{"product_id":"gibson-les-paul-custom-57-reissue-black-beauty-1996","title":"Gibson 1996 Les Paul Custom 57 Black Beauty 3PU Duncan Antiquity Seth Lover","description":"\u003cp\u003eNo sales tax for US customers outside California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis '57 Les Paul Custom is the Black Beauty in its definitive configuration — three humbuckers, all-mahogany body without a maple cap, ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, and the tuxedo aesthetic that Les Paul personally specified when he asked Gibson to make a guitar that looked like formal wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe all-mahogany construction is the single most important tonal distinction between the '57 Custom reissue and every Les Paul Custom produced after 1968, when Gibson reintroduced the model with a maple top. The mahogany-on-mahogany combination produces a darker, richer, more mid-focused character than the maple-capped Standard — warmer in the low end, with a sustain and resonance that players who have spent time with original '57-era Customs consistently describe as unique as compared to a maple-topped instrument produces. Gibson describes the one-piece mahogany body as \"unique among Les Paul models\" and paired with the bright-sounding ebony fingerboard it creates the precise tonal balance that defines the Black Beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis 1996 example carries three Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbuckers. Seth Lover was the Gibson engineer who designed the original Patent Applied For humbucker in 1955, the pickup that defined the sound of the late-1950s Les Paul and that the entire vintage pickup market has spent decades attempting to replicate. Seymour Duncan produced the Seth Lover model as Lover's own authorized recreation of his original design — the designer's own specification of what his PAF should sound like, produced under his name and supervision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe bridge pickup reads 7.84k, the neck reads 7.01k — correct and balanced PAF-character readings for a three-pickup configuration. The pots are non-original. The guitar is wired with one tone control and one volume knob for each pickup, allowing you to bring the middle pickup with any other combination. O\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003ether specs: ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays, original pickguard, original gold hardware throughout, original tuners. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe guitar plays perfectly and sounds amazing.  The altered controls give you tremendous flexibility.  The frets are full.  They've been leveled once for but have tons of life left.  The neck is straight and there is room in the truss rod for future neck relief adjustments.  he action is set at 2\/32\" on both strings at the twelfth fret. At 9 lbs 13 oz this is a substantial, well-resonating instrument. Recent Gibson hardshell case included.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThere is light wear throughout, but the guitar clearly has been well cared for.  There is buckle worming on the back that doesn't go through the finish.  The case is a non original Gbson case from the 2010s or early 20x.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcerpts from Real Online User Reviews:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"The '57 reissue offers a darker, richer sound due to all-mahogany construction — unlike the brighter, maple-capped '68 reissue, it's a genuinely different guitar.\" — Equipboard community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"The body is carved out of a single large piece of solid mahogany, unique among Les Paul models — the dark mid-range tone pairs perfectly with the bright ebony fingerboard.\" — Gibson Custom Shop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"Seth Lover designed the original PAF — the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover model is his own authorized recreation of his own design, which makes it the most historically correct PAF homage available.\" — The Gear Page\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\"The three-pickup Black Beauty is appreciated for its versatility — tonal options that simply aren't available with a two-pickup configuration.\" — Equipboard community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColor: Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 9lbs 13oz\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody: \u003cspan\u003e1-Piece Solid Mahogany (no maple top)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck: \u003cspan\u003eMahogany\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFretboard: Ebony\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInlays: \u003cspan\u003eMother of Pearl Block\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrets: Original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFret Count: 22\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut: Original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut width: 1-11\/16\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRadius: 12\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: 24.75\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck thickness at 1st Fret: .834\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck thickness at 12th Fret: .996\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAction 1st String at 12th Fret: 2\/32'\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAction 6th String at 12th Fret: 2\/32\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOverall Length: 38-3\/4\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLower bout: 13\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaist: 7-1\/4\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpper bout: 9-1\/4\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody depth\/thickness outside edge: 2\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eString gauge: 10-46\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardware Color: Gold\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickguard: Original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge Pickup\/Brand: Seymour Duncan Antiquity Seth Lover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Reading: 7.84k\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal?: No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMiddle Pickup\/Brand: Seymour Duncan Antiquity Seth Lover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal?: No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Pickup\/Brand: Seymour Duncan Antiquity Seth Lover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Reading: 7.01k\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal?: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge: Tune-o-Matic w\/ stop bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuners: Original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnobs: Original\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitch: 3 Way\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePots\/Codes: Non Original Pots, rewired\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase: Recent Gibson HSC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNotes: \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipping policy:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air.  Otherwise, ground shipping will be used.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.   \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56388147806374,"sku":"G-2210","price":3999.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0455\/7527\/4662\/files\/20260415_085002.jpg?v=1776276135","url":"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/products\/gibson-les-paul-custom-57-reissue-black-beauty-1996","provider":"Mahar's Vintage Guitars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}