DISC Gibson Custom Shop Standard Historic 1957 Les Paul Goldtop VOS

Full Description

Last of the Goldtops

Gibson Custom Shop Standard Historic 1957 Les Paul Goldtop featured several minor cosmetic variations that made it a significant development in Les Paul history. Most noticeably the placement of the inlaid, pearl cut Gibson logo which was moved closer to the top edge of the headstock. 1957 was also set to be the last full year of production for a Gibson model with a Goldtop finish which would not adorn another Gibson guitar until 1968.

Another important variation on the 57 Les Paul was Gibson's occasional use of darker Mahogany for the back. Many of these original models also came with black plastics but most owners updated these to the classic creme colour over time so this reissue reflects this.

Gibson's Pioneering Humbucker

Two legendary Gibson Burstbucker pickups deliver all the subtle variations of true, classic humbucker tone by using historically “unmatched” bobbin windings and Alnico II magnets. In 1954, at the direction of legendary Gibson President Ted McCarty, Gibson engineer Seth Lover began working on a tone circuit with hum-cancelling capabilities, applying for a U.S. design patent – hence the name “Patent Applied For,” or “PAF” – on June 22, 1955. By early 1957, the standard double-coil version of the humbucker pickup had begun to appear on Gibson models including the Les Paul Goldtops.

Faithful Recreation of a Classic

The Gibson 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Darkback is a spectacular recreation of the historic original in all its glory. The body has a hand-carved Maple top and solid, non-weight relieved Mahogany body for that traditional Les Paul feel. The headstock is made from Holly head veneer, as opposed to fiber, just like it was in 1957, and the vintage-style tulip tuners are mounted in a straight line, also as they were on the original. The 24 ¾-inch scale length neck is made from one solid piece of Mahogany, and attached to the body using a long neck tenon — one of the Les Paul’s more distinguishing characteristics of the 1950s. The neck is topped by a 22-fret Rosewood fingerboard outfitted with acrylic trapezoid inlays matching the size and color of the originals. The guitar’s Antique Gold finish also matches the hue of the original model, giving this Custom Shop model the accurate and distinct appearance of this traditional Les Paul.

Extra Appointments

Other historical appointments include CTS potentiometers, bumble bee capacitors, rolled crème-colored fingerboard binding, single-ply thin binding around the body, and period-correct switchwasher and jackplate. This 1957 Les Paul Goldtop has a V.O.S. (vintage original spec) finish and comes with the standard Gibson Custom case and certificate of authenticity.

Features

• Gibson's 120th Anniversary Decal on Toggle Switch Backplate
• Hide Glue used in the Neck Joint, Fretboard and Nut, providing a completely authentic, vintage build method
• Traditional Arched Top
• Bound Body and Neck
• Nickel Hardware
• Gibson "Custom Bucker" pickup
• Dark Back Goldtop Reissue model
• Antique Gold Finish
• Gibson Custom Shop Hardshell Case included

Specifications

Body & Bridge

• Top: Carved Maple
• Body: Mahogany
• Weight Relief: None
• Finish: Gold Top VOS with dark back
• Bridge: ABR-1

Neck & Fingerboard

• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Radius: 30.38 cm / 12"
• Frets: 22
• Scale: 62.865 cm / 24.75"
• Inlays: Trapezoid

Pickups & Hardware

• Pickups: Custom Buckers
• Machine Heads: Kluson Deluxe
• Tailpiece: Stopbar
• Hardware: Nickel
• Pickguard: 1950s Style Cream
• Truss Rod Cover: 1950s Style LP Standard
• Case: Hard case