Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom | Ebony

The Gibson Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom Ebony represents a significant piece of music history, meticulously recreated by Gibson Custom and the Murphy Lab. This limited-edition instrument is a replica of the 1958 Les Paul Custom that Eric Clapton used during his time with Cream, later gifting it to Albert Lee.  Only 150 of these guitars will be produced, making it a highly collectable and sought-after instrument.

The foundation of this guitar is a one-piece, ultra-lightweight mahogany body. This specific wood selection contributes to the guitar's resonance, sustain, and overall tonal character. The mahogany neck, shaped to match the profile of Clapton's original guitar, provides a comfortable and familiar feel for players.  This "Medium C" profile offers a balance between substantial grip and ease of play. The ebony fretboard, known for its smooth feel and bright tone, features classic Les Paul Custom inlays made from mother-of-pearl blocks, adding to the guitar's visual elegance.  The 22 historic medium-jumbo frets offer a traditional playing experience. The nut is made of nylon, a common material for vintage-style guitars.

The Murphy Lab's ageing process is a crucial aspect of this guitar.  It's not a usual relic job, but a detailed recreation of the specific wear patterns and patina that developed on Clapton's guitar over decades of use.  This includes checking in the nitrocellulose lacquer finish, wear on the gold hardware, and subtle signs of play wear on the body and neck. The gold hardware, including the Grover "Milk Bottle" tuners, ABR-1 bridge (with screws facing the neck, as on the original), lightweight aluminium Stop Bar tailpiece, and pickup covers, all undergo this ageing process to match the original guitar's appearance.

The guitar's electronics are designed to replicate the sound of Clapton's original Les Paul.  It features three unpotted Custombucker pickups, each meticulously crafted to capture the nuances of vintage PAF humbuckers.  The middle pickup's orientation, with the screws facing the neck, is a unique detail carried over from Clapton's guitar. The control layout consists of two volume and two tone controls, utilising CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers for smooth and precise adjustments.  Paper-in-oil capacitors, hand-wired in the traditional manner, contribute to the guitar's vintage tone. The three-way Switchcraft pickup selector switch allows for seamless transitions between pickup combinations.

The guitar comes in a custom Duck Brothers-inspired case, designed specifically for this model.  Included with the guitar is a second pickguard, which has been signed by both Eric Clapton and Albert Lee.  This signed pickguard is presented in a separate wooden display case, adding to its collectable value.  A Certificate of Authenticity, featuring a photograph by Chuck Stewart, authenticates the guitar's provenance.  A black leather Archive Series strap and a Gibson Custom switch plate medallion are also included in the case.  The guitar is handcrafted by the skilled luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop and Murphy Lab in Nashville, Tennessee, ensuring the highest level of quality and craftsmanship.