The Nashville Custom Shop has produced a number of special and limited editions over the years for special events (NAMM, anniversaries), promotions, people/celebrities, and companies, etc. These instruments are typically produced in limited quantities from 10 to approx. 300, depending on the configuration and original order. In recent years, large chains such as Guitar Center and Mars Music have ordered a wide variety of limited/special editions, including the Les Paul, Flying V, SG, 335, and other popular models. These special order instruments are typically not included in the Gibson factory literature or price sheets. Rather, Guitar Center/Musician's Friend, Sam Ash, Music123, Sweetwater, and other larger chains price these instruments individually (and may or may not have a MSR), and sell them only through their retail stores. The final consumer price would depend on the configuration, embellishments, special/custom features, and quantity produced. Values for these special order limited editions can vary significantly, and depend mostly on the overall desirability factor(s) of each model.
On the limited/special editions listed below (non-chain store special orders), total production and original MSRs have been provided if known. In some cases, a limited edition may be double listed within another category, and many recently manufactured custom shop limited edition LPs are separately listed and described under Custom Shop: Les Paul Series Custom Collection. On currently manufactured limited editions from the Custom Shop, standard 10% - 35% discounts apply for most instruments. On discontinued limited and special editions, the secondary marketplace values can be difficult to determine, since many of these instruments are very specialized, and appeal only to a small number of collectors and niche enthusiasts. What's important to keep in mind is not how rare these guitars might be (sometimes the only thing rarer than the guitar is the person who is willing to buy it), but rather the overall desirability factor and how each instrument fits into the overall marketplace based on demand, not supply. Several major dealers that were polled on these models suggested that as a general rule, they discount a mint instrument at 50% off its MSR (if published), and then add or subtract accordingly based on each guitar's unique desirability factor. Additionally, very few come up for sale annually, and asking prices are usually overinflated.
Limited Edition LPs have included a ´60 Corvette (total unknown, features distinctive two-tone aqua body and Corvette motifs), a Hard Rock Café, ´60 Corvette LP (B&W, Corvette logo inlaid in neck), Dale Earnhardt (333 Mfg. 1999, black body with #3 on front), Dale Earnhardt Intimidator (No MSRP, 333 Mfg. 2000-2002, anniversary silver with "The Intimidator" inlaid on fretboard), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No MSRP, Mfg. 2000-2002, Budweiser logo with #8 on body), X-Men Wolverine (50 Mfg. 2000, features X-Men motifs), Web-Slinger One (150 Mfg., features Spider-Man pattern), Dickey Betts ´57 Les Paul Goldtop (no MSR), Old Hickory (200 Mfg. 1999), Playboy ($7,000 last MSR, 10 Mfg., features black body with white Playboy bunny logo and Playboy inlaid in fretboard), Playboy Rabbit Head (50 Mfg., body is shaped like a black rabbit head), and Playmate of the Year (50 Mfg. beginning 2001, features pink burst glitter finish).
During 2002, the Custom Shop released the following limited edition models: Indian Chief Les Paul (100 mfg. - MSR was $9,450), Bob Marley Les Paul Special (200 mfg. - MSR was $4,734), 1952 Les Paul Gold Top Aged (50 mfg. - MSR was $7,288), Non-Reverse Firebird Plus (60 mfg. in blue, red, and green swirl finishes - MSR was $3,309), Mahogany Explorer (15 mfg. in satin green, copper, blue and silver metallic finishes - MSR was $3,134), Mahogany Flying V (15 mfg. in satin green, copper, blue, and silver metallic finishes - MSR was $3,134), Mahogany Futura (MSR is $3,134), and the Flying V Custom (40 mfg. in Ebony - MSR was $4,734).
