For guitar aficionados and Led Zeppelin devotees, the allure of owning a piece of rock history is embodied in the Jimmy Page Signature Guitar. In 1995, Gibson USA embarked on a mission to capture the magic of Jimmy Page’s iconic Les Paul, the instrument that fueled countless legendary riffs and solos. This collaboration resulted in the Jimmy Page signature guitar, a production model that aimed to bring fans closer to the sound and feel of Page’s revered instrument. While not a Custom Shop creation in its initial run, this guitar quickly became a subject of fascination, speculation, and, ultimately, a coveted piece for collectors.
The initial run of the Jimmy Page signature guitar, produced from 1995 to 1999, was a Gibson USA endeavor to recreate the essence of Page’s famed Les Paul. This single cutaway electric guitar featured a bound mahogany body, topped with an attractive AA-figured maple. The neck, bound and crafted from rosewood, boasted 22 frets adorned with classic trapezoid inlays. Gold hardware gleamed against the Light Honeyburst (LB) finish, a color intended to evoke the vintage vibe of Page’s original. A Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop tailpiece ensured sustain and tuning stability, while a cream pickguard proudly displayed an engraved and gold-painted “Jimmy Page” signature. Electronically, the guitar was equipped with a three-way selector toggle and push/pull volume and tone knobs. This sophisticated wiring allowed players to explore a wide range of tonal possibilities by putting the pickups in and out of phase, wiring them in series or parallel, and even splitting the humbuckers to single-coil operation.
Jimmy Page Signature Pickguard
However, the choice of pickups in these initial models – standard four-conductor 496R and 500T – became a point of contention for some. While functional, many players felt they didn’t fully capture the nuanced tone associated with Jimmy Page’s legendary sound. For those seeking a more authentic Page-esque tone, aftermarket options like Seymour Duncan Custom Shop pickups or offerings from other boutique winders emerged as popular upgrades. At its original manufacturer’s price of $6300, the guitar represented a significant investment. It was presented in a hardshell case, lined with a distinctive emerald green plush and adorned with a Jimmy Page signature shroud, adding to the overall premium feel.
The story of the Jimmy Page signature guitar took an unexpected turn when, by the close of 1995, Jimmy Page himself reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the instrument, leading to a lawsuit aimed at halting production. Rumors swirled about the reasons behind Page’s discontent, with whispers of discrepancies in neck shape and finish color. Some claimed that the initial 421 guitars boasted a custom neck profile to Page’s specifications, while later models transitioned to a standard Gibson neck. Similarly, variations in the Honeyburst finish, with later versions appearing redder, fueled speculation of a color change. Gibson, however, refuted these claims, attributing any neck variations to standard production tolerances and color differences to the inherent nuances of hand-finished instruments.
Jimmy Page with Les Paul
Adding to the evolving specifications, Gibson customer support revealed that the first 500 guitars produced in 1995 were equipped with Grover tuners. Subsequently, the Grover tuner buttons were switched from the “kidney bean” style to the “tulip” style. While Gibson stated a change to Kluson tuners, observations suggest both Grover and Kluson tuners appeared on later models. Further modifications included a reduction in fret height to .038″ and the addition of a locking nut to the bridge, reportedly at Page’s request. These modifications might have been misinterpreted and contributed to the rumors surrounding “special” necks and color shifts. Ultimately, the lawsuit was settled, and Gibson continued the production run of the Jimmy Page signature guitar.
Despite being a signature model, these guitars were positioned as standard Gibson production instruments, not Custom Shop creations. While they delivered a good sound, some purists argued they lacked the true “special” factor, particularly for discerning “Led Heads” seeking an exact sonic replica of Page’s legendary Les Paul. The primary criticism centered on the pickups. Many felt that to truly honor Page’s sound, Gibson should have gone the extra mile to meticulously reproduce his iconic pickups.
