Meet “Whitey” – My Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute in Action
There’s something unforgettable about the bond between a guitarist and their instrument, and for me, that bond exists with Whitey—my Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute. Named for its clean, crisp tones and striking look, Whitey has accompanied me through countless performances, but none more memorable than at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi—a legendary venue steeped in blues history. The attached photo captures Whitey in action, delivering everything from smooth melodies to raw, overdriven power.
The Specs: What Makes Whitey Special
Whitey isn’t just any guitar. As a Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute, it’s designed to channel that classic Les Paul sound in a stripped-down, workhorse format. Here’s a breakdown of what makes this guitar a standout:
- Body: Mahogany
- Neck: Slim taper mahogany neck, incredibly comfortable and fast
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, with 22 frets
- Pickups: Dual P-90 single-coils. These give Whitey its distinctive voice—crisp, clean highs with a raw bite when driven hard.
- Bridge: Lightning Bar Wraparound bridge, for superb sustain and intonation
- Finish: A satin nitrocellulose lacquer, giving Whitey its distinctive vintage vibe
- Scale Length: 24.75″
- Controls: Two volume and two tone knobs, plus a 3-way toggle switch for versatile sound control.
The P-90 pickups are what really give Whitey its magic. They manage to balance smooth, bell-like clarity for clean tones while unleashing a gritty, white-hot distortion when pushed into overdrive.
The Sound: From “When You Were Mine” to “Beautiful Distraction”
On stage at Ground Zero, Whitey’s versatility was on full display. Playing the song “When You Were Mine,” Whitey handled the smooth, emotive melodies effortlessly, producing clean, ringing tones that blended perfectly with the band. Every chord shimmered, each note came through with clarity, and the dynamics were spot on.
But when we shifted to “Beautiful Distraction,” Whitey’s other side emerged. This guitar has a way of dialing in that perfect white-saturated distortion, creating a thick, creamy overdrive that still cuts through the mix. The P-90s added just the right amount of growl without ever sounding muddy, giving the performance an edge that pulled everyone into the music. Whitey nailed the balance—smooth and clean when needed, but able to get nasty with distortion that punches through.
Whitey and the Stage at Ground Zero
Playing at Ground Zero is always an experience. The atmosphere, the history, the audience—it all comes together in this iconic venue. But having Whitey in hand made this particular night something special. Whether I was laying down the intro for “When You Were Mine” or ripping through the solo in “Beautiful Distraction,” Whitey responded to every touch with precision.
There’s a reason the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute is a favorite among players—it doesn’t just look and sound great, it feels like an extension of you. And for me, Whitey will always be a part of those unforgettable performances at Ground Zero, cutting through the bluesy air with its perfect balance of smooth tones and raw power.