During 2003, the Custom Shop released the following limited edition models: Duane Allman 1959 Les Paul Aged (55 mfg. - MSR was $13,630), Gary Rossington Signature SG (250 mfg. - MSR was $4,614), L-4 CES Thin Body 10th Anniversary (30 mfg. - MSR was $7,337), Lee Roy Parnell CS-336 Custom Authentic Signature (MSR was $4,024), 10th Anniversary CS-356 (30 mfg. - MSR was $6,982), 10th Anniversary Les Paul Custom (40 mfg. - MSR was $6,894), 50th Anniversary Corvette (50 mfg. - MSR was $9,822), Flying V Standard Figured Top (MSR was $4,615), HUMMER Les Paul (100 mfg. - MSR was $9,467), SG Elegant Quilt (MSR was $4,615), SG Custom 10th Anniversary (40 mfg., MSR was $6,154), Mahogany Explorer w/Split Headstock (MSR was $3,134), Playboy Hottie SG (MSR was $4,497), and the Playboy CS-356 (MSR was $6,154).
During 2004, the Custom Shop released the following limited edition models: Jimmy Page Les Paul (3 releases - first release was 25 aged and signed units, MSR was $23,669, second release was 150 aged and signed units, MSR was $16,556, third release MSR is $9,811), Slash Les Paul (MSR is $6,116), Zakk Wylde camo bullseye Les Paul (MSR is $6,116), Duane Eddy Signature Model (MSR is $6,241), and the Copperhead SG (25 mfg., MSR was N/A).
In 2005, the Custom Shop released the Eric Clapton Crossroads EC335 limited edition.Only 250 were manufactured, with 175 sold exclusively by Guitar Center domestically, and 75 sold internationally. A portion of the proceeds from this guitar benefited the Crossroads Centre. MSR was $16,000. Gibson and U2 guitarist the Edge developed the Les Paul Music Rising, which was a campaign to raise money to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Les Paul Music Rising was based on a Les Paul Standard, but each guitar featured a unique paint finish so that no two guitars were alike. This guitar retailed for $3,334 and 300 were produced.
In 2007, the Custom Shop released the following limited edition models: Jimmy Page EDS-1275 Doubleneck (MSR $10,586, total production of 250 guitars), 1956 Les Paul Reissue in Tobacco Sunburst finish (MSR $5,412, total production of 150 guitars), 1957 Les Paul Reissue w/ black plastic in Antique Gold finish (MSR $5,176, total production of 100 guitars), Alvin Lee ES-335 with three pickups (MSR $4,704, total production of 100 guitars with 50 in Cherry and 50 in Ebony), ES-335 Dot Reissue with two P-90 pickups (MSR $4,471, total production of 150 guitars with 75 in Antique Vintage Sunburst and 75 in Faded Cherry), and the ES-355 with two P-90 pickups, a Bigsby tailpiece, and Antique Ebony finish (MSR $5,647, total production of 50 guitars).
On the limited/special editions listed below (non-chain store special orders), total production and original MSRs have been provided if known. In some cases, a limited edition may be double listed within another category, and many recently manufactured custom shop limited edition LPs are separately listed and described under Custom Shop: Les Paul Series Custom Collection. On currently manufactured limited editions from the Custom Shop, standard 10% - 35% discounts apply for most instruments. On discontinued limited and special editions, the secondary marketplace values can be difficult to determine, since many of these instruments are very specialized, and appeal only to a small number of collectors and niche enthusiasts. What's important to keep in mind is not how rare these guitars might be (sometimes the only thing rarer than the guitar is the person who is willing to buy it), but rather the overall desirability factor and how each instrument fits into the overall marketplace based on demand, not supply. Several major dealers that were polled on these models suggested that as a general rule, they discount a mint instrument at 50% off its MSR (if published), and then add or subtract accordingly based on each guitar's unique desirability factor. Additionally, very few come up for sale annually, and asking prices are usually overinflated.
Limited Edition LPs have included a ´60 Corvette (total unknown, features distinctive two-tone aqua body and Corvette motifs), a Hard Rock Café, ´60 Corvette LP (B&W, Corvette logo inlaid in neck), Dale Earnhardt (333 Mfg. 1999, black body with #3 on front), Dale Earnhardt Intimidator (No MSRP, 333 Mfg. 2000-2002, anniversary silver with "The Intimidator" inlaid on fretboard), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No MSRP, Mfg. 2000-2002, Budweiser logo with #8 on body), X-Men Wolverine (50 Mfg. 2000, features X-Men motifs), Web-Slinger One (150 Mfg., features Spider-Man pattern), Dickey Betts ´57 Les Paul Goldtop (no MSR), Old Hickory (200 Mfg. 1999), Playboy ($7,000 last MSR, 10 Mfg., features black body with white Playboy bunny logo and Playboy inlaid in fretboard), Playboy Rabbit Head (50 Mfg., body is shaped like a black rabbit head), and Playmate of the Year (50 Mfg. beginning 2001, features pink burst glitter finish).
