Head to head
Gibson Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom, Ebony vs Gibson Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner, TV Yellow
The verdict
The Gibson Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom, Ebony and Gibson Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner, TV Yellow are closely matched overall — 78 to 76 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom, Ebony wins on
- Better sound (79 vs 71)
Gibson Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner, TV Yellow wins on
- Lower price ($15,999 vs $19,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom, Ebony | Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner, TV Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 78 | 76 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 79 | 71 |
| Value | 68 | 66 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom, Ebony | Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner, TV Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | One Piece Ultra-Light Weight Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Custombucker / Custombucker | Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound P-90 Soapbar Alnico 3 and Unoriented Alnico 5 Magnets 79 k DC Resistance / Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound Big Ed Patent Applied For Humbucker Alnico 2 Magnet 87 k DC Resistance |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $19,999 | $15,999 |
| Accessories | Certificate of Authenticity, Extra Pickguard Signed by Eric Clapton and Albert Lee, Custom Shop Switchplate Medallion in the Case | Certificate of Authenticity Box |
| Binding | Multi-ply Top, Back, and Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Master Artisan Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Les Paul | Theodore |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | Double Cut |
| Bridge | ABR-1; Screws Towards Neck | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic with Custom Dog Bone Base |
| Bridge pickup | Custombucker | Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound Big Ed Patent Applied For Humbucker Alnico 2 Magnet 87 k DC Resistance |
| Case | Custom Duck Brothers Case | Custom G&G Hardshell with Leo Scala Aged Hardware and Gold-Embroidered Gibson Logo Inside |
| Control Covers | Black Royalite; EC Signature Switch Plate Medallion Installed (Custom Shop Medallion in the Case) | Black |
| Control Knobs | True Historic Black Top Hat (No Dial Pointer) | Black Top Hat with Silver Insert and Dial Pointer |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone; CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper in Oil Capacitors | 2 Volume, 2 Tone; 50s-style Hand-wired with VIPots 550k Potentiometers and Bumblebee Capacitors |
| End Of Board Width | 56.89mm / 2.24in | — |
| Finish | Custom Murphy Lab Aged Gold | Master Artisan Aged Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | 1950s Pattern Mother of Pearl Block | Pearloid Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 22 | 22 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson Logo and Custom Split Diamond Inlay in Mother of Pearl | Custom Raised Aluminum Gibson Logo |
| Jack Plate Cover | Multi-ply Laminated Acrylic | — |
| Joint | Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit | Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit |
| Middle pickup | Custombucker Screw Side Towards Neck | — |
| Model | CSECB8MLAEBGH1 | CS-ART-106 |
| Mounting Rings | M69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate | Black (Humbucker) |
| Neck pickup | Custombucker | Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound P-90 Soapbar Alnico 3 and Unoriented Alnico 5 Magnets 79 k DC Resistance |
| Nut | Nylon | Nylon |
| Nut width | 42.86mm / 1.69in | 42.85mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Switchcraft | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | Multi-ply Laminated Acrylic | Custom Single Ply Black |
| Pickup Covers | Authentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver; Murphy Lab Aged | Black Soapbar (P-90), Aged Nickel (Humbucker) |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way Switchcraft | 3-way Switchcraft |
| Profile | Medium C | C |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Buttons | Black | 2 - Bottom and Upper Horn |
| Switch Tip | Cream | Cream |
| Switchwasher | True Historic Black | Leo Scala Custom Color-Infused |
| Tailpiece | Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar | Bigsby B7 Vibrato |
| Truss rod | Authentic 1950s No-Tube | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Authentic Stepped 2-Ply Les Paul Custom | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Custom Murphy Lab Aged Gold | Master Artisan Aged Nickel |
| Tuners | Grover Milk Bottle | Kluson Six In-Line with White Oval Button |
| Weight Relief | None | — |
| Headstock | — | Scimitar |
| Neck Finish | — | Leo Scala Custom Oiled |
| String gauges | — | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |