What's The Story?

Three new signature models for team Oasis. Valid instruments or another cash-in? Let's examine the evidence...

- Words Dave Burrluck

You don't need us to tell you that Oasis are once again the biggest guitar band in the world.

And, as with any touring band, merch is all a part of the income stream. It was probably one of the world's worst-kept secrets that Gibson would be offering an affordable Gibson USA version of the 25-only £17k Gibson Custom Noel Gallagher Les Paul that launched back in August and sold out immediately. More surprising, though, are the Epiphone artist models for Noel's bandmates: longtime Gallagher sideman Gem Archer and Oasis's original co-founder, Paul Benjamin 'Bonehead' Arthurs.

While those latter two Epiphones are based on guitars that both Gem and particularly Bonehead have used considerably over the years, Noel Gallagher's signature is the outlier: it's the standard production version of that Gibson Custom Les Paul purpose-designed for the reunion tour. We'll take a closer look at the backstory of these and other Oasis models later on, on page 98 - what we're concerned with here is, Oasis or not, are these any good?

Gibson Noel Gallagher Les Paul Standard

The backstory here might be more interesting than the guitar itself. Effectively, it’s a pimped version of the Les Paul Standard 50s P-90 with some chrome soapbar covers, a chromed jack plate (as used on numerous Modern Les Pauls) and toggle switch surround, a pickguard nicked from a Les Paul Custom, all completed by a set of black silver-topped reflector knobs and Noel’s preferred SlimTaper 60s neck profile. Job done.

In line with the other Les Pauls in the Original lineup, there's no weight relief, and this one - at a full-fat 4.56kg (10lb) - is almost a two-handed lift from its case. That aside, the black 'n' chrome scores plenty of rock 'n' roll points. It's a looker!