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c.1970 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe

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SN# 956970

Scale length 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Finish: Gold finish, nitrocellulose type

Materials: Solid maple top; Honduras mahogany neck and body; rosewood fingerboard; single ply cream binding.

Hardware: 100% original hardware includes twin Gibson mini-humbucking pickups, stop tailpiece and Tune-o-matic bridge; Kluson Deluxe tuners with double ring tulip pegs; cream pickguard; gold reflector cap volume and tone knobs; original CBA pots and Sprague 'black beauty' caps; three-way pickup selector switch with cream knob; 'Deluxe' truss rod cover.

Notes: Introduced in mid-1952, the Gibson Les Paul has remained the worlds' most iconic electric guitar. Popular throughout the '50's for guitarists in a variety of genres, the original Les Paul was discontinued in 1960 due to flagging sales. By 1968 however, intense demand led Gibson to re-introduce the legendary model, briefly as a goldtop fitted with twin P-90 pickups. Soon finding humbucking pickups more popular, Gibson designers found they could fit their innovative mini-humbucker (as used on the Johnny Smith and other models) into the pickup cavity already tooled for the P-90. First shipped in September of 1969, the new Les Paul Deluxe became the first new LP model in 14 years.

Players from Pete Townshend to David Bowie all discovered the versatility of the Deluxe to great advantage. Still topped with a solid maple cap under the gold finish, the Deluxe body had an additional strip of maple sandwiched into the mahogany body. This cross-banded construction added extra strength, but was discontinued by 1977, partially due to the additional labor involved.

This handsome example of the earliest version Deluxe has the 'pancake' body, the silkscreen headstock logo, and pot codes that all suggest this guitar was built in the first full year for the model. Purchased new and kept by a single owner, the guitar has been maintained in 100% original condition, showing no cracks or repairs, with the top almost completely free of pick wear. The back and neck show some typical buckle wear and lacquer nicks, and the 100% original finish shows some checking, mostly on the sides, consistent with four decades of age. The neck has the classic gentle "D" profile of the early 60's, with a full 1 11/16" nut, and the frets are original medium-jumbos in fine shape, with smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup.

Pickups, pots, caps and wiring harness are all untouched; pot codes (CBA-811-1053) are said to date to the mid-60's. The original Alnico II pickups produce a brilliant, focused tone, ideal for cutting through the heaviest rhythm section. A remarkable find, complete with original Gibson logo plush lined case. Even the original owner's manual and case key are included. A great opportunity to get an original one-owner vintage Deluxe, at a reissue price. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

Case: Original Gibson logo deluxe black arched hardshell case with burgundy plush lining.

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