🎸 Gibson and Mark Morton unveil the Les Paul Modern Quilt

A bold signature instrument built for modern metal and timeless tone

Gibson has officially announced the release of the Mark Morton Les Paul™ Modern Quilt, a striking new signature model developed in close collaboration with Mark Morton, the celebrated guitarist and co-founder of Lamb of God. This guitar represents a powerful evolution of the Les Paul legacy, merging classic heritage with a distinctly modern, heavy aesthetic and performance-driven design.

Renowned for his crushing riffs, intricate lead work, and unmistakable fusion of metal, thrash, and blues influences, Mark Morton has long been recognized as one of the defining voices of modern American heavy metal. His new signature Les Paul channels that fearless musical identity, delivering precision, authority, and uncompromising performance for players who demand excellence.

The Mark Morton Les Paul Modern Quilt is available worldwide through Gibson Garage locations and authorized Gibson Custom dealers.

“I wanted something that stayed true to the heritage and history of the Les Paul, but also looked undeniably heavy metal,” says Mark Morton.
“The quilted top and the Trans Black Satin finish felt dark and aggressive to me without being over the top. It still looks and feels like a Les Paul.”

Once the finish was finalized, attention turned to the finer details — hardware, plastics, and visual accents. According to Morton, numerous options were tested, with careful consideration given to every element.

“For me, it’s a bullseye,” he adds.

The guitar features 1960s-style control knobs, a subtle nod to the classic John Sykes model from years past. A contoured heel allows for effortless access to the upper frets, while the ebony fingerboard offers a fast, responsive feel. The Slim Taper neck profile was a critical choice for Morton, providing the comfort he values most.

Discussing the electronics, Mark Morton highlights the uniqueness of the pickups:

“These pickups are exclusive to this guitar. They’re brand-new Gibson designs, and I worked very closely with Jim DeCola, Gibson’s master luthier, and the Gibson Pickup Shop to create them.”

Both humbuckers utilize ceramic magnets, but each serves a distinct purpose. The neck pickup features a more conservative output, allowing for cleaner tones and controlled dynamics when rolling back the volume. The bridge pickup, by contrast, delivers searing high output — a true flame thrower capable of massive gain, yet responsive enough to dial back into a tight crunch.

Developing the pickups was an iterative process. Morton tested multiple prototypes not only in the studio but also on tour, putting them through real-world performance conditions onstage.

“The Les Paul is an iconic instrument and a vital piece of music history. Being associated with that legacy is one of the greatest honors of my career,” says Mark Morton.
“I loved every part of developing this guitar, and I’m incredibly proud of the final result.”

Designed for comfort and expression, the guitar features a AAA quilted maple top paired with a mahogany body utilizing Gibson’s Ultra Modern Weight Relief, delivering rich resonance with reduced weight for extended performances. The mahogany neck with a SlimTaper™ profile and Modern Contoured Heel ensures smooth upper-fret access, while the ebony fingerboard sports a compound radius, 22 medium jumbo frets, and mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays for a refined playing experience.

Finished in Translucent Ebony Burst Satin, the guitar’s bold look is enhanced by chrome hardware, Grover® Rotomatic® locking tuners, black rings with chrome trim, and a truss rod cover bearing Morton’s signature.

At its core are two exclusive Mark Morton signature humbucker™ pickups, handcrafted by the Gibson Pickup Shop. The rhythm pickup delivers clarity and punch with Patent Applied For-style windings, while the lead pickup offers higher output and added presence. Each pickup is wired to independent volume and tone controls with Orange Drop® capacitors and a three-way selector switch for exceptional tonal flexibility.

Every guitar ships in a modern hardshell case and includes a premium accessory kit, along with a set of Stringjoy® Mark Morton Artist Series Signature Electric Guitar Strings. The result is an instrument built for the world’s biggest stages, yet refined enough for the most demanding studio sessions.

The Mark Morton Les Paul Modern Quilt stands as a testament to Morton’s artistry and Gibson’s dedication to inspiring instruments. Built for players who push boundaries, it delivers power, finesse, and unmistakable character worthy of one of metal’s most influential guitarists.

Meanwhile, Lamb of God have announced Into Oblivion, their first full-length album in four years, set for release on March 13 via Epic Records, accompanied by a new music video for the title track.

The 10-song album finds the band fully embracing their role as modern metal veterans — reconnecting with their roots, refining their signature groove, and expanding their sonic palette with creative freedom. Directed by Tom Flynn and Mike Watts, the title track’s video channels the band’s trademark aggression through psychologically charged lyrics and relentless intensity.

Mark Morton describes the album as a return to unpressured creativity, while vocalist Randy Blythe frames its themes around the accelerating breakdown of the social contract.

Ahead of the announcement, Lamb of God previewed the album with two blistering singles: Sepsis, a nod to the early ’90s Richmond underground scene that shaped the band’s origins, and Parasocial Christ, a three-minute blast of classic Lamb of God ferocity. Produced and mixed by longtime collaborator Josh Wilbur, Into Oblivion was recorded across locations central to the band’s identity — drums in Richmond, guitars and bass at Morton’s home studio, and Blythe’s vocals at the legendary Total Access Recording in Redondo Beach. The result is a record that feels both intentional and untethered, reaffirming Lamb of God’s place at the forefront of heavy music.