Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Electric, Guitars, REDUCED, SOLD, Solidbody
Gibson has reissued the Les Paul Standard Sunburst in its 1958 form several times, and here’s a nice one that dates to 1988 and carries Tom Holmes pickups.
Built in the traditional manner, this Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst has a very nicely bookmatched, flame Maple top with a well faded cherry sunburst, now down to a tea-like tint. As usual, the body back and neck are Mahogany, with Indian Rosewood for the bound fingerboard.
The Les Paul Standard Sunburst is an iconic guitar, though when new in 1958 it was not popular, and within three years was radically redesigned into what we now know as the SG. However, not long after that, a number of English guitarists discovered American Blues musicians, and combined with the Marshall amp, new sounds were born and demand for Les Paul Standards took off. One of the primary triggers for this was the John Mayall Bluesbreakers ‘Beano’ album, where his new guitarist – Eric Clapton – used an early Standard Sunburst in pursuit of the sound Freddy King got. However, detailed artist information was not as readily available at that time, and it was years before anyone realized that King’s Les Paul had P-90’s, not humbuckers!
This guitar has been used as intended, with the play wear to show it. There’s an amount of buckle rash on the back, and the sunburst is faded more where the player’s arm would rest. You may notice that the ‘Les Paul Model’ decal is closer to the Gibson logo than on newer versions other examples of this guitar from this year have the same decal placement.
The original pickups have been replaced with Tom Holmes Company PAF models but the guitar seems otherwise stock, plays well, looks and sounds great.
A 1980’s brown Gibson hard shell case, probably original, is included.
- Model: Les Paul Standard
- Year: 1988
- Finish Sunburst
- Class: Used
- Serial Number: 8 0288
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 13/11/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 8.85lbs 4.02kg
- Scale Length: 24.75in 628.6mm
- Nut Width: 1.677in 42.5mm