2004 Gibson '68 Reissue Les Paul Custom, Silver Sparkle Burst, Justin Hawkins, The Darkness Inspired

By Gibson
£6,495.00

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Super cool and very rare Gibson Custom Les Paul ’68 Custom from 2004 in stunning Silver Sparkle Burst finish with Abalone and Mother of Pearl Flame inlayed Ebony fingerboard and Bigsby tailpiece. Fans of the Darkness might recognise it as a doppelgänger of the guitar used by the bands frontman and lead guitarist Justin Hawkins.

Shipped through UK Gibson Distributor Rosetti with this custom spec, there were from what we understand between 10 and 15 produced in 2004 as a homage to Justin Hawkins original 2003 Silver Sparkle Burst Custom. Gibson records show this guitar shipped on the 24th May. The guitar is based upon the ever-popular ’68 Les Paul Custom model and has all the traits of that model and was offered with or without Bigsby. The guitar features a solid Mahogany body with carved Maple top with multi-ply white/black on top and back. The neck is constructed of 1-piece Mahogany w/long neck tenon, with a 22 fret ebony fingerboard with mixed Abalone/Mother of Pearl Flame Inlay. The guitar has a pair of Gibson Burstbucker pickups wired in the traditional method to individual volume and tone controls with three-way pickup selector. Grover Rotomatic tuners and Nickel ABR-1 with Bigsby B7 Vibrato. Control knobs are chrome reflector style. The guitar is pickguard free and the top is free from mounting screw holes.

The guitar is in great used condition with only light signs of use throughout the instrument. There are no repairs or modifications and any wear is consistent with an instrument that has been played. The Sparkle finish is bright and lustrous. The Abalone and Mother of Pearl Flame inlayed Ebony fingerboard akin to that on the Les Paul Ultima model is in equally good condition. The frets have been polished and have plenty of height. The Burstbucker pickups have a medium output that suit many styles. The guitar feels great to play, weighing in at a decent 10.1 lbs, the neck has a large rounded profile preferred by Gibson on the ’68 Custom and the inlayed Ebony board gives notes a little extra zip acoustically. The Bigsby holds well and is perfect for light vibrato.

This is one striking, super cool and very individual Custom Les Paul that would surely be the centrepiece of any collection whether you're a fan of the Darkness or not. The guitar comes with its original Gibson Custom Art Historic Case and Justin Hawkins Truss Rod Cover.