1981 Gibson Heritage 80 Standard Les Paul '59 Burst w/ Tim Shaw PAFs, Case

Up for sale, a 1981 Gibson Heritage Standard-80 Les Paul in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. 100% original save for a professional refret with medium jumbo fretwire, this Heritage 80 has a highly figured top, with the rich Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish highlighting deep ribbons of dimensional, straight tiger flame extending evenly across every inch of the bookmatched maple cap.Quickly becoming one of the more historically significant and collectible Les Pauls at the dawn of Gibson's modern era, the Heritage 80 is a notable landmark. Every aspect of this guitar's construction shows a concerted effort to recapture the essence of the late '50s Les Paul Standard, and the Heritage series were the first guitars in Gibson's history to test the "vintage reissue" waters, with the Standard-80 being the most correct to vintage spec of the three models offered in the Heritage line. From the larger, more rounded '50s neck profile to the correct 17 degree headstock angle to the venerable Tim Shaw PAF humbuckers, the Heritage Standard-80 has the look and feel of a vintage Les Paul, and at 40 years old, this "reissue" has already attained vintage status.Arguably the most tonally impactful aspect of the Heritage Standard-80 is the pair of original Tim Shaw humbuckers, which were introduced on this model. Designed with unoriented, rough cast Alnico V magnets, plastic spacers, and poly-coated wire to achieve the harmonic complexity, power, and tonal clarity of the original PAF design, these Tim Shaws both have their original ink stamps on the baseplates, with untouched solder on the nickel covers. The guitar positively sings with great clarity and Gibson's near endless sustain, and each position on the three-way switch yields a complex, vital sound from cutting and chiming to rich and throaty. This Les Paul weighs 9lbs 8oz, with a very clear, authoritative acoustic tone with top end snap and smooth bark. This Gibson has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.The three-piece mahogany neck has a profile that's very faithful to a real '59, substantial without being too big, offering a full-feeing C shape with round shoulders and ideal chunk, measuring .870" at the 1st fret and .975" at the 12th. The bound rosewood fretboard has pearl trapezoid inlays, professionally refretted with medium jumbo fretwire that has ample meat and crown, showing zero wear. The original nut is intact, with Gibson's traditional 1 11/16" width. Other features of the headstock include the original Standard-80 truss rod cover and original Grover Rotomatic tuning machines. Of course of significant visual impact is the shape of the headstock, which after years of growing wider throughout the 1970s has returned to the slender, elegant shape originally associated with the '50s Les Paul and "open book" design.All of the electronics work as they should, with a wiring harness that retains all four stock CTS pots which date to the 35th week of '81. Both original Tim Shaw PAFs are intact, with sequential ink stamps on the baseplates from July 30th and 31st of 1980. The original hardware includes a nickel Nashville bridge and stopbar tailpiece, both of which show very light surface patina, matching the pickup covers. The plastic parts are all accounted for as well, with stock cream pickup rings, pickguard, and switch surround, as well as the amber switch tip and bonnet knobs. The bonnet knobs are also Gibson's first attempt at a faithful reissue of the '50s shape, more conical with subtly dished tops and a deeply ambered appearance.The nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touchup or overspray, and the guitar has an extremely three-dimensional and highly figured top with a vintage-spec deep dish carve. There is prominent buckle rash across the back, and a few additional nicks on the back lower bout body edge. Wear on top is much more restrained, with some minor marks in the edges of the burst on the lower bout and light pick scuffing across the guard. The profile retains its smooth nitro gloss with zero palm wear and just a few tiny shallow marks.The original brown tolex Lifton-style hardshell case with pink plush interior is included, complete with gold Gibson silkscreen on the exterior, functional latches, and the original handle.