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Gibson Les Paul '59 Pre-Historic Possible Guitar Trader Reissue Prototype
Estimated price for orientation: 1 125 $
Category: Electric Guitars
Class:
Description Brand: Gibson Body Material: Solid Wood Body Type: Solid Model: Les Paul '50s Body Color: Sunburst Size: Full Size Dexterity: Right-Handed Items Included: Case String Configuration: 6 String Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
For your consideration is a very rare bird - a 1959 Les Paul Standard Burst Reissue, serial number 82781029, with Pearloid Plaque made at the old Kalamazoo plant in 'closet classic' condition; and possibly a Guitar Trader prototype as well.Although Gibson's records to not detail the purchaser of this particular guitar, the specimen cited as the first Guitar Trader model is serial number 82781031 as detailed in a Vintage Guitar Magazine article from 2004 entitled "Gibson's First Reissue Les Pauls - On the Road to '59", which can be found online. The guitar presently offered was made on the same day and in the same style as the prototype cited, but two production numbers earlier.Regarded by many as the holy grail of the “Pre-Historic” Les Paul reissues, of all the reissues (including official Gibson runs like Heritage 80s) none have more attention to detail than the Guitar Trader Les Paul. Only 47 Guitar Traders beyond prototypes are known to have been made. As such I cannot represent or warrant that it is or is not part of the Guitar Trader run however the similarities are clear.From the article: "Guitar Trader Les Pauls were made in the Kalamazoo plant in 1982. There were only about 47 made, possibly in only two batches. Except for the prototype (which was cherry sunburst), most were painted in a ruddy reddish-brown color." The last Guitar Trader offered on eBay (with original PAFs) sold for $11,211 on 3/19/17. Numerous Heritage 80 models are currently available for comparison.After nearly forty years of aging the guitar is very resonant unplugged, with strong sustain that screams through an amp without processing - a punchy LP tone generated by Tim Shaw pickups (137 381 neck and 138 381 bridge). The top is one of the best flamed maples that I've seen from the 1980's and has a nice dish carve. Overall condition is very good with most play wear (light scratches and a few minor compression marks as shown in photos) confined to the back. Weight is 9 pounds 2.8 ounces. The original Lifton-type leatherette case is also included in fair/good condition. All original save perhaps the pots. The outdoor photos show the original/included strap buttons, the indoor pictures show strap locks that have now been switched back to stock.This is a great instrument either as a player or as an investment - a trophy in any case. Thank you for looking.
Description
| Brand: | Gibson | Body Material: | Solid Wood |
| Body Type: | Solid | Model: | Les Paul '50s |
| Body Color: | Sunburst | Size: | Full Size |
| Dexterity: | Right-Handed | Items Included: | Case |
| String Configuration: | 6 String | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
For your consideration is a very rare bird - a 1959 Les Paul Standard Burst Reissue, serial number 82781029, with Pearloid Plaque made at the old Kalamazoo plant in 'closet classic' condition; and possibly a Guitar Trader prototype as well.Although Gibson's records to not detail the purchaser of this particular guitar, the specimen cited as the first Guitar Trader model is serial number 82781031 as detailed in a Vintage Guitar Magazine article from 2004 entitled "Gibson's First Reissue Les Pauls - On the Road to '59", which can be found online. The guitar presently offered was made on the same day and in the same style as the prototype cited, but two production numbers earlier.Regarded by many as the holy grail of the “Pre-Historic” Les Paul reissues, of all the reissues (including official Gibson runs like Heritage 80s) none have more attention to detail than the Guitar Trader Les Paul. Only 47 Guitar Traders beyond prototypes are known to have been made. As such I cannot represent or warrant that it is or is not part of the Guitar Trader run however the similarities are clear.From the article: "Guitar Trader Les Pauls were made in the Kalamazoo plant in 1982. There were only about 47 made, possibly in only two batches. Except for the prototype (which was cherry sunburst), most were painted in a ruddy reddish-brown color." The last Guitar Trader offered on eBay (with original PAFs) sold for $11,211 on 3/19/17. Numerous Heritage 80 models are currently available for comparison.After nearly forty years of aging the guitar is very resonant unplugged, with strong sustain that screams through an amp without processing - a punchy LP tone generated by Tim Shaw pickups (137 381 neck and 138 381 bridge). The top is one of the best flamed maples that I've seen from the 1980's and has a nice dish carve. Overall condition is very good with most play wear (light scratches and a few minor compression marks as shown in photos) confined to the back. Weight is 9 pounds 2.8 ounces. The original Lifton-type leatherette case is also included in fair/good condition. All original save perhaps the pots. The outdoor photos show the original/included strap buttons, the indoor pictures show strap locks that have now been switched back to stock.This is a great instrument either as a player or as an investment - a trophy in any case. Thank you for looking.