Gibson Custom releases limited-edition Mark Knopfler 1958 Les Paul guitar
Watch Dire Straits legend play new model on camera
Gibson has teased it for long enough, but now it's official: a limited-edition Mark Knopfler 1958 Les Paul is on the way.
The guitar is a precise replica of Knopfler's '58, which the Dire Straits hero has used since the '90s; only 300 will be made, 50 of which will be hand-aged by Gibson Custom and hand-signed by the Knopf himself.
Knopfler used his original LP on albums from 1995 onwards, including Sailing to Philadelphia, Shangri-La, Kill to Get Crimson, Get Lucky, Privateering and Tracker, and it's accompanied him on every tour since '96 - you can watch him discuss his love of LPs old and new in the video above.
Spec-wise, Gibson Custom's replica packs custom humbucker pickups, a one-piece Indian rosewood fingerboard with hand-rolled binding, plus mahogany 'Knopfler profile' neck and two-piece figured maple top, finished in Knopfler 'burst nitrocellulose finish -a classic Les Paul Standard headstock with 'broken' edges is also onboard.
When I checked the first prototype… it sounded so good and played so well, I used it straight away on a recording session
"When I checked the first prototype of my '58 Les Paul Artist Historic Replica from Gibson Custom, it sounded so good and played so well, I used it straight away on a recording session," said Knopfler.
"I thought the second prototype couldn't possibly be as good as the first but I was wrong. These are amazing guitars."
As previously mentioned, 300 guitars will be made: 50 will be hand-aged and signed by Knopfler; 100 will be aged, while 150 will receive a vintage gloss treatment. All models include a certificate of authenticity.
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
We're yet to receive a confirmed RRP or availability, but we hope it's not so far away…
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

“The mini humbucker fits into the same sized pickup cavity as a P-90 and delivers low-noise humbucking pickup performance and a slightly brighter and more open tone”: Gibson remixes the Les Paul Special with mini humbuckers

“Exceptional performance, sound, and style at an incredible value.”: Gretsch unveils trio of limited edition Streamliner electrics that offer Bigsby wobble, semi and hollow-bodied rock ’n’ roll mojo for $699