1996 Gibson Limited Edition Les Paul Standard 1957 Spec Gold Top

There's just something cool about chopper motorcycles and vintage hot rods—sometimes, the right parts come together to create something special, something with its own unique character. The same can be true of guitars, and these old "choppers" are great players that stand out on stage. In the right hands, these guitars inspire magic unlike standard factory specs. This is a Limited Edition Les Paul Standard 1957 Spec Gold Top made in 1996. We got this Les Paul from Drew Emmitt, who used it extensively on tour with Leftover Salmon. Drew needed a guitar that could cover a wider set list than most Les Pauls, so this gold-top features unique customizations that set it apart from the rest.  In particular, Drew is most familiar with the smooth, unfinished feel of the neck on his Nugget mandolin. This Les Paul originally had a '57-appropriate chunky neck profile, so Drew had Jon Eaton and Woodsongs Lutherie (Boulder, Colo.) carve a custom neck profile. It's now slimmer—more like a later LP