NO LONGER AVAILABLE!!! Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherryburst, 1979

Here we’re looking at a very nice 1979 Gibson Les Paul Custom in Cherry Burst, with almost all its original components and case. The variation from original is the addition of a set of Gold-plated Schaller Straplocks, with the strap attachments mounted on the included leather strap.   This guitar dates to February 07 1979 and was built at the historic Parsons Street plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The Les Paul Custom was introduced in 1954, along with the flat-top ‘budget’ Les Paul Junior; the Les Paul Special appeared in 1955, and the Standard in 1958. The Custom sported distinctive upmarket appointments, with a gloss black finish, gold plated parts, binding around the top, back, ebony fingerboard and headstock, and Mother of Pearl block position markers and headstock inlays. Under the finish, there is a significant difference. From its 1954 introduction until the single-cutaway model was discontinued for 1961, the Les Paul Custom did not have the Maple cap as on the original Gold Top Les Paul or the later Standard. Instead, it had an carved Mahogany top. When the design was re-launched in 1968, the Custom was given the same Maple cap as other models.  This 1979 Gibson Les Paul Custom is from the Norlin era, and has a one-piece Mahogany body with three-piece Maple cap, and a three-piece Maple neck with a Volute and an Ebony fingerboard.

This guitar is in overall good condition with light to average finish wear. There is some ‘buckle rash’ on the back in the form of pressure marks, not through the finish.   The neck finish is worn from the 4th to 9th frets on the bass side where the thumb rested,  suggesting popular playing positions.   The gold plating on the bridge is worn where the player’s hand rested, and the plating on the pickup covers is worn in patterns suggesting that this was often used as a rhythm guitar. Fret wear is relatively light for the age. At the time, Gibson used a fairly wide but low fret wire, not quite to the ‘fretless wonder’ effect.   This Les Paul Custom plays well, and has its original Gibson-branded gold plated Schaller tuners and Gibson Patent Number pickups.

This 1979 Gibson Les Paul Custom is sold with its original Gibson branded, black arched-top hard shell case. The case pocket contains the leather strap with strap lock connectors.