Di Meola's Elegant Gypsy '71 Custom

[jb_abides]

Ordered from Manny's while still in high school.

Removed Bigsby, Varitone.

Repainted, later installed DiMarzios and coil tap.

Funnily enough, I hadn’t played the guitar since the end of the ’70s, but I picked it up a few years ago and was blown away, so it ended up on my Beatles tribute album, Across The Universe, which came out in 2020. As for other Les Pauls, I’m using a reissue 1959 Standard quite a lot right now. I have a real ’59 as well, but I don’t like taking it out. The reissue sounds great, though! It’s pretty light and the sound is sweet. The 1971 Custom, however, is obscenely heavy and growls like nothing else. ​

Al Di Meola on Gibson Les Pauls: “My 1971 Custom is obscenely heavy and growls like nothing else”

The maestro of jazz-rock discusses his relationship with the iconic Gibson single-cut, and the man who designed it

www.guitarworld.com

Also discusses friendship with Les.

After surviving a heart attack, Al's been playing it live on his 'Electric Years Tour', lots of YT clips out there:

 

[charliechitlins]

An old friend of mine hangs with Al regularly and recently warmed up for him at a couple Long Island gigs.
I assume he's checked out the guitars in question.

 

[lure555]

I can't wait to see him when he hits Chicago next month.

 

[NickiC]

I have an old friend that was his tech, maybe still is. Haven’t talked to him or his brother in years, I still have some of their gear and him some of mine