The Timeless Masterpiece: Discovering the Les Paul Custom Egyptian Sands
The Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection unveils another astonishing work of guitar art crafted by the brilliant Rickie Hinrichsen.
Regular readers of the Gibson Gazette will be no strangers to Gibson Custom Master Artisan Rickie Hinrichsen, our creative-genius-in-residence and the craftsman behind some of the world’s most incredible art guitars. Earlier this year, Rickie helped celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s Declaration of Independence with a remarkable Puzzle guitar and amp set, while NAMM 2026 saw seven of his extraordinary creations light up the show, wowing guitar fans from across the globe.
Now, in celebration of the Grand Opening of the Gibson Garage Miami, Rickie has hand-carved another wonder of the guitar world. Read on to see more and find out about the inspiration behind the aesthetic.
An Exploration of Time and Ancient Craftsmanship
Available exclusively from the Miami Garage—sorry, it’s sold already!—Rickie describes the Les Paul Custom Egyptian Sands as an exploration of time.
"For thousands of years, artisans have carved their stories into stone," he says. "Images, symbols, and textures meant to endure long after their makers are gone. These works were never rushed. Every mark was intentional. Every surface carried meaning."
"With this instrument, I wanted to bring that same sense of permanence into wood. The body was hand-carved and inspired by the depth and storytelling of ancient Egyptian murals. Each line was shaped slowly, allowing the material to guide the process as much as the design itself. Subtle color was added to echo the way time softens and preserves, rather than covers."
Intricate Details and Fingerboard Narrative
"The fingerboard continues that language, with hand-burned markings that suggest a narrative without defining it and inviting the player to bring their own meaning to the instrument. Even the back of the guitar reflects this idea. Carved to resemble wrapped linen. A quiet nod to preservation of objects, of craft, and of stories."
"This piece is not meant to replicate the past, but to honor it. It is a reminder that, like the works that inspired them, instruments can carry more than sound. They can carry time, intention, and the mark of the hands that made them."
From a Small-Town Kid to a Master Artisan
Rickie grew up in a small town in Nebraska and was the kid in school who was always drawing. After moving to Nashville, he started working at Gibson, first as a binder, then in white wood and setup. One day there was a need to carve paisley on a guitar, and Rickie knew he could pull it off. He took the guitar home, bought three chisels, and got to work. He soon discovered that if he could draw it, he could carve it.
After completing that first guitar, Rickie started on another, and before long, he was offered a position as the Custom Shop’s in-house artist. As Rickie says, "They just let me run wild, and the ideas are still coming."
While his art guitars are museum-grade works of art, Rickie is also quick to point out that they’re fully functional musical instruments. "These guitars are all playable," he says. "Whether they’ll get played or not, I don’t know, but there is good mojo in them from start to finish. There is nothing in these guitars that isn’t made from pure joy. I hope they’ll bring joy to their new owners, too."
Technical Specifications of the Les Paul Custom Egyptian Sands Guitar
- Model: Gibson Custom Master Artisan Les Paul Custom Egyptian Sands
- Creator: Rickie Hinrichsen
- Location / Exclusivity: Gibson Garage Miami
- Body Material: Premium-grade wood, entirely hand-carved by the artisan with textures inspired by ancient Egyptian murals
- Back Design: Hand-carved to resemble the texture of wrapped vintage linen
- Fingerboard: Wooden fingerboard featuring unique artistic details and patterns created via hand-burning techniques
- Finish and Color: Special subtle color coating emphasizing material texture and the natural effect of aging and time
- Functionality: Fully functional professional concert-grade musical instrument featuring top-tier Gibson Custom hardware