The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Custom Colour in Translucent Oxblood combines the substantial feel and traditional construction of Gibson's 1950s-inspired Les Paul Standard with a striking translucent finish that allows the figuring of its AA maple top to remain visible.

Built around a solid, non-weight-relieved mahogany body, this model features a rounded 50s Vintage mahogany neck, Indian rosewood fingerboard and the classic 24.75" Les Paul scale. A calibrated pair of Burstbucker 1 and Burstbucker 2 humbuckers delivers the warm, open and dynamically responsive character expected from a vintage-inspired Gibson.

The deep Translucent Oxblood finish gives this Custom Colour model a much darker and more individual appearance than the traditional Cherry Sunburst and Tobacco Burst options.

This Pre-Owned example is offered in Very Good condition and includes a hardcase.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Custom Colour Translucent Oxblood is offered in Very Good condition.

Very Good condition reflects normal evidence of previous ownership while remaining well presented and suitable for regular stage, studio, rehearsal and home use.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Custom Color Translucent Oxblood
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This individual Les Paul has been graded Very Good, making it a strong choice for someone looking for a premium USA Gibson that can be played regularly rather than preserved purely as a collection piece.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Gibson Les Paul has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• Burstbucker pickups tested
• Three-way pickup selector checked
• Individual volume controls tested
• Individual tone controls checked
• Output socket checked
• Frets inspected
• Rosewood fingerboard assessed
• Neck condition checked
• Vintage Deluxe tuners inspected
• ABR-1 bridge checked
• Stop Bar tailpiece assessed
• Hardware inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Overall playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes action, neck relief, fret condition, intonation, tuning stability, electronics, pickup output, bridge setup, hardware and overall playability.

Please note that guitar setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Custom Colour?

AA Figured Maple Top

The figured maple top gives the Translucent Oxblood finish visible depth and movement, making this version considerably more distinctive than an opaque Les Paul while retaining traditional maple-over-mahogany construction.

Full 50s Vintage Neck Profile

The 50s Vintage profile provides a more substantial feel than Gibson's slimmer 60s neck, making it particularly appealing to players who prefer a neck that fills the fretting hand.

Burstbucker 1 & 2 Humbuckers

The calibrated Burstbucker pairing uses Alnico II magnets and is voiced around vintage-style Gibson humbucker response, with warmth, articulation and enough output for everything from clean playing to saturated rock tones.

No Weight Relief

The solid mahogany body is built without modern weight-relief chambers, keeping this model closely aligned with the traditional construction philosophy behind Gibson's 50s Standard range.

Hand-Wired Electronics

Traditional individual volume and tone controls are hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors, giving the guitar the straightforward passive control system expected from a classic Les Paul.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Les Paul Standard 50s vs Les Paul Standard 60s

The Standard 60s uses a slimmer neck profile and different visual appointments. The 50s model is the stronger option for players who prefer a fuller neck and the feel of Gibson's late-1950s-inspired specification.

Translucent Oxblood vs Traditional Sunburst Les Paul Standard

The fundamental guitar remains familiar, but Translucent Oxblood gives the figured top a darker, more contemporary appearance while still allowing the maple grain to show through.

Les Paul Standard 50s vs Les Paul Classic

The Les Paul Classic typically appeals to players wanting slimmer ergonomics and additional switching options, while the Standard 50s keeps the electronics and playing experience deliberately traditional.

Les Paul Standard 50s vs Gibson Custom 1959 Reissue

A Custom Shop 1959 Reissue takes historical recreation considerably further and sits at a much higher price level. The Standard 50s offers the fundamental non-weight-relieved Les Paul formula in Gibson USA's regular production range.

Who Is It For?

Blues And Blues-Rock Players

The Burstbucker pairing works particularly well with clean-to-overdriven valve-style amplification, responding naturally to picking dynamics and guitar-volume adjustments.

Classic Rock Guitarists

Mahogany construction, twin humbuckers and the traditional Les Paul control layout provide the sustain and midrange presence associated with countless classic rock sounds.

Players Who Prefer Larger Neck Profiles

The 50s Vintage neck is an important part of this model's identity and suits guitarists who find slim modern necks too insubstantial.

Studio Musicians

The combination of independent pickup controls and contrasting neck and bridge voices makes the Les Paul an extremely useful guitar for layered rhythm and lead recording.

