Why are they called 'Customs'?

bugg · 04-19-2012, 11:38 AM

Just curious, why are they called Gibson Les Paul Custom when they're really not any more "custom" than a Standard?

Hell I've only seen em in two colors, White and Ebony.

That said, I would LOVE to have one, so anyone who was going to accuse me of being a troll, Take That!

bobarino · 04-19-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugg

Hell I've only seen em in two colors, White and Ebony.

seriously?

Kartes · 04-19-2012, 11:45 AM

I am by no means an expert, but I believe the "Customs" are built by a different group than the Gibson USA models. The Custom Shop has its own facility, materials and employees.

SGMM · 04-19-2012, 11:48 AM

Uhhmm....thinking you may be confusing a "Custom Shop" guitar & a "Les Paul Custom" guitar??

bugg · 04-19-2012, 11:48 AM

Well, I wasn't really considering historics and the like... that said...

I'll admit I've never really shopped for a custom with intentions of buying, so after your "wtf" reply I did a little searching with Google...

Perhaps I've just been browsing the wrong dealers.

Still... are they ever actually purchased TRULY custom or is it just a name?

EDIT: Ugh.... I wish I'd never asked this question...... I WAS content with my guitars, until now.

politenessman · 04-19-2012, 11:48 AM

customs have gold hardware, binding on top, bottom, neck and headstock. the headstock is bigger (i could be wrong), the headstock has a m.o.p. split diamond. it has a an inlay on the first fret. up until very recently, customs had ebony fingerboards.

like the fellow below here says, it just denotes a level of quality/price. studios, trads, standard , custom. if you wanted a to your specification les paul, i guess it would be called custom made.

ToneasaurusRex · 04-19-2012, 11:48 AM

Designates a particular level of quality. Absolutely doesn't mean made-to-order instruments.

Peace

Rex

bugg · 04-19-2012, 12:19 PM

Yeah, I was aware of the higher build quality, but I didn't know about the ebony boards. I also never noticed the 1st fret inlay. =P

Just out of curiosity, is it possible for a normal peon to order a custom build Gibson?

River side · 04-19-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugg

Yeah, I was aware of the higher build quality, but I didn't know about the ebony boards. I also never noticed the 1st fret inlay. =P

Just out of curiosity, is it possible for a normal peon to order a custom build Gibson?

No.

Normal peons don't have enough cash, by definition.

patrickBOOTH · 04-19-2012, 12:26 PM

I think the PRS in the op's avatar is clouding his brain.

bugg · 04-19-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I think the PRS in the op's avatar is clouding his brain.

Funny you mentioned that.... I hadn't even considered the fact that it is a Custom 24, but just as mass-produced as any Gibson....

What sort of subliminal sorcery is this?!

Nevertheless, my brain is plenty cloudy, but I've only had the PRS a few months so that doesn't explain it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by River side

Normal peons don't have enough cash, by definition.

Right, but aside from the financial aspect? When I was shopping for my PRS my Sweetwater rep mentioned that custom builds were an option (however not in my price range of course)...

Bobby Mahogany · 04-19-2012, 01:04 PM

Oh well, here we go again... or maybe not. If you're reading this, don't post anything more on this thread. Just "like" me!

Ides of March · 04-19-2012, 01:35 PM

From what I gather the Customs are made in the Custom Shop instead of the USA plant. I read that Les Paul wanted the Custom to be the Cadillac of les paul models, which is why it has that tuxedo look.

and for the record I hate when people claim the Custom is just a souped up Standard, or not that different other than appointments. My Custom is very different from my Traditional in tone and feel and looks. May not better to some, but it sounds alot more balsy.

Joeydego · 04-19-2012, 01:41 PM

Go play one and YOU tell ME why its called a Custom

Thumpalumpacus · 04-19-2012, 01:41 PM

To make things worse, how many models of "Standard" are there?

brokenarrow5 · 04-19-2012, 01:54 PM

oh boy......

The Refugee · 04-19-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugg

Just curious, why are they called Gibson Les Paul Custom when they're really not any more "custom" than a Standard?

Hell I've only seen em in two colors, White and Ebony.

That said, I would LOVE to have one, so anyone who was going to accuse me of being a troll, Take That!

Really? Not a troll?

And you've only seen 2 colors?

I've seen black, white, heritage cherry sunburst, wine red, vintage sunburst, cream, pelham blue, inverness green, SILVERBURST (me gusta), purple with a flamed top, and the list goes on and on.

