Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Electric, Guitars, SOLD, Solidbody
The Gibson Les Paul Special first appeared in 1955 as a budget version of the carved-top Les Paul, with a simple flat Mahogany slab body, Mahogany neck with Rosewood fingerboard and a pair of P-90 pickups. It was originally produced until 1959, and brought back from 1989 to 1998, then from 2002 to 2006.
Though intended as an entry level guitar, the Les Paul Special found its place on many stages and recordings over the years. Early models were offered with a yellow-white finish dubbed ‘TV Yellow’ and explicitly created to show up clearly on black and white TV and movie cameras.
This example was produced in 2004 in Nashville, and bears a translucent white finish, with a contrasting dark filler used in the Mahogany grain. It is in overall good and largely original condition, with the original Gibson Deluxe tuners swapped out for Grover Roto-Matics. The original nitrocellulose lacquer finish is holding up well and has little wear. There is a yellowish tint on the back between the bass bout and tail, and a slight discolouration at the head from a hanger.
Hardware is simple. There are a pair of P-90 single coil pickups wired to a selector switch and individual volume and tone controls. The head has Grover Roto-Matic tuners, and the bridge is a wrap-around Stop Tailpiece, as found on mid to later 1953 Les Paul models. Should it be desired, there are a number of replacement bridges that offer fully adjustable saddles.
The original strap pins have been replaced with Strap Locks.
These are fun to play. They are straight forward and get the job done with aplomb. The bound neck has a fairly full 1950s style profile. The all-Mahogany and Rosewood construction gives the tone an immediate attack and lots of sustain, but with warmth and roundness.
The original Gibson hard shell case is included.
- Model: Les Paul Special
- Year: 2004
- Finish Translucent White
- Class: Used
- Serial Number: 04143
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 02/05/2018
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 8.14lbs 3.7kg
- Scale Length: 24.75in 626.6mm
- Nut Width: 1.67in 42.5mm
