Gibson Custom 1960 Les Paul Standard BOTB Pg 138 Bigsby Murphy Lab Light Aged #5090

Full Description

Inspired by a legendary burst

The Gibson Custom 1960 Les Paul Standard BOTB is a faithful recreation of one of the most iconic bursts ever captured in print—specifically the one found on page 138 of The Beauty of the Burst by Yasuhiko Iwanade. This book has become a bible for vintage Les Paul aficionados, and Gibson has honoured that legacy with a Dealer Select build that captures the soul of the original guitar. Every detail of this reissue, from the carved maple top to the aniline dye finish, has been obsessively studied and replicated to match the character of that specific burst. This beauty is in a world of its own - it’s not part of the standard Gibson Custom lineup and is only available through select dealers, making it an incredibly rare guitar. The visual identity of this guitar immediately evokes the golden era of Gibson craftsmanship, and it stands out as an instrument that takes heed of the Les Paul legacy.

Murphy Lab Light Aged finish and vintage details

One of the most striking aspects of this guitar is the Murphy Lab Light Aged finish, adding authentic vintage character to the overall look and feel. The Murphy Lab process involves a meticulous hand-aged treatment to both the nitrocellulose lacquer and the hardware, creating subtle checking, wear patterns, and patina that mirror decades of loving use. The ageing is not only visual - it contributes to the feel of the guitar in your hands, giving it the kind of broken-in comfort usually reserved for instruments that have lived through years of gigs and sessions. The top itself is a beautifully figured, hand-selected AAA flame maple cap, bound with single-ply cream binding that adds a touch of elegance. Paired with the non-weight-relieved mahogany body and historically accurate appointments like cellulose trapezoid inlays, this guitar delivers the tactile and visual cues of a true 1960 Les Paul. It’s an heirloom-quality instrument designed to feel like it’s been part of your collection from day one.

Bigsby vibrato and expressive hardware

While many reissues focus strictly on vintage correctness, this Dealer Select model introduces a bold and expressive addition: a Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece. Installed with period-accurate care and paired with a historic ABR-1 bridge, the Bigsby adds an unmistakable touch of flair and functionality. You can easily add subtle warble to chord work, expressive dips on sustained notes, or shimmering textures to lead lines thanks to its smooth and reliable performance. Its inclusion elevates the guitar from a collector’s piece to a genuine tool for dynamic musical expression. The Bigsby is also perfectly balanced with the overall aesthetic, adding to the vintage-correct vibe rather than distracting from it. If you're after authenticity and flexibility, this guitar strikes an ideal balance between period charm and modern musical versatility.

Custombuckers with unpotted vintage magic

At the heart of this Les Paul’s tone are a pair of Gibson Custombucker humbuckers, designed specifically to replicate the sound and response of the original PAFs from the late 1950s and early 1960s. These pickups are loaded with Alnico III magnets and feature unpotted coils, which allow for the kind of open, harmonically rich tone that vintage enthusiasts crave. The unpotted design makes them more reactive to your playing dynamics and adds a layer of complexity and nuance to each note. You can dial in thick blues leads, bright country tones, smooth jazz voicings or gritty rock textures with ease. Gibson’s attention to period-correct winding techniques, coil offset, and wire gauge ensures that every Custombucker feel unbelievably responsive.

Neck profile and playability

This guitar’s neck is another key component of its authenticity and appeal. Carved from solid mahogany, the neck features the V2 SlimTaper C profile used by Gibson in 1960—a noticeable evolution from the chunkier 1959 profile. The result is a neck that feels fast and comfortable, with just enough heft to provide a satisfying grip without being cumbersome. It’s a neck that encourages expressive bends, clean runs, and crisp rhythm work. The 12-inch fingerboard radius and medium-jumbo frets further enhance the playing experience, providing a smooth platform for everything from intricate lead playing to dynamic chord work. Topped with a bound rosewood fingerboard and classic trapezoid inlays, it not only plays like a dream but also looks the part. This guitar manages to feel old and familiar while delivering the kind of precision that inspires confidence and creativity.

Specifications

• Product Name: Gibson Custom 1960 Les Paul Standard BOTB Bigsby Murphy Lab Light Aged #5090
• Product Code: LPR60PSL22400 #5090

Body

• Body Type: Solidbody
• Body Shape: Les Paul
• Body Material: Mahogany
• Top Material: Hand-selected AAA Flame Maple
• Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer, Murphy Lab Light Aged
• Colour: Cherry Aniline Dye
• Binding: Single-ply cream top binding
• Weight Relief: None (non-weight-relieved)

Neck & Fretboard

• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Neck Shape: 1960 V2 SlimTaper C
• Neck Joint: Set Neck
• Scale Length: 24.75"
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 12"
• Number of Frets: 22
• Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
• Fingerboard Inlay: Cellulose Trapezoids
• Nut Width: 1.687"

Hardware & Electronics

• Bridge: Historic ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
• Tailpiece: Bigsby B7 Vibrato
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe
• Neck Pickup: Gibson Custombucker (unpotted, Alnico III)
• Bridge Pickup: Gibson Custombucker (unpotted, Alnico III)
• Controls: 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone
• Switching: 3-way toggle pickup selector
• Knobs: Gold Top Hat with pointers
• Strings: Gibson .010–.046
• Case: Gibson Custom Shop Hardshell Case