Gibson Custom 1955 NAMM Show Commemorative Edition Les Paul - SAB

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is a global nonprofit trade association dedicated to the musical instrument industry. Their annual events are among the most significant in the sector and date back to 1902, when the first one was held in Baltimore, MD. Companies like Gibson regularly showcase new models at the NAMM Show to present them to retailers, the press, and other visitors. Occasionally, unique models made specifically for the event are also displayed.

At the 1955 NAMM Show, held in Chicago, IL, Gibson presented five distinctive models of the Les Paul, each finished in one of five special metallic colors inspired by the automotive finishes of the time: Samoa Beige, Copper Iridescent, Nugget Gold, Platinum, and Viceroy Brown. In addition to the special finishes, these guitars were equipped with wireless ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridges and Stop Bar tailpieces. These bridges were first introduced on the Gibson Super 400 in 1953 and used on the Les Paul Custom in 1954, but made their first appearance on a standard Les Paul model with the five guitars showcased at the 1955 NAMM Show. These uniquely designed instruments are of great historical significance and were produced in extremely limited quantities, with only a few known to exist today.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the five Gibson Les Pauls with custom colors displayed at the 1955 NAMM Show, Gibson Custom is proud to present the 1955 NAMM Show Commemorative Edition Les Paul. This special series is limited to just 70 pieces for each of the five colors, reissued for the first time in 70 years. Each guitar features specifications faithful to the 1955 model, including a lightweight, selected one-piece mahogany body, a two-piece maple top, and animal glue construction. The Speed Knobs, matched to the instrument's color, also faithfully replicate those found on the guitars shown at the 1955 NAMM Show. The one-piece mahogany neck features a long neck tenon joint, a Chunky D-Shape profile typical of the 1950s, and an Indian rosewood fingerboard with 22 Historic Narrow/Tall frets. The headstock showcases a period-correct low-profile logo, a nylon nut, and Kluson® Single Line, Single Ring tuners. The pickups are a pair of Custom Shop P-90 Soapbar, hand-wired with CTS® 500k potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors.

Only 70 pieces will be made for each of the five colors, totaling 350 guitars in this limited series. Each guitar in this special edition also features Light Aging treatment executed by the artisans at the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish, combined with slightly aged hardware, simulates decades of light wear, giving these instruments the character, charm, and feel of an original from Gibson's golden era.