Gibson Les Paul Ultima Tree of Life

I've played my friend's and it was AMAZING! I wanted to order it but I can't find ANYWHERE where I can purchase it. Does anyone know where I can?? If you do, email me. My address is lj.soccer.23@hotmail.com ! HELP!

Well, for those of us willing to go to ANY length to play, you know, a guitar, I'd say the pearl tuners and gold finish of the Ultima more-than-meet my high standards... I mean, when I'm gigging on Letterman I might feel a little odd about it, since it's lighter than my non-F-Hole PRS Dong III, but this guitar has FEATURES.

Well, Leno and Letterman both agreed: this guitar has SOUND. I might get good tone out of my Fender Dick Dale Stratocaster or my Les Paul Fantastics, but the Tree of Life is the king of 'em all. As I always say, those of us who can afford to live a little shouldn't "settle".

My Ultima Tree of Life is perfectly set up. After a few trips to the "doctor" (prior to an appearance on Letterman) this baby played like a charm. I'm not too worried about bracing and fretware, because this is mainly the sort of guitar I use to astound cornered visitors in my guitar dungeon.

Well, if Leno calls me in for a gig, I might CONSIDER dragging my Ultima along with me, but honestly, unless I'm jamming with Steven (Tyler) or Bill (Clinton) on the National Mall this guitar stays in my basement where it belongs.

Huh?

I consider myself primarily a keyboardist/synthesysist, but am passionate about guitars sa well, mainly PRS and vintage Les Pauls. I am a douchebag.

This is Gibson's Crown Jewel, the Les Paul Ultima with MOP & ABALONE TREE OF LIFE INLAY, simply about the fanciest inlay I have ever seen on a guitar. The inlay work is meticulous. Hollow Sound Chambers, astounding amber quilt top with abalone binding on body, neck and headstock. Ultra-fancy shell tuners, gold hardware, custom shop case. Seeing this axe is a reminder that Gibson has been making high-end guitars for a very long time and it really shows in this instrument. Even the quality of the mahogony used in the back and neck is such a gorgeous grain. As for looks, this guitar puts my PRS Artists IIs and III's to shame and it should saince it lists for over $11,000. Les Paul style switching, 57 classic pus? I think. Slimmer neck profile (narrower than a 60 neck but deeper like an Elegant). This one is EXTREMELY LIGHT - under 8 lbs.

At first I wasn't sure about the tone of this guitar due to the hollow chambers, but it has grown on me considerably. It does NOT sound like a Les Paul Elegant which is somewhat indistinct, rather, the Ultima has a warm tone that you would come to expect from a Historic. I compare many guitars for tone, but in so doing have come to appreciate that going between the same model with 10's or 9's can play a HUGE difference in what you hear. 10's have beef and a warm depth but lack some of the clarity of 9's, still, 9's can be shrill. Factoring that in, since the Ultima is set up with '9s I gave my amp a bit more volume and hark - warmth, definition and balls. I don;t get it, the Elegant is so flat sounding due to tone chambers but the Ultima has a singing voice and enough presence in the lead position to make you wince. This is definitely a Les Paul.

Set up is great. Pick-ups are something I think you have to play with a bit to get the right height relationship - seems I am always raising or lowering a pickup ever so slightly on all of my axes. The top is beyond bookmatched, simply stunning quilt every bit as nice as a PRS Artist and consistent from side to side. This guitar is so fine that it scares me to play. The tuners seem so delicate and valuable - yikes! No flaws. However, the neck is a smaller profile than an elegant and I have been playing 59 Historics lately so it seems a little crowded. Don't have enough time in on the Ultima yet primarily because I just get so nervous -now there's irony for you. Even my friends keep their hands in their pockets when this guitar is around. It could easily inspire murder or mayhem. Get insurance!

If you are into flaunting wealth at the expense of a finish and gold hardware, sure take this thing out live. If I got a gig on Letterman or Leno I'd take it, otherwise, I'll keep it safe and pristine to dazzle and amaze others for a lifetime. An instrument this fine usually makes a player act like he's handling nitro-glycerine. Once you get over that, it is as durable as any semi-hollow body non-F hole instrument, except the tuners are extremely delicate due to the fact that they are made of pearl.

Never tried. Sounds foreboding.

I've played for a quite a few years and am a professional drummer/synthesist but guitars are my passion. I have an Ibanez JEM 10, JEM 90, Les Paul 59 Historics, PRS Artists III, Fender Dick Dale Strat, Les Paul Elegant and the Ultima. The Ultima is the lightest guitar I own and still extremely warm and cutting. It is so beautiful that you will find yourself overcome with fantasies about it including whatever it takes (bank robbery included) to make it yours! Guitars of this caliber are for those of us who can justify such a large expense. That's why there are so few of them and why they retain their value. Truly artwork that plays and sounds tremendous!