1957 GIBSON LES PAUL SPECIAL – LIMED MAHOGANY TV YELLOW
Condition: Very Good
The guitar is as solid as the day it left Kalamazoo, and it looks and sounds amazing. The original TV Yellow finish is beautifully worn and checked from 67 years of respectful playing. This guitar has been lovingly played and maintain throughout its life. No Head Stock or Heal Repairs on this one!
You can always tell the good vintage guitars from the wear and hand polished patina they have acquired from hundreds of hours of play time. This guitar is a true rock and roll machine, that is built like a tank and plays like silk. The Brazilian Rosewood Fretboard is in incredible shape, with low action and moderate wear on the frets … lots of life left in this old girl. The P90s on this guitar are both original and provide a range of tones from sweet clean to roaring P90 bark through a vintage tube amp. The Neck pickup drives great creamy Blues / Rythm tones and the Bridge pickup is hot and very dynamic, providing a P90 growl that can’t be beat, … Think Keith Richards / Stones tone on “Sticky Fingers” !
In addition to the original finish and P90s, the guitar retains the original Wrap Around Bridge, Pickguard, Pup Covers, Jacket Plate, Poker Chip, Knobs, Bumble Bee Caps, Toggle Switch, Strap Buttons, … hard to confirm the dates on the pots. At least one of the pots has a “Mar 1957” date code.
The original tuners have been replaced with Grovers years ago, but the original tuners are included in the case. Someone added conductive paint to the pickup and control cavities and a copper foil ground strip to add some shielding to the P90 electronics.
The guitar comes with a 1960’s Gibson hard shell case in good condition.
I have an original gator chip board case for late 1950’s Gibson Les Paul Junior and Specials in excellent condition, if you are interested. Check out my other listings.
If you are looking at this listing, you probably already know the history and spec’s of the 1957 Les Paul Special, but I’ll summarize this guitar for you.
Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz.
Body Wood: Mahogany
Body Color: Limed Mahogany / TV Yellow
Body Style: ’57 Les Paul Special – Single Cut Away
Body Binding: None
Pick Guard: Original Black Pick Guard
Back Plates: Original Black
Neck: Set Neck
Neck Shape: ‘’C’’ Not a Baseball Bat
Neck 1st Fret: 1.744’’ w / 0.865”h
Neck 12th Fret: 2.082” w / 0.966”h
Neck Binding: Original Cream
Nut Width: 1.702’’
Butt Width: 2.278”
Fret Broad: Brazilian Rosewood
Fret Broad Radius: 12’’ Radius
Truss Rod: Original Gibson Truss Rod and Cover
Tuning Keys: Grovers, … Original Kluson Tuners included in case
Fret Wire: Original Narrow Wire
Fret Markers: Original Pearl
Bridge: Original Aluminum Wrap Around Bridge
Neck PU: Original P90 with reading of 7.65k Ohms
Bridge PU: Original P90 with reading of 8.66k Ohms
Controls: Original ( Volume, (2) Tone, (2) Volume, 3-Way Toggle Switch )
Hardware Plating: Original ( Chrome / Nickel )
Case: Guitar is protected in a 1960’s Gibson case