Gibson Les Paul Doublecut
Encyclopedia
The Gibson Les Paul Doublecut is a double-cutaway version of the Gibson Les Paul
electric guitar.
Historic models include:
Custom Shop models:
Doublecut, which is an all-mahogany flat-top guitar with P-90
pickups first produced from 1958–1960. The "Faded" model is called such because it does not have a glossy nitrocellulose finish, and has "wear" marks added at the factory to make the guitar look aged. The body is composed of multiple mahogany (usually four) pieces and is sold with a gig-bag (as opposed to a hard-case).
Doublecut design
The Doublecut had one major design change: the original models had the neck pickup mounted closer to the neck/body join which resulted in a weak neck join. This was changed by moving the neck pick up further into the body.
Other faded finish models
The "Faded Doublecut" is one of a series (at least as of 2007) "faded" models being the SG
, Les Paul
(single cut with humbuckers) and Flying V. All of these models are made in the USA.
A much more expensive and historically accurate version of this guitar, the 1960 Les Paul Special
, is available as a Custom Shop/Historic Reissue model.
For many years after 1960 no Les Paul Doublecut guitars were produced by Gibson, and when Gibson did start making doublecut Les Pauls again, they were re-issues closely following the original Les Paul Special flat-top (no arched maple cap) design, with P-90
pickups rather than humbucker pickups. In the interim, during the 1970s, a small boutique USA guitar producer, Hamer
, began making both flat-top and arch-top doublecutaway guitars very similar to the then-dormant Gibson designs. These Hamer versions of doublecutaway Les Pauls got widespread publicity for their use by the members of the rock band Cheap Trick
and others.
(PRS), whose PRS guitars most typically have a doublecut design and master tone and volume controls, and whose production eventually went from a small shop (as Hamer's has stayed) to an assembly-line production rivaling Gibson's. This opinion is further supported by the fact that the first of Gibson's archtop doublecut Les Pauls, the now-discontinued Les Paul Studio
doublecut (produced in the late 1990s), had 24 frets, as opposed to Gibson's more standard 22 frets. 24-fret necks are featured on some PRS guitars, and are more popular with heavy metal
players who often solo at the high end of the neck. Thus the archtop Gibson Les Paul doublecut models are seen by many to be one of Gibson's bids to stay competitive with more "modern" oriented rock guitarists, though many doublecut owners do not play metal or similar styles.
Doublecut. Like the singlecut version of the LP Junior, it has a single "dog-eared" P-90
single coil pickup. This Les Paul doublecut is currently only available as a Gibson Custom Shop/Historic Reissue model, called the "1958 Junior Doublecut." The Junior, in both its singlecut and doublecut forms, was originally Gibson's "student" model. The initial price of the Les Paul Junior was originally $49.50.
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
electric guitar.
Models
Except for Gibson Custom Shop/Historic models, there are currently four types of the Les Paul double cut model, all of which have been discontinued:- Les Paul Doublecut Pro
- Les Paul Faded Doublecut
- Les Paul Standard Doublecut Plus
- Les Paul DC AA Top
Historic models include:
- 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cutaway VOS
- Custom 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cutaway
- 1958 Les Paul Junior Double Cutaway VOS
Custom Shop models:
- Les Paul Doublecut Longhorn
Les Paul Faded Doublecut
The Faded Doublecut has its origin in the Les Paul SpecialGibson Les Paul Special
The Gibson Les Paul Special is a variation of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. It was introduced in 1955 as a model to be an intermediate between the Gibson Les Paul Junior and the more expensive Gibson Les Paul Standard...
Doublecut, which is an all-mahogany flat-top guitar with P-90
P-90
The P-90 is a single coil electric guitar pickup produced by Gibson since 1946. Having a more complex architecture and larger dimensions than Fender's single coils, it is occasionally mistaken for a humbucker.- History :...
pickups first produced from 1958–1960. The "Faded" model is called such because it does not have a glossy nitrocellulose finish, and has "wear" marks added at the factory to make the guitar look aged. The body is composed of multiple mahogany (usually four) pieces and is sold with a gig-bag (as opposed to a hard-case).
Doublecut design
The Doublecut had one major design change: the original models had the neck pickup mounted closer to the neck/body join which resulted in a weak neck join. This was changed by moving the neck pick up further into the body.
Other faded finish models
The "Faded Doublecut" is one of a series (at least as of 2007) "faded" models being the SG
SG
SG or sg may stand for:In computing and internet:* Sega Genesis, a game console* .sg, the top-level domain of Singapore* SuicideGirls, a softcore pornographic website* Security Group, a group in Active Directory used for security purposes....
, Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
(single cut with humbuckers) and Flying V. All of these models are made in the USA.
Les Paul Special Doublecut
It is also one of the cheapest Les Paul guitars available. It appears that Gibson has since decided to discontinue much of the faded lines, including the Les Paul Special Double cut for its 2009 lineup.A much more expensive and historically accurate version of this guitar, the 1960 Les Paul Special
Gibson Les Paul Special
The Gibson Les Paul Special is a variation of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. It was introduced in 1955 as a model to be an intermediate between the Gibson Les Paul Junior and the more expensive Gibson Les Paul Standard...
