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2026 Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s Faded – SSV Prototype / Showcase Build
You’re viewing a brand-new 2026 Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s Faded in Vintage Honeyburst, selected specifically to serve as the first showcase build for products that will soon be offered through our store.
Our objective with this build was simple: start with a brand-new, Nashville-built Gibson Les Paul 50s Standard Faded and enhance some of the small but important visual details that distinguish the legendary late-1950s Les Pauls—all while keeping the guitar attainable at a fraction of the cost of a Gibson Custom Shop Historic model.
As our first SSV showcase build, we’re offering this guitar (a $2600.00 total value) for $1,899.99 with FREE shipping.
The SSV Treatment
In addition to installing our selection of historically inspired premium parts, we took the finish one step further.
The factory nitrocellulose finish on the figured maple top and headstock face was carefully hand-polished using Virtuoso Premium Polish. The goal was to give these areas a richer, more refined vintage-inspired VOS appearance while retaining the character of Gibson’s thin Faded nitro finish. We also apply a special formula fretboard oil to bring out the dark richness of the beautiful rosewood.
The factory tuner arrangement was also upgraded. The original tuners and threaded bushings were replaced with genuine Kluson nickel-plated, single-line tuners with pearl buttons and press-in conversion bushings. This eliminates the appearance of the larger threaded tuner bushings and provides a much more authentic late-’50s-inspired look.
Beyond the cosmetic and hardware upgrades described here, the guitar remains factory stock, including the pickups, electronics, and wiring.
SSV Premium Installed Components
- Historic-spec CAB (Cellulose Acetate Butyrate) embossed gold top hat knobs
- Historic-spec CAB light-cream tall pickup rings
- Historic-spec CAB truss rod cover
- Thin, light-cream toggle-switch ring (“poker chip”) with condensed lettering
- Genuine Catalin smooth amber toggle-switch tip
- Historic-spec 2-ply cream square output jack plate
- Historic-spec nickel-plated aluminum small strap buttons
- Genuine Kluson nickel-plated single-line pearl-button tuners
- Genuine Kluson nickel-plated press-in conversion bushings
The Guitar
This guitar was purchased brand new from Sweetwater, and an image of the original purchase invoice is included with the listing. The guitar has a Gibson final inspection date of 8/7/2026 and a Sweetwater purchase date of 9/15/2026.
It was specifically selected for this project because of its 8 lb. 12 oz. weight and beautifully figured maple top.
The guitar has had no normal owner use or playing time beyond what was necessary to perform the modifications, inspection, functional testing, and professional-style setup described in this listing.
Accessories
The guitar includes the original Gibson brown hardshell case, Gibson Multi-Tool, Gibson Leather Strap, and accompanying paperwork.
Setup
The guitar has been thoroughly inspected and set up with new DR Blues 9-46 Pure Nickel strings and the following measurements:
Neck relief: .010”
String action: 5/64” bass / 3/64” treble
Pickup height: 3/32” neck / 1/16” bridge
Measurements are provided as a reference and may vary slightly with changes in temperature, humidity, string tension, and individual playing preference.
Condition & Purchase Information
This instrument is being listed as Open Box because it was removed from its original packaging for inspection, setup and installation of the components described above. It is otherwise a brand-new instrument and has not had normal owner use.
Please carefully review the complete description and all photographs before purchasing. Because this is a modified showcase instrument, all modifications are disclosed in this listing and should be considered part of the guitar being offered for sale.
We take pride in accurate descriptions, fair pricing and careful, secure shipping. Please feel free to review our 100% positive response and history of more than 400 items sold.
