Return of the Special
The Les Paul Special returns to the classic design that made it relevant, played, and loved–shaping sound across generations and genres of music. It pays tribute to Gibson's Golden Era of Innovation and brings authenticity back to life. Originally introduced in 1955 as a step up from the Les Paul™ Junior, it quickly found favor among players who wanted the straightforward approach of a Junior with added versatility. Decades on, the Les Paul Special remains true to those vintage roots, with a slab mahogany body and single-cutaway design that deliver its unmistakable look and roaring midrange punch.
The solid mahogany neck has a comfortable 50s Vintage profile and is topped with a bound rosewood fretboard, offering smooth playability for everything from tasty blues runs to thunderous rock riffs. The 22 medium-jumbo frets and 12” fretboard radius strike the perfect balance between easy chording and hassle-free string bending, with dot inlays that pay homage to the original design. For those craving the distinctive high output of P-90 pickups, the Les Paul Special features a pair of these single-coil wonders—one in the bridge for biting, lead-friendly tones, and one in the neck for a warmer, rounder palette perfect for playing rhythm. Together, they deliver a broad tonal range that’s perfect for classic rock, blues, punk, or any style that benefits from a bit of rawness and plenty of punchy midrange clarity.
A Wraparound bridge anchors the strings for enhanced resonance and sustain, while Vintage Deluxe tuners with white buttons offer rock-solid stability as well as old-school aesthetic vibes. Volume and tone controls for each pickup, plus a 3-way toggle switch, let you seamlessly blend or isolate pickups to find your sonic sweet spot. Whether you’re a die-hard collector drawn to its storied past or a modern player seeking timeless tone, the Les Paul Special remains the perfect intersection of heritage, simplicity, and versatility—just as Gibson intended over six decades ago. Available in the always-classic TV Yellow and Vintage Cherry.
All instruments from Music Makers are professionally evaluated and set-up in our historic Galesburg, IL. storefront prior to shipping.
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