Some guitars are rare. Others are legendary. And then there are those that have entered the realm of legendary objects surrounded by an almost mythical aura. This week’s selection continues with a Gibson Les Paul Snakepit!

The Slash Gibson Les Paul “Snakepit” clearly belongs in the category of extraordinary guitars. It is as fascinating for its appearance as it is for its history, and today it remains one of the most coveted guitars associated with Slash.

The Gibson Les Paul “Snakepit”: A Unique Creation by Slash

The story of this model begins in the late 1990s, when Slash asked Gibson to build a guitar that truly reflected his personality. The result was a one-of-a-kind Les Paul, created for his Snakepit project with a strong visual and sonic identity. At the time, Slash was emerging from his turbulent years with Guns N’ Roses and launching his first solo album with his new band, the renowned Slash’s Snakepit. As he himself said in an interview, “It’s a beautiful guitar. I only own one. It’s one of the best guitars I’ve ever used.” A statement that speaks for itself.

A Custom Shop Les Paul Produced in Only 100 Examples

What makes this guitar even more exceptional is its rarity. Produced by the Custom Shop between 1996 and 1998, the “Snakepit” was built in a total run of only 100 guitars. Needless to say, every time one appears on the market, it is an event.

Visually, this Les Paul is unlike any other. It features a Snakepit logo inlaid into the top, a mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlay depicting a snake, and a graphic identity that is instantly recognizable. In short, it is a guitar that never goes unnoticed and perfectly embodies Slash’s world during that period.

But beyond its looks, it is above all a player’s guitar. Slash himself describes its sound as rock-oriented, aggressive and immediate, with a perfect response from the very first notes. He still uses it regularly today, particularly for slide playing, thanks to an action that allows notes to ring out smoothly. The Snakepit is a versatile guitar, equally at home in traditional playing styles and more expressive approaches.

We recently had the privilege of offering and selling one of these Snakepit guitars. It was a memorable moment, as these instruments rarely appear on the market. And every time one does, the interest is immediate: collectors, fans, musicians… everyone knows what they represent. It is a truly unique guitar, and unquestionably one of the rarest guitars in Slash’s universe.