Gibson Unleashes the Mark Morton Signature Les Paul Modern Quilt

The Lamb of God guitarist partners with Gibson for a premium instrument that blends heavy metal aggression with modern ergonomic enhancements.

Gibson has officially announced the release of the Mark Morton Signature Les Paul Modern Quilt, a new electric guitar designed in collaboration with the driving force behind the heavy metal juggernaut, Lamb of God. Dressed in a striking Translucent Ebony Burst Satin finish, this signature model is engineered to bridge the gap between classic Les Paul aesthetics and the high-performance demands of modern thrash and groove metal.

For decades, Mark Morton has been celebrated for his razor-sharp solos and rock-solid rhythm work. This new release promises to bottle that “monstrous” tone into a consumer-ready package, featuring premium tonewoods, custom electronics, and structural updates designed for touring musicians.

A “Modern” Twist on a Classic Design

While the instrument maintains the iconic single-cut silhouette, Gibson has integrated features from their “Modern” line to address common player complaints regarding weight and upper-fret access.

The body features an AAA Quilted Maple top paired with a Mahogany body, with Ultra Modern weight relief. This construction method allows players to experience the legendary resonance and punch of a Les Paul without the backbreaking weight of vintage models—a crucial feature for marathon gigs and rehearsals.

Furthermore, the playability is tailored for technical precision. The guitar sports a Mahogany SlimTaper neck with a Modern Contoured Heel, providing effortless access to the highest frets. The fingerboard is crafted from Ebony with a compound radius and 22 medium jumbo frets, offering the sleek, fast feel required for complex metal riffing.

Custom-Voiced for Heavy Metal

The centerpiece of this signature model is the electronics package. The guitar is equipped with a set of Mark Morton Signature Humbuckers, purpose-built by the Gibson Pickup Shop to replicate Morton’s specific tonal requirements:

• The Rhythm Pickup: Utilizes moderate, PAF-style windings with a ceramic magnet. This combination provides clarity and definition, ensuring low-end riffs remain punchy rather than muddy.

• The Lead Pickup: Features hotter windings and a ceramic magnet, delivering the high output, presence, and “bite” needed for searing solos and high-gain aggression.

Both pickups are wired through hand-wired electronics featuring Orange Drop capacitors, ensuring reliable tone shaping across the volume and tone knobs.

Hardware and Aesthetics

Visually, the guitar embraces a “dark luxury” aesthetic. The Translucent Ebony Burst Satin nitrocellulose finish highlights the figuring of the quilt top, complemented by chrome hardware and black pickup rings.

Stability is ensured by Grover Rotomatic locking tuners with Keystone buttons, a Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, and a Graph Tech nut. As a final touch of exclusivity, the truss rod cover features Mark Morton’s signature, and the guitar ships with a Modern hardshell case and the guitarist’s preferred Stringjoy strings.

FAQ: Gibson Mark Morton Les Paul Modern Quilt

Q: Is the Mark Morton Les Paul heavy like traditional Les Pauls?

A: No. This model features “Ultra Modern weight relief.” Gibson removes strategic pockets of wood from the mahogany body to significantly reduce weight while maintaining the guitar’s acoustic resonance and sustain.

Q: What kind of finish is on the neck?

A: The neck (and body) features a Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish. Unlike gloss finishes, which can sometimes feel “sticky” under sweat, satin finishes generally offer a smoother, faster feel for the fretting hand.

Q: Are the pickups active or passive?

A: The Mark Morton Signature Humbuckers are passive. However, they use ceramic magnets and hotter windings in the bridge position to achieve high output levels similar to active pickups, but with the dynamic range of passives.

Q: Does this guitar come with a case?

A: Yes, the guitar includes a Gibson Modern Hardshell Case, along with a Gibson Accessory Kit.

Q: What is the benefit of the “Modern Contoured Heel”?

A: On a standard Les Paul, the neck joint is quite blocky, making it difficult to reach the 22nd fret comfortably. The contoured heel is shaved to fit the palm, making upper-fret access much easier for solos.

Our Verdict

The Gibson Mark Morton Signature Les Paul Modern Quilt represents a significant addition to Gibson’s Artist Collection.

By combining the visual elegance of a AAA quilt top with the ergonomic benefits of the Modern platform, Gibson has created a tool that is as comfortable as it is aggressive. For fans of Lamb of God, or any guitarist seeking a high-performance Les Paul with a distinct metal edge, this Translucent Ebony Burst Satin model sets a new standard for playability and tone.