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1956 Gibson Les Paul Special, Serial Number 611057

Introduced in 1955, the Les Paul™ Special brought a second P-90 pickup and additional tonal versatility to the straightforward, slab-body design of the Les Paul Junior. With its distinctive TV Yellow finish, bound rosewood fretboard, and simple, functional appointments, the Special quickly established an identity of its own. This beautiful 1956 example captures everything we love about these early guitars, with its beautifully checked original finish, substantial but comfortable neck, and pair of lively P-90 pickups.

The original TV Yellow finish has aged to a warm, slightly yellowed wheat color, with fine, even lacquer checking throughout. The finish remains in excellent overall condition, with scattered light nicks and dings, a small area of wear on the cutaway horn, and one ding through the finish near the bridge volume knob. The headstock is similarly clean, with a few small marks around its edges and minor lacquer flaking along the long leg of the Gibson logo. The original gold Les Paul Special silkscreen remains crisp and well preserved. The original nickel-plated Wraparound tailpiece and posts show light pitting and tarnishing consistent with age. Both remain in excellent working order, with no leaning of the posts.

The mahogany neck has a substantial Medium C profile measuring .92" at the 1st fret and 1.00" at the 12th fret. It's a big, comfortable neck that fills the hand without feeling cumbersome, and at just 7.36 pounds, the guitar is nicely balanced and a pleasure to play. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard has been professionally refretted by Glaser Instruments using medium jumbo fretwire installed over the original binding, giving a little extra playroom. A replacement nylon nut was also fitted, while the original Kluson® Deluxe tuners remain in place and function as they should, with new white buttons installed by Glaser Instruments after the originals deteriorated.

Both original Soapbar P-90 pickups are present, measuring 6.61 k ohms in the neck position and 7.80 k ohms in the bridge. They're lively, responsive pickups with the spanky attack and character that make vintage P-90s such a joy to use. The original volume and tone controls offer plenty of tonal range, from clear, articulate sounds to the familiar growl of a P-90 when pushed. The electronics are clean and original, with Centralab® potentiometers bearing 134622 date codes from the 22nd week of 1956, Sprague Bumblebee capacitors, and clean original solder joints.

The original Switchcraft® selector switch has a longer threaded shaft than typically seen on this model and retains its original amber Catalin tip. The switch sits unusually close to the inside of the cavity cover, although we've encountered this configuration on other examples and see no indication that it has been replaced.
Beyond the refret, replacement nut, and tuner buttons, this Les Paul Special remains exceptionally well preserved, with its original finish, pickups, electronics, hardware, and plastic components intact. It's a guitar that has clearly been played and enjoyed while being carefully maintained over the decades. More importantly, it plays every bit as well as it looks, with a great neck, responsive pickups, and all the character that makes a good 1950s Les Paul Special so appealing.

The original four-latch Lifton™ “Cali Girl” brown and pink hardshell case remains with the guitar. A modern Lifton Historic Gator Skin Les Paul Junior hardshell case is also included for secure transport.
This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a leather guitar strap, matching leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson pick container.

Weight: 7.36 lb.
Neck depth: 1st fret: .92", 12th fret: 1.00"

1956 Gibson Les Paul Special, Serial Number 611057

Introduced in 1955, the Les Paul™ Special brought a second P-90 pickup and additional tonal versatility to the straightforward, slab-body design of the Les Paul Junior. With its distinctive TV Yellow finish, bound rosewood fretboard, and simple, functional appointments, the Special quickly established an identity of its own. This beautiful 1956 example captures everything we love about these early guitars, with its beautifully checked original finish, substantial but comfortable neck, and pair of lively P-90 pickups.

The original TV Yellow finish has aged to a warm, slightly yellowed wheat color, with fine, even lacquer checking throughout. The finish remains in excellent overall condition, with scattered light nicks and dings, a small area of wear on the cutaway horn, and one ding through the finish near the bridge volume knob. The headstock is similarly clean, with a few small marks around its edges and minor lacquer flaking along the long leg of the Gibson logo. The original gold Les Paul Special silkscreen remains crisp and well preserved. The original nickel-plated Wraparound tailpiece and posts show light pitting and tarnishing consistent with age. Both remain in excellent working order, with no leaning of the posts.

