Gibson ES Les Paul Special, iced tea burst, made in USA 2016. LPs are awesome, but, they're always so heeeeavy, right? Well, this one weighs in well under 3kg, so I guess I had better check myself before I wreck myself. The ES LP Special launched in 2015, alongside the also awesome ES339, as a small and cute addition to Gibson's acclaimed ES offerings. Gibson's main factory in Nashville was experiencing some turbulence in the quality control department at the time, but this little charmer was made in their Memphis plant, which was working just fine and making some really beautiful instruments. The construction is unique: it's a flat top LP style shape, but with a 3-ply top/back/sides and a maple centre block like a 335. Add in a pair of Gibson's pretty tasty '57 Classic/Super humbuckers, and you're up for a good time. The tone borrows a little bit of immediacy and low end fullness from LP-land, mixed with the airy complexity and woody midrange of a 339. It's really quite satisfying for dense jazz chord work, or with a dose of dirt it wails with conviction. Like most of Gibson's cool ideas, this model is now discontinued and increasingly hard to get. Did I mention it's under 3kg?

Model: Gibson ES Les Paul Special
Made: Memphis USA, 2016 (serial 11326716)
Finish: iced tea burst, gloss nitro
Body: maple/poplar/maple 3-ply top/back/sides, flat top, maple centre block, LP dimensions
Neck: one piece maple, baked maple fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius
Weight: 2.775kg
Mods: none
Pickup: Gibson Classic/Super '57 humbucker x2
Case: Gibson hard case, excellent quality and condition

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a couple of dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck has minor rub wear only. The back has some minor scuffs near the neck joint, on the top horn and near the rear strap pin. The sides have some rub wear on the top horn and elbow area and some dimples near the jack. The front has some dimples in the elbow area and near the knobs and some standard play wear on the horns. Overall: excellent condition (9/10).

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, intonation is good, action is low, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear, 9/10 for life left. No headstock breaks. Setup with fresh10/52 Moonshiners strings.