Robby Krieger’s 1954 Les Paul Custom became a constant writing companion, workhorse, performing partner, muse, and musical soul mate all rolled into one right from the time he acquired it used in 1968. Nicknamed “L.A. Woman” after its use on that classic track by The Doors, it contributed to many unforgettable hits, and remains in Robby’s possession to this day, a tried and true companion to a career that has continually evolved and inspired over decades. Now, through a close collaboration between Robby and Gibson Custom, a very limited number of hand-crafted replicas of the Robby Krieger 1954 Les Paul Custom will be made available to discerning collectors and players. Full and unrestricted access to the original guitar has yielded Gibson Custom’s luthiers the means of precisely recreating the feel, look and tone of this legendary instrument. And to take it all over the top the first 50 guitars—hand aged by Gibson—will also be played, approved and signed by Robby himself. A further 100 hand-aged guitars will be produced, with the final 150 of the run treated to Gibson Custom’s proprietary VOS process.
Every Robby Krieger 1954 Les Paul Custom is recreated based on hands-on examination, digital scanning, intimate photography, measurement, and study of Robby Krieger’s 1954 Les Paul Custom to insure a playing experience that’s as close to the original as humanly possible. Notable details include the closely matched dish carve and neck profile carve, the accurate ebony fingerboard with aged pearl block markers, accurate vintage multi-ply binding, after-market Seymour Duncan neck pickup, and painstaking hand ageing (150 examples) to match every ding, scuff and check line found in Robby’s guitar. In short, the Robby Krieger 1954 Les Paul Custom puts a guitar that would normally be untouchable into the hands of a limited number of discerning players. Reserve yours now at your authorized Gibson Custom dealer.
GOLD-PLATED TUNE-O-MATIC BRIDGE, STOPBAR, AND WAFFLE-BACK TUNERS, ALL HAND-AGED (OR VOS).
Body
Top | Mahogany |
Back | Lightweight Mahogany |
Binding | Top – Multi ply White/Black/White/Black/White/Black/White Back – Multi ply White/Black/White/Black/White |
Adhesive | Franklin Titebond |
Neck
Species | Mahogany Neck with a Maple Spline |
Truss Rod | Reissue Truss Rod |
Joint Angle | 4° (+/- 15 seconds) |
Neck Fit
Joint | Mortise & Tenon |
Adhesive | Franklin Titebond |
Joint Angle Tolerance | +/- .005″ |
Fingerboard
Species | Ebony |
Radius | 12″ |
Binding | .062 White |
Inlays | Pearl Block |
Nut/E.O.B | 1.725 / 2.100 |
Adhesive | Franklin Titebond |
Nut
Material | Nylon |
Width | 1.725 |
Slots | Gibson PLEK System |
Headstock
Inlay | Les Paul Custom Holly |
Truss Rod Cover | Vintage “Les Paul Custom” |
Angle | 17 Degrees |
Tuners
Model | Gold Plated Waffle Back |
Tuning Ratio | 12:01 |
Plating | Gold |
Bridge
Type | GOTOH Tune-O-Matic with Double Thumbwheels |
Plating | Gold |
Tailpiece
Type | Aluminum Stop Bar |
Plating | Gold |
Hardware
Pickguard | Black, Routed for Duncan Mini and P90 Pickups |
Knobs | Black Top Hats |
Toggle Switch Washer | Black |
Pickup Mounting Rings | Neck – Cream Bridge – None |
Strings | .010 – .046 |
Pickups
Neck Position | Seymour Duncan Mini SM1N |
Bridge Position | P-90 |
Electronics
Potentiometers | 2 Volume Controls 2 Tone Controls |
Capacitors | Bumble Bee |
Toggle Switch | Three-Way |
Output Jack | Traditional ¼” |
Sealer | Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
Case
Type | Custom Shop with Robby Krieger Silk-Screened Signature |
External | Brown Pleather |
Internal | Red Fur |
Additional Materials
Certificate of Authenticity | VOS – Certificate of Authenticity Aged – Engraved Metal COA in Leather Tri-Fold Binder |