The mahogany neck has a substantial Medium C profile measuring .92" at the 1st fret and 1.00" at the 12th fret. It's a big, comfortable neck that fills the hand without feeling cumbersome, and at just 7.36 pounds, the guitar is nicely balanced and a pleasure to play. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard has been professionally refretted by Glaser Instruments using medium jumbo fretwire installed over the original binding, giving a little extra playroom. A replacement nylon nut was also fitted, while the original Kluson® Deluxe tuners remain in place and function as they should, with new white buttons installed by Glaser Instruments after the originals deteriorated.

Both original Soapbar P-90 pickups are present, measuring 6.61 k ohms in the neck position and 7.80 k ohms in the bridge. They're lively, responsive pickups with the spanky attack and character that make vintage P-90s such a joy to use. The original volume and tone controls offer plenty of tonal range, from clear, articulate sounds to the familiar growl of a P-90 when pushed. The electronics are clean and original, with Centralab® potentiometers bearing 134622 date codes from the 22nd week of 1956, Sprague Bumblebee capacitors, and clean original solder joints.

The original Switchcraft® selector switch has a longer threaded shaft than typically seen on this model and retains its original amber Catalin tip. The switch sits unusually close to the inside of the cavity cover, although we've encountered this configuration on other examples and see no indication that it has been replaced.
Beyond the refret, replacement nut, and tuner buttons, this Les Paul Special remains exceptionally well preserved, with its original finish, pickups, electronics, hardware, and plastic components intact. It's a guitar that has clearly been played and enjoyed while being carefully maintained over the decades. More importantly, it plays every bit as well as it looks, with a great neck, responsive pickups, and all the character that makes a good 1950s Les Paul Special so appealing.

The original four-latch Lifton™ “Cali Girl” brown and pink hardshell case remains with the guitar. A modern Lifton Historic Gator Skin Les Paul Junior hardshell case is also included for secure transport.
This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a leather guitar strap, matching leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson pick container.

Weight: 7.36 lb.
Neck depth: 1st fret: .92", 12th fret: 1.00"

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Guitar Specifications

Body Specs

Binding Single-ply cream fretboard

Body Finish Nitrocellulose lacquer

Body Material Mahogany

Body Shape Les Paul

Body Styles Solidbody

Neck Specs

Fingerboard Material Brazilian rosewood

Fingerboard Radius 12 in. | 304.8 mm

Fret Count 22

Frets Medium Jumbo

Inlays Celluloid dot

Joint Glued-in, set neck

Neck Material Mahogany

Nut Material Nylon

Nut Width 43.2mm / 1.7in

Profile Medium C

Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in

Electronics Specs

Bridge Pickup P-90 (7.80k)

Controls 2 volume, 2 tone Centralab potentiometers with Sprague Bumblebee capacitors

Neck Pickup P-90 (6.61k)

Output Jack Switchcraft 1/4" mono output jack

Pickup Selector Switchcraft 3-way selector switch

Hardware Specs

Bridge Wraparound

Control Covers Black

Control Knobs Black Top Hats

finish Nickel

Jack Plate Cover Multi-ply black

Pickguard Multi-ply black

Pickup Covers Black soapbar

Plastic Parts Mixed

Saddle Material Aluminum

Strap Buttons Aluminum

Switch Tip Amber Catalin

Switchwasher Black

Truss Rod Adjustable

Truss Rod Cover 2-ply black/white stepped bell

Tuner Plating Nickel

Tuning Machines Kluson Deluxe single line 3-on-a-plate with white oval buttons

Misc Specs

Accessories COA, LOA, Limited Lifetime Warranty card, GCV leather guitar strap, GCV leather luggage tag, GCV vintage-style picks and pick container

Model: GCVP0181

Case Original Lifton 4-latch Cali Girl brown/pink hardshell case, new Lifton Historic Gator Skin Les Paul Jr. hardshell case

Headstock Open book

Headstock Inlay Mother-of-pearl Gibson logo, gold silkscreen “Les Paul Special”

Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046

Gibson Certified Vintage 1956 Gibson Les Paul Special, TV Yellow

Name: Gibson Certified Vintage 1956 Gibson Les Paul Special, TV Yellow
Brand: Gibson Certified Vintage
SKU: GCVP0181
Price: 24999.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Gibson Certified Vintage 1956 Gibson Les Paul Special, TV Yellow

Price

$24,999

Finish

TV Yellow

Shipping

Free shipping on most orders over $100 - Learn More

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Orders placed by noon CST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) will ship the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day. All orders over $100 receive free ground shipping within the United States.

