Gibson Les Paul Custom

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Here for auction is an extremely rare if not one of a kind vintage Les Paul custom guitar. Rumors abound about Gibson using a few leftover 1950’s bodies when they started reproduction of the Les Paul series in 1968, after discontinuing it in early 1960. This particular guitar seems to be one of those highly sought after examples.  Read on……………

With serial number 556xxx, this guitar was released in early January 1969, but was obviously assembled in 1968 as it has all the earmarks of the 1968 model, i.e., a one piece neck, one piece body, long neck tenon, dot over the ‘i’ in the Gibson headstock logo, and one feature many aficionados don’t realize is a tell tale mark of 1968 production, larger, tortoise shell inlays for the dot markers on the side of the neck. In the 1969 models these dots were smaller and black. In the photo you can clearly see the tortoise shell. The units made and assembled from early 1969 onward had 900 series serial numbers and three piece necks, soon followed in the decline of quality by three piece pancake bodies. As in all 1968 models, the bridge screws  in this guitar up for auction screw straight into the wood on the face, with no metal stud inserts as in the 1969 models. This also makes for superior tone and lighter weight.

Now to the interesting part. All 1968 models had a two piece center seamed top. Customs in the 1950’s, however had solid tops. This model is one solid piece of wood just as the 1950’s bodies. Also, 1950’s bodies were a tad thinner than the 1960’s models. To quote from the book ‘The Gibson’ (1996 Rittor Music, Inc.) page 77, “the 1968 Custom model was introduced about the same time (mid 1968) but it had a bookmatched maple top……………however the tone was a bit different from the original (1950’s) version because………the thickness of the body increased by between .075 inch and 0.12 inch. In 1969, a thin maple veneer 0.04 inch was inserted between the top and the back…….due to this, the thickness of the body increased again a little bit.”

The body thickness of this Custom is 1 and 7/8 inch, 1950’s proportions and just a little less than the thicker 1 and 15/16 of the 1968-69 model. This, and the solid one piece topping satisfy me that this is an example of the leftover 1950’s body Les Paul lovers speak of, and it does have the expected tone of the fifties. It is exceptionally light at just a hair under nine pounds. The pots read 1376852, the 52nd week of 1968. The black patent sticker pickups read 7.3 bridge and 7.7 neck and sound astounding.  The gold has been worn smooth on both pickups but they still have a gold glint and look great. As seen in the photos, the gold has been worn smooth on the bass side of the tailpiece and is somewhat flaking in other spots, and flaking on the bridge as well. This all gives that great vintage look players love. The black finish is in good shape overall, but there are various dings etc, and the rear of the body has taken the most abuse, probably from those huge 1970’s belt buckles; the worming is pretty heavy as seen in the photos, but nothing through to the wood. There is however one decent sized ding to the wood, close to the control cavity as shown. There is some smooth wear to the wood in two places at the horn, as shown. The tuners are in great shape with no flaking of the gold to speak of. The gold has worn off most of the numbers on the volume knobs, mostly intact on the tone knobs, and the volume and tone buttons are really in good shape. She has been refretted with medium jumbo frets and plays and sounds just absolutely amazing. The strap buttons are repros and the screws attaching the back cover plates have been replaced, as the originals were in too bad shape to keep. The original yellow lined case is in great shape and all latches work, handle has been replaced. The original pick guard, removed for photos, and screws come included. The neck and headstock are solid and clean, no breaks or repairs.

All in all this is an amazing instrument and anyone who plugs it in will not want to put it down; even unplugged, it rings and sings with clarity and depth, much resonance and tone because of its solid top 1950’s construction. There were only 433 Customs released in 1868 and as you know they are hard to come by. I’ve been lucky enough to own several and this is the only one I’ve ever seen with a solid top and 1950’s body specifications. Don’t let it slip away!

Buyer is responsible for all actual shipping/handling and insurance costs. Payment must be received in seven (7) days or item will be relisted with a negative feedback. I’ve happily shipped vintage Les Pauls to England, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and Japan. NO INDONESIAN BIDDERS, SORRY, BUT DO NOT ASK.

As always, guitar may be viewed in person or picked up in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

See my 100% positive feedback and bid with confidence on this unique and one of a kind vintage Gibson.