1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

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Polar Bear
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1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Polar Bear »

Here's a fun one. 18 Months ago, this beast was in with Rob Matthews Guitar repair having some work done, and I had the chance to have a quick play. It became apparent that it was one of the most resonant, engaging and palm filling guitar I'd ever played. The cliche of playing itself was pretty apparent with this one.

Anyway, about a year passed and the owner came in saying he was thinking about selling it. I offered him a swap on the spot, and we had a deal.

Here she is:

Image

It's certainly had a life. Headstock break, replacement ceramic SD p90s, rerouted for 'buckers, then refilled badly. Then of course it was missing it's pickguard, had some heavy Grover tuners and some fairly ugly speed knobs. And a replacement bridge and tailpiece. Oh, and a fairly rough refin. However, it does have its original cavity covers, so I'm on to a winner!
Image
Image

Since I've had it, I've replaced the tailpiece with an old Gibson one that I took off my 335, the Hot p90s have been replaced with Antiquities, and the rest of the harness replaced as well.

I also got hold of some period correct knobs, and did some relicing on them to make them a bit more aged. I've also replaced the Grovers with some double ring Kluson style Gotohs, which are really quite lovely.

Initially, I was planning on leaving the finish as is, but I think I may look into a better refin down the line so I can tidy up the horrible slice near the bridge pickup.

It's a killer guitar, and it quickly became my number 1, despite being almost as heavy as my '83 Custom.
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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Darth Sabbathi »

Now you're just showing off...

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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Polar Bear »

Darth Sabbathi wrote:Now you're just showing off...
I need internet points, dammit!
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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by sizzlingbadger »

Looking good, need to get rid of the chrome though and get some nickel replacements ?
Tube amp and guitar tones straight from 1958… amazing how believable the sounds were back then, even without the modellers...

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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Polar Bear »

The tailpiece is very, very worn, so it may just be a trick of the light. The bridge though, yes.
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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by GrantB »

That’s very cool. I would consider having the whole guitar refinished properly. Then you could replace the Nashville bridge with the correct ABR too.
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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by kdawg2a »

Hot AF.
1935 Martin D-45, 1942 Gibson Southern Jumbo,1950 Fender Broadcaster, 1954 Fender Strat, 1958 Gibson Moderne prototype, 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
1958 Fender twin, 1965 Vox AC30, 1966 Marshall JTM 45, 1977 Dumble OD Special.
Big black garbage bag full of original Klon Centaurs and TS808s.

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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Polar Bear »

GrantB wrote:That’s very cool. I would consider having the whole guitar refinished properly. Then you could replace the Nashville bridge with the correct ABR too.
Good call, that'll be well worth looking in to.
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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by sizzlingbadger »

Polar Bear wrote:
GrantB wrote:That’s very cool. I would consider having the whole guitar refinished properly. Then you could replace the Nashville bridge with the correct ABR too.
Good call, that'll be well worth looking in to.
Agreed, it wouldn't be cheap but I doubt you would ever lose any money on it :winky:
Tube amp and guitar tones straight from 1958… amazing how believable the sounds were back then, even without the modellers...

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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Polar Bear »

sizzlingbadger wrote:
Polar Bear wrote:
GrantB wrote:That’s very cool. I would consider having the whole guitar refinished properly. Then you could replace the Nashville bridge with the correct ABR too.
Good call, that'll be well worth looking in to.
Agreed, it wouldn't be cheap but I doubt you would ever lose any money on it :winky:
Ha. Maybe, Reverb is certainly eye watering when looking at what people list them at, but that's in original condition...
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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by sizzlingbadger »

1969, same year as me, would love to own something like that one day.
Tube amp and guitar tones straight from 1958… amazing how believable the sounds were back then, even without the modellers...

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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Polar Bear »

sizzlingbadger wrote:1969, same year as me, would love to own something like that one day.
My '83 Custom is a birth year guitar, so that one's staying forever. It does oddly add a bit of significance. Give me a yell if you want to have a jam on this one, if nothing else it will be at work next Tuesday, if you're around.
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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by sizzlingbadger »

I'll try and pop in.
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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Molly »

Nice slice of paradise there PB.

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Re: 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Post by Polar Bear »

Molly wrote:Nice slice of paradise there PB.
That's called 'Wellington'.
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