Paying homage to the timeless aesthetic of the Gibson Les Paul Custom, Gibson has released 4 new models meticulously crafted in the Gibson Custom Shop in Bozeman, Montana, that promise a blend of classic features and premium detailing. Finished in a glossy ebony nitrocellulose, these guitars offer musicians a distinctive look without the need for a tuxedo.
These models come with a sitka top, but there are some variations in body woods, scale length and neck profiles. Adding a touch of elegance, they feature Les Paul Custom-inspired cosmetics with multi-ply binding on the top and back, gold Grover Rotomatic tuners, L.R. Baggs Session VTC electronics, and ebony fingerboard.
J-45 Custom
Leading the quartet is the J-45 Custom, a variant of the iconic J-45 acoustic model that was first released in 1942 as Gibson’s first approach to the dreadnought guitar. Retaining the classic J-45 features, this guitar has a Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany SlimTaper neck with a 24.75” scale length.
Hummingbird Custom
Next in line is the Hummingbird Custom, drawing inspiration from Gibson’s first square-shoulder acoustic model first released in 1960. Like the J-45, it features a 24.75” scale length but with a rounded neck profile. The body is made of mahogany with a sitka top decorated with the iconic Hummingbird hand-etched pickguard originally designed by Hartford Snider.
Songwriter EC Custom
The Songwriter EC Custom, introduced in 2003, combines Gibson’s traditional bracing patterns with a modern dreadnought shape. The solid rosewood back and sides paired with a solid Sitka spruce top delivers a balanced tone. It is equipped with a rounded 25.5” scale length for enhanced projection and clearer articulation.
SJ-200 Custom
Completing the quartet is the SJ-200 Custom, a venerable Gibson model with roots dating back to 1937. Now in fully black, it features a long scale rounded 25.5” neck and boasts the distinctive flame maple back and sides that have solidified its status as one of the most renowned and luxurious models globally.
While this announcement coincided with the conclusion of NAMM, it’s important to clarify that it is not an official NAMM announcement from Gibson. The brand discontinued its participation in NAMM back in 2022, opting instead for their customary January unveiling of new lineups.