Case Included

Your instrument ships with a factory-supplied hard- or soft-shell case for safe storage and transportation. Please refer to the product specifications for details.

Setup Included

Our craftory-trained technicians perform a final thorough inspection and detailed setup moments before your instrument is packed and shipped to you.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Shop and play with confidence knowing that your instrument is protected by our limited lifetime warranty. Learn more about warranties and exclusions here .

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1956 Gibson Les Paul Special, Serial Number 611057

Introduced in 1955, the Les Paul™ Special brought a second P-90 pickup and additional tonal versatility to the straightforward, slab-body design of the Les Paul Junior. With its distinctive TV Yellow finish, bound rosewood fretboard, and simple, functional appointments, the Special quickly established an identity of its own. This beautiful 1956 example captures everything we love about these early guitars, with its beautifully checked original finish, substantial but comfortable neck, and pair of lively P-90 pickups.

The original TV Yellow finish has aged to a warm, slightly yellowed wheat color, with fine, even lacquer checking throughout. The finish remains in excellent overall condition, with scattered light nicks and dings, a small area of wear on the cutaway horn, and one ding through the finish near the bridge volume knob. The headstock is similarly clean, with a few small marks around its edges and minor lacquer flaking along the long leg of the Gibson logo. The original gold Les Paul Special silkscreen remains crisp and well preserved. The original nickel-plated Wraparound tailpiece and posts show light pitting and tarnishing consistent with age. Both remain in excellent working order, with no leaning of the posts.

The mahogany neck has a substantial Medium C profile measuring .92" at the 1st fret and 1.00" at the 12th fret. It's a big, comfortable neck that fills the hand without feeling cumbersome, and at just 7.36 pounds, the guitar is nicely balanced and a pleasure to play. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard has been professionally refretted by Glaser Instruments using medium jumbo fretwire installed over the original binding, giving a little extra playroom. A replacement nylon nut was also fitted, while the original Kluson® Deluxe tuners remain in place and function as they should, with new white buttons installed by Glaser Instruments after the originals deteriorated.

Both original Soapbar P-90 pickups are present, measuring 6.61 k ohms in the neck position and 7.80 k ohms in the bridge. They're lively, responsive pickups with the spanky attack and character that make vintage P-90s such a joy to use. The original volume and tone controls offer plenty of tonal range, from clear, articulate sounds to the familiar growl of a P-90 when pushed. The electronics are clean and original, with Centralab® potentiometers bearing 134622 date codes from the 22nd week of 1956, Sprague Bumblebee capacitors, and clean original solder joints.

The original Switchcraft® selector switch has a longer threaded shaft than typically seen on this model and retains its original amber Catalin tip. The switch sits unusually close to the inside of the cavity cover, although we've encountered this configuration on other examples and see no indication that it has been replaced.
Beyond the refret, replacement nut, and tuner buttons, this Les Paul Special remains exceptionally well preserved, with its original finish, pickups, electronics, hardware, and plastic components intact. It's a guitar that has clearly been played and enjoyed while being carefully maintained over the decades. More importantly, it plays every bit as well as it looks, with a great neck, responsive pickups, and all the character that makes a good 1950s Les Paul Special so appealing.

The original four-latch Lifton™ “Cali Girl” brown and pink hardshell case remains with the guitar. A modern Lifton Historic Gator Skin Les Paul Junior hardshell case is also included for secure transport.
This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a leather guitar strap, matching leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson pick container.

Weight: 7.36 lb.
Neck depth: 1st fret: .92", 12th fret: 1.00"

1956 Gibson Les Paul Special, Serial Number 611057

Introduced in 1955, the Les Paul™ Special brought a second P-90 pickup and additional tonal versatility to the straightforward, slab-body design of the Les Paul Junior. With its distinctive TV Yellow finish, bound rosewood fretboard, and simple, functional appointments, the Special quickly established an identity of its own. This beautiful 1956 example captures everything we love about these early guitars, with its beautifully checked original finish, substantial but comfortable neck, and pair of lively P-90 pickups.

