For Sale: 2020 Gibson Custom Shop ’68 Les Paul Custom Reissue – Black Beauty Ebony | OHSC + COA

Up for sale is a beautiful 2020 Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue in Ebony, better known as the legendary Black Beauty, complete with its original Gibson Custom Shop hard-shell case and Certificate of Authenticity.

The ’68 Les Paul Custom Reissue recreates one of the most desirable variations of the Les Paul Custom, combining the unmistakable elegance of an Ebony Black Beauty with a mahogany body, plain maple top, ebony fingerboard, long neck tenon, ’68 Medium C neck profile, gold hardware, and Gibson ’68 Custom humbuckers.

Finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer with multi-ply binding, Mother-of-Pearl block inlays, and traditional Les Paul Custom appointments, this is everything you want visually from a Black Beauty while delivering the construction and feel that make the ’68 Reissue a favorite among Les Paul players.

At only 8 lbs 12 oz, this is also a particularly comfortable weight for a full Les Paul Custom.

Condition

Very Good – 8.5/10

This guitar has been played and shows honest cosmetic wear throughout, including:

• Light surface scratches
• Dings throughout
• Normal signs of handling and play

Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

The cosmetic wear does not affect the playability or functionality of the instrument.

There are no cracks, breaks, repairs, or structural issues.

The neck is straight and stable, and the frets remain in excellent playing condition.

The guitar has been professionally inspected and set up by our in-house luthier. It plays cleanly across the entire fingerboard with comfortable action and no buzzing or dead spots.

The original Gibson Custom Shop hard-shell case and Certificate of Authenticity are included.

Specifications

• Model: Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue
• Year: 2020
• Finish: Ebony / Black Beauty
• Serial Number: 092938
• Body: Mahogany
• Top: Plain Maple
• Finish Type: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck: Mahogany
• Neck Profile: ’68 Medium C
• Neck Joint: Long Tenon
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Fingerboard Radius: 12"
• Inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Blocks
• Scale Length: 24.75"
• Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
• Nut: Nylon
• Nut Width: 1.68"
• Neck Depth: .87" at the 1st Fret
• Neck Depth: 1.00" at the 12th Fret
• Neck Pickup: Gibson ’68 Custom Humbucker
• Bridge Pickup: Gibson ’68 Custom Humbucker
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone
• Electronics: Hand-Wired Harness
• Capacitors: Black Beauty
• Switching: 3-Way Switchcraft Toggle
• Bridge: ABR-1
• Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
• Tuners: Gold Kluson Waffleback-Style
• Hardware: Gold
• Weight: 8 lbs 12 oz
• Case: Original Gibson Custom Shop Hard-Shell Case
• COA: Original Certificate of Authenticity Included

1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue

The 1968 Les Paul Custom occupies a particularly interesting place in Gibson history.

After the original single-cutaway Les Paul design disappeared from Gibson's lineup during the early 1960s, the Les Paul returned in 1968. The Les Paul Custom that emerged during this period combined the luxurious appointments associated with the Black Beauty with construction details that distinguish it from both the earlier 1950s Customs and later production models.

The Gibson Custom Shop ’68 Reissue was created to capture the look, construction, and playing character associated with those desirable guitars.

The result is a Les Paul Custom with unmistakable Black Beauty styling but its own distinct feel and voice.

Classic Black Beauty Styling

Few electric guitars have the visual presence of an Ebony Les Paul Custom.

The deep black gloss nitrocellulose finish is contrasted by extensive multi-ply binding, Mother-of-Pearl block fingerboard inlays, the split-diamond headstock inlay, and traditional gold hardware.

It's an aesthetic that has remained virtually synonymous with Gibson's highest-end solid-body guitars for generations.

As the gold hardware naturally develops character through use and the nitrocellulose finish ages, these guitars take on an appearance that is difficult to replicate artificially.

Whether on stage, in the studio, or displayed as part of a collection, the Black Beauty remains one of Gibson's most immediately recognizable designs.

’68 Medium C Neck Profile

One of the most important characteristics of the ’68 Reissue is its substantial ’68 Medium C neck profile.

Our measurements on this particular guitar are:

• Nut Width: 1.68"
• 1st Fret Depth: .87"
• 12th Fret Depth: 1.00"

At .87" at the 1st fret, the neck has a comfortable amount of substance without immediately feeling oversized.

As you move toward the upper register, it gradually fills out to a substantial 1.00" at the 12th fret.

This creates a classic, supportive Gibson neck feel with considerably more substance than a typical SlimTaper profile.

Combined with the 24.75" scale length, 12" radius, ebony fingerboard, and medium-jumbo frets, the result is a neck that feels solid in the hand while remaining extremely comfortable for both rhythm and lead playing.

Ebony Fingerboard

The solid ebony fingerboard is an essential ingredient in the classic Les Paul Custom formula.

Its smooth playing surface and immediate response complement the naturally thick voice of the mahogany and maple construction, adding definition and articulation to the attack.

