*This is a vintage guitar in very good condition
*This is a consignment item
*Includes Gibson gig bag
*Observations:
PLEASE NOTE: All of the background on this guitar is accurate to the best of our knowledge and the information provided to us by its previous owners.
What we have here is a Gibson Les Paul built in either 1955 or 1956 that originally sported a gold-top finish and P-90 pickups but was "converted" to a Burst at some time in its life. These conversions were common back when mid-'50s gold tops were not particularly sought after but late-'50s sunburst Les Pauls were becoming more and more desirable. The guitars' gold top finishes were stripped, the pickup cavities were re-routed to accept humbucking pickups, and sunburst finishes were applied, making them an exciting alternative to the much more expensive late-'50s sunburst Les Pauls.
This one is a very playable example with an interesting history. It was originally built in either 1955 or 1956 as a gold top with P90s. It appears that this one had a tune-o-matic bridge and a stop tail bar as original equipment, as there are no signs of modification to the body apart from the P90 routs being filled in and re-cut for humbuckers. According to Abalone Vintage in Lexington, South Carolina, who sold this guitar a few years ago, this guitar had its neck replaced by Gibson in 1968, so the original serial number was lost in the process and a new one was lightly embossed. Sometime after this was done, the "Burst conversion" was performed and the guitar was modded for humbuckers and refinished.
Condition is overall very good. The top has been refinished in an attractive faded cherry sunburst, while the back and neck were finished quite dark in almost a tobacco burst. There is playing wear on all the surfaces in the form of light scratches, scuffs, and small dings and dents. There is also a good amount of finish wear on the back edges and some heavy buckle rash on the back. There is a repaired crack at the neck / headstock joint and a repaired headstock crack which necessitated having the headstock's faceplate replaced and a new nylon nut being installed. A set of vintage Grover tuners is currently installed and they are in good working order. The frets are worn down a little low and there are some very light indentations in the cowboy chord area but playability is still good.
The pickups are a great-sounding set of Virgil Arlo 1959 humbuckers and the bridge and tailpiece are high quality modern replacements by Faber Germany. The electronics have been replaced with a modern switch and pots, with what looks like an old set of Sprague tone capacitors. Everything works well and sounds great.
$19,999 plus $250 for shipping (consignment item)
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS AT (512) 243-6036 OR Sales@AustinGuitarHouse.com
