Gibson Randy Rhoads 1974 Les Paul Custom Announced
Since Randy Rhoads’ untimely death in 1982, there have been many guitars produced that bear his name, most of them of the pointy-headstock variety. But the guitar that Randy had in his hands when he got the gig with Ozzy was not a Jackson, it was a 1974 Les Paul Custom. Gibson Custom Shop is now paying tribute to Randy, one of the most influential hard rock/heavy metal guitarists of all time, with a limited edition run of Randy Rhoads 1974 Les Paul Customs. There will be 100 hand-aged versions (shown below), and only 200 VOS versions produced. The 1974 Randy Rhoads will have a custom neck shape, Super ’74 pickups, Schaller M6 tuning machines, Schaller straplocks, and other details that are specific to Randy’s original ’74. Pics and more specs from Gibson after the jump! Contact us to Pre-Order the Gibson Custom Shop Randy Rhoads 1974 Les Paul Custom.
From Gibson:
With a legion of fans still worshiping his unparalleled shredding abilities 28 years after his blazing career was cut short, Randy Rhoads is firmly established as one of the brightest stars in the metal-guitar heavens. After forming Quiet Riot while still in his teens, Rhoads stepped up his game when Ozzy Osbourne asked him to audition for his own band in 1979. Along came Rhoads, a practice amp in one hand, and his beloved 1974 Les Paul Custom in the other – and before the young guitarist had even finished his warm-up licks, Osbourne told him “you’ve got the gig.” What followed was an amazing ascent, but a too-swift ending, which earned Randy Rhoads a unique place in rock history. To honor this achievement, Gibson Custom is releasing the Randy Rhoads 1974 Les Paul Custom, an instrument crafted in the image of Rhoads’ own much-loved, much-played instrument, and limited to only 100 hand-aged and 200 VOS guitars.
SPECIFICATIONS
3-piece plain maple top
3-piece mah/maple/mah back
Multi-ply white/black binding on top, back and
peghead
1-piece mahogany neck
Small D Rhoads profile w/volute
Fiber headstock veneer w/mother of pearl split-
diamond inlay
Ebony fingerboard
22 frets
Pearl block inlays
Single-ply white binding on neck
24 ¾” scale length, 1.710 nut width
Schaller M6 tuners
Tune-o-matic (ABR-1) bridge
Stop bar tailpiece
Schaller strap locks
Super ’74 pickups
Gold speed knobs w/dial pointers
Randy Rhoads White finish
LIMITED EDITION
100 Aged, 200 VOS
COLLATERAL
Custom Shop case silkscreened with Randy’s sig.;
Special Certificate of Authenticity
