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Early 1968 LPC with 899XXX serial

Frankenchops

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Joined
Mar 31, 2017
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2
First I would like to say thanks to all who share information on this forum. I find it to be a great resource for all things Les Paul and beyond.

I have a very early 68LPC that according to Gibson was shipped June 07 1968. I was hoping that somebody here would know what the deal is with these pre-Namm 68s. Were these destined for the NAMM show? By any chance does anybody have the ledger that would cover this time period? Any info would be very much appreciated.
 

Tom Wittrock

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Aug 2, 2001
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42,567
I have a very early 68LPC that according to Gibson was shipped June 07 1968. I was hoping that somebody here would know what the deal is with these pre-Namm 68s. Were these destined for the NAMM show? By any chance does anybody have the ledger that would cover this time period? Any info would be very much appreciated.

Whoever told you it was shipped on June 7th would obviously have to have access to the ledgers. And, they would also know where it was shipped to .... a dealer or the NAMM show.
So, ask them where it was shipped to, and you should have your answer.

Incidentally, what was the date [and location] of the 1968 NAMM show?
 

Frankenchops

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Mar 31, 2017
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2
Whoever told you it was shipped on June 7th would obviously have to have access to the ledgers. And, they would also know where it was shipped to .... a dealer or the NAMM show.
So, ask them where it was shipped to, and you should have your answer.

Incidentally, what was the date [and location] of the 1968 NAMM show?


Thanks for the response Tom,

I received the shipping date from a Gibson Rep after emailing them the serial number. Unfortunately they were unable to provide any more info, i.e. where the guitar was shipped. Furthermore, as we all know, they won't provide a scan of the ledgers anymore. I suppose that there is a good chance that it will remain a mystery.

1968 NAMM was in Chicago June 23-27

Thanks again.
 

moonweasel

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Joined
Jan 20, 2004
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9,427
Franken,

I have seen 899xxx serials for Customs. Very early. No way to know if it was destined to be shown at NAMM, they wouldn't need more than one or two to show off. Statistically, it is likely just a regular-production ---- badass, super-rare/early LSLPC. Cool!

Tom, unfortunately, the ledger only contains the date, model type, and serial number.
 

AtomEve

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2002
Messages
4,666
You may find some of this information on my 1968 LPC helpful. http://www.atomeveeclipse.com/guitars/6869LesPauls.html

Congrats on your guitar! They are great examples of Gibson craftsmanship. I own the earliest 1968 Les Paul Custom shipped based on the ledger records at Gibson. I was told on the phone that three were in the ledger as shipped (left the plant) prior to NAMM with mine being the earliest. Yours would be one of those three. I don't know of any records that confirm which guitars were actually at NAMM that year but it would be one or all of the three mentioned.

Cheers,
Bryan
 

Hidesert

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Joined
Nov 22, 2019
Messages
6
Hi guys. I found this thread yesterday while looking for information on my late 60’s Les Paul Custom. I’ve owned this guitar since 1976. When I found it at a garage sale in Ann Arbor, MI, it was leaning against a car in the driveway alongside a stripped 1968 Fender P bass...I bought the Les Paul on the spot and asked them to hold the bass for me while I tried to come up with the additional money. They did, and I still have both!

Well, the LPC was already heavily played. The tuners were changed to Grovers, I think it had a brass nut, the back had moderate buckle rash, the strap buttons had been fiddled with, the neck finish showed some wood from palm wear, and someone had scraped off the already yellowed clear lacquer over the peghead split diamond and Gibson inlays! Not to mention the heavy finish checking throughout and the written in marker initials “JC” in the buckle wear spot on the back! So we are not talking about a mint, factory original guitar.

Fast forward to sometime in the early 80’s. I was living in Kalamazoo, and I decided to get it refretted by a respected ex Gibson employee, Pete Moreno. Unfortunately, when I picked it up, my guitar had beautiful, perfect, new jumbo frets...and a rebound and oversprayed neck...even then, I was bummed.
I found a PAF (Nickle) and installed it in the neck position...the original Bridge pu is still there. I liked the variety of tones this setup offerred, and the guitar remains one of my favorites.


So here’s the twist...Serial number is 899356

This always confused me...no volute, big beefy one piece neck, one piece body with maple cap, no made in USA stamp...the features all seemed consistent with a 1968 RI LPC.
but it was the info in this thread that confirmed what I had believed...and even more!!!

So, wow!!!
 
Last edited:

Reno_1ted

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2014
Messages
665
Hi guys. I found this thread yesterday while looking for information on my late 60’s Les Paul Custom. I’ve owned this guitar since 1976. When I found it at a garage sale in Ann Arbor, MI, it was leaning against a car in the driveway alongside a stripped 1968 Fender P bass...I bought the Les Paul on the spot and asked them to hold the bass for me while I tried to come up with the additional money. They did, and I still have both!

Well, the LPC was already heavily played. The tuners were changed to Grovers, I think it had a brass nut, the back had moderate buckle rash, the strap buttons had been fiddled with, the neck finish showed some wood from palm wear, and someone had scraped off the already yellowed clear lacquer over the peghead split diamond and Gibson inlays! Not to mention the heavy finish checking throughout and the written in marker initials “JC” in the buckle wear spot on the back! So we are not talking about a mint, factory original guitar.

Fast forward to sometime in the early 80’s. I was living in Kalamazoo, and I decided to get it refretted by a respected ex Gibson employee, Pete Moreno. Unfortunately, when I picked it up, my guitar had beautiful, perfect, new jumbo frets...and a rebound and oversprayed neck...even then, I was bummed.
I found a PAF (Nickle) and installed it in the neck position...the original Bridge pu is still there. I liked the variety of tones this setup offerred, and the guitar remains one of my favorites.


So here’s the twist...Serial number is 899536

This always confused me...no volute, big beefy one piece neck, one piece body with maple cap, no made in USA stamp...the features all seemed consistent with a 1968 RI LPC.
but it was the info in this thread that confirmed what I had believed...and even more!!!

So, wow!!!

Its a crime that you posted this without a picture of this awesome sounding guitar ! We want to see ! :spabout:dude:
 

Hidesert

New member
Joined
Nov 22, 2019
Messages
6
I would like to post pics of my 1968 LPC but can’t quite figure out what to do...even though I am registered, I am told “you may not post attachments”?
I am not sure why.
 

RC67

New member
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
9
I would love to see the pics as well. Question for anyone reading.... I have a 2012 CC # 6 (Mike Slub's CC) in mint shape and have a chance to trade for a late 68 - early 69 LPC. The 68/69 is in great shape but has newer (70's) tuners and pickups. Should i trade for the cool old wood or keep the CC # 6? thanks for any advice.
RC67
 
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