frettedamericana | 2 decades ago

http://www.frettedamericana.com/details.php?id=961&counter=0
This forty-three 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 tre-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 is being offered at a fraction of the current market value simply 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 is evidence of the probable attachment of a larger ornamental "plate" to the top of the bass side, to the left of the stop tailpiece. There are three larger spots where the attachment adhesive has chemically altered the gold/bronze lacquer finish; there are 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. There is NO evidence of any touchups or refinishing on the gold finish anywhere on the top. In addition there is 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 is evidence of the removal of 13-14 rhinestones/jewels that were originally applied to the face of the headstock. This shows primarily upon ultra violet light examination, indicating early and longtime application of said ornamentation. We conservatively give this instrument a very good plus (8.25) rating. Housed in the original Gibson four-latch brown hardshell case with pink plush lining (9.00).

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 fifty-three 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).