This 2001 Gibson Les Paul Special in Natural combines the stripped-back appeal of the Les Paul Special with a particularly useful set of modifications that broaden its tonal range beyond the standard specification.

Built in the USA with the traditional Les Paul Special formula of a solid mahogany body, set mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard, this example is currently fitted with a pair of Gibson P-100 pickups in place of the previous P-90s.

An additional Peter Green-style phase-flip switch has also been installed. When the pickup selector is in the middle position, the switch allows the two pickups to operate out of phase, producing the thinner, hollow and vocal-like tone famously associated with Peter Green.

Serial number 01401428 dates the guitar to 2001.

This Pre-Owned example is in Very Good condition, weighs 7.86 lbs, and is supplied without a case.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Special
Year	2001
Finish	Natural
Serial Number	01401428
Pickups	2 x Gibson P-100
Modification	Peter Green-Style Phase Flip
Weight	7.86 lbs
Condition	Very Good / Pre-Owned
Case	No Case Included

PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned 2001 Gibson Les Paul Special in Very Good condition.

The Very Good condition grade reflects an instrument showing some cosmetic signs of previous use consistent with careful ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

The Natural finish allows the underlying wood grain to remain visible and should be examined carefully in the supplied photographs for the exact cosmetic condition of this individual guitar.

This guitar weighs an actual 7.86 lbs.

No case is included.

PICKUP & ELECTRONICS MODIFICATIONS

This guitar has been modified from its previous pickup configuration.

The former P-90 pickups have been replaced with Gibson P-100 pickups.

P-100s retain much of the broad tonal character and soapbar appearance associated with a P-90 while using stacked-coil construction to reduce unwanted hum.

An additional Peter Green-style phase-flip switch has also been installed.

With both pickups selected in the middle position, engaging the phase switch puts the pickups out of phase with one another.

This produces a distinctive:

• Hollow midrange

• Nasal vocal character

• Reduced low-end weight

• Cutting lead tone

• Classic Peter Green-inspired response

The normal individual pickup positions remain available for more conventional tones.

KEY FEATURES

• 2001 Gibson Les Paul Special

• Natural finish

• Serial number 01401428

• USA-made Gibson

• Solid mahogany body

• Set mahogany neck

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 24.75" scale length

• 22 frets

• Twin Gibson P-100 pickups

• P-100s fitted in place of previous P-90s

• Added Peter Green-style phase-flip switch

• Out-of-phase middle pickup setting

• 3-way pickup selector

• Dual Volume controls

• Dual Tone controls

• Tune-O-Matic bridge

• Stopbar tailpiece

• Passive electronics

• Actual weight: 7.86 lbs

• Very Good Pre-Owned condition

• No case included

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

This Les Paul Special offers considerably more tonal flexibility than a conventional example.

The P-100 pickups retain the fat, direct response associated with soapbar pickups while substantially reducing the hum normally associated with traditional P-90s.

The added phase switch then introduces a completely different voice when both pickups are active, producing the unmistakably thin, vocal and cutting response associated with the famous Peter Green Les Paul sound.

Combined with its relatively manageable 7.86 lbs weight, this is a particularly interesting player-focused Les Paul Special.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Mahogany Body

The Les Paul Special is built around a solid mahogany body.

Without the carved maple cap found on a Les Paul Standard, the Special has a more direct, woody and mid-focused character.

Natural Finish

The Natural finish showcases the mahogany rather than covering it with an opaque colour.

It gives the instrument a straightforward, understated appearance that suits the stripped-back character of the Special.

Set Mahogany Neck

The mahogany neck is glued into the body using traditional Gibson set-neck construction.

This contributes to the guitar's smooth neck-to-body response and strong sustain.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard provides a familiar Gibson playing surface with a slightly warmer tactile feel than maple.

24.75" Scale Length

The traditional Gibson 24.75" scale length gives the strings a comfortable feel with relatively easy bending.

22 Frets

The guitar uses the classic Gibson 22-fret layout.

Gibson P-100 Pickups

The guitar is currently fitted with two Gibson P-100 pickups.

Although visually similar to P-90s, the P-100 uses stacked-coil construction to cancel much of the unwanted electrical hum associated with a conventional single-coil soapbar.

The result is a thicker and quieter pickup with plenty of midrange character.

Peter Green-Style Phase Switch

The added phase switch alters the relationship between the two pickups when the selector is in the middle position.

With the switch engaged, the pickups operate out of phase, cancelling some shared frequencies and producing the famous hollow, nasal sound associated with Peter Green.

Three-Way Pickup Selector

The conventional selector provides:

• Neck pickup

• Both pickups

• Bridge pickup

The phase modification becomes relevant when both pickups are selected.

Independent Volume & Tone Controls

Each pickup has its own Volume and Tone control, allowing the two pickups to be balanced independently.

This becomes especially useful with the phase switch engaged because varying the two pickup volumes can subtly alter the intensity of the out-of-phase effect.

Tune-O-Matic Bridge

The Tune-O-Matic bridge provides individual intonation adjustment for each string.

Stopbar Tailpiece

A fixed stopbar tailpiece provides straightforward string anchoring and the familiar feel of a traditional Gibson solidbody.

THE PETER GREEN-STYLE SOUND

Peter Green's famous late-1950s Les Paul developed an unusual middle-position tone because its two humbuckers operated out of phase with one another.

