Posted by iBuyLesPaul.com
December 15, 2025
If you’ve been hunting for a Les Paul that plays, feels, and sounds like a vintage ’59 Burst — but don’t have $400,000 lying around — let me put you onto the best-kept secret in the Les Paul world right now: the 1996 Ebony Standard.
Yes, the black one.
Everyone scrolls past the ebony guitars looking for honeybursts and tobaccos, and that’s exactly why these ’96 Ebony Standards are still flying under the radar… and still (relatively) affordable.
This Is Peak “Good Wood Era”
Gibson historians and hardcore players call 1995–1999 the Good Wood Era for a reason. During these years, Gibson USA had access to absolutely stunning, old-growth Honduran mahogany and some of the best Eastern maple tops they’ve ever used on production guitars.
We’re talking:
- Lightweight bodies (most 1996 Standards weigh 8.6–9.4 lbs)
- Beautifully quartered mahogany
- Flame and quilt tops that absolutely explode under that deep ebony finish when the stage lights hit
The ebony finish actually hides how figured the top is in normal light — until you tilt it and BAM — 3D flames pop out like crazy. Players who know call them “stealth flames.”
Specs That Still Make Tone Nerds Drool in 2025
- Classic ’50s rounded neck profile (not too baseball-bat, not too slim)
- Long neck tenon (yes, the good one — same as ’50s originals and modern Historics)
- 490R / 498T pickups — the sweet spot many players prefer over BurstBuckers
- One-piece mahogany back, bookmatched maple top, rosewood board
- Kluson-style single-ring tuners
These are the exact specs Gibson now charges $6,000–$10,000+ for in the Custom Shop Historic line. In 1996, this was just a regular production Standard.
The Pickup Myth That Actually Works in Your Favor
A lot of people think “BurstBuckers started in 1999–2000, so earlier is better.” Not quite.
The 490R/498T combo in ’96–’99 guitars is legendary. The 490R neck is warm and vocal, the 498T bridge has just enough bite without being ice-picky like the earlier 500T. Tons of pros (including session monsters in Nashville) still swear these are the best humbuckers Gibson ever put in a production Les Paul.
What They Sell For Right Now (Late 2025)
Clean, original examples with strong flame/quilt showing through the black:
- $2300 – $2500 all day long
- Exceptional figured tops or sub-9 lb examples: $2750 – $3000
That’s close to a brand-new 2025 Les Paul Standard, and in many players’ hands, the ’96 smokes the new ones.
The One You Don’t Let Get Away
I’ve seen players sell Custom Shop R8s and R9s just to keep their ’96 Ebony Standard. That’s not hype — that’s real talk in Les Paul circles.
If you ever see a clean 1996 Ebony Standard with:
- Big visible flame or quilt under the black
- Under 9.5 lbs
- Original frets in great shape
- No breaks or repairs
…buy it immediately. You will not regret it. These are the “unicorns” that people refuse to sell ten years from now.
Ready to Sell Yours or Hunting for One?
If you have a 1996 Ebony Standard you’re thinking about moving, we’d love to make you a strong, instant cash offer — no fees, no waiting, no lowballers. We know exactly what these are worth because we’re Les Paul fanatics too.
Or if you’re looking for the perfect one, contact us and we’ll notify you the second a killer ’96 Ebony comes through.
Either way — don’t sleep on these. The secret’s getting out.
Rock on,
The iBuyLesPaul.com Team
We Buy, Sell, and Obsess Over Les Pauls Daily
Want us to buy your Les Paul fast? Get an instant offer here → www.ibuylespaul.com