Few modern Gibson releases have inspired the same level of admiration—and obsession—as the original 2019 Les Paul Custom Bats in Flight. Coveted by collectors and nearly impossible to find, its brief appearance only intensified the mystique. Now, the legend returns. Revived through a collaboration between Guitar Center and the Gibson Custom Shop, the Les Paul Custom Bats in Flight brings that dark elegance back with a dramatic expansion into four striking finishes—each showcasing a hand-selected 4A flame maple top framed in full abalone binding. The ebony fingerboard takes flight with shimmering mother-of-pearl bat inlays that continue onto the headstock, reinforcing this instrument’s unmistakable identity. A long-tenon mahogany neck provides the foundation for premium playability, while Custom Shop 490R and 498T humbuckers unleash the unmistakable power of a Les Paul Custom. Exclusive, elevated and engineered to perform, this limited-run revival makes one thing clear: the Bats in Flight legacy has only grown stronger.

4A Flamed Maple Top With Expanded Finish Options

This latest Bats in Flight release raises the visual stakes with a premium 4A flamed maple top chosen for its intense figure and depth. Each of the four gloss finishes—Dark Orange Burst, Dark Red Burst, Dark Purple Burst and Dark Blue Burst—creates a vivid contrast against the guitar’s darker elements, enhancing the drama of the wood beneath. A solid mahogany body shapes the unmistakable resonance and midrange authority that define the Les Paul Custom, while full abalone binding outlines the top in iridescent brilliance. Stunning from every angle, this instrument embodies the rarefied beauty expected from the Gibson Custom Shop.

Long-Tenon Mahogany Neck With Ebony Fingerboard and Mother-of-Pearl Bat Inlays

A long-tenon mahogany neck ensures rock-solid stability, enhanced sustain and a commanding transfer of energy between neck and body. The smooth ebony fingerboard offers a fast, precise feel under the fingers, while a 12" radius and medium-jumbo frets strike the perfect balance for expressive bends and articulate phrasing. Elegant binding frames the signature mother-of-pearl Bats in Flight inlays, turning the fingerboard into a show-stealing centerpiece. From headstock to heel, every detail tells the story: premium craftsmanship meets gothic sophistication.

Custom Shop 490R and 498T Humbuckers for Bold Les Paul Tone

Updated for this release, the electronics package features a pair of Custom Shop 490R and 498T humbuckers—balancing expressive warmth with modern aggression. The 490R in the neck delivers smooth, vocal sustain and rounded lows, while the 498T drives the bridge position with heightened output, tight low end and sharp midrange bite. With independent volume and tone controls plus a three-way switch, this Les Paul Custom adapts seamlessly from atmospheric cleans to high-gain theatrics. It’s a sound every bit as bold as its appearance.

Iconic Bats in Flight Style and Premium Gibson Hardware

The Bats in Flight theme extends across every premium detail, from the bound head veneer to the bold insignia that crowns the headstock. Classic black Witch Hat knobs, a multi-ply Les Paul Custom pickguard and elegant nickel hardware complete the aesthetic—balanced, refined and unmistakably high end. Grover Kidney tuners deliver rock-solid tuning accuracy, while the Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece ensure reliable intonation and sustain under stage lights or studio scrutiny.

The Les Paul Custom Bats in Flight: The Return of a Modern Legend

More than a revival, the Les Paul Custom Bats in Flight represents the evolution of a fan-favorite Custom Shop masterpiece. Exclusive to Guitar Center and built for those who appreciate an instrument with a touch of supernatural mystique, it pushes the signature Bats in Flight aesthetic into bold new territory while honoring the original’s legacy. Limited, highly collectible and unapologetically dramatic, this Les Paul Custom is ready to dominate the stage with its shadowy presence. Secure yours before these bats do their next disappearing act.