A Les Paul Custom Built for the Upper Frets — and the Stage
You already know the Les Paul Custom. Multi-ply binding, Chrome hardware, ebony fingerboard — the "Black Beauty" formula has been turning heads since the 1950s. But what if that same guitar didn't make you fight the neck heel every time you wanted to rip a solo past the 15th fret? That's exactly what the Les Paul Axcess Custom Figured is: all the elegance of the Custom, with a body contour, sculpted neck heel, and Apex headstock that make the upper register genuinely accessible.
This particular example wears the Pink Widow Burst finish — a striking, gloss nitrocellulose burst over a handpicked AAA figured maple top, part of Gibson Custom's limited Dealer Select run specifically for C.A. House Music.
If you want the full Custom Shop experience without the usual compromise between classic looks and modern playability, this guitar delivers both without apology.
The Axcess Difference: Comfort Where It Counts
The name isn't just branding. The Les Paul Axcess platform was built around a specific frustration — the traditional Les Paul neck heel that blocks smooth access above the 17th fret. Gibson's solution: a contoured Axcess heel that cuts away body wood right where your fretting hand needs room. Paired with a belly scarf (ribcage contour) on the back, the guitar sits closer to your body and digs in less during long sets.
The body itself is slightly thinner than a traditional Les Paul and uses 9-hole modern weight relief in the mahogany, so it plays lighter and more balanced than the classic version. The Apex headstock adds structural strength at a 14-degree angle — slightly shallower than the traditional 17-degree — reducing the chance of headstock breaks under stress.
The neck profile is a SlimTaper C carved from solid mahogany, joining the body via a long-tenon glued set-neck joint with hide glue fit. It's fast and familiar, and the contoured heel means your hand runs right up to the 22nd fret with no interruption.
Figured Maple Top, Solid Mahogany Body — The Classic Formula
The body core is 1-piece solid mahogany with 9-hole weight relief, topped with a 2-piece figured maple cap. That pairing — warm, sustain-rich mahogany with the snap and brightness of maple — is one of the most time-tested combinations in electric guitar building, and it shows up here in its full Custom Shop form. The gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish lets the wood breathe and age naturally.
The ebony fingerboard runs 12 inches of radius across 22 medium-jumbo frets, with Mother of Pearl block inlays and a 1.687-inch Corian nut. Ebony is a dense, smooth-feeling wood that gives each note crisp attack and definition — players often find it particularly rewarding for fast lines and clean chord articulation.
490R and 498T Humbuckers with Coil Splitting
The pickup configuration is a 490R in the neck and 498T at the bridge, both 4-conductor humbuckers. The 490R is wound for warm, full-bodied neck tone with clear note definition — great for clean rhythm playing and singing lead lines. The 498T is hotter and brighter, designed to push amp gain without losing clarity. Both are covered in gold to match the hardware.
The tone controls are push-pull 500K pots, letting you split either coil for a thinner, single-coil-adjacent character when you need it. Volume controls are standard 500K pots. A 3-way Switchcraft toggle rounds out the electronics, and the bridge is a Tune-o-Matic Stop Bar setup with Grover Keystone tuners for stable intonation and tuning.
Product Features:
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Body: 2-piece figured maple top over 1-piece solid mahogany with 9-hole modern weight relief
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Neck: Solid mahogany, SlimTaper C profile, long-tenon set neck with hide glue fit and Axcess contoured heel
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Fingerboard: Ebony, 12" radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, Mother of Pearl block inlays
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Scale Length: 24.75 in.
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Nut: Corian, 1.687 in. width
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Pickups: 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge) humbuckers, 4-conductor wiring
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Controls: 2 volume (500K), 2 push-pull tone (500K) with coil splitting, 3-way Switchcraft toggle
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Bridge: Tune-o-Matic with Stop Bar tailpiece; Grover Keystone tuners
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Hardware: Chrome
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Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, Pink Widow Burst over AAA figured maple top
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Collection: Gibson Custom Dealer Select
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Headstock: Apex design with reinforced volute, 14-degree angle
Brand: Gibson
Model: Custom Shop Les Paul Axcess Custom Figured
SKU: LPXCFPSL000000789
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