The narrative around the Jimmy Page signature guitar is intrinsically linked to the ongoing debate surrounding the origins of Page’s original Les Paul – the “Great ’58/’59 Debate.” Adding another layer to this mystique, Roger Giffin, who headed Gibson’s West Coast Custom Shop in 1991, personally crafted a Les Paul replica for Jimmy Page, modeled after his cherished #1 Les Paul. This replica served as a prototype for the 1990s Jimmy Page signature guitar. According to Giffin, during the 1991 replication process, #1 was believed to be a 1958 model. However, Giffin himself recalled the guitar he replicated as being a ’59, citing its less “ornate” character compared to a ’58 in his memory. He also revealed that the prototype replica was fitted with Gibson ’57 Classic zebra humbuckers, highlighting the perceived sonic discrepancy with the 496R and 500T pickups used in the production signature guitars.
Jimmy Page Les Paul Number One
In a significant development for collectors and Page enthusiasts, Gibson later unveiled the Jimmy Page #2 Les Paul, further expanding the legacy. As Gibson’s website detailed, Page acquired his “Number Two” Les Paul in 1973, seeking a worthy companion to his iconic “Number One,” a ’59 ‘Burst with a uniquely shaved neck profile and no serial number, acquired years prior from Joe Walsh. (Link to Gibson Page #2: http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/Jimmy-Page-Number-Two-Les-Paul.aspx)
Gibson’s commitment to replicating Page’s guitars reached its pinnacle in 2004. They undertook an ambitious project, borrowing Jimmy’s original Les Paul to create a pilot run of only 26 historically accurate reproductions. These Custom Shop masterpieces were meticulously crafted to mirror every detail of Page’s original, from the electronics to the strings he used. The guitars were then entrusted to Tom Murphy, renowned for his aging expertise, who painstakingly replicated the wear and tear, dents, and dings of Page’s own instrument. Adding to their exclusivity, these 26 guitars were sent to Jimmy Page himself, who played, signed, and numbered each one. Page retained number 1, leaving 25 for discerning collectors. These guitars boasted a carved maple top, solid mahogany back, and a one-piece neck, faithfully replicating Page’s original ‘Burst, including its elliptical neck profile and single push/pull pot configuration. Each came with a certificate of authenticity signed by Jimmy Page and a display case complete with a violin bow, a nod to Page’s iconic use of the bow in performances like “Dazed and Confused.” The manufacturer’s retail price for these ultra-limited editions was a staggering $23,669. Notably, these Custom Shop models did not feature a Jimmy Page signature stamped pickguard, and the cases were lined in red, distinguishing them from the emerald green cases of the Gibson USA models.
A second Custom Shop release in 2004 mirrored the specifications of the first, but expanded production to 150 guitars. These guitars, while aged by Tom Murphy, were not personally played or signed by Jimmy Page. This release, also exclusive to 2004, carried a manufacturer’s retail price of $16,556. The third Custom Shop iteration maintained the same specifications as the previous two but omitted both the aging by Tom Murphy and Jimmy Page’s involvement. Marketed as a “Custom Authentic” version, these guitars were produced from 2004 onwards, offering a more accessible entry point into the Jimmy Page signature guitar lineage, with a manufacturer’s price of $9401.
For collectors navigating the used market, understanding Gibson serial numbers is crucial. For the original Gibson USA models, serial numbers like “92425417” can be deciphered as follows: the first digit “9” indicates 1995 (9 representing the ‘9’ of 1995). “242” denotes the 242nd day of the year. The digit “5” again represents 1995. The final three digits, “417,” indicate either the 17th or 417th instrument stamped that day across all models produced at the Nashville factory. It’s important to note that this number reflects the total instruments stamped that day, not just Jimmy Page signature guitars. Therefore, a lower number doesn’t necessarily signify an earlier production number within the Jimmy Page signature guitar line itself. The Custom Shop models signed by Jimmy Page are hand-numbered 1-25. The second Custom Shop release serial numbers begin with “Page,” followed by a unique serial number. The remaining Custom Shop models are identified by serial numbers starting with “JPP.”
In conclusion, the Jimmy Page signature guitar story is multifaceted, encompassing Gibson USA production models, intriguing rumors, and highly sought-after Custom Shop recreations. Whether it’s the initial run, the Tom Murphy aged editions, or the later Custom Authentic versions, each Jimmy Page signature guitar offers a tangible connection to rock history and the enduring legacy of Jimmy Page’s groundbreaking musical contributions. For collectors and players alike, these guitars represent more than just instruments; they are pieces of art, artifacts of rock and roll history, and a testament to the enduring impact of Jimmy Page and his iconic sound.