Bobby Mahogany · 04-19-2012, 03:10 PM

Please, please, please! Don't make this a 5 pages thread.
I'm repeating myself:

Oh well, here we go again... or maybe not. If you're reading this, don't post anything more on this thread. Just "like" me!

bugg · 04-19-2012, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Refugee

Really? Not a troll?

And you've only seen 2 colors?

Or, y'know, you could read the thread before throwing up accusations.

I admitted to my mistake... I've never done a lot of shopping online for Customs, my print catalogs around the house only show the ebony and alpine white models. (Musicians Friend and American Musical)

Also, you just reminded me I HAVE seen a Silverburst... Isnt that what Conan O'Brien has?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugg

I'll admit I've never really shopped for a custom with intentions of buying, so after your "wtf" reply I did a little searching with Google...

Perhaps I've just been browsing the wrong dealers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeydego

Go play one and YOU tell ME why its called a Custom

I simply wasn't aware that the word "custom" implied "premium"... thats all. I have no doubt the quality is there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Mahogany

Oh well, here we go again... or maybe not. If you're reading this, don't post anything more on this thread. Just "like" me!

Jesus christ guys why does it always have to be like that? I'm not new here, and I don't consider myself one to stir up shit....

Tell ya what, I'll change my avatar to a pic of my Les Paul if it'll help?

I apologize for getting anyone worked up here, wasn't my intentions....

murmel · 04-19-2012, 04:34 PM

Customs are called customs because soon customers won't get their customs through customs because of the ebony and lacey.

HOT-BRIT · 04-19-2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugg

Just curious, why are they called Gibson Les Paul Custom when they're really not any more "custom" than a Standard?

Hell I've only seen em in two colors, White and Ebony.

That said, I would LOVE to have one, so anyone who was going to accuse me of being a troll, Take That!

well originally they were like model T Fords and only available in black

Sinster · 04-19-2012, 04:50 PM

Holy crap!!! Simple question turns into this.

Sinster · 04-19-2012, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugg

I apologize for getting anyone worked up here, wasn't my intentions....

Mob mentality, once blood is drawn the rest jump in.

Classicplayer · 04-19-2012, 04:56 PM

The Les Paul Custom was introduced in 1954. It was I think given that name as in the 1950s (yes...I am that old) Detroit gave it's "Low-Priced Three..Plymouth,
Chevy, and Ford that type of designation on some of their lesser expensive models, that implied that they were a little more special than other models. My family had a '54 Ford Custom. If you search on Google 1954 Ford Custom,
and '54 Chevy, and '53 Dodge, you'll find the name Deluxe and Custom used frequently.

Why did Fender name their first guitar "Telecaster"? T.V. was the "next big thing" in the late 1940's and early '50s. What better name to market a new and futuristic product?

Classicplayer

SoWhat? · 04-19-2012, 04:59 PM

"Custom" was a moniker that was intended to imply "fancy" back in the beginning of the Solid Guitar business. They had Bigger, Bound Headstocks, Double Bound Bodies, Bigger Block inlays, and often Gold Hardware. All of these appointments were designed to be upgrades from the Standard line, which was the now coveted Burst guitars. Kind of like Wire Spoked Rims, Leather bucket seats, and Vinyl tops on cars back in the 60's and 70's. Remember that back then, people barely paid any attention to LP's. They did discontinue them for a while, after all.

Fender did the same thing to the Telecaster to some degree.

.

kolbi2112 · 04-19-2012, 04:59 PM

To make matters worse, I believe the '54 LP was one of the original "customs", so I guess my R4 is a historic custom. Or is it a custom historic? Oh boy...

HOT-BRIT · 04-19-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classicplayer

The Les Paul Custom was introduced in 1954. It was I think given that name as in the 1950s (yes...I am that old) Detroit gave it's "Low-Priced Three..Plymouth,
Chevy, and Ford that type of designation on some of their lesser expensive models, that implied that they were a little more special than other models. My family had a '54 Ford Custom. If you search on Google 1954 Ford Custom,
and '54 Chevy, and '53 Dodge, you'll find the name Deluxe and Custom used frequently.

Why did Fender name their first guitar "Telecaster"? T.V. was the "next big thing" in the late 1940's and early '50s. What better name to market a new and futuristic product?

Classicplayer

I believe the first ones were made in 1953 it was Gibson's top of the line most expensive Les Paul model and the first one to be equipped with the ABR 1 Tuneamatic bridge, also featured a specially designed Alnico V neck pickup

Shinji13 · 04-19-2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinster

Holy crap!!! Simple question turns into this.