The original TV Yellow finish has aged to a warm, slightly yellowed wheat color, with fine, even lacquer checking throughout. The finish remains in excellent overall condition, with scattered light nicks and dings, a small area of wear on the cutaway horn, and one ding through the finish near the bridge volume knob. The headstock is similarly clean, with a few small marks around its edges and minor lacquer flaking along the long leg of the Gibson logo. The original gold Les Paul Special silkscreen remains crisp and well preserved. The original nickel-plated Wraparound tailpiece and posts show light pitting and tarnishing consistent with age. Both remain in excellent working order, with no leaning of the posts.

The mahogany neck has a substantial Medium C profile measuring .92" at the 1st fret and 1.00" at the 12th fret. It's a big, comfortable neck that fills the hand without feeling cumbersome, and at just 7.36 pounds, the guitar is nicely balanced and a pleasure to play. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard has been professionally refretted by Glaser Instruments using medium jumbo fretwire installed over the original binding, giving a little extra playroom. A replacement nylon nut was also fitted, while the original Kluson® Deluxe tuners remain in place and function as they should, with new white buttons installed by Glaser Instruments after the originals deteriorated.

Both original Soapbar P-90 pickups are present, measuring 6.61 k ohms in the neck position and 7.80 k ohms in the bridge. They're lively, responsive pickups with the spanky attack and character that make vintage P-90s such a joy to use. The original volume and tone controls offer plenty of tonal range, from clear, articulate sounds to the familiar growl of a P-90 when pushed. The electronics are clean and original, with Centralab® potentiometers bearing 134622 date codes from the 22nd week of 1956, Sprague Bumblebee capacitors, and clean original solder joints.

The original Switchcraft® selector switch has a longer threaded shaft than typically seen on this model and retains its original amber Catalin tip. The switch sits unusually close to the inside of the cavity cover, although we've encountered this configuration on other examples and see no indication that it has been replaced.
Beyond the refret, replacement nut, and tuner buttons, this Les Paul Special remains exceptionally well preserved, with its original finish, pickups, electronics, hardware, and plastic components intact. It's a guitar that has clearly been played and enjoyed while being carefully maintained over the decades. More importantly, it plays every bit as well as it looks, with a great neck, responsive pickups, and all the character that makes a good 1950s Les Paul Special so appealing.

The original four-latch Lifton™ “Cali Girl” brown and pink hardshell case remains with the guitar. A modern Lifton Historic Gator Skin Les Paul Junior hardshell case is also included for secure transport.
This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a leather guitar strap, matching leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson pick container.

Weight: 7.36 lb.
Neck depth: 1st fret: .92", 12th fret: 1.00"

Read less

Guitar Specifications

Body Specs

Binding Single-ply cream fretboard

Body Finish Nitrocellulose lacquer

Body Material Mahogany

Body Shape Les Paul

Body Styles Solidbody

Neck Specs

Fingerboard Material Brazilian rosewood

Fingerboard Radius 12 in. | 304.8 mm

Fret Count 22

Frets Medium Jumbo

Inlays Celluloid dot

Joint Glued-in, set neck

Neck Material Mahogany

Nut Material Nylon

Nut Width 43.2mm / 1.7in

Profile Medium C

Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in

Electronics Specs

Bridge Pickup P-90 (7.80k)

Controls 2 volume, 2 tone Centralab potentiometers with Sprague Bumblebee capacitors

Neck Pickup P-90 (6.61k)

Output Jack Switchcraft 1/4" mono output jack

Pickup Selector Switchcraft 3-way selector switch

Hardware Specs

Bridge Wraparound

Control Covers Black

Control Knobs Black Top Hats

finish Nickel

Jack Plate Cover Multi-ply black

Pickguard Multi-ply black

Pickup Covers Black soapbar

Plastic Parts Mixed

Saddle Material Aluminum

Strap Buttons Aluminum

Switch Tip Amber Catalin

Switchwasher Black

Truss Rod Adjustable

Truss Rod Cover 2-ply black/white stepped bell

Tuner Plating Nickel

Tuning Machines Kluson Deluxe single line 3-on-a-plate with white oval buttons

Misc Specs

Accessories COA, LOA, Limited Lifetime Warranty card, GCV leather guitar strap, GCV leather luggage tag, GCV vintage-style picks and pick container

Model: GCVP0181

Case Original Lifton 4-latch Cali Girl brown/pink hardshell case, new Lifton Historic Gator Skin Les Paul Jr. hardshell case

Headstock Open book

Headstock Inlay Mother-of-pearl Gibson logo, gold silkscreen “Les Paul Special”

Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046