1973 was the first year the Les Paul Deluxe was produced in a left-handed version. Just 25 lefty Cherrybursts were completed that year – 25 out of ten and a half thousand! And this one may actually have been a custom order, as it has the traditional 1-11/16” nut width, rather than the narrower necks that Gibson were more commonly shaping at the time.
An absolute joy
While it does have the fatter width, the depth is quite the "Skinny Minnie”, only a hair more rounded than today’s modern-C profile. In other words, the neck on this Deluxe is an absolute joy to play on.
Pete Townsend
The Les Paul Deluxe was in the midst of a big, free PR push in 1973, courtesy of The Who’s Pete Townsend, who had, the previous year, switched from his famous SGs to Deluxes – the kind of publicity that money can’t buy!
Sprague "Black Beauty” caps
Besides a stunningly good vintage refret job, the guitar is almost all stock, from the original reflector knobs to its Sprague "Black Beauty” caps. The only other changed parts are a lightweight bridge, and Grover tuners, which we believe were both done in London, many years ago – probably at the time of the refret. The original Gibson/Kluson tuners are included in the case.
Mini-humbuckers
Standout Deluxe features include the original, and really punchy set of Gibson’s mini-humbuckers; Mahogany/Maple/Mahogany “pancake” body, with a Maple top, (which these days would probably be classed as AA-grade); 3-piece Mahogany neck, (small volute); and a lovely dark chocolatey Rosewood fingerboard, (12” radius). Pots are dated the 51st week of 1972.
Iced Tea Burst
As we noted at the front, the original Cherryburst finish is now a considerably more subdued, and very pleasing tone, more akin to an Iced Tea Burst, working beautifully with the dark fingerboard, (see pic # 6).
Free courier delivery
Complete with its original Gibson hard shell case, (pics 8 and main), our 1973 Les Paul Deluxe is in fabulous fifty-three year old condition! Plays like a dream, sounds like seventies classic rock! FREE COURIER DELIVERY is included to any address in Australia – generally 1 - 2 days on the east coast, more distant areas slightly longer. $100 airfreight to New Zealand, (usually 2 days), and $175 to the US, Canada, UK and mainstream European countries, (3 - 5 days)
Weight: 9lb 10½ oz / 4.38kg
Just Guitars
