Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar Ebony

A Guitar With a Rich Legacy

Eric Clapton’s 1958 Les Paul Custom, serial # 8 6320, has a story etched into its very grain. Acquired during Cream’s first American tour, this three-pickup beauty became an extension of Clapton’s musical spirit. Its voice soared through iconic recordings like Disraeli Gears, and it resonated with the energy of countless performances with Cream, Delaney & Bonnie and throughout Clapton’s illustrious solo career. In 1979, Clapton passed the torch, gifting this legendary instrument to fellow guitar hero Albert Lee, who continues to draw inspiration from its timeless magic.

Meticulously Recreated

The Gibson Custom Shop, in collaboration with the Murphy Lab, has poured their passion and expertise into recreating this legendary instrument. The Murphy Lab’s aging process goes beyond mere aesthetics; it’s a journey through time, replicating the wear patterns, the subtle nuances and the soulful patina that only decades of passionate playing can create. Holding this replica is like stepping back in time, feeling the echoes of countless gigs, studio sessions and inspired moments of musical creation. The Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom is not just a replica; it’s a resurrection of a legend.

Ultralight One-Piece Mahogany Body and Other Premium Appointments

The Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom is a symphony of tonewoods and craftsmanship. The hand-selected, ultralight, one-piece mahogany body resonates with a warmth and sustain that only a true vintage instrument can possess. The mahogany neck, with its smooth ebony fretboard, invites your fingers to dance across the custom mother-of-pearl block inlays and 22 historic medium-jumbo frets. The neck profile is a faithful recreation of the original, offering a familiar embrace that countless guitarists have cherished. The aged gold hardware, including Grover tuners, an ABR-1 bridge, a lightweight aluminum stop bar tailpiece and pickup covers, whispers tales of a bygone era.

Capturing the Sonic Character With Unpotted Custombuckers

The heart and soul of this guitar lie in its three unpotted Custombucker pickups. These pickups are more than just electronics; they’re vessels of tone, meticulously voiced to channel the sonic essence of the original guitar. They sing with the rich, creamy tones that defined Clapton’s sound, inviting you to explore the bluesy depths and soaring heights of his musical vocabulary. The middle pickup, with its screws oriented toward the neck just like the original, adds another layer of authenticity, ensuring that every note rings true to the spirit of the legend. The control assembly, featuring CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors, is a testament to the golden age of electronics, handwired to deliver the pure, unadulterated tone that inspired generations.

A Limited-Edition Collector’s Item

This limited-edition release of only 150 guitars is a tribute to a musical icon. Each guitar comes with a custom Duck Brothers-inspired case, a second pickguard signed by both Eric Clapton and Albert Lee in a collectible wooden display case, a Certificate of Authenticity booklet with a photo by Chuck Stewart, a black leather Archive Series strap, and a Gibson Custom switch plate medallion. The Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom is an ode to music history, a tangible connection to the enduring legacy of Eric Clapton and his iconic instrument. Owning this guitar is like owning a piece of the dream, a reminder that music can transcend time and touch the soul.