Gibson LP 57 Custom 3PU VOS LH

Gibson LP 57 Custom 3PU VOS LH review

The Gibson LP 57 Custom 3PU VOS LH is a left-handed, U.S.-made Custom Shop guitar based on the 1957 Black Beauty. Its defining feature is a set of three unpotted Custombucker humbuckers with Alnico 3 magnets. That extra pickup gives players another tonal option compared with a two-pickup Les Paul Custom, while the instrument keeps the familiar single-cut shape, mahogany construction, ebony fingerboard, and 628 mm scale.

At $6,099, this is a premium instrument with a clear appeal: a left-handed take on a three-pickup Gibson Custom Shop model. The available feedback is strongly positive about its overall enjoyment and sound, while also acknowledging the high price. A comparison with a two-pickup Les Paul Custom points to the main practical distinction. Neither guitar was considered categorically better, but the third pickup was valued for the added range of tonal choices.

Construction and appointments

The body is made from one piece of mahogany, with a mahogany top. The one-piece mahogany neck uses the LP Custom profile, and the ebony fingerboard has 22 frets and LP Custom pearl inlays. A holly veneer covers the headstock. These materials and details follow the model's Black Beauty identity, with an Antique Ebony finish and gold hardware completing the look.

Gibson fits gold waffle-back tuners, an ABR-1 bridge, and an aluminum tailpiece. There is no tremolo system. The guitar has six strings and a 628 mm scale, listed as the instrument's scale length. It is explicitly built for left-handed players, so the orientation is a key part of the model's appeal rather than a minor variation in the specification.

The package includes a case and certificate. A gig bag is not included. The model has been available since June 2022, and its item number is 546315. It is identified as a Custom Shop model, made in the United States, with no limited run specified in the supplied details.

Three pickups and tonal options

The pickup layout is HHH, with three unpotted Custombuckers using Alnico 3 magnets. The strongest case for this configuration is flexibility. A player who already owns or has tried a two-pickup Les Paul Custom may find the familiar version more closely aligned with the traditional Les Paul sound. The three-pickup model adds another pickup to the available choices, which can make it the more appealing option for someone who wants more variety from one guitar.

The supplied owner feedback describes the two-pickup and three-pickup guitars as difficult to rank in terms of overall quality. The preference came down to personal taste, with the additional pickup seen as a worthwhile way to broaden tonal options. That is a useful distinction for prospective buyers: the extra pickup is the central reason to choose this model, not proof that it replaces the standard two-pickup Custom for every player.

No detailed pickup-position descriptions, control layout, or switching options were provided, so those points should be confirmed with Gibson or a dealer before purchase. The available feedback does, however, describe the guitar as sounding strong across the board and being a pleasure to play. Those are enthusiastic owner impressions, rather than controlled comparisons or measurements.

Playing impressions and value

The owner response is direct: the guitar looks beautiful, sounds good, and is enjoyable to play, but it is very expensive. The $6,099 price makes that last point impossible to ignore. This is a high-cost purchase, and the case for it depends on wanting the specific combination of a left-handed design, Custom Shop construction, Black Beauty appointments, and three pickups.

For someone choosing between this guitar and a two-pickup Les Paul Custom, the decision is less about one being universally superior and more about which format better fits their preferences. The two-pickup version offers the more traditional configuration. The LP 57 Custom 3PU VOS LH adds another pickup and, according to the supplied comparison, provides greater tonal versatility. Players who will use that extra choice may find the configuration compelling. Those who prefer the simpler traditional setup may see less reason to pay for it.

Verdict

The Gibson LP 57 Custom 3PU VOS LH combines a one-piece mahogany body and neck, an ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, and three unpotted Alnico 3 Custombuckers in a left-handed Custom Shop package. Its appeal is specific and easy to understand: a 1957 Black Beauty-inspired guitar with an additional pickup for more tonal options. Owner feedback praises its sound and playing enjoyment, while recognizing that the price is steep.

Consider it if you want a left-handed Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul with three pickups and value the added tonal choices. At $6,099, it is a substantial investment, so the third pickup and distinctive specification should be features you genuinely want.