Franck Claise Black Eel Dark Gray - Hand Made - - think Custom Shop

This one of a kind guitar sounds amazing. It's super heavy and has clarity, definition, and sustain for days. Perfect studio recording guitar. More 60's style slim neck than 50s and the fretting is perfect. It plays like a dream. It holds it's tuning all year. The pickups alone are worth around $500, the tone is incredible. Has push/pull coiltap. I've played all kinds of high-end boutique guitars, and this one sounds the best. It holds it's own against a $5000 Les Paul. Color is gray but pics look a little purpleish.

Franck Claise is a well respected luthier in France and this guitar sold new for over $3,000 with a six-month wait. It can be seen on his website: claise-guitares.com
Here is some more info:

The Black Eel is Franck's definitive interpretation of what a Real LP should be. No corners were cut in the selection of materials on this one. The top is a very special High grade piece of maple, which was also used for the Bindings, pickup rings, veneer on the headstock and volume and tone knobs.

The Inlays and purflings are all made of Abalone.

Woods used for the rest of the guitar are, sapele mahogany back and neck which is reinforced.

Finish is Nitro Gloss on top and Nitro Matte on back and neck.

Pickups are Benedetti Blues at the neck and Benedetti Rock at the Bridge. All Hand-wound one at a time in France.

Normal Lead times for Franck's guitars are 6 months. If Gibson were building this guitar to these standards you would be paying in excess of 10k, there was no CNC used here. All Handmade.