Up for sale, a 1992 Gibson Les Paul Classic Mark III in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a molded hardshell “chainsaw” case. This rare, short-lived iteration of the Les Paul platform was only produced in 1991-92; essential taking the electronics of Gibson’s uncommon M-III superstrat and pairing them with a Les Paul body, this Classic Mark III features an HSH pickup trio, five-way pickup selector switch, and two-way Tone/coil tap mini-toggle.
Traditional tonewoods include a carved two-piece maple top, mahogany body, mahogany neck, and bound rosewood fingerboard, and this Les Paul Classic Mark III dishes out great natural sustain and midrange growl, weighing 9lbs 12oz. The 496R/500T humbuckers in the neck and bridge position are some of Gibson's most hotly wound ceramic magnet humbuckers. The 496R delivers a biting, bluesy edge with notable treble detail and an increase in harmonics, while the 500T has a rich combination of enhanced lows and crystal clear highs, wax potted for ideal feedback rejection in high gain scenarios. The central NSX single coil pickup pairs well with the humbuckers positions 2 and 4 on the five-way selector switch. The two-way mini-toggle, effectively acts as a global coil tap, but has a number of unique functions depending on the position of the pickup selector. This Les Paul Classic Mark III has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Very slender C, measuring .760” 1st fret, .875” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, pearloid trapezoid inlay, faint finger wear behind frets 1-2
-Frets: Medium jumbo, leveled and crowned, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”
-Tuners: Gibson Deluxe double-line
-Serialization: 2-prefix, inked
Body Specs:
-Wood: Maple, mahogany
-Pickups: 496R/500T humbuckers, NSX single coil
-Controls: Volume, Tone, FIve-way pickup selector, two-way global Coil Tap/Tone mini-toggle
-Hardware: ABR-1 bridge, stopbar (nickel-plated)
-Plastics: Amber bonnet knobs
The gloss Cherry Sunburst nitro lacquer finish exhibits extensive subtle checking and highlights subtle curly flame figuring on top at the lower bout. Cosmetic wear is limited to a few small finish chips along the lower bout perimeter and some minor marks and finish scratches on the body as a whole consistent with careful usage. The neck profile retains its smooth nitro gloss, with a few shallow nicks along the profile length.
A Gibson molded hardshell “chainsaw” case is included.