Earlier this week, the Gibson Custom Shop released details of a new Les Paul model dubbed the "Burstdriver." Posted on Gibson's website with a list price of $5,699, the new Les Paul model includes a built-in, analog overdrive effect.
As Gibson puts it on their product page, the Burstdriver is "A Premium Les Paul with a Powerful Secret."
The effect is engageable via a push-pull tone knob, while the controls for the effect can be found in a cavity on the back of the guitar. Gibson has not stated any specifics about the exact circuit being used, beyond calling it a "high-end analog overdrive pedal." No demo videos have been released at this point.
Gibson Custom "Burstdriver" Les Paul
Beyond the addition of the overdrive, the Les Paul Burstdriver follows standard Custom Shop Les Paul specs and will be available in three finishes: Smoky Quartz VOS, Havana Fade VOS, and Amber Ale VOS.
While the idea of a guitar with onboard effects goes back to at least the '60s, this appears to be a first for the Gibson Custom Shop. Some in the music gear community have already voiced skepticism about this new design, echoing the generally dismissive feedback seen with the release of the Gibson Modern Double Cut earlier this year.