There’s nothing more iconic than a ’57 Goldtop; this Les Paul from the Gibson Custom Shop presents all of the beauty and sonic satisfaction of a vintage original. It features an impeccable Ultra Light aged finish from the Murphy Lab. Loaded with CustomBuckers, you’ll be able to coax warm tones and thrilling growls from the get-go. Available now at Musician’s Friend, the 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Darkback Reissue could easily become your number one.

Let’s start with the finish

Tom Murphy was instrumental in creating the Gibson Custom Shop; he's also a pioneer in the art of aging guitars. The ’57 Les Paul has an accurate Double Gold finish with a dark back that lets the mahogany grain come through. The Murphy Lab gives this an Ultra Light aging. There is some lacquer checking, but very little playing wear.

A Gibson with classic construction

The Custom Shop doesn't fool around when it comes to construction. From laser-scanned dimensions to chemically recreated plastics, their attention to detail makes all the difference. You’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between this Goldtop and one from the ’50s. The body is made from solid mahogany; the same wood is used for the chunky, medium C-shaped neck. The Indian rosewood fret board fits like a glove—the extra-rolled binding makes it feel like a worn-in Gibson.

Pickups that shine

Gibson loaded this guitar with a set of CustomBuckers. Alnico III magnets supply the warmth; leaving them unpotted adds clarity. A hand-wired harness with paper-in-oil capacitors and 500K CTS pots gives you more sonic space to explore.

This Goldtop will make you go gaga

Finding an original 1957 Gibson Goldtop takes time, luck and a large wallet. The Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Goldtop reissue gets you the same style and sound, and it’s available now at Musician’s Friend. It comes with a certificate of authenticity and an aged brown and pink Lifton reissue 5-latch hard case.