ibson's Custom, Art, Historic division is the home not only of famous, faithful reissues but also of new models that bend the rules of Gibson tradition in exchange for a higher level of performance.

It's a direction that players appreciate, as evidenced by the success of the ES-336 over the past year.

The lastest creation from Custom, Art, Historic, melds features from two classic Gibsons of the '50s into one new, true players' ax of the '90s -- the Les Paul DC Pro.

The DC Pro brings the Les Paul Standard's time-tested combination of carved maple top and mahogany back together with the total neck access of the double-cutaway Les Paul Jr.

Limiting controls to one volume/one tone/one three-way switch keeps the DC Pro efficient to use on stage. The tapered headstock design allows for straight string pull, ensuring that strings stay in tune in any gig situation.

To further cater to the demands of discriminating players, the DC Pro is available with high-output humbuckers or classic-sounding P-90 pickups.

Perhaps most importantly, the DC Pro's compound radius fingerboard provides a no-compromise solution to those who demand comport and playability all the way up the neck. A choice of a 24.75" or 25.5 scale lets players find a perfect "fit" for their left hand.

"The ongoing evolution of the Gibson Les Paul guitar has reached a new benchmark with the introduction of the Les Paul DC Pro," said Tom Spaulding, Product Sales Coordinator for Gibson's Custom, Art, Historic Division.

"With roots that reach back to the world famous Les Paul and Les Paul Junior, the DC Pro is loaded with modern features aimed at today's players. This cross-pollination of old and new features breathes new life into the fabled Les Paul family tree."

Read on for a list of the Les Paul DC Pro's specifications:

• Straight-pull headstock profile
• Pearl inlaid Gibson logo
• 24-fret neck
• 24.75" scale or 25.5" scale
• Compound radius ebony fingerboard w/pearl dot inlay
• 1 11/16th" nut width
• Mahogany neck

• Double-cutaway mahogany body with AAA Flamed Maple top
• Single cream binding
• Nickel-plated hardware and Schaller mini tuning keys
• 2 humbucking (496R and 500T) pickups or P-90 soapbars
• Tune-o-matic/stopbar or wraparound tailpiece (P-90 is available with wraparound only)
• Master Volume/Master Tone
• 3-way toggle

• Finishes: Faded Cherry, Translucent Black, Translucent Indigo, Butterscotch