, is available as a Custom Shop/Historic Reissue model.
For many years after 1960 no Les Paul Doublecut guitars were produced by Gibson, and when Gibson did start making doublecut Les Pauls again, they were re-issues closely following the original Les Paul Special flat-top (no arched maple cap) design, with P-90
P-90
The P-90 is a single coil electric guitar pickup produced by Gibson since 1946. Having a more complex architecture and larger dimensions than Fender's single coils, it is occasionally mistaken for a humbucker.- History :...
pickups rather than humbucker pickups. In the interim, during the 1970s, a small boutique USA guitar producer, Hamer
Hamer Guitars
Hamer Guitars is an American manufacturer of electric guitars. Founded in 1973 by vintage guitar shop owners, Jol Dantzig and his business partner Paul Hamer. Early instruments featured guitar designs based on the Gibson Explorer and Flying V...
, began making both flat-top and arch-top doublecutaway guitars very similar to the then-dormant Gibson designs. These Hamer versions of doublecutaway Les Pauls got widespread publicity for their use by the members of the rock band Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
and others.
Les Paul Standard & Pro Doublecut
The Les Paul Standard and Pro models of the doublecut LP are a newer concept, based on an arched-top Les Paul with humbucker pickups, similar to the Hamer design. The Pro has 22 frets; the Standard has 24 frets. Unlike other 2-pickup single cutaway Les Pauls, these Gibson doublecutaway versions have one master volume and one master tone control (singlecut Les Pauls with two pickups have two sets of tone and volume controls, one for each pickup). Many believe these newer archtop doublecut Les Pauls were developed in response to the high-end guitars of Gibson competitor Paul Reed SmithPaul Reed Smith
Paul Reed Smith , is a luthier and the founder and owner of PRS Guitars.Smith is originally from Bowie, Maryland. He made his first guitar while at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and continued to build guitars after he finished college, making them one at a time, one a month...
(PRS), whose PRS guitars most typically have a doublecut design and master tone and volume controls, and whose production eventually went from a small shop (as Hamer's has stayed) to an assembly-line production rivaling Gibson's. This opinion is further supported by the fact that the first of Gibson's archtop doublecut Les Pauls, the now-discontinued Les Paul Studio
Gibson Les Paul Studio
-Background:The Gibson Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio was introduced in 2003 alongside the Les Paul Voodoo. These two instruments were essentially identical except for the Voodoo's dark finish, "Goth" aesthetic and different pickups.-Construction:...
doublecut (produced in the late 1990s), had 24 frets, as opposed to Gibson's more standard 22 frets. 24-fret necks are featured on some PRS guitars, and are more popular with heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
players who often solo at the high end of the neck. Thus the archtop Gibson Les Paul doublecut models are seen by many to be one of Gibson's bids to stay competitive with more "modern" oriented rock guitarists, though many doublecut owners do not play metal or similar styles.
Les Paul Junior Doublecut
Another version of the Les Paul Doublecut is the Les Paul JuniorGibson Les Paul Junior
The Gibson Les Paul Jr. is a solid body electric guitar introduced in 1954 as an affordable, entry level Les Paul. It was first released with a single cut body style however models with a double cut body style were later introduced in 1958.-History:...
Doublecut. Like the singlecut version of the LP Junior, it has a single "dog-eared" P-90
P-90
The P-90 is a single coil electric guitar pickup produced by Gibson since 1946. Having a more complex architecture and larger dimensions than Fender's single coils, it is occasionally mistaken for a humbucker.- History :...
single coil pickup. This Les Paul doublecut is currently only available as a Gibson Custom Shop/Historic Reissue model, called the "1958 Junior Doublecut." The Junior, in both its singlecut and doublecut forms, was originally Gibson's "student" model. The initial price of the Les Paul Junior was originally $49.50.
Notable Users
- Duane AllmanDuane AllmanHoward Duane Allman was an American guitarist, session musician and the primary co-founder of the southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band...
used the double cutaway Les Paul (in addition to the SG) for slide guitar - Johnny ThundersJohnny ThundersJohnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr. , was an American protopunk guitarist, singer and songwriter.He came to prominence in the early '70s as a member of the New York Dolls...
played a late 50's double cutaway Les Paul Junior. - Matt Bellamy The Muse guitarist used the Les Paul DC Lite until he started using custom Manson guitars.
- Claudio Marciello the guitarist of the argentinian band Almafuerte uses this guitar
- Tak MatsumotoTak Matsumotois a Grammy Award-winning Japanese guitarist, producer, arranger, composer, singer and songwriter. In addition to guitarist and lead composer for the hard rock band B'z, he has also had a successful solo career.-Background:...
The guitarist for Japanese duo B'z is known to use a Gibson Les Paul DC