1955 Gibson Les Paul Custom
The 1955 Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty' — Gibson's luxury solid-body. Ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, and exquisite binding.
Current Market Value
Excellent
$28,000–$40,000
Very Good
$16,000–$28,000
Good
$8,000–$16,000
Fair
$4,000–$8,000
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Mahogany (body), Maple (carved top) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany (5-piece on some years) |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 24.750" |
| Frets | 22 |
| Pickup Config | H |
| Bridge | Wrap-over bridge/tailpiece |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe |
| Finish Options | Black ('Black Beauty') |
| Est. Production | 320 |
Pickups & Electronics
Single Alnico V staple pickup (neck position only) plus P-90 at bridge — the 'Black Beauty' configuration.
What Changed in 1955
Tune-o-matic bridge added to the Custom. Still single pickup (Alnico staple) and P-90 configuration.
Collector's Notes
Three-pickup versions command higher premiums than two-pickup. Verify PAF stickers, gold hardware originality, and binding condition. Ebony fingerboard should be jet black.