Gibson gives the Les Paul a Fender twist with the Long Scale Custom

Gibson has put a long-scale spin on the Les Paul Custom by matching Fender’s favorite scale length – meet the 25.5" Long Scale Custom.

Whereas Fender’s Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster models favor 25.5” scale lengths, Gibson typically opts for a more stunted 24.75” setup for its catalog. The Les Paul, SG, ES-335… you name it, it will have a 24.75” scale length.

Along with body shapes, wood choices and tonal setups, the contrasting scale lengths is a key differential between the two brands, and usually a contributing factor for many players when determining whether they are a Gibson or Fender player.

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There are distinct playing differences between 24.75” and 25.5” scale length. The former often translates to a looser, slinkier feel, owing to the shortened distance between the bridge and nut. The latter, meanwhile, has increased tension and as such a snappier, tighter feel.

Under the fingers, they feel different, and they sound different, too. Now, Gibson has catered to those players who prefer a longer scale length by introducing the Les Paul Custom Long Scale.

Everything is as you’d expect from a Les Paul Custom. There’s a mahogany build, ebony fingerboard with block inlays, gold hardware. Yes, there’s the body, neck and headstock binding. Tones come by way of 490R and 498T humbuckers.

But while that all sounds familiar, the scale length doesn’t. A Les Paul that matches the setup of a Stratocaster or Telecaster? Now, that’s a very intriguing proposition indeed.

Gibson has said it’s tailored the Les Paul Custom Long Scale for heavier genres and drop-tuning, and while that will certainly appeal to a wide pool of players, I’m more interesting in just how different this will feel from a conventional LP.

It’s also interesting that Gibson is starting to experiment with scale lengths. The Victory, for example, embraces the 25.5” setup. At NAMM, Gibson also teased that some baritone models could be on the cards.

The Les Paul Custom Long Scale is available now for $5,999.

Visit Gibson for more.

In related news, earlier this year Gibson revived the Les Paul Custom '70s and made it available as a USA Standard model for the first time in 20 years.