Zakk Wylde discusses inspiration behind the bullseye finish on his famous "Grail" Les Paul Custom, claiming it was intended to mimic the style of Randy Rhoads, thus firmly establishing his unique signature style.
In the world of modern rock and metal, few electric guitars are as instantly recognizable as Zakk Wylde's Gibson Les Paul Custom, often referred to as "the Grail." This iconic instrument, known for its cream-and-black bullseye finish, is a defining image of Ozzy Osbourne's No More Tears era. But the bullseye graphic was not part of the original plan.
After recording No Rest for the Wicked, Wylde felt his plain cream Les Paul Custom looked too much like the late Randy Rhoads’ similar cream-colored guitar. To distinguish himself, he sent the guitar out for a distinctive refinishing, asking for circular designs inspired by the poster for Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 film Vertigo. However, a mix-up during the refinishing process resulted in a bullseye pattern, a far cry from the infinitely more complicated design Saul Bass created for the film poster.
The guitar was originally a 1981 Les Paul Custom owned by a friend before Wylde acquired it with Gibson's support as he rose to prominence. In a deal with Scott Quinn, Wylde traded his Les Paul Custom for a double-neck guitar, the details of which are now unknown.
Wylde was astounded by the sound and playability of the Les Paul Custom when he first plugged it into his Marshall combo. The guitar already had EMG active humbucker pickups, a feature that added to its appeal. Over the years, Wylde has made the bullseye graphic finish a leitmotif of his guitars, creating signature models with the design.
The bullseye finish became a defining image during Wylde's era with Ozzy Osbourne, ultimately becoming his trademark look. Today, the Gibson Les Paul Custom stands as one of the most iconic electric guitars in modern rock and metal history.
[1] Goldmine Magazine. (2010, February 1). Zakk Wylde: The Les Paul Custom Story. Retrieved from https://www.goldminemag.com/features/zakk-wylde-the-les-paul-custom-story/
[2] Guitar World. (2013, December 4). Zakk Wylde's Bullseye Les Paul Custom: The Story Behind the Iconic Guitar. Retrieved from https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/zakk-wylde-bullseye-les-paul-custom-story-behind-iconic-guitar
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