Gibson Les Paul Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1957)
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Item # 11616
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Gibson Les Paul Model Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1957), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 7-3765, gold lacquer top, dark mahogany back and sides finish, mahogany body with maple top, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown hard shell case.
This is a beautiful second-owner example of one of the all-time classic solidbodies, the 1957 gold-top Les Paul Model. It remains nearly all original, well loved by one owner since the 1960s with an overfinish on the back only but otherwise unaltered including the fabulous early "pre-PAF" humbucking pickups. It's not a pristine example, but not whupped either and steeped in mojo for sure!
By early 1957 the addition of Seth Lover's then brand-new Humbuckers to the Les Paul "Regular" Model (re-designated "Standard" in 1958) completed its evolution into what many consider the greatest solid body ever. The following year the top would shuck the gold lacquer and adopt the iconic sunburst look. While not quite as rarefied as a collector's grail as the "Burst" the humbucker equipped Gold Top is the same instrument physically and actually quite a bit rarer with only an estimated 750 or so issued between early 1957 and mid-1958.
This guitar is a fairly early example of the then-newly re-equipped Les Paul model, with some distinctive features. The back and sides are finished darker than earlier versions, known as the "walnut" look. This is only seen around this time, additionally distinguished by black panels over the electronics cavities and a serial number stamped in yellow rather than black ink. As with earlier Les Paul's the pearl Gibson logo is positioned low on the headstock; this was changed later in the year to the more familiar spot nearer the peak. The Tune-O-Matic bridge is the earliest "no-wire" ABR-1 with metal saddles paired with the lightweight stop tailpiece.
The humbucking pickups themselves are the stuff of legend. These earliest versions do not have the famous "Patent Applied For" sticker on the bottom; that was added later in 1957. There are some small detail differences from subsequent versions but sonically these are among the most revered pickups ever made. This pair is original and sing as sweetly as one can imagine. The cream mounting hardware appeared around the time this guitar was made; some earlier versions have black plastic pickup rings and pickguard.
Other features are typical of '50s Les Pauls; the smaller headstock with "Les Paul Model" silkscreened on the face and single-ring Kluson deluxe tuners, bound rosewood fingerboard with pearloid trapezoid inlay and single bound gold lacquered top. This guitar has been in a single family since the late 1960s; it was played by one owner throughout the '70s and '80s and the second it is plugged in it pretty obvious why!
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 13 1/16 in. (33.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.)., 8.5 lbs.
This is a long-played but generally well cared for guitar; in one instance perhaps TOO well cared for. The finish on the gold top, dark sides and neck remains completely original but the back was painted over in a darker brown many decades ago, probably the result of the owner wanting to hide belt buckle wear. The original black back panels show scuffing around the edges from this process; we cannot tell if much of the original finish remains underneath but in any case this could be restored to the original appearance if desired; we have left it as is for now as part of the instrument's story.
The rest of the finish is completely unaltered, showing play wear overall. The top is better preserved than many, with typical checking and small dings and dents but less edge wear and "greening" than some. Below the switch is a discreet "tag fade" mark, more commonly seen on Sunbursts; this is where the dealer switch tag hung, blocking the sun when the guitar was originally displayed in a store window! The sides have their share of scratches, dings and dents; the back of the neck has a deep ding behind the 6th fret and a scrape behind the 11th but less finish worn away than one might expect. The headstock shops typical dings and chips and the "Les Paul' logo is intact but somewhat faded.
The hardware is all original except for the "rhythm/treble" switch ring, which is a correct but later part. The plating shows general wear with some corrosion especially to the pickup covers and bridge saddles. The PAF pickups and wiring are original and undisturbed except the jack has been re-soldered. The fragile original cream plastic jackplate is intact except the center hole is hogged out a bit and an internal washer has been added to secure the jack solidly.
The original thin wire frets are still intact; there is some wear and divoting to them and the fingerboard as might be expected but the guitar is fully playable. It sounds fantastic, as one would expect; the "Pre-PAF's' have a very versatile tone from warm purr to bright twang to flat out singing roar when pushed. There are many reasons why these guitars have been among the most desired solidbodies in history; picking this one up it's easy to see why. It still resides in the original pink-lined brown HSC, well worn and lightly stickered but fully functional. Some assorted mojo items including the original Tune-O-Matic instruction sheet, a 70's curly cord and more are in the pocket. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This is a beautiful second-owner example of one of the all-time classic solidbodies, the 1957 gold-top Les Paul Model. It remains nearly all original, well loved by one owner since the 1960s with an overfinish on the back only but otherwise unaltered including the fabulous early "pre-PAF" humbucking pickups. It's not a pristine example, but not whupped either and steeped in mojo for sure!
