For most guitarists, a Gibson Les Paul Custom is the “holy grail.” But what happens when you take that iconic 1968 “Black Beauty” foundation and hand it over to a Master Artisan with a chisel and a dream?
You get the Gibson Custom “Bugs and Leaves” Les Paul Custom Art—a one-of-a-kind heirloom that stole the show at NAMM 2026. Originally selected by the Sweetwater team for its breathtaking detail, this isn’t just a guitar; it’s a $64,999.00 objet d’art that bridges the gap between Nebraska summer nights and legendary Nashville craftsmanship.
A Pastoral Tapestry in Ebony and White
The first thing you notice about the “Bugs and Leaves” is the contrast. Against a deep, black-as-night ebony finish, Master Artisan Rickie Hinrichsen has laid out a living tapestry of hand-drawn white illustrations.
The motif is deeply personal, inspired by Hinrichsen’s childhood in Nebraska. It captures the essence of endless summer nights—fireflies, crawling insects, and the organic flow of nature.
Hidden Surprises (The “Easter Eggs”)
In true artisan fashion, the more you look, the more you find. Rickie is known for hiding “Easter eggs” in his builds to keep the player engaged. If you’re lucky enough to hold this instrument, keep an eye out for:
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The Moon: The switch plate cleverly disguises itself as a glowing lunar orb.
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The Secret Resident: A tiny mouse hiding on the rear of the cutaway.
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The Artist’s Mark: Hinrichsen’s monogram, fashioned into a small bug on the neck heel.
1968 Heritage Meets Modern Art
While the visuals are avant-garde, the bones of this guitar are pure vintage gold. Built on the coveted 1968 Les Paul Custom platform, it honors a pivotal year in Gibson history—the era that bridged the gap between original 1950s specs and the 1970s “Norlin” period.
Technical Specifications:
| Feature | Specification |
| Body Material | Solid Mahogany w/ 2-piece Plain Maple Top |
| Neck Profile | 1968 Medium C-shape |
| Fingerboard | Bound Ebony with MOP Block Inlays |
| Pickups | ’68 Custom Aged Humbuckers |
| Hardware | Custom Black Chrome |
| Special Extra | Custom leather strap by Hadlock Designs |
The sound is just as refined as the look. The ’68 Custom Aged humbuckers provide that articulate, punchy “snap” that made the original ’68s famous among rock royalty.
Meet the Artisan: Rickie Hinrichsen
The story of the “Bugs and Leaves” is also the story of Rickie Hinrichsen’s rise within the Gibson Custom Shop. After 14 years at the “Nashville Craftory,” Rickie transitioned from a binder to a Master Artisan through a stroke of unexpected genius.
Tasked with hand-carving a paisley design despite no formal training, Rickie bought three chisels and realized a simple truth: If he could draw it, he could carve it.
Today, the Gibson Custom Shop gives him the freedom to “run wild,” and the “Bugs and Leaves” is the pinnacle of that creative liberty. As Rickie puts it, the design emerged organically from hand-drawn binding lines that eventually “resembled leaves,” proving that sometimes the best art isn’t planned—it’s discovered.
Is This the Ultimate Collector’s Piece?
With a price tag of $64,999.00, the “Bugs and Leaves” Les Paul is destined for a world-class collection or a museum glass case. It serves as a high-fidelity reminder that even in the world of precision-engineered instruments, there is still room for the whimsical, the hand-drawn, and the wonderful.
Whether you view it as a musical instrument or a masterpiece of visual art, one thing is certain: there will never be another one like it.
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