The Gibson Custom Shop Greatest Hits Volume II 1957 Les Paul Reissue Hemisphere Shift Top Gloss is a masterfully crafted tribute to one of the most iconic solidbody electric guitars ever made. Built with historic precision and elevated by the striking Hemisphere Shift finish treatment, this instrument captures the spirit of a golden-era 1957 Les Paul while offering the meticulous detail and playability expected from Gibson’s Custom Shop.

At its foundation, this is a true solidbody Les Paul, featuring a 1-piece lightweight mahogany body for exceptional resonance and warmth. The top is carved from 2-piece plain maple, delivering the snap, articulation, and focused midrange that define the classic late-’50s Les Paul tone. The entire instrument is finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, allowing the wood to breathe and age gracefully over time. The elegant 1-ply Royalite binding frames the body beautifully, reinforcing the vintage-correct aesthetic.

The mahogany neck is carved to a comfortable and substantial 50s Medium Rounded C profile—faithful to the celebrated ’57 feel. It’s joined to the body with a long tenon set-neck construction, enhancing sustain and structural integrity just as the originals were built. The neck is finished in gloss nitrocellulose with a natural back and distinctive Hemisphere Shift stinger detail, while the headstock features a traditional gloss black face.

The rosewood fretboard offers a smooth, rich playing surface and is adorned with classic cellulose nitrate trapezoid inlays. A 12" radius and 22 Historic Gibson narrow/tall frets provide a familiar, effortless playing experience, ideal for both expressive bends and articulate chord work. The 24.75" scale length ensures that signature Les Paul feel and tension, complemented by a 1.6875" nylon nut that contributes to tuning stability and authentic tonal character. Period-correct 1-ply Royalite fretboard binding completes the vintage look.

Hardware appointments remain true to 1957 specifications. The guitar is outfitted with a no-wire ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and a lightweight aluminum stopbar tailpiece, maximizing sustain and resonance transfer. Kluson Single Line, Single Ring keystone-button tuners provide reliable tuning performance with unmistakable vintage styling. All hardware is finished in nickel for an authentic, aged-correct appearance, and a laminated cellulose acetate butyrate pickguard adds another historically accurate touch.

Electronics are equally faithful to the era. A pair of Gibson Custombucker Alnico III unpotted humbuckers—meticulously engineered to replicate original PAF characteristics—deliver warm lows, complex mids, and sweet, singing highs with exceptional dynamic sensitivity. Being unpotted, they retain harmonic richness and touch responsiveness prized by vintage enthusiasts. The traditional control layout includes two volume and two tone knobs, along with a 3-way toggle selector, offering versatile tonal shaping from smooth, woody neck tones to articulate, cutting bridge sounds.

Every detail of this 1957 Les Paul Reissue reflects Gibson Custom Shop’s commitment to historic accuracy and premium craftsmanship. From its lightweight mahogany construction and long tenon neck joint to its meticulously recreated hardware and electronics, this instrument embodies the timeless design and tonal legacy that made the 1957 Les Paul a cornerstone of electric guitar history. It ships complete with a Gibson Custom hardshell case and certificate of authenticity, underscoring its status as both a professional-grade instrument and a collector-worthy piece of Gibson heritage.