Sorry, but you say simple others would say stupid. I would have thought anyone with a basic knowledge of Les Pauls know that Customs are available in a range of colours - Amazes me the number of people who take the time to post threads such as this, instead of using Google.
Nothing personal, just this kind of thread gets my back up.

HRC · 04-19-2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinster

Holy crap!!! Simple question turns into this.

That's pretty normal around here.

SoWhat? · 04-19-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

That's pretty normal around here.

Is the sky really blue?

1.........2..........3........ARGUE!

PS. Don't forget that Thump, Vasco, and a few others will expect you to site your sources...

04-19-2012, 11:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
bugg Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Albany, GA Posts: 1,057 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Why are they called 'Customs'? Just curious, why are they called Gibson Les Paul Custom when they're really not any more "custom" than a Standard? Hell I've only seen em in two colors, White and Ebony. That said, I would LOVE to have one, so anyone who was going to accuse me of being a troll, Take That! __________________ Who the hell is Myles Paul?

04-19-2012, 11:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kartes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 118 Thanks: 8 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? I am by no means an expert, but I believe the "Customs" are built by a different group than the Gibson USA models. The Custom Shop has its own facility, materials and employees.

04-19-2012, 11:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
SGMM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,484 Thanks: 2 Thanked 21 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Uhhmm....thinking you may be confusing a "Custom Shop" guitar & a "Les Paul Custom" guitar??

04-19-2012, 11:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
bugg Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Albany, GA Posts: 1,057 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Well, I wasn't really considering historics and the like... that said... I'll admit I've never really shopped for a custom with intentions of buying, so after your "wtf" reply I did a little searching with Google... Perhaps I've just been browsing the wrong dealers. Still... are they ever actually purchased TRULY custom or is it just a name? EDIT: Ugh.... I wish I'd never asked this question...... I WAS content with my guitars, until now. Stratottack likes this. __________________ Who the hell is Myles Paul?

04-19-2012, 11:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
politenessman Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: nyc (lamf) Posts: 1,831 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? customs have gold hardware, binding on top, bottom, neck and headstock. the headstock is bigger (i could be wrong), the headstock has a m.o.p. split diamond. it has a an inlay on the first fret. up until very recently, customs had ebony fingerboards. like the fellow below here says, it just denotes a level of quality/price. studios, trads, standard , custom. if you wanted a to your specification les paul, i guess it would be called custom made. __________________ 2011 traditional 1960 tea burst throbaks 2011 studio a.w./ebony board wcr's 2008 fender amer standard strat hss vox ac15c1 peavey delta blues 115 maxon ad9 pro analog delay turbo tuner throbak stone bender teese rmc wheels of fire wah timmy v2 throbak strangemaster

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04-19-2012, 11:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
ToneasaurusRex Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 922 Thanks: 11 Thanked 8 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Designates a particular level of quality. Absolutely doesn't mean made-to-order instruments. Peace Rex Thumpalumpacus likes this.

04-19-2012, 12:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
bugg Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Albany, GA Posts: 1,057 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Yeah, I was aware of the higher build quality, but I didn't know about the ebony boards. I also never noticed the 1st fret inlay. =P Just out of curiosity, is it possible for a normal peon to order a custom build Gibson? __________________ Who the hell is Myles Paul?

04-19-2012, 12:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
patrickBOOTH Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New York City Posts: 465 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? I think the PRS in the op's avatar is clouding his brain. Joeydego, River, bugg and 1 others like this.

04-19-2012, 01:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bobby Mahogany Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Montréal, Qc Posts: 3,558 Thanks: 68 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Oh well, here we go again... or maybe not. If you're reading this, don't post anything more on this thread. Just "like" me! River, bugg and RedSkwirrell like this.

04-19-2012, 01:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ides of March Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bensalem PA Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 56 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? From what I gather the Customs are made in the Custom Shop instead of the USA plant. I read that Les Paul wanted the Custom to be the Cadillac of les paul models, which is why it has that tuxedo look. and for the record I hate when people claim the Custom is just a souped up Standard, or not that different other than appointments. My Custom is very different from my Traditional in tone and feel and looks. May not better to some, but it sounds alot more balsy. Joeydego, FrankieOliver, BuzzHaze and 1 others like this. __________________ Never stop playing.... www.reverbnation.com/mattmass (Vocals/Guitars for Colors of the Wicked) Matt Mass

04-19-2012, 01:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
Joeydego V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NY NY Posts: 15,230 Thanks: 208 Thanked 734 Times in 173 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Go play one and YOU tell ME why its called a Custom Ides of March, b3john and themightyjaymoe like this.