By early 1957 the addition of Seth Lover's then brand-new Humbuckers to the Les Paul "Regular" Model (re-designated "Standard" in 1958) completed its evolution into what many consider the greatest solid body ever. The following year the top would shuck the gold lacquer and adopt the iconic sunburst look. While not quite as rarefied as a collector's grail as the "Burst" the humbucker equipped Gold Top is the same instrument physically and actually quite a bit rarer with only an estimated 750 or so issued between early 1957 and mid-1958.
This guitar is a fairly early example of the then-newly re-equipped Les Paul model, with some distinctive features. The back and sides are finished darker than earlier versions, known as the "walnut" look. This is only seen around this time, additionally distinguished by black panels over the electronics cavities and a serial number stamped in yellow rather than black ink. As with earlier Les Paul's the pearl Gibson logo is positioned low on the headstock; this was changed later in the year to the more familiar spot nearer the peak. The Tune-O-Matic bridge is the earliest "no-wire" ABR-1 with metal saddles paired with the lightweight stop tailpiece.
The humbucking pickups themselves are the stuff of legend. These earliest versions do not have the famous "Patent Applied For" sticker on the bottom; that was added later in 1957. There are some small detail differences from subsequent versions but sonically these are among the most revered pickups ever made. This pair is original and sing as sweetly as one can imagine. The cream mounting hardware appeared around the time this guitar was made; some earlier versions have black plastic pickup rings and pickguard.
Other features are typical of '50s Les Pauls; the smaller headstock with "Les Paul Model" silkscreened on the face and single-ring Kluson deluxe tuners, bound rosewood fingerboard with pearloid trapezoid inlay and single bound gold lacquered top. This guitar has been in a single family since the late 1960s; it was played by one owner throughout the '70s and '80s and the second it is plugged in it pretty obvious why!
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 13 1/16 in. (33.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.)., 8.5 lbs.
This is a long-played but generally well cared for guitar; in one instance perhaps TOO well cared for. The finish on the gold top, dark sides and neck remains completely original but the back was painted over in a darker brown many decades ago, probably the result of the owner wanting to hide belt buckle wear. The original black back panels show scuffing around the edges from this process; we cannot tell if much of the original finish remains underneath but in any case this could be restored to the original appearance if desired; we have left it as is for now as part of the instrument's story.
The rest of the finish is completely unaltered, showing play wear overall. The top is better preserved than many, with typical checking and small dings and dents but less edge wear and "greening" than some. Below the switch is a discreet "tag fade" mark, more commonly seen on Sunbursts; this is where the dealer switch tag hung, blocking the sun when the guitar was originally displayed in a store window! The sides have their share of scratches, dings and dents; the back of the neck has a deep ding behind the 6th fret and a scrape behind the 11th but less finish worn away than one might expect. The headstock shops typical dings and chips and the "Les Paul' logo is intact but somewhat faded.
The hardware is all original except for the "rhythm/treble" switch ring, which is a correct but later part. The plating shows general wear with some corrosion especially to the pickup covers and bridge saddles. The PAF pickups and wiring are original and undisturbed except the jack has been re-soldered. The fragile original cream plastic jackplate is intact except the center hole is hogged out a bit and an internal washer has been added to secure the jack solidly.
The original thin wire frets are still intact; there is some wear and divoting to them and the fingerboard as might be expected but the guitar is fully playable. It sounds fantastic, as one would expect; the "Pre-PAF's' have a very versatile tone from warm purr to bright twang to flat out singing roar when pushed. There are many reasons why these guitars have been among the most desired solidbodies in history; picking this one up it's easy to see why. It still resides in the original pink-lined brown HSC, well worn and lightly stickered but fully functional. Some assorted mojo items including the original Tune-O-Matic instruction sheet, a 70's curly cord and more are in the pocket. Overall Excellent - Condition.