1999 Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe Red, (Used, Comm)

The 1999 Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe Red is a USA-made Gibson electric guitar built for players who want stripped-back Les Paul attitude, practical playability and a more affordable route into genuine Gibson ownership. With its slimmed-down Les Paul Special-style body, dual humbucker layout, set-neck construction and straightforward rock-ready feel, it delivers the punch, sustain and midrange character that make these late-1990s Gibson Specials such appealing player’s guitars.

This pre-owned example is listed in Good condition, meaning it shows noticeable cosmetic wear but remains fully functional and ready to play.

Supplied without a case, this 1999 Les Paul Special SL Deluxe Red is a strong choice for rock, punk, blues, indie, alternative, garage, classic rock, recording and live performance.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Special SL Deluxe
Year	1999
Finish	Red
Country of Manufacture	USA
Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Body Style	Les Paul Special / Single Cutaway
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Pickup Configuration	HH
Electronics	Passive
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic Style Bridge with Stopbar Tailpiece
Condition	Pre-Owned, Good Condition
Case	No Case Included
Main Appeal	USA-made Gibson Les Paul Special SL with stripped-back player appeal
Best For	Rock, punk, blues, indie, alternative, garage, classic rock, studio and live use

Condition Overview

Good Condition

This 1999 Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe Red is in Good condition. This means it shows noticeable cosmetic wear but remains fully functional.

Good condition is ideal for players who want a dependable used Gibson with real-world player character rather than a case-kept collector-grade example.

What’s Included?

✔ 1999 Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe Red Electric Guitar

✘ No Case Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This guitar shows noticeable signs of previous use, which may include visible marks, scratches, small dings, finish wear or general cosmetic wear consistent with Good condition.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing. The guitar has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Electronics tested
• Humbuckers checked
• Pickup selector tested
• Volume and tone controls checked
• Output jack tested
• Frets inspected
• Fingerboard checked
• Neck condition assessed
• Tuners checked
• Bridge checked
• Stopbar tailpiece checked
• Hardware inspected
• General playability assessed

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

This Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Pickup output checked
• Hardware checked
• Bridge setup checked
• Intonation checked

Please note that guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.

Why Choose The 1999 Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe Red?

Genuine USA-Made Gibson Feel

The Les Paul Special SL Deluxe gives players the appeal of a USA-made Gibson in a stripped-back, player-focused format. It keeps the important ingredients: set-neck construction, solidbody sustain, passive electronics and classic Gibson attitude.

Slimmer Special SL Body Design

The Special SL format is known for offering a slimmer, more practical take on the Les Paul Special idea. It is ideal for players who want Gibson tone and feel without the weight or formality of a carved-top Les Paul Standard.

Dual Humbucker Power

The HH pickup layout gives this guitar a thicker and more powerful sound than a traditional P-90 Special. It is well suited to overdrive, distortion, rock rhythm tones, sustaining lead lines and classic Gibson-style midrange punch.

Red Finish With Player Character

The red finish gives this guitar a bold stage look, while the Good condition rating gives it genuine used-guitar character. It is the kind of guitar you can enjoy regularly without worrying about keeping it pristine.

Straightforward Control Layout

With familiar Les Paul-style switching and passive controls, this guitar is easy to dial in. It offers strong bridge pickup bite, warmer neck pickup sounds and a useful middle position for rhythm work.

Strong Used Gibson Value

Late-1990s Gibson Special models have strong appeal for players who want a real USA Gibson without paying modern high-end Les Paul prices. This example is especially suitable as a dependable player-grade instrument.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe vs Gibson Les Paul Studio

A Les Paul Studio usually has a more traditional Les Paul body format and broader modern-market recognition. The Special SL Deluxe is more stripped-back, lighter in spirit and more direct, making it a great choice for players who want a no-nonsense Gibson.

Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe vs Gibson Les Paul Special P-90

A P-90 Les Paul Special has a rawer single-coil bite. This SL Deluxe-style humbucker model offers thicker, quieter and more driven tones, making it better suited to higher-gain rock and heavier rhythm sounds.

Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe vs Gibson SG Special

An SG Special has a thinner double-cut body and faster upper-fret access. The Les Paul Special SL Deluxe gives a more familiar Les Paul-style single-cut feel with strong sustain and a more grounded body response.

Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe vs Epiphone Les Paul Special

An Epiphone Les Paul Special can be a great value option, but this Gibson offers USA manufacture, stronger used-market appeal and authentic Gibson feel.

Who Is It For?

Rock And Punk Players

The humbucker layout, simple design and Good condition player-grade appeal make this guitar ideal for rock, punk, garage and alternative players.