When two pickups are out of phase, frequencies shared by both pickups partially cancel.

The resulting sound becomes:

• Leaner

• More vocal

• More nasal

• Mid-focused

• Particularly expressive with overdrive

The modification on this Les Paul Special provides access to that same basic tonal principle while retaining the guitar's normal pickup sounds.

WHO IS IT FOR?

This Gibson Les Paul Special is particularly well suited to:

• Blues guitarists

• Classic rock players

• Peter Green fans

• Les Paul Special enthusiasts

• Players who like soapbar-style pickups

• Guitarists wanting reduced single-coil hum

• Session players looking for unusual tonal options

• Players wanting a modified rather than collector-original instrument

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

This guitar works particularly well for:

• Blues

• Classic rock

• Rock

• Indie

• Alternative

• Soul

• Garage rock

• Lead guitar

• Rhythm guitar

• Clean tones

• Overdriven sounds

• Studio recording

HOW IT COMPARES

P-100 vs P-90

A traditional P-90 uses a single coil and has a raw, open response but can produce noticeable electrical hum.

The P-100 uses stacked coils to reduce that hum, generally producing a smoother and somewhat thicker voice.

Les Paul Special vs Les Paul Standard

The Les Paul Special omits the carved maple top of the Standard and uses a more stripped-back design.

This gives it a direct, uncomplicated character with less visual ornamentation.

Normal Middle Position vs Phase-Flipped Middle Position

With the pickups operating normally, the middle position produces a full blend of neck and bridge sounds.

Engaging the phase switch removes some shared frequencies, creating a thinner, more hollow and more vocal response.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	Les Paul Special
Year	2001
Serial Number	01401428
Finish	Natural
Country of Manufacture	USA
Body Material	Mahogany
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Neck Material	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	24.75"
Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	HH / Stacked Soapbar
Neck Pickup	Gibson P-100
Bridge Pickup	Gibson P-100
Pickup Modification	P-100s Fitted in Place of Previous P-90s
Phase Modification	Peter Green-Style Phase Flip
Phase Operation	Middle Pickup Selector Position
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Pickup Selector + Phase Switch
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Stopbar
Electronics	Passive
Weight	7.86 lbs
Condition	Very Good / Pre-Owned
Case	No Case Included

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The Gibson P-100 pickups and phase modification are passive and require no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Blues and classic-rock players looking for a USA Gibson Les Paul Special with useful player-focused modifications and a genuinely distinctive extra tone.

Customers usually upgrade from: Epiphone Les Paul Specials, Gibson Tribute models and lower-priced P-90-equipped solidbody guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, overdrive, boost, fuzz, delay and spring-style reverb.

Our tip: Experiment with the individual Volume controls when the phase switch is engaged. Moving one pickup slightly below full output changes the amount of frequency cancellation and can make the Peter Green-style sound considerably more usable.

Showroom feedback: The modifications make this much more than a conventional Les Paul Special. The P-100s provide a quieter soapbar-style platform, while the phase switch adds a genuinely useful sound that cuts through a mix extremely well. At 7.86 lbs, it is also a very manageable weight for a Gibson solidbody.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned Gibson Les Paul Special can offer excellent value, particularly when looking for a USA-built Gibson with useful modifications already installed.

This 2001 Natural example is in Very Good condition, weighs 7.86 lbs, features P-100 pickups and an added Peter Green-style phase switch.

No case is included.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging Gibson and Pre-Owned electric guitars.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with Gibson and Pre-Owned guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this Gibson Les Paul Special.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you already own a guitar or other musical equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange.

Trading in can remove the inconvenience of selling privately while allowing the value of your existing equipment to go directly towards your next instrument.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this Gibson Les Paul Special used?

Yes. This is a Pre-Owned Gibson Les Paul Special in Very Good condition.

What year was it made?

The serial number 01401428 dates it to 2001.

What finish does it have?

Natural.

What is the serial number?

1401428.  

What does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 7.86 lbs.

Does it come with a case?

No. No case is included.

What is the body made from?

Mahogany.

What is the neck made from?

Mahogany.

What fingerboard does it have?

Rosewood.

What is the scale length?

24.75".

How many frets does it have?

22.  

Does it still have P-90 pickups?

No.

The previous P-90 pickups have been replaced with Gibson P-100 pickups.

What is a P-100?

The Gibson P-100 is a stacked-coil soapbar pickup designed to provide a P-90-inspired sound with reduced electrical hum.

Are the P-100 pickups active?

No. They are passive.

What is the extra switch?

An added Peter Green-style phase-flip switch.

What does the phase switch do?

With both pickups selected, it places the pickups out of phase with one another, creating a thinner, hollow and vocal-like sound.

Does the phase switch affect the bridge or neck pickup by itself?

No. The audible phase relationship becomes relevant when both pickups are selected together.

Can the guitar still produce normal pickup sounds?

Yes. The standard neck and bridge pickup sounds remain available.

Does it require a battery?

No.

What condition is it in?

It is in Very Good condition.

Is this guitar completely original?

No. The pickups and electronics have been modified as described.

Is it suitable for blues?

Yes. The soapbar-style pickups and phase modification make it particularly well suited to expressive blues tones.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers guitars and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.