Gibson Les Paul Custom

 
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2004 Gibson "Custom Shop" 
Les Paul Custom.
Nearly $1,000 less than "actual" street price.

This guitar is in 99% Mint Condition!
I am an experience guitar seller and I follow all grading criteria very carefully.
Grading details below.



Below is best online superstore price
Same at guitarcenter.com, musiciansfriend.com
 

 
Les Paul Custom
“Here is the ultimate in a solid body guitar … The Incomparable Les Paul Custom Guitar,” — Gibson catalog, circa mid-1950s
Today’s Les Paul Custom is based on the model from the mid-1950s, but with several modern appointments. The body is crafted with a hand-carved maple top, which is fitted to a body made from a solid piece of mahogany with strategically routed holes to lessen the weight of the guitar, resulting in a Les Paul with enhanced acoustic qualities and improved resonance. The 24 ¾-inch scale length neck is also made from one solid piece of mahogany then topped by a 22-fret ebony fingerboard outfitted with pearl block inlays and given Gibson’s traditional rounded profile. The pickups are Gibson’s 490R in the neck position, which offers the tonal characteristics of the original PAFs, and the 498T in the bridge position, which swaps the 490R’s Alnico II magnet for an Alnico V, thus making it slightly hotter with emphasis on mid-ranges and highs. Other appointments include Gibson’s legendary Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, metal tulip tuners, multi-ply white and black binding on both the top and back, gold hardware and a 1 11/16” nut width. The Les Paul Custom is available in Antique White, Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sun Burst, Wine Red and Silver Burst, and each guitar comes with the standard Gibson case.
 
 

I am a retired Cmdr. Navy Flight Officer
"Who cares stupid?"
Fair enough, but I just know that it's easier to read these ads when you know that everything is clear and true.
My buyers and fellow collectors know that nobody describes their guitars more fairly than I. If anything, I understate the condition of my guitars.

If you find a better bargain than this Historic Collectable; you can enter "peace of mind" into the equation.
Obviously, I am taking advantage of my life experiences and successes to separate myself from the
unknown qualities of other sellers.

Please read this before you bid. I want everything to be as clear as possible. This is a Custom Shop Les Paul Custom. This guitar is in '98-99% Mint Condition". I use the Fjestad Blue Book standards. Use the link below to see those standards.

The serial number CS42769 crosses to a 2004 model that looks nearly brand new. I am very careful to grade using standardized methods. "Mint" is a term that I treat with respect.
 
Hardware: All the hardware looks brand new. The pickup covers, bridge, tailpiece, and even the screws show no tarnish at all and are in perfect condition. The tuner buttons are the only pieces that appear to have been used. The tuners do not bind nor do they wiggle around in the bushings. The electronics are in perfect condition; no scratching when you switch or turn the knobs. The bridge operates perfectly and intonation is set. You can lower it to just off the frets without buzzing.

Frets: The fretboard seems unplayed and frets show no evidence of use.  
 
Finish: The finish is in near mint condition. You can to see perceptible sweeping brushes like left by a light brushing of a sleeve and two needle size nicks (very very tiny). There are no flaws that break the surface into the wood. Again; there is no buckle/button rash on the back. The back of the neck has minimal signs of use - played by an admirer of Gibson guitars more than a player.  Aesthetically; you will not be disappointed with this beautiful black treasure.  
 
Plastic covers: There aren't any scratches on any of the plastic covers. The originals were stored away for safe keeping and it was played with used covers. The plastic was kept on the pickup covers until recently - so the pickguard is perfect. Even the little round treble/rhythm ring looks brand new.  I know the previous owner very well and he treats everything with great care.

Allergies: I don't smoke and there are no pet hairs or smells.

Finally; if you find anything that isn't described to the best of my ability I will accept a return. I won't bother to pay for local repairs on your end.

