1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom
The 1956 Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty' — Gibson's luxury solid-body. Ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, and exquisite binding.
Current Market Value
Excellent
$26,600–$38,000
Very Good
$15,200–$26,600
Good
$7,600–$15,200
Fair
$3,800–$7,600
* 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 | ABR-1 Tune-o-matic with stop 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 1956
Continued production of the Les Paul Custom.
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.