2012 Gibson Custom Shop Billy Gibbons Les Paul Prototype #3 "Gold Top"
In 2014, Gibson Custom Shop produced a limited run of 100 guitars in collaboration with ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. This one predates the limited run, hand-stamped "Prototype #3", and was displayed 2 years earlier at the 2012 NAMM Show. The "CR7" serial indicates a Chambered Reissue 1957 is used as the base model for these guitars, which was then modified to create Gibbons' signature line. It features a chambered one-piece mahogany body, maple top, Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups with custom wiring design, and the hallmark gold top finish with a pinstripe design and heavy aging done by Mr. Gibbons himself. This is a fantastic guitar in its own right, but it's certainly an unmissable opportunity for ZZ Top fans or anyone that loves Les Pauls. We received this guitar from the original owner – the Gibson Custom luthier who personally built it and hand-painted the original hardshell case. Also included is the Gibson Custom COA. The original article about this exact guitar from the 2012 NAMM Show can be found here.