Adam Jones Gibson Les Paul Custom Revealed & Unboxing

Photo: David Edward
Photo: David Edward

Talk of an Adam Jones’ custom guitar has long been rumored since 2019. Jones posted an Instagram teaser stating “Not officially official, but good things happening at Gibson Guitar” on July 26, 2019, one month prior to the release of Fear Inoculum.

Jones has been teasing info about the collaboration for over a year on social media such as his visit to the Gibson Custom Shop in Memphis, Tennessee. Judging by Jones’ choice in footwear, looks like his hosts at Gibson told him to wear something comfortable.

Nothing says “Metal” like comfortable, black New Balances.

Info has been released that Jones’ Les Paul Custom is modeled after his ’79 Silverburst and will come in the following versions:

150 Non-aged, Non-signed Silverburst in original Silverburst color priced at $5,999.99 USD.

79 Aged, Signed Silverburst that will be an aged brownish haze color priced at $9,999.99 USD.

Our information can be confirmed as Moron Reviews was able to get our scummy little hands on one for preorder. Our source at a guitar chain tells us that nationwide, they only received 3 of the 150 non-aged for sale and all three had been reserved by August 19, 2020. We were told the guitar would arrive at the store on October 7th, 2020, but many online retailers are stating that the guitar will be released on October 27, 2020.

The non-aged version is reportedly sold out and only a few of the aged version remain for preorder. Sellers are already trying to flip the guitars at inflated prices attempting to gouge buyers as is the case with many Gibson Artist Collection guitars. You can click here for current listings on Reverb. As of this writing, sellers are asking $9,999.99 USD for the non-signed ($4,000 markup) and $15,999.99 for the singed ($6,000 markup). For those of you unaware to why the Silverburst is so hyped – we will give you a brief, but factual background of this history of this Gibson.

Gibson first released the Les Paul Custom in a Silverburst finish in 1979 and throughout the mid 1980s. The color was actually somewhat of a poor seller as guitar players of the 1980s opted for more colorful or traditional finishes such as the tobacco and cherry sunbursts to name a few. The Silverburst seemed to gain to some traction in the early 1990s when Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) and Buzz Osborne of the Melvins were playing them live as the grunge movement gained full force.

Chris Cornell in 1991 on tour promoting Soundgarden’s seminal “Badmotorfinger” album

While many guitar players have donned the Silverburst in later years, such as James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins, A Perfect Circle) and Bill Kellher (Mastodon), Adam Jones is the player most synonymous with the Silverburst as he almost played them exclusively since the early 1990s. Jones reportedly has atleast four one of them being his main guitar – a ’79 with a mirror on the headstock, Alessandro pots and a long, mysterious sought after bridge pickup. While Jones has stated it is a standard Seymour Duncan SH-4 (JB) distortion pickup, it has long been rumored that it is in fact a custom pickup Seymour Duncan made for Adam and is not open for purchase to the general public. Many have debated that it is close to an SH-6 pickup, but somewhat different. Below is a history of headstocks of Gibson. The Silverburst dons the “pentographed” logo that started in the early 70s.

Details for the VOS version have been released as follows:

Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar Adam Jones 1979 VOS ASVB

Adam Jones is one of the most talented and innovative guitarists in rock, of the multi-Grammyยฎ Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling band Tool. This limited edition Gibson Custom Shop model recreates Adam’s # 1 guitar – his prized original 1979 Gibson Les Silverburst Paul โ„ข Custom. Finished in vintage VOS Silverburst, the headstock rear graphic was designed by Adam Jones, and a replica of his headstock mirror is included in the Adam Jones Custom hard case. These guitars were handcrafted by the skilled luthiers and craftsmen at the Gibson Custom Shop as part of a very special run.

Characteristics:

  • Body Shape: Les Paul
  • Body Material: Solid Mahogany
  • Top: 3-Piece Maple
  • Binding: 7-ply Top (Black and White), 5-ply Back and Headstock (Black and White)
  • Weight relief: None
  • Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
  • Neck: 3-Piece Maple
  • Profile: Medium C-shape replicated from the original guitar
  • Scale Length: 24.75 “
  • Fingerboard: Ebony, with a white binding layer
  • Fingerboard Radius: 12 “
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Frets: .110? X .057 “(2.79 X 1.45mm) 18 percent nickel silver alloy
  • Nut Material: Bone
  • Nut Width: 1.687 “
  • Inlays: Mother of Pearl Block
  • Hardware Finish: Chrome
  • Tuning Machine Finish: Chrome
  • Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with Bar
  • Tuning Pegs: Schaller M6 with Large Buttons
  • Pickguard: No
  • Web Nut: Standard
  • Nut Cover: 70s Custom
  • Control Knobs: Black Speed โ€‹โ€‹Knobs
  • Switch tip: Chrome
  • Jack Plate Cover: Chrome
  • Strap buttons: Nickel, diamond shaped
  • Pickup Covers: Chrome Neck, Bridge: None
  • Neck Pickup: Custombucker (Mounted Backwards)
  • Bridge Pickup: Custom-Wound Seymour Duncan DDJ
  • Controls: 2 Volumes, 2 Tones; 1 DiMarzio 500k Volume Pot (Bridge), and 3 CTS Pots, .047uF Orange Drop Capacitors
  • Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
  • Output Jack: 1/4 “Switchcraft
  • Strings: .010, .013, .017, .030, .042, .052
  • Case: Silverburst finish customized with artwork by Adam Jones
  • Accessories: Shovel Mirror (Boxed), Certificate of Authenticity

Full Time Fool

Full Time Fool has been with Moron Reviews since its inception in 2015.

3 Comments

  • Where’s the unboxing ?

    Thanx for the info.

  • I wish the price wasn’t absolutely bonkers. No way I’ll be purchasing one when an actual vintage Les Paul Custom in Silverburst sells for about 3k less than the cheapest available version; not that I can afford those either!

    Also, Jones has claimed that he uses Duncan Distortions. Old pictures of some his guitars feature pickups without covers, probably those old Distortions. Another picture shows a newer bridge pup with the Seymour Duncan logo on it. I personally use the old Distortions.

  • “The Gibson Custom Shop is also working with legendary and multi-talented Tool guitarist artist, sculptor, special effects designer, videographer and producer Adam Jones on recreating his original 1979 Les Paul Custom Silverburst that can been seen live on stage with Adam today in support of their world tour and blockbuster new album Fear Inoculum. More details to come on this project later in 2020.”

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