Pete’s Gear: 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom ‘Black Beauty’

Pete Townshend’s occasional use of a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom “Black Beauty” guitar. Notably seen on “Relay” as mimed on the Russell Harty Show television program, 3 Jan. 1973. The Black Beauty featured one black P-90 pickup in the bridge position and one Alnico V pickup in neck position.

Features:

carved mahogany top, mahogany back and neck, multiple bound top and back; one black P-90 pickup in bridge position, one Alnico V pickup in neck position, both pickups have black covers; Tune-O-Matic bridge, stop tailpiece; single bound ebony fingerboard and peghead, block fingerboard inlays, pearl logo, five-piece diamond peghead inlay, low “fretless wonder” frets, gold-plated parts, black finish.

Photo Gallery

Russell Harty Show appearance, 3 Jan. 1973, miming to Relay.

Backstage, December 1971.

Ca. December 1971, San Francisco.

Ca. December 1971, San Francisco, the guitar sitting in spare while Pete plays a Gibson SG Special.

Resources and Information

For more information, see the Vintage Guitar Info: guitarhq.com/gibson5.html#lpc