During 2002, the Custom Shop released the following limited edition models: Indian Chief Les Paul (100 mfg. - MSR was $9,450), Bob Marley Les Paul Special (200 mfg. - MSR was $4,734), 1952 Les Paul Gold Top Aged (50 mfg. - MSR was $7,288), Non-Reverse Firebird Plus (60 mfg. in blue, red, and green swirl finishes - MSR was $3,309), Mahogany Explorer (15 mfg. in satin green, copper, blue and silver metallic finishes - MSR was $3,134), Mahogany Flying V (15 mfg. in satin green, copper, blue, and silver metallic finishes - MSR was $3,134), Mahogany Futura (MSR is $3,134), and the Flying V Custom (40 mfg. in Ebony - MSR was $4,734).
During 2003, the Custom Shop released the following limited edition models: Duane Allman 1959 Les Paul Aged (55 mfg. - MSR was $13,630), Gary Rossington Signature SG (250 mfg. - MSR was $4,614), L-4 CES Thin Body 10th Anniversary (30 mfg. - MSR was $7,337), Lee Roy Parnell CS-336 Custom Authentic Signature (MSR was $4,024), 10th Anniversary CS-356 (30 mfg. - MSR was $6,982), 10th Anniversary Les Paul Custom (40 mfg. - MSR was $6,894), 50th Anniversary Corvette (50 mfg. - MSR was $9,822), Flying V Standard Figured Top (MSR was $4,615), HUMMER Les Paul (100 mfg. - MSR was $9,467), SG Elegant Quilt (MSR was $4,615), SG Custom 10th Anniversary (40 mfg., MSR was $6,154), Mahogany Explorer w/Split Headstock (MSR was $3,134), Playboy Hottie SG (MSR was $4,497), and the Playboy CS-356 (MSR was $6,154).
During 2004, the Custom Shop released the following limited edition models: Jimmy Page Les Paul (3 releases - first release was 25 aged and signed units, MSR was $23,669, second release was 150 aged and signed units, MSR was $16,556, third release MSR is $9,811), Slash Les Paul (MSR is $6,116), Zakk Wylde camo bullseye Les Paul (MSR is $6,116), Duane Eddy Signature Model (MSR is $6,241), and the Copperhead SG (25 mfg., MSR was N/A).
In 2005, the Custom Shop released the Eric Clapton Crossroads EC335 limited edition.Only 250 were manufactured, with 175 sold exclusively by Guitar Center domestically, and 75 sold internationally. A portion of the proceeds from this guitar benefited the Crossroads Centre. MSR was $16,000. Gibson and U2 guitarist the Edge developed the Les Paul Music Rising, which was a campaign to raise money to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Les Paul Music Rising was based on a Les Paul Standard, but each guitar featured a unique paint finish so that no two guitars were alike. This guitar retailed for $3,334 and 300 were produced.
In 2007, the Custom Shop released the following limited edition models: Jimmy Page EDS-1275 Doubleneck (MSR $10,586, total production of 250 guitars), 1956 Les Paul Reissue in Tobacco Sunburst finish (MSR $5,412, total production of 150 guitars), 1957 Les Paul Reissue w/ black plastic in Antique Gold finish (MSR $5,176, total production of 100 guitars), Alvin Lee ES-335 with three pickups (MSR $4,704, total production of 100 guitars with 50 in Cherry and 50 in Ebony), ES-335 Dot Reissue with two P-90 pickups (MSR $4,471, total production of 150 guitars with 75 in Antique Vintage Sunburst and 75 in Faded Cherry), and the ES-355 with two P-90 pickups, a Bigsby tailpiece, and Antique Ebony finish (MSR $5,647, total production of 50 guitars).