Up for sale, a 1989 Gibson Les Paul Standard in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This Les Paul dates to an increasingly heralded era of Gibson production colloquially known as the “good wood” era, upgraded with a set of Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates PAF-style humbuckers. Weighing only 8lbs 15oz, tonewoods include an uncommonly figured (for the era/model) and bookmatched carved flame maple cap, a mahogany body, a one-piece mahogany neck with a fast-feeling ‘60s-style neck carve, and a bound rosewood fretboard.

Designed to recreate the iconic tones of Billy Gibbons’ iconic 1959 Les Paul of the same name, the upgraded pair of Pearly Gates humbuckers deliver classic PAF-style tones with the specific quirks that are integral to Gibbons’ country-fried tone. The neck pickup has slightly more midrange than a typical PAF, resulting in a punchy pickup with ample cut that retains the airy treble attack inherent to the Alnico II bar magnet. The bridge pickup is wound slightly hotter, offering an extra kick of drive and growl for that dirty Texas sizzle. Both pickups were wound by the venerable “Queen of the SD Custom Shop,” Maricela Juarez, as identified by the “J” on the baseplate sticker. Juarez has wound pickups for artists including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Slash, and Gibbons himself, to name just a few. This Les Paul Standard benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Slender ‘60s-style C, measuring .820” 1st fret, .965” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, pearloid flared trapezoid inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 2-3
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”
-Tuners: Gibson Deluxe double-line (Kluson-style)
-Serialization: Eight-digit stamp dates to ‘89

Body Specs:

-Wood: Flame maple, mahogany
-Pickups: Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates PAF humbucker x2 (replacement, Maricela Juarez stickers on baseplates)
-Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, Three-way pickup selector
-Harness: CTS pots date to the 23rd week of ‘89
-Hardware: ABR-1 bridge, Stopbar (nickel-plated)
-Plastics: Amber bonnet knobs, cream pickguard (small split at upper screw), amber switch tip

The gloss Heritage Cherry Sunburst nitro lacquer finish highlights the dimensional, wall-to-wall flame figuring in the carved maple top, and cosmetic wear is limited to light buckle rash central to the back and a few minor dings on the lower bout on top. The nitro gloss on the neck profile is flawless.

The original brown tolex Gibson USA hardshell case is included, along with a couple pieces of factory paperwork.