1999 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Elegant

Serial Number: CS 9818 

Finish: Firemist Red

Body: Mahogany (chambered)

Neck/Fingerboard: Ebony with Abalone inlays

Neck Shape: C (I’ve seen these listed as slim taper, but this feels more like a slimmish C..fits nicely in the hand, but not super thick)

Neck Specs: 1.70” nut width, .81” @ 1st / .95 @ 12th 

Pickups: Stock 57 Classics

Weight: 8lbs5oz

Includes: original Gibson Custom / Art & Historic case, at-home printed ad material. These did not ship with COAs until 2000.

Model Notes / Modifications: 

• I believe this example is stock, as it came from the factory.
• Custom Shop chambering that both reduces weight and adds a unique resonance.
• Abalone inlays and ebony fretboard
• Flamed maple (pin-stripey) 
• Extensive finish-wear on the neck down to the bare wood (she’s a good one).
• The strap buttons have been replaced with Schallers.

The Sales Pitch:

This is a wonderful instrument that I’ve absolutely adored owning. It looks like a souped-up standard due to the fancy appointments (but without the kind of gaudy headstock of prior years) but feels and plays like an incredible vintage instrument. Unfortunately, I have an irresponsible number of Les Pauls, but this was and could definitely be in the running for THE Les Paul in your collection (not to be confused with THE Les Paul, which is a different, insanely expensive model).

Cosmetically, the abalone and the firemist finish over pinstripe-y flames on a super dark ebony board really POPS. Sure, that’s cool. But to me, the star of the show here is just how played in this thing is. Whoever owned this before me plays this thing a LOT. The finish has been worn down to bare wood along the binding and it feels great to play. I also really love how the lacquer has sunk into the top over the years giving it almost a glazed pottery look to it. It’s kind of hard to explain or photograph, but when you take the chance and see it in person, you’ll understand :). 

If you’ve been looking for something a little different and wanted to dip into late 90s Custom Shop, this is definitely one to check out.

Condition Notes:

This is a players grade instrument. It’s got small dingers, scrapes, pickwear, finish-wear. This guitar wants to be played and it’s clear that the owner before me 

• This guitar has no cracks, breaks, or repairs. 
• Overall, it’s in good shape, but there are small cosmetic dingers, dongers, dangers, light scratches, marks, missing finish, etc. throughout, consistent with a well loved, but cared for 25+ year old instrument.

• The headstock has some dingers and edgewear, but is overall in really nice condition. (see photos)
• The tuners appear to be original and work well.
• The nut is original and is well cut. 
• The truss rod works and is exactly where you’d want it. 
• The frets are original and are in great shape. The binding shows lines on some frets where it likely sprouted due to changes in the wood. This is extremely common and nothing you can feel or will cause you issues.
• The ebony fretboard is dark and rich.
• The top is in great shape, but shows a lot of lacquer sinking…so there’s some texture to it. I’ve really enjoyed that about this guitar. I’m sure there are some small dings here and there, but overall it’s in nice shape.
• The pickups and wiring are original. 57 Classics from this era are excellent…some of my favorite pickups of all time. The pickups show a little bit of patina to them.
• All metal parts and plastics appear to be original.
• There is a small finish ding on the back of the volute. 
• The back of the neck has finish wear at the top and bottom…nothing you can really feel (except it feels smooth and comfortable), but it’s down to the bare wood along the binding. It’s more pronounced on the treble side. Please see photos. Someone was really playing this thing. (I played it too, but kept it in its case a lot due to it being “fancy”). Otherwise, there are a couple of small dingers / impressions, etc, but nothing inside the playing area that is noticeable. 
• The back of the body has some finish wear, small scratches, worming,, etc, but nothing crazy.
• The strap buttons have been changed out for Schallers.
• The case is in nice used shape with no weird smells or stains. The outside has a couple marks from being moved around and taken places, but is in good shape as well.

The Fine Print:

Reverb limits us to 25 photos. I try to capture the “worst” things. I am happy to provide additional information / photographs upon request. Definitely reach out and ask if there's anything I missed or anything you want to know.

I am not interested in trades with Gen. Pop. I’m mostly trying to clear out physical space, but if you are local to me, an established shop, or a credible YouTuber and you have something vintage or weird that is cool, it doesn’t hurt to ask. If you’re not either of those things, it’s extremely unlikely, due to complexities of making a trade and security concerns around shipping an instrument to an unknown destination.

I try to price my gear fairly based on time I spend "researching the market". Please keep offers realistic.

I try to make sure all of my instruments are set up and play/sound great before listing them. That said, everyone has different preferences and sometimes traveling can cause movement. It would be best to expect to have to do a setup, but then be pleasantly surprised if you don’t.

All of my gear is sold as-is, but I won't leave you hanging if it arrives other than as-described / photographed. I will work to get your guitar safely packed and shipped out quickly (usually the same day or the next day). I take quick shipping and safe packing very seriously.

Much of my gear gets cross posted on my local FB marketplace for local sales. Please do not send me a message here on Reverb asking me to do a deal outside of Reverb. It is against their terms of service.