Gibson Custom Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector's Edition Electric Guitar - Ebony/Antique Natural

From the space-age glam of David Bowie and Lou Reed to the heartland revivalism of John Mellencamp, legendary guitarist and producer Mick Ronson was the driving force behind some of rock ’n’ roll’s most defining moments. The Gibson Custom Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector’s Edition faithfully recreates the instrument most closely associated with his unmistakable sound, using ultra-precise Murphy Lab aging to capture the wear, feel and visual character of Ronson’s original Bowie-era guitar. A mahogany body with a plain maple cap delivers the dense sustain and authoritative midrange that anchored his dramatic, melodic playing, while an Authentic ’68 Medium C mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard provide a sleek yet substantial feel. Unpotted, aged ’68 Custom humbuckers with alnico 2 magnets deliver Ronson’s raw, aggressive edge, paired with handwired CTS 500k potentiometers and Black Cat capacitors for exceptional clarity. Finished with aged gold hardware, mismatched control knobs and era-accurate detailing, this limited run of just 100 instruments stands as both a powerful sonic recreation and a museum-grade tribute to one of rock’s most influential voices.

Mahogany Body and Plain Maple Cap for Sustain and Midrange Power

The Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector’s Edition is built around a one-piece mahogany body topped with a plain maple cap, mirroring the stripped finish of the late guitarist’s original instrument. This classic combination delivers dense sustain, focused low end and pronounced midrange that defined his commanding rhythm work and soaring lead lines. The Les Paul Custom’s inherently solid feel contributes to long note bloom and natural compression, allowing notes to hang, swell and cut with dramatic presence. Multi-ply binding on the top, back and headstock completes the period-correct silhouette, reinforcing the guitar’s unmistakable late-1960s Les Paul Custom identity.

Authentic ’68 Medium C Neck and Ebony Fingerboard for Period-Correct Feel

A solid mahogany neck carved to an Authentic ’68 Medium C profile delivers the substantial, grounded feel Ronson favored, offering a confident grip without excess bulk. The 24.75" scale length preserves the elastic string response and vocal phrasing associated with classic Les Paul Customs. An ebony fingerboard adds snap, clarity and durability, balancing the warmth of the mahogany body while supporting articulate note definition under gain. Mother-of-pearl block inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets complete the neck with visual authority and smooth playability, staying true to the feel and geometry of late-1960s Gibson craftsmanship.

Unpotted ’68 Custom Humbuckers for Signature Ronson Snarl

At the core of this Les Paul Custom’s raw, aggressive voice is a pair of unpotted, aged ’68 Custom humbuckers equipped with alnico 2 magnets and left uncovered for maximum bite and immediacy. This construction produces a lively, open response with enhanced harmonic overtones, dynamic sensitivity and controlled microphonic character—ideal for Ronson’s expressive use of fuzz, wah and echo. Handwired CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers and period-correct Black Cat capacitors preserve high-end clarity and touch responsiveness, allowing the guitar to move effortlessly from thick, sustaining leads to articulate chord work with subtle changes in attack.

Aged Gold Hardware and Ronson-Specific Details

Every visual detail of this Collector’s Edition has been meticulously recreated using Murphy Lab’s ultra-precise aging techniques. Aged gold hardware—including the ABR-1 bridge, heavily worn stopbar tailpiece and Grover Rotomatic tuners with milk bottle buttons—reflects decades of use and stage wear. Mismatched control knobs with dial pointers replicate Ronson’s original guitar down to the smallest nuance. Murphy Lab aging extends across the finish, hardware and plastics, capturing the exact wear patterns that made Ronson’s stripped-top Les Paul Custom instantly recognizable.

A Museum-Grade Tribute to a Rock ’n’ Roll Original

Limited to just 100 instruments worldwide, the Gibson Custom Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector’s Edition stands as both a historically faithful recreation and a formidable performance instrument. Each guitar is handcrafted in Nashville, Tennessee by Gibson Custom Shop luthiers and ships in a Custom Shop hardshell case featuring a reproduction of Mick Ronson’s signature on the exterior. A replica strap and a certificate of authenticity booklet bearing Ronson’s signature further underscore its archival significance. More than a signature model, this instrument offers a direct connection to one of rock ’n’ roll’s most influential and enduring voices.