Gibson Les Paul BOTB Page 74 HPT LA#3
The Gibson Les Paul BOTB Page 74 HPT LA#3 pairs hand-selected materials and two Custombucker pickups with a detailed historic-style specification. Its $7,899 price makes it a considered purchase for players seeking this particular Les Paul configuration.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Gibson Les Paul BOTB Page 74 HPT LA#3 review
The Gibson Les Paul BOTB Page 74 HPT LA#3 is a U.S.-made, limited-reference Les Paul built around the guitar pictured on page 74 of Beauty of the Burst. Its defining specification is a hand-selected AAA flamed maple top, chosen in Nashville to match the book's guitar specifications. The instrument pairs that top with a mahogany body and neck, a rosewood fingerboard, two Custombucker humbuckers, and a Light Aged finish. It is listed at $7,899 and has been available since June 2025.
This is a specification-focused assessment, not a report of playing impressions. No customer reviews are available, and the provided details do not establish how this particular guitar sounds, feels, or performs in use. They do, however, identify its construction, controls, hardware, finish, and included items in enough detail to describe what a buyer is being offered.
Wood selection and construction
The main materials follow the familiar Les Paul arrangement: a mahogany body, a maple top, a set-in mahogany neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. Gibson specifies that the woods were selected on site by its Nashville experts according to the reference guitar in Beauty of the Burst. The top is further identified as hand-selected AAA flamed maple. The AAA grade and flamed figure describe the stated top specification, but the available information does not guarantee an identical grain pattern from one instrument to another.
The fingerboard has trapezoid inlays and a listed 12-inch radius, equivalent to 305 mm. Twenty-two reissue Jescar FW45100 frets are specified, along with a reissue nylon nut. The neck profile is identified as R9, V1 Carmelita. These details give a more precise account of the neck than a general description such as "vintage style," though they do not provide measurements for neck thickness or width.
There is a small discrepancy in the supplied scale figures. The general specification lists 628 mm, while the detailed build information gives 629 mm and also states 24.75 inches. Those metric figures are not identical, so buyers who need an exact measurement should confirm the scale with the seller or Gibson before ordering.
Pickups, controls, and hardware
The guitar has two Custombucker humbuckers in an HH configuration. Controls consist of two volume knobs and two tone knobs, with a three-way toggle switch. This is a conventional Les Paul control layout, and the provided data does not include pickup output measurements, magnet details, coil-tapping options, or wiring diagrams. No coil-splitting function is listed.
The bridge is identified as a BR-1 Historic Reissue non-wire model, with Kluson Deluxe tuning machines and nickel hardware. A tremolo system is not included. The cream pickguard provides a specified contrast against the sunburst-style finish. The body top and neck each have single-ply binding.
Finish, case, and buying details
The finish is listed as Light Aged, and the color designation is Beauty of the Burst P74. The general color field also says Sunburst. Together, those labels indicate the intended burst appearance and aged treatment, but the supplied specification does not describe the aging process or give a detailed color breakdown. The model is a single-cut Les Paul and comes with a case and certificate. A gig bag is not included.
- Model: Gibson Les Paul BOTB Page 74 HPT LA#3
- Body and neck: Mahogany, with a set-in neck
- Top: Hand-selected AAA flamed maple
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, 12-inch radius, trapezoid inlays
- Scale: Listed as both 628 mm and 629 mm, or 24.75 inches
- Electronics: Two Custombucker humbuckers, two volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way switch
- Included: Case and certificate, no gig bag
- Origin and availability: Made in the USA, available since June 2025
At $7,899, the Page 74 HPT LA#3 is positioned as a high-priced, reference-specific Les Paul rather than a broadly specified standard model. The strongest documented points are the Nashville-selected woods, the named neck and fret details, the Custombucker pair, and the included case and certificate. The available information does not support claims about tonal character, setup quality, weight, or individual instrument condition. The scale-length inconsistency is worth resolving before purchase, especially for buyers comparing it closely with another instrument.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Hand-selected AAA flamed maple top paired with a mahogany body and neck.
- Two Custombucker humbucking pickups with independent volume and tone controls.
- Includes a case and certificate.
What bugged me
- Premium listed price of $7,899.
- No tremolo system, which limits tremolo-based effects.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
Well suited to players seeking a Les Paul with a hand-selected flamed maple top, mahogany construction, and Custombucker pickups. Also appealing to buyers who value the included case and certificate.Look elsewhere if
Not a fit for buyers who need a tremolo system or prefer a lower-priced guitar. Its specifications are focused on a specific Les Paul setup rather than extensive hardware options.Suggested level: Professional
Specifications
- Color
- Sunburst
- Body
- Mahogany
- Top
- Maple
- Neck
- Mahogany
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 22
- Scale
- 628 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- None
- Including case
- Yes
- Incl. gigbag
- No
- Limited run
- None
- Model
- Les Paul
- Shape
- Single Cut
Up close
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What pickups does this Les Paul use?
It has two Custombucker humbucking pickups, two volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way toggle switch.
What woods are used in the body and neck?
The body and set-in neck are mahogany, with a hand-selected AAA flamed maple top and a rosewood fingerboard.
Does the guitar include a case?
Yes. A case and certificate are included; a gig bag is not listed.
Does it have a tremolo system?
No. The listed specifications state that it has no tremolo.
What is the scale length?
The detailed specifications give a 24.75-inch scale, also listed as 629 mm. Another overview entry says 628 mm.
The last word from the bench
This model combines a mahogany body and neck with a hand-selected AAA flamed maple top, rosewood fingerboard, and two Custombucker humbuckers. Its 22 frets, R9 V1 Carmelita neck profile, and 24.75-inch scale define a focused Les Paul setup. The included case and certificate add practical value, though the high price and lack of a tremolo make it less suitable for buyers seeking broader hardware options. Consider it if these materials and specifications match your priorities.
Hanging next to it
Gibson Les Paul BOTB Page 74 HPT LA#3
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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