Blues-Rock Guitarists

The set-neck feel and humbucker punch work well for blues-rock rhythm parts, expressive lead lines and driven amp tones.

Indie And Alternative Players

The stripped-back look and direct response make this a strong fit for players who want a Gibson that feels characterful rather than polished or overly formal.

Studio Musicians

A humbucker-equipped Gibson Special can add thickness, midrange and attitude to recordings without taking up the same sonic space as a brighter single-coil guitar.

Players Wanting A Real USA Gibson

This is ideal for guitarists who want an affordable, practical and genuinely usable USA-made Gibson with visible player character.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe is well suited to:

• Rock
• Punk
• Blues-rock
• Garage rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Classic rock
• Pop-rock
• Grunge
• Hard rock
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rehearsals
• Overdriven rhythm tones
• Sustaining lead guitar
• Pedalboard-based rigs
• Players wanting a stripped-back USA Gibson

Why Choose A Stripped-Back Gibson Les Paul Special?

A stripped-back Les Paul Special-style guitar focuses on the essentials: comfortable playability, strong sustain, simple controls and a direct connection between player and amp. It avoids unnecessary decoration and gives you the core Gibson experience in a more practical, working-musician format.

The Les Paul Special SL Deluxe is particularly appealing because it offers a slimmer body feel and humbucker power. That makes it a great option for players who want Gibson tone for rock, blues, punk, indie and alternative styles without moving into heavier or more expensive Les Paul Standard territory.

For players who value character, simplicity and stage-ready tone, this 1999 Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe Red is a strong used-guitar choice.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Gibson Les Paul, used USA-made electric or humbucker guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Gibson Les Paul Special SL

The Gibson Les Paul Special has always appealed to players who want a more direct and stripped-back Gibson. The late-1990s Special SL models continued that idea with a slimmer, practical body format and a player-focused specification aimed at musicians who wanted real Gibson performance without unnecessary extras.

The 1999 era is especially interesting because these guitars sit in a period where Gibson was producing practical USA-made instruments that have since become popular on the used market. They are often chosen by players who want a guitar with genuine Gibson feel, straightforward controls and strong stage value.

This Red example, listed in Good condition and supplied without a case, is a proper player’s Gibson: simple, characterful and ready to work.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Special SL Deluxe
Year	1999
Finish	Red
Country of Manufacture	USA
Body Shape	Les Paul Single Cutaway
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Pickup Configuration	HH
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Volume and Tone Controls
Switching	3-Way Pickup Selector
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic Style Bridge
Tailpiece	Stopbar Tailpiece
String Configuration	6-String
Case	No Case Included
Condition	Pre-Owned, Good Condition

Specification Note

This listing is based on the supplied product details and published information for the Gibson Les Paul Special SL family. Period references associate the Special SL with slim Les Paul Special-style construction, humbucker versions, Tune-O-Matic style bridge hardware, stopbar tailpiece and Gibson Deluxe-style tuners. Exact pickup model, neck profile, body wood, fretboard material, weight, serial number and factory originality have not been supplied for this listing, so those details should be confirmed by direct inspection before making collector-level claims.

Power Requirements

No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric guitar and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard or audio interface.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★☆ 4/5

The 1999 Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe Red is a great choice for players who want a genuine USA-made Gibson with no-nonsense attitude, humbucker power and strong used-guitar character. It offers the feel and punch players expect from a Gibson, but in a slimmer, stripped-back format that makes sense for regular playing.

This Good condition example is best suited to players who want a dependable, characterful Gibson for rock, punk, blues, indie, alternative and studio use rather than a pristine collector’s piece.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

What condition is this Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe in?

This guitar is listed in Good condition, meaning it shows noticeable cosmetic wear but remains fully functional.

Does this guitar come with a case?

No. This Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe does not include a case.

What year is this guitar?

The supplied product information states that this is a 1999 model.

What finish is this guitar?

This guitar is finished in red.

Is this a USA-made Gibson?

Yes. The Gibson Les Paul Special SL Deluxe is a USA-made Gibson model.

What pickups does it have?

This listing describes the guitar as having a dual humbucker layout. Exact pickup model has not been supplied and should be confirmed by direct inspection.

What styles does this guitar suit?

It suits rock, punk, blues-rock, garage rock, indie, alternative, classic rock, grunge, studio recording and live performance.

Does it require a battery?

No. This is a passive electric guitar and does not require a battery.

Is this suitable as a main gigging guitar?

Yes. It has been checked for playability and functionality, and the stripped-back Gibson format makes it practical for regular stage and rehearsal use.

Can I try this guitar in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Gibson Les Paul models, used USA-made guitars and humbucker-equipped electrics.