❌SOLD❌ Gibson GoldTop Les Paul P90s, 1968

The Gibson GoldTop Les Paul first appeared in 1952 and was replaced in 1958 with the sunburst. The original design was dropped in 1961 and re-appeared in 1968. Until the 1954 introduction of the Custom, and 1955 Junior and Special, there was only one model – the Les Paul, available only with the Gold Top finish.

The name ‘Les Paul Standard’ launched with the 1959 Sunburst, and along with the Custom model, continued through the transition to the SG body design. By 1968, demand for the Les Paul had increased dramatically, largely due to young Blues-Rock players like Keith Richards, Mike Bloomfield, and Eric Clapton. This ultimately led to the re-launch of the Gold Top. For 1969, the same guitar was available equipped with mini-humbuckers and named the Deluxe. The humbucker-equipped Standard didn’t re-appear until 1976.

The 1968 Gibson GoldTop Les Paul was very similar to the 1956 Gold Top P-90 models, using a single piece of Mahogany for the body, narrow headstock and long neck joint tenon, and the combination of the ABR-1 bridge with stop tailpiece.

There were some differences, particularly the a 14 degree pitch headstock (down from 17 degrees), and the fingerboard is Indian Rosewood instead of Brazilian. The binding is deeper on the 1968 model compared to the 1956, completely covering the Maple cap in the cutaway. The control cavities were routed through the Mahogany back before the Maple cap was applied. The ABR-1 saddles were often nylon rather than metal – these were introduced in the early 1960’s along with the Vibrola tailpiece.

The 1969 models have significant differences. The headstock was widened, the tenon shortened, the ‘Pancake’ layered Mahogany body with a thin Maple layer was introduced, and by mid-1969 a headstock Volute was added to increase strength.

Here we’re looking at a Gibson GoldTop Les Paul dating to 1968 and built at the historic plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is in overall good condition and is quite playable. It was re-fretted and fret wear is light. The neck pickup cover is cracked, and the pots have been replaced over the years. The tuners are the original double-line Kluson Deluxe models with plastic Keystone buttons. The top was oversprayed long ago. Wear to the finish is as expected on a guitar that’s been played for many of its 53 years, with some buckle rash, dents and dings.

This 1968 Gibson GoldTop Les Paul is  an authentic relic, with a great sound and action!

A non-original tweed hard shell case is included.