Simple
Left handed	No	Bridge / tailpiece	Fixed
Strings	Steel	Color	Black
Nbr of strings	6

Top	Natural 2-piece Maple	Body-neck joint	Long tenon
Back	1-piece Mahogany	Tuner plating	Gold
Binding	Multi-ply	Bridge	Tune-O-Matic
Hollowed body	"9-hole" weight relief	Tailpiece	Stop bar
Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose	Tuners	Grover "Kidney"
Material	Solid Mahogany	Pickguard	Black multi-ply
Scale length	24.75" / 629 mm	Truss Rod	2-way adjustable
Key material	Solid Ebony	Truss Rod Cover	Engraved 2-ply "Les Paul Custom"
Key radius	12" / 305 mm	Control knobs	Black speed knobs
Number of frets	22	Switch tip	Cream
Frets	Medium-Jumbo	Switch washer	Black
Nut material	Corian	Jack plate	Gold-plated brass
Nut width	1.687" / 42.8 mm	Strap buttons	Brass
Key end width	2.24" / 56.9 mm	Pickup ring	Black M69
Inlays	Mother-of-pearl blocks	Pickup covers	Gold-plated