The Gibson Les Paul Classic was first introduced in late 1989 with 1990 being the first full year of the model. When it was released, it ranked ABOVE a Les Paul Standard but BELOW the Les Paul Reissue (still considered Prehistorics at this time.)
Click for Video on a 1989 Les Paul Classic.
Click for Video on a 1990 Classic
The Gibson Custom Shop formally opened as a separate division from other Gibson production in October 1993. At this time, the now famous Custom Art Historic 1959 Reissue Les Pauls featuring long neck tenons for the first time since the golden era were birthed.
Click for Video on a First Year 1993 Custom Shop ’59 Reissue
Starting in 1994, “Custom Shop” Classics were also produced. They appear to have lasted through ~1998. How did these differ from the Gibson USA classics?
The “then-new” ’57 Classic Pickups (prototyped in 1992) VS Gibson USA’s ceramic 496R/500t set. The ’57s were UNCOVERED and had zebra bobbins likely in reference to Slash.
Enhanced Top Carve. These were dished out just like the historic reissues
Blank Truss Rod Cover and NO pickguard. All the usual Classic branding was removed except for the headstock silkscreen
Choicer Woods. Premium lightweight mahogany and exceptional tops
Color and Top Choices. The maple used on these is typically quite nice, but Mahogany tops were also offered in at least Cherry and TV Yellow finishes. Maple tops typically had pretty exotic “out-there” colors as well.
Please do not think that the Custom Shop version is the only Classic to have figured tops though. While the regular Les Paul Classic was offered as a plain top – Premium Plus models also could be quite figured. The easiest way to ID a Custom Shop classic at a quick glance is look for the zebra pickups and look for the “Custom Shop” decal on the back. The first year ones have a different much larger decal that looks like something Chibson would use… but don’t worry, it is legit!
Despite Custom Shop Classics being made in the Custom Shop… they did NOT feature long-neck tenons like the historic reissues. When the Classic was first introduced, through 1992, some unscrupulous dealers would change a few parts on them and sell them as higher-end reissues. This is why the “Les Paul Model” silkscreen was changed into “Les Paul Classic.” I’d imagine the Custom Shop Classic didn’t get a long-neck tenon to help differentiate this model from the more expensive reissues. Custom Shop Classics still have the ABR-1 bridge though, just the same as Gibson USA Classics. With the formal 1960 “r0” reissues of today, I highly doubt we will EVER see a reissue of this model – it is too redundant.
Overall, if you appreciate a deep dishcarve and nice flamey/quilty tops and don’t have the money for a 90s Custom Art Historic Reissue, a Custom Shop Classic might just fit the bill. They sound a bit more “traditional” thanks to the ’57 Classic pickups but offer that devastatingly thin neck profile (.8″-.9″ on my measured example)
Enjoy the B-roll Shots!