Players Looking For An Unusual Les Paul Finish

Translucent Oxblood provides something significantly less conventional than the familiar Heritage Cherry Sunburst while retaining visible maple figuring.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Blues
• Blues rock
• Classic rock
• Hard rock
• Southern rock
• Alternative
• Indie
• Heavy rock
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Clean and edge-of-breakup playing
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Valve amplifiers
• Modern modelling rigs

50s vs 60s Les Paul Standard: Which Neck Is Right For You?

The biggest practical difference for many players is the neck. The Les Paul Standard 50s uses Gibson's fuller 50s Vintage profile, giving the fretting hand more wood to hold and creating the substantial feel many players associate with late-1950s Les Pauls.

If you prefer a thinner, faster neck, the Standard 60s is likely to feel more natural. If you enjoy rounded necks and want a more substantial traditional Gibson feel, the Standard 50s is generally the better choice.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Gibson Les Paul Standard, 50s neck profile or Pre-Owned Gibson USA guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s

The original Gibson Les Paul evolved significantly throughout the 1950s, eventually producing the late-'50s sunburst Standards that became some of the most celebrated electric guitars ever made.

Today's Les Paul Standard 50s is Gibson's regular-production interpretation of that era rather than a strict Custom Shop reissue. Its non-weight-relieved mahogany body, carved maple top, substantial mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, ABR-1 bridge and traditional passive electronics deliberately bring the design back towards the straightforward formula that established the Les Paul Standard's reputation.

The Custom Colour figured-top versions expand that traditional formula visually. Translucent finishes such as Oxblood allow the AA maple figuring to remain visible while moving beyond the familiar vintage bursts normally associated with the model.

The result is a guitar that maintains recognisable 1950s-inspired Gibson construction while offering a finish with a distinctly different personality.

Technical Specifications

Specification Note

No serial number or production year has been supplied for this individual guitar, so no year-specific production details have been added.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required for the guitar's passive electronics.

Connect it to a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or recording interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned can be an excellent way to access a premium USA Gibson while making your budget go further.

With an individual figured-top Les Paul, the appearance of the maple can also make each guitar visually unique, which is one of the advantages of viewing the exact Pre-Owned instrument rather than simply choosing a model specification from a catalogue.

At Fair Deal Music, our Pre-Owned guitars are individually checked and assessed before sale, helping customers buy premium instruments with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s Custom Colour Translucent Oxblood is a superb option for players who want traditional Les Paul construction and feel without choosing one of the usual vintage burst finishes.

The AA figured top and deep Oxblood colour give it immediate visual character, while the substantial 50s neck, Burstbucker pickups and straightforward hand-wired electronics make the playing experience reassuringly traditional.

Best suited for: Blues, classic-rock and hard-rock players who enjoy a fuller neck and traditional Les Paul feel.

Customers usually upgrade from: Les Paul Studios, Tributes, Epiphone Les Pauls and more affordable twin-humbucker guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, overdrive, boost, fuzz, wah, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Make full use of the independent pickup volumes. Rolling either Burstbucker back slightly can produce excellent cleaner and edge-of-breakup tones without touching the amplifier.

Showroom feedback: The Oxblood finish makes this model stand out immediately, but underneath it remains exactly what many players want from a Standard 50s: a substantial, straightforward Les Paul with no unnecessary complication.

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.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps players find the right equipment whether they're purchasing their first serious instrument, upgrading an existing setup or searching for something special within the Pre-Owned market.

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
• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Les Paul Standard 50s weight relieved?

No. This model uses a non-weight-relieved mahogany body, following the traditional construction approach Gibson specifies for the Standard 50s.

What does the 50s Vintage neck feel like?

It is fuller and rounder than Gibson's slim 60s-style profile, making it particularly suitable for players who like a substantial neck in the fretting hand.

Are the Burstbucker pickups high output?

They are better described as vintage-inspired medium-output humbuckers. They respond well to playing dynamics and guitar-volume changes rather than relying on very high output.

What is special about the Translucent Oxblood finish?

It is a deep custom colour applied over an AA figured maple top, allowing the maple figuring to remain visible beneath the darker finish.

Can this Les Paul handle high-gain sounds?

Yes. The Burstbucker humbuckers work very well with distortion and high-gain amplification while retaining enough articulation for lower-gain and cleaner playing.

What string gauge works well on the Standard 50s?

The factory specification is .010–.046, which is an excellent general-purpose gauge for the 24.75" Les Paul scale.

Can I request a closer look before purchasing?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo option is particularly useful for an individual figured-top guitar because it allows you to see the Translucent Oxblood finish and maple figuring under different angles before purchasing.