Black Les Paul Custom - Chrome Hardware

[j_ambitious]

Does anyone know which years or models of the Custom come with the nickel or chrome hardware? Most come with gold and I've seen a few with nickel but haven't been able to nail down what year this was or what run. Also are all of the Customs weight relieved or are there some that are solid?

 

[gibsonofabitch]

i think a lot of the chrome hardware customs you are seeing are folks just swapping out the gold hardware to chrome

 

[Christosterone]

There’s a 1960 3 pup on reverb right now with nickel..

I’ve personally seen at least a dozen over the years, especially norlin eras with chrome(I think)….
the ones I remember actually playing was a mid 70s black with chrome and an early 80s one…

1960 Gibson Les Paul Custom 3 PAF [Nickel Hardware] "Fretless Wonder" | Reverb

1960 Gibson Les Paul Custom The Les Paul Custom is not exactly a forgotten guitar but it sure doesn’t get the love it deserves from the guitar world at large. The Custom was first introduced in 1953 as an upgraded version of the Les Paul Model, which is what the Goldtop Standard was ...

reverb.com

1976 Gibson Les Paul Custom W/ Original Chrome Hardware | Reverb

1976 Gibson Les Paul custom with factory Chrome hardware.Original T Top Pickups!All original apart from the pots, nicer caps added, a refret which is definitely a plus point on these 70’s customs and Pickup covers have been taken off.No breaks, no touch ups! Plays and sounds fantastic!Includes ga...

reverb.com

Gibson Les Paul Custom "Norlin Era" Electric Guitar 1970 - 1985 | Reverb

The Gibson Les Paul Customs of the Norlin Era can be diamond-in-the-rough finds for players with a keen eye.

reverb.com

 

[KSPaul]

Ebony 1968 Custom Authentics I think from 2004-2005, then the 1968 Reissues from about 2006 -2011 all had nickel hardware. The flametop 68 reissues from that period mostly had gold hardware.

 

[moreles]

I'm on the lunatic fringe but will confess to loving really worn gold hardware. I find chrome to be too glinty, and what I like iun nickel looks even better in gold. My 3 PU '87 reissue '61 SG/LP Custom has gorgeous, softly but heavily worn gold hardware which IMO is the best plating on a Custom.

 

[MrCrowley]

Most of the black Customs I see with chrome/nickel hardware are either '68 RIs or modded regular Customs. But I'm sure there must've been many other runs I don't know about.

Both Regular and Reissue Customs have one-piece bodies.
Regular Customs have 9-hole weight relief though, while RIs are fully solid.