Since 1957, the PAF* humbucker-equipped Les Paul Goldtop has been one of the most desirable Gibson guitars on the planet. Various subtle tweaks and modifications over the years have aimed to advance the looks, the playing, and the sound, to where you have to think there really can’t be anything left to improve!
Studio playing
From the same Memphis/Nashville player as our recently listed Dobro Duolian, this is another very cool guitar in extremely fine condition. Whereas the Dobro had been toured around the American south, the Goldtop appears to have been reserved for the owner’s extensive studio playing. A handful of upgrades are evidence of this; a bone nut, Kluson Deluxe gold tuners, double-locking gold bridge, and gold tailpiece.
Special Goildtop
Even the fingerboard inlays are a step up from the usual, which may be explained by the notation on the factory checklist, (see pic #7), of this being a “SPECIAL GOLDTOP”. As the owner was living in the right neck of the woods, perhaps he had a buddy at Gibson, and was able to order something special.
PAF-stickered
Our Goldtop entered production on November 15th, 2010, and was completed a little over three weeks later, on December the 8th. Along the way it acquired its nicely resonant quartersawn Mahogany and carved Maple body, and a super nice Mahogany neck, (modern-C taper), with a very Brazilian-like Rosewood fingerboard. As well as the previously mentioned upgrades, the guitar was fitted with a killer set of humbuckers – a 57 Classic at the neck, and a PAF-stickered Burstbucker III at the bridge – hand wound just two days before the completion date. The hot BB3 is both overwound and wax-potted. Both pickups feature push/pull coiltap.
Darkback
Playing into the SPECIAL GOLDTOP notation, the Darkback body was likely syphoned off from an exclusive run that was being done at the time for one of the big US guitar store chains. It’s actually slightly darker than it appears in our photos, but we wanted you to be able to see the superb grain.
Condition
Mr Memphis/Nashville was primarily a session player, so the guitar is in excellent condition - looks almost new! Perfect frets, (medium-jumbo), very little playwear, other than a couple of tiny edge dinglets on the back, and what looks to be a slight belt buckle impression up near the top strap button. Electrics are clean, the pickups bang out exactly the LP tone you want, and the weight is spot-on for an all-night gig.
Free courier delivery
Our 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 4½oz / 4.2kg
*From its 1952 debut, until the advent of the PAF humbuckers in 1957, Goldtop Les Pauls came with P-90s. In 1958 the gold paint made way for a Sunburst finish, and the Les Paul Standard was born
Just Guitars
