Posted by iBuyLesPaul.com
December 8, 2025
Every Les Paul owner does it.
One day you look at the guitar hanging on the wall and it just… has a personality. A soul. A name.
Some are funny, some are sentimental, some are straight-up legendary. But almost nobody buys a Les Paul and keeps calling it “The Tobacco Burst” forever.
Here are fifteen of the most famous nicknamed Les Pauls in history — plus the stories behind them that will make you want to finally give yours the name it deserves.
- “Pearly Gates” – Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) 1959 Sunburst bought for $250 from a Texas rancher. Named after the farmer’s car that the sale money helped fix.
- “The Beast” / “Old Black” – Neil Young 1953 Goldtop → black refinish → Bigsby → Firebird pickup in the neck. It’s been through three wars and still growls like Godzilla.
- “Number One” – Joe Bonamassa His first real Burst (1958). Simple, but it stuck.
- “Lucy” – George Harrison’s 1957 Les Paul Gifted to him by Eric Clapton in 1968. Bright red, hence “Lucy in the Sky…”.
- “The Old Lady” – Slash His main 1987 replica (built by Kris Derrig). He’s had it since before Appetite was even recorded.
- “Greeny” – Peter Green → Gary Moore → Kirk Hammett The out-of-phase magic 1959 Burst. Named simply because Peter Green liked the color of the back.
- “Cosmo” – Joe Perry’s main 1959 Burst Named after his cat that used to sleep on the case.
- “Sandy” – Duane Allman’s 1957 Goldtop Later converted to P-90s. Named after his dog.
- “Red Dog” – Warren Haynes His 1958 Burst with the cherry paint worn down to bare mahogany in the middle.
- “Goldie” – Keith Richards 1954 Goldtop he used on almost every Stones record from 1964–1970.
- “The Mule” – Joe Walsh 1960 Burst that sounded so stubborn and mean he called it The Mule.
- “Edna” – Eddie Van Halen’s red-and-white Frankenstrat Les Paul copy (He still named every guitar — this one after a tough aunt.)
- “Trigger” – Billy F Gibbons’ other 1959 No, that’s Willie Nelson’s Martin… but Billy jokes that his second favorite Burst is jealous and calls it “Trigger” too.
- “Rosie” – Ace Frehley His three-pickup 1970s Custom that survived the KISS fire in ’77.
- “Beano” – Eric Clapton’s stolen 1960 Burst Named after his habit of reading Beano comics while warming up backstage with John Mayall.
And then there are the everyday heroes we all have:
- “The Divorce Fund”
- “My Retirement Plan”
- “Don’t Touch Her”
- “Black Beauty” (every black Custom ever)
- “The Ex-Wife” (usually a weight-relieved model)
I’ll never forget my favorite Les Paul I purchased in 2023 — a 2002 R8 that had quite a few dings throughout. I named her “Two-Face” the day she arrived (If I ever post a pic you will get it, very few R8’s with a flame top. Against the grain I replaced the nut with TUSQ and locking TonePro bridge and saddle……If you know, you know). Still have her. Still call her that.
So… what’s yours called?
And if life happens and “Scarlett” or “Old Black Jr.” ever needs a new home… you already know where to find me. We will make sure her name gets carried on.
Rock on,
P.S. My current favorite from a customer last week: a 2012 Traditional named “Child Support.” I paid the guy fast and renamed her “Tuition Paid.” She’s happily touring with a new dad now.