1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty Vintage Guitar w/ Pat # T Tops, Case
$5,299.99
$5,299.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom, soulfully played and extremely original, complete with a vintage hardshell case. A great example of an early '70s Gibson Les Paul, this Custom retains the original T Top patent sticker humbuckers and delivers plenty of punch and power. Offering rich sustain at 9lbs 10oz, the combination of a carved three-piece maple top and "sandwich" mahogany body delivers a classic Les Paul tonal profile, with the warmth and fullness of the mahogany balanced by the articulate top end and snappy attack provided by both the maple cap and the ebony fretboard. All three pickup positions are distinct and rich-sounding, with an articulate growl and cut from the bridge position that has ideal treble detail, while the neck pickup has the expected oomph and fullness. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, we've dialed in this Les Paul Custom with fresh 10-46 strings, spot-on intonation, and low action.
The three-piece mahogany neck has a slender, fast-feeling C-shaped profile carve at the nut, with appreciable heft and plenty of shoulder up the fretboard, filling out to a round but not overtly chunky handful by the 9th fret and beyond, measuring .830" deep at the 1st fret and .995" at the 12th. The bound ebony fretboard has been refretted with flawless slender fretwire. While these frets have similar width to the fretwire used by Gibson in this era, these are by no means "fretless wonders" with plenty of height and well-rounded crowns. The guitar plays cleanly in every register up the 24 3/4" scale, the neck is straight, and the truss rod is responsive and optimally adjusted. The nut measures 1 11/16" in width, upgraded to bone, and the headstock sports the original gold Kluson "waffle back" tuners with metal tulip buttons.
The guitar does exhibit an older, extremely cleanly executed headstock repair, with clean black lacquer overspray across the repair making it all but invisible and smooth to the touch.
The electronics include the original pair of T Top humbuckers with patent stickers retained on both baseplates and untouched solder on the gold covers. The wiring harness also has all original solder, brown molded tone caps and CTS pots which date to the 3rd week of '73. Hardware includes the original Nashville bridge and lightweight aluminum stopbar, and there is patina through much of the gold plating. Plastics include the stock pickguard, pickup rings, and switch surround, and the quartet of witch hat knobs are modern, aged replacements.
The original Ebony gloss nitro lacquer finish exhibits buckle rash across the back and various small dings and scuffs consistent with age. The gloss finish on the neck profile is notably smooth.
An era-correct black tolex hardshell case is included. The case retains the Gibson silver silkscreen on the exterior with a purple plush interior, functional latches, and the stock handle.
The three-piece mahogany neck has a slender, fast-feeling C-shaped profile carve at the nut, with appreciable heft and plenty of shoulder up the fretboard, filling out to a round but not overtly chunky handful by the 9th fret and beyond, measuring .830" deep at the 1st fret and .995" at the 12th. The bound ebony fretboard has been refretted with flawless slender fretwire. While these frets have similar width to the fretwire used by Gibson in this era, these are by no means "fretless wonders" with plenty of height and well-rounded crowns. The guitar plays cleanly in every register up the 24 3/4" scale, the neck is straight, and the truss rod is responsive and optimally adjusted. The nut measures 1 11/16" in width, upgraded to bone, and the headstock sports the original gold Kluson "waffle back" tuners with metal tulip buttons.
The guitar does exhibit an older, extremely cleanly executed headstock repair, with clean black lacquer overspray across the repair making it all but invisible and smooth to the touch.
The electronics include the original pair of T Top humbuckers with patent stickers retained on both baseplates and untouched solder on the gold covers. The wiring harness also has all original solder, brown molded tone caps and CTS pots which date to the 3rd week of '73. Hardware includes the original Nashville bridge and lightweight aluminum stopbar, and there is patina through much of the gold plating. Plastics include the stock pickguard, pickup rings, and switch surround, and the quartet of witch hat knobs are modern, aged replacements.
The original Ebony gloss nitro lacquer finish exhibits buckle rash across the back and various small dings and scuffs consistent with age. The gloss finish on the neck profile is notably smooth.
An era-correct black tolex hardshell case is included. The case retains the Gibson silver silkscreen on the exterior with a purple plush interior, functional latches, and the stock handle.