To learn about condition grading and pricing in Fjestad's Blue Book of Electric Guitars...
click this blue text:
Search inside this book
Scroll sideways to pages 15 and 16

History

The introduction of the Les Paul Model in 1952 provided the fundamental template for the design of what would event—ually become the most revered stringed instrument in the world. Yet Gibson president Ted McCarty and the guitar’s namesake, Les Paul, also sought to introduce a “deluxe” version of the soon-to-be iconic model. The final design for the new Les Paul Custom was completed in early 1954, and the guitar made its official debut at the Chicago NAMM show in July 1954.

Initially, the goal had been to introduce the “deluxe” version in conjunction with the original 1952 Les Paul, yet Gibson’s drive to achieve excellence resulted in several unexpected delays. The final product, however, would eventually become Gibson’s top model in the original Les Paul line.

The 'Fretless Wonder'
The first version of the Les Paul Custom was nicknamed the “Fretless Wonder” for its low frets and “Black Beauty” for its rich, contrasting ebony color. It was also introduced at the same time as the Gibson Les Paul Junior and represented the ultimate in Gibson solid body design at the time, with an original price tag of just $325, which was $100 more than the regular Les Paul Model.

Aside from its obvious visual enhancements, the Les Paul Custom was the first Gibson guitar to offer the revolutionary ABR-1 Bridge, which was invented by McCarty. This pioneering achievement was a true revelation in intonation and remains one of the most revered and copied pieces of guitar hardware ever developed, setting a standard for simplicity and functionality that has never been bettered.

Other standard appointments included a thicker body design and seven-ply body binding on both the front and back of the guitar, along with a multi-bound headstock that featured a prominent five-piece split diamond patterned inlay of genuine mother of pearl – a design that still graces every Les Paul Custom made today.

Authentic tune-o-matic bridge with standard stop tailpiece
One of Gibson's many accomplishments in the 1950s was the development of the tune-o-matic bridge, which allowed for precise intonation of each and every string. Since then, millions of guitars have been built with variations on that theme. Though for a while, it seemed that the design for those original bridges might be gone. The majority of players will prefer this version which has the standard stud-mounted stop tailpiece, which helps produce the sustain Les Pauls have always been famous for.

Naturally, a guitar as special as this will come with a plush-lined hardshell case that befits its lofty status as one of Gibson's most amazing achievements (even if it wasn't apparent back then). So this one comes with a really sweet Gibson Hardshell case that will offer the ultimate protection of your investment for decades to come. The Reissue Custom also comes with a certificate of authenticity, which proves your good taste, as well as a custom care kit and other assorted "case candy."

Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Features:

•Color: Ebony
•Body Type: Solidbody
•Finish: Gloss
•Neck Wood: Mahogany
•Neck Shape: '50s rounded profile
•Top Wood: Mahogany
•Back Wood: Mahogany
•Side Wood: N/A
•Machine Heads: Vintage
•Scale Length: 24.75-inch
•Fingerboard: Ebony
•No. of Frets: 22
•Position Markers: Real pearl
•Pickups: Two BurstBucker
•Controls: Two volume, two tone
•Pickup Switching: Three-way toggle
•Bridge/Tailpiece: Tune-o-matic with stop tailpiece
•Hardware: Gold-plated
•Case: Gibson USA hardshell

 
ACCESSORIES INCLUDE:

Certificate of Authenticity + assorted other paperwork
Gibson Polish
Polishing Cloth
Gibson Picks
Extra Set of Guitar Strings
Heavy Duty String Winder

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FedEx Shipping* with full insurance is $47. 
*Alaska, Hawaii, FPO/APO, Canada and some International pay actual. International also pays $15 handing fee. 

I describe my guitars carefully and honestly in accordance with the Blue Books standards (see link above) so I will not accept returns unless you can demonstrate a significant discrepancy. I DO NOT allow buyers to 'try it out' and return it for no other reason than you have 'never played this model and it wasn't what you expected... uncomfortable to play... too heavy... or any other similar buyer regrets that have nothing to do with me or the item description