Back to the main page Back to category Gibson Les Paul 1956 Goldtop Ele

musical instrument details

Gibson Les Paul 1956 Gold Top Vintage All Original Guitar Holy Grail

Estimated price for orientation: 32 000 $

Category: Gibson Les Paul 1956 Goldtop Ele
Class:











Description
Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Gibson
Dexterity: Right-Handed Body Type: Solid
Body Color: Gold Model: Gibson Les Paul 1956 Original Vintage
Body Material: Solid Wood String Configuration: 6 String
Model Year: 1956 UPC: Does not apply


A 1956 Original Tune-O-Matic Les Paul Standard Gold Top Refinished by famous luthier Tom Murphy. I show some pictures of the guitar before it was refin by Tom Murphy and the pictures of how the guitar looks like right now after the refin work. The last three pictures: The cavity with ALL the ORIGINAL electronics, the ALL ORIGINAL P90´s pic and finally the pic of the back of the headstock so that you can check the serial # of this beauty, everything is original and stays the same, I just want you to check out the serial number. You can check the letter Tom Murphy wrote and signed himself after the refin he made for me. This guitar is in the FrettedAmericana Vault , you can check it at the website, I bought the guitar from them. You can check it is a guitar PhilX loved to play with when recording at his studio in California.Guitar Videos:
This sixty-one year old Tune-O-Matic Les Paul Standard Gold Top weighs just 8.80 lbs. and has nice, fat nut width of just over 1 11/16 inches and a standard Gibson scale length of 24 3/4 inches. Solid mahogany body with a solid carved maple top, one-piece mahogany neck with a nice, thick profile, and rosewood fretboard which has been expertly re-fretted with 22 slightly larger frets. The nut was replaced at the time of the re-fret (original nut in case).Inlaid pearl trapezoid (crown) position markers. Serial number ("6 5942") inked-on in black on the back of the headstock. The top of the guitar has a single cream binding and the fretboard has single white binding. Headstock with inlaid pearl "Gibson" logo and with "Les Paul Model" silk-screened in gold. Two-layer (black on white) plastic truss-rod cover. Individual single-line "no-name" Kluson Deluxe tuners with original single-ring tulip-shaped Keystone plastic buttons (stamped on the inside "2356766 PAT APPLD."). Two very hot P-90 pickups with outputs of 7.75k and 8.17k. Cream plastic pick-up covers stamped inside "UC-452-F/1" (on the neck pickup) and "UC-452-B/2" (on the bridge pickup). Single-layer cream plastic pickguard. Four controls (two volume, two tone) on lower treble bout plus three-way pickup selector switch on upper bass bout. Gold plastic bell-shaped "Bell" knobs. The potentiometers are stamped "615 4190 544" (IRC November 1955) and two original 'bumble-bee' capacitors. ABR-1 non-retainer Tune-O-Matic bridge with metal saddles and separate "wrap-over" stud tailpiece.   This totally original Tune-O-Matic Les Paul GoldTop has been Refinished by Tom Murphy in 2012 because a previous owner had at some time 'decorated' the guitar by the application of 36-37 rhinestones or sequin "appliques" which were glued around the entire perimeter of the top of the guitar. Additionally there was evidence “before Tom Murphy´s refin” (not now) of the probable attachment of a larger ornamental "plate" to the top of the bass side, to the left of the stop tailpiece. Before the refin it had three larger spots where the attachment adhesive has chemically altered the gold/bronze lacquer finish; there were also seven other smaller areas on the top showing similar evidence of chemical alteration to the gold/bronze lacquer finish and the clear coat. Of significant note: While a cursory glance at the top of this instrument might suggest touchups, subsequent 30X loupe inspection of these areas in strong sunlight at oblique angles provides irrefutable visual evidence that the gold/bronze is all-original. In addition there was evidence on the headstock sides/perimeter of sixteen small holes that have been repaired/filled with a wood filler product. Given the history of the rest of the instrument, these filled holes are likely the result of a different type of jeweled ornamentation that was attached to the headstock with either screws or small studs. Upon removal, proper repair procedures were professionally followed. Additionally and of lesser significance, there was evidence of the removal of 13-14 rhinestones/jewels that were originally applied to the face of the headstock. This showed primarily upon ultra violet light examination, indicating early and longtime application of said ornamentation. Housed in its original Gibson four-latch brown hardshell case with pink plush lining. In summary aside from the aforementioned 'removed ornamentation' the guitar has had a professional refret at which time the nut was replaced. There is evidence in the switch cavity of a possible solder repair or "touch-up" - probably due to a "cold" solder joint. One of the two pickguard to body attachment screws is an incorrect replacement screw. Otherwise this sixty-one year old guitar is all original down to every last screw. The guitar plays and sounds as it should - amazing! "In 1955 the gold-top gained Gibson's new Tune-o-matic bridge. The unit had the facility to adjust individual string-length, improving intonation. Two years later humbucking pickups replaced P90s on the gold-top" (Tony Bacon and Paul Day, The Gibson Les Paul Book, p. 19).  Payment Policy: I accept PAYPAL and others.