The dark ebony also provides the perfect visual backdrop for the traditional Mother-of-Pearl block inlays and extensive Custom binding.

It's one of the details that separates the feel and appearance of a Les Paul Custom from a conventional Les Paul Standard.

Long Tenon Construction

This ’68 Reissue features a long tenon neck joint, a construction detail prized by many Gibson enthusiasts.

The extended neck-to-body joint creates a substantial connection between the mahogany neck and body and is part of the historically inspired construction used by the Gibson Custom Shop on this model.

Combined with the solid mahogany body, maple top, and glued-in neck construction, the guitar has the solid, resonant feel expected from a high-end Custom Shop Les Paul.

’68 Custom Humbuckers

The guitar is equipped with Gibson ’68 Custom humbuckers in both the neck and bridge positions.

These pickups are designed to complement the character of the ’68 Reissue, delivering the warmth, clarity, midrange authority, and dynamic response expected from a vintage-inspired Les Paul.

The bridge position has plenty of bite and articulation for classic rock, blues, and heavier overdriven tones, while the neck pickup provides the thick, smooth voice that makes a great Les Paul so satisfying for lead work.

The middle position blends the two for additional clarity and complexity.

Paired with the traditional 2 Volume, 2 Tone, and 3-way toggle layout, the guitar offers the familiar simplicity and versatility of a classic Les Paul.

Hand-Wired Electronics

The electronics package continues the Custom Shop's vintage-inspired approach.

The guitar features a hand-wired control harness with CTS potentiometers, Black Beauty capacitors, Switchcraft 3-way selector, and Switchcraft output jack.

This straightforward traditional electronics configuration complements the ’68 Custom humbuckers and keeps the signal path faithful to the vintage-inspired character of the instrument.

ABR-1 & Gold Hardware

The guitar uses the classic Gibson combination of an ABR-1 bridge and lightweight aluminum stop bar tailpiece.

The gold hardware provides the unmistakable Les Paul Custom appearance, while the Waffleback-style tuning machines further reinforce the vintage-inspired aesthetic.

Together with the multi-ply binding, ebony finish, and elaborate Custom appointments, the hardware completes the classic Black Beauty presentation.

Tone & Feel

This guitar delivers everything players look for in a great Custom Shop Les Paul: sustain, authority, strong midrange, clarity, and a substantial feel in the hands.

The mahogany body provides warmth and depth, while the maple top and ebony fingerboard help add attack and definition.

Clean tones have excellent body and clarity. Add some gain and the guitar develops the thick harmonic character and singing sustain that have made Les Paul Customs a staple of rock music for decades.

The ’68 Medium C neck gives the guitar a solid, confidence-inspiring feel, while the 8 lb 12 oz weight is particularly appealing for a Les Paul Custom.

It's substantial enough to feel like a traditional Les Paul without carrying the weight commonly associated with many Customs.

Original Hard-Shell Case + COA

This guitar comes complete with its original Gibson Custom Shop hard-shell case and Certificate of Authenticity.

Having both the original case and COA makes this a nicely complete example and is particularly important for a Gibson Custom Shop instrument.

The original hard-shell case provides excellent protection for storage, transportation, and shipping.

Transparency & Photos

As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos are provided of the exact instrument—no stock photos.

At the end of the photo set, you'll find close-up images taken under direct lighting to clearly show the light scratches, dings, and any other cosmetic imperfections.

We don't just describe the condition—we show it in detail so there are no surprises.

Many of our customers tell us their guitars arrive in better condition than expected.

Why Buy From Guitar Chimp?

With over 18 years of experience, Guitar Chimp is trusted by players and collectors worldwide for high-quality, player-ready instruments.

Every guitar is thoroughly inspected and professionally set up by our in-house luthier.

We are experts at shipping and have safely shipped thousands of guitars and basses all over the world. Every instrument is professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation.

Buy with confidence knowing your instrument will arrive safely and exactly as described.

📞 Call/Text: (801) 317-9013

💬 Message anytime—we’re always happy to help!

This 2020 Gibson Custom Shop ’68 Les Paul Custom Reissue Black Beauty delivers the timeless appearance of an Ebony Les Paul Custom with the distinctive specifications of Gibson's historically inspired 1968 Reissue.

With its ebony fingerboard, ’68 Medium C neck, long tenon construction, ’68 Custom humbuckers, hand-wired electronics, ABR-1 bridge, gold hardware, and excellent 8 lb 12 oz weight, this is an outstanding Les Paul for the serious player or Gibson collector.

The guitar shows honest cosmetic wear and is conservatively rated Very Good at 8.5/10, but it is structurally sound, professionally inspected and set up, and plays beautifully.

Complete with its original Gibson Custom Shop hard-shell case and Certificate of Authenticity, this Black Beauty is ready for its next owner.

🎸 Jerald – Guitar Chimp

Providing The Finest Guitars, Basses & Amps Since 2006