04-19-2012, 01:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
Thumpalumpacus Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 54,735 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 689 Times in 80 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? To make things worse, how many models of "Standard" are there?

04-19-2012, 01:54 PM	#16 (permalink)
brokenarrow5 Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,478 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? oh boy...... __________________ Life Is A Garden-Dig It!--Joe Dirt It's the Freakin Catalina Wine Mixer! Play it like you Hate it!

04-19-2012, 03:10 PM	#18 (permalink)
Bobby Mahogany Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Montréal, Qc Posts: 3,558 Thanks: 68 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Please, please, please! Don't make this a 5 pages thread. I'm repeating myself: Oh well, here we go again... or maybe not. If you're reading this, don't post anything more on this thread. Just "like" me! River and Crotch like this.

04-19-2012, 04:34 PM	#20 (permalink)
murmel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 417 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Customs are called customs because soon customers won't get their customs through customs because of the ebony and lacey. bugg and Bobby Mahogany like this. __________________ Guitars: 10 AFD USA, 06 LP DC Pro Trans Amber, 07 LP R8 Faded Tobaco 08 LP VM worn brown, 08 LP Custom ebony, Ibanez RGD320 WH 07 American Strat Maple Neck Sunburst, ESP Eclipse 07 American Deluxe HSS Strat Mapl. Montego Black 81 Ibanez Destroyer II DT-400 (the only guitar left from my teenage days) AMPs: Mesa Boogie Triple Recto, Fender HR Deluxe Texas Red Marshall: Class 5, JCM 800 2203KK,JCM 800 2203ZW Line6 POD X3, BOSS GT 10, Engl E530 Preamp http://www.myspace.com/murmelrocks

04-19-2012, 04:50 PM	#22 (permalink)
Sinster Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: M*ssholechusetts Posts: 7,131 Thanks: 81 Thanked 287 Times in 117 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? Holy crap!!! Simple question turns into this. FrankieOliver, bugg, BlackDog81 and 1 others like this. __________________ GIBSON LES PAUL, THE OTHER CRACK!!! BFG Owner Group

04-19-2012, 04:56 PM	#24 (permalink)
Classicplayer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 866 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? The Les Paul Custom was introduced in 1954. It was I think given that name as in the 1950s (yes...I am that old) Detroit gave it's "Low-Priced Three..Plymouth, Chevy, and Ford that type of designation on some of their lesser expensive models, that implied that they were a little more special than other models. My family had a '54 Ford Custom. If you search on Google 1954 Ford Custom, and '54 Chevy, and '53 Dodge, you'll find the name Deluxe and Custom used frequently. Why did Fender name their first guitar "Telecaster"? T.V. was the "next big thing" in the late 1940's and early '50s. What better name to market a new and futuristic product? Classicplayer bugg, Ginger Beer and Quicksilvergoat like this.

04-19-2012, 04:59 PM	#25 (permalink)
SoWhat? Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Carolina Posts: 4,020 Thanks: 190 Thanked 55 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? "Custom" was a moniker that was intended to imply "fancy" back in the beginning of the Solid Guitar business. They had Bigger, Bound Headstocks, Double Bound Bodies, Bigger Block inlays, and often Gold Hardware. All of these appointments were designed to be upgrades from the Standard line, which was the now coveted Burst guitars. Kind of like Wire Spoked Rims, Leather bucket seats, and Vinyl tops on cars back in the 60's and 70's. Remember that back then, people barely paid any attention to LP's. They did discontinue them for a while, after all. Fender did the same thing to the Telecaster to some degree. . bugg and 27sauce like this. __________________ "They say I'm lazy, but it takes all my time." - Joe Walsh

04-19-2012, 04:59 PM	#26 (permalink)
kolbi2112 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 113 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Why are they called 'Customs'? To make matters worse, I believe the '54 LP was one of the original "customs", so I guess my R4 is a historic custom. Or is it a custom historic? Oh boy... bugg and SoWhat? like this. __________________ 2012 Les Paul R4 Black Beauty 2012 Epiphone Dot 2011 Les Paul Traditional Pro 2009 Les Paul R8 Iced Tea 2008 Rickenbacker 4003 1995 Fender DG22CE SB 1989 Ibanez RG 760 VOX AC30 Marshall G30R CD Yamaha Clavinova PF P-100 Roland RS-9 M-Audio Keystation 61 -----------------------------------

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