For Sale: 1996 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Florentine w/ OHSC

Up for sale is a 1996 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Florentine, complete with its original hard-shell case.

This is a very cool and increasingly hard-to-find Custom Shop model that combines classic Les Paul Custom appointments with a lighter, more resonant semi-hollow Florentine design. Features include a figured maple top, mahogany back and neck, ebony fingerboard, F-holes, and a pair of ’57 Classic humbuckers. These are great guitars for someone who wants the look and feel of a Les Paul Custom, but with a little more openness and acoustic character.

Please note that I do not have any paperwork for this guitar. These did not originally come with certificates of authenticity, as Gibson did not begin issuing COAs with Custom Shop guitars until later.

Condition

This guitar is in very good condition overall and I would rate it a 7.5/10. It shows scratches and dings throughout, along with quite a bit of finish checking in the clear coat. There is also clear coat chipping around the low E tuner and around the bottom strap button on the butt of the guitar. Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

Importantly, there are no structural cracks or breaks. The checking is in the clear coat only.

The guitar has had a few updates over the years. The nut has been replaced, it has been refretted with standard medium jumbo frets, the tuners have been upgraded to Grover locking tuners, and the strap buttons have been replaced. Everything else appears to be original.

The neck is straight, the refret was done nicely, and the guitar plays cleanly up and down the neck with no issues. It has also been recently professionally set up and is ready to go.

Specifications

Serial Number: 691386
Weight: 8 lbs 0 oz
Nut Width: 1.69"
Neck Depth: .80" at the 1st fret, .95" at the 12th fret
Body: Semi-Hollow Mahogany Back with Figured Maple Top
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Blocks
Pickups: Gibson ’57 Classic Humbuckers
Frets: Refretted with Standard Medium Jumbo Frets
Tuners: Grover Locking Tuners
Hardware: Gold
Case: Original Hard-Shell Case

Tone & Feel

One of the nice things about these Florentine Customs is that they still feel like a Les Paul Custom, but the semi-hollow construction gives them a little more resonance and liveliness. Combined with the ’57 Classics, this one has a warm, articulate voice with plenty of sustain and a bit more openness than a standard solidbody Custom.

At just 8 lbs, it is also an especially comfortable weight for a Les Paul Custom.

Transparency & Photos

As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos are provided of the actual instrument. At the end of the photo set, you’ll find close-up images taken under direct lighting to highlight any wear. We don’t just describe the condition — we show it in detail so there are no surprises. Many customers tell us our guitars often arrive in better condition than expected.

Why Buy From Guitar Chimp?

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This 1996 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Florentine is a rare, lightweight, and great-playing semi-hollow Custom with lots of character, strong specs, and the original hard-shell case.

🎸 Jerald – Guitar Chimp
Providing The Finest Guitars, Basses & Amps Since 2006