With the Collector’s Choice series introduced in 2010, Gibson has landed a massive coup. Following the success of the 1:1 copies of guitars played by celebrities such as Billy Gibbons, Jimmy Page or Gary Rossington, the Collector’s Choice series extends the portofolio by offering 1:1 copies of vintage Les Pauls, which are owned by collectors and hence not that popular (yet), but nevertheless are fantastic instruments. The efforts involved in this procedure are almost beyond imagination. The most important aspect of a Collector’s Choice is, that the original guitar gets scanned by a laser. To execute this, the guitar either comes to Gibson, or Gibson goes to the guitar. Whatever is necessary to receive a copy as perfect as possible. The tiniest details of each model are meticulously documented and reproduced because, as Custom Shop Historic Program Manager Edwin Wilson states, “our customers would never detect these details on the original guitar by themselves, but they expect us to do so. ”
Mick Ralphs is a British guitar hero, a founding member of both Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, he is considered rock royalty. His monster tone and slick lead work cementing his place in rock n roll history.
A long time user of Gibson Les Paul’s, 2017 see’s the release of the Gibson Custom Shop Mick Ralphs 1958 Les Paul Standard #8 7049 replica. Painstakingly replicated from Ralphs original ’58, the top carve, neck contours and pickup outputs were all matched to perfection to ensure the truest version of this historic guitar.
With a 2 piece Maple top on a lightweight Mahogany body, it is rich, resonant and authentically vintage. This time tested tonewood combo has been around since the very start and with results like this it is easy to see why. Gibson have used real hide glue to attach the top, a big plus for tone purists as hide glue is known to improve the resonance and sustain of the guitar. Finished in the super cool Ralphs Burst, the finish has been digitally mapped to replicate the exact checking and wear patterns.
In the traditional Mahogany with Rosewood fingerboard combination, the neck delivers everything you would expect with from the pinnacle of modern Les Paul construction. The ’58 C profile is smooth, comfortable and well balanced right up the neck.
A pair of PAF styled Custom Bucker pickups provide the rich, deep tones we all know and love. Re-created to the same specs and measurements of the original PAF pickups you really can’t get any closer to the real thing!
Limited to just 300 guitars worldwide, the Gibson Custom Shop Mick Ralphs 1958 Les Paul Standard #8 7049 replica is a guitar for players and collectors alike.
- Serial number: CC43A 080
- Colour / Finish: Ralphs Burst
- Technology: Solid Body
- Body Shape: Single Cut
- Strings: 6 string
- Neck construction: Set in neck Long Tenon Hide Glue Fit
- Frets: 22
- Scale Length: 24,75″ (629 mm)
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Top: Figured Maple
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Profile: ’58 C
- Fretboard: Rosewood Hide Glue Fit
- Fretboard radius: 12″
- Truss Rod: 50’s Tubeless
- Fretboard Inlays: Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
- Pickup Configuration: H-H (2x Humbucker)
- Neck Pickup: Gibson Custom Bucker Alnico III
- Bridge Pickup: Gibson Custom Bucker Alnico III
- Pickup Selector Switch: 3 way toggle
- Controls: 2x volume, 2x tone
- Bridge / Tremolo: Tune-O-Matic
- Hardware: Nickel
- Strings thickness ex factory: .010 – .046
- Including: Hard case & accessories
- Special Features: Limited special model
- Weight: 3,92 kg
- Country of Origin: USA