• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Pawn Shop "Mushroomed" 95 Les Paul Standard

95LP

New member
Joined
Jul 14, 2018
Messages
3
A couple weeks ago I walked into a pawn shop and apparently minutes before me someone else walked in and sold their 95 Ebony LPS to the shop. The catch is that the guitar had a Mushroom skin plastered all over it. At first look I thought it was paint but at closer inspection it was cloth. The pawn guy offered it to me for $450 and even though it looked like hell and who knows what it was like under the skin, it sounded good so I took it. Not every day you find a LPS for $450. I also verified the Serial number and took a close look to make sure it wasn't fake. It also had Jackson tuners on it instead of the original tuners. Later I also noticed the bridge is gold (made in germany) on back so not sure if that is original.

I brought it home and was instantly impressed with the sound. Ive never owned a real Gibson before. While the Mushroom skin kinda grew on me and my wife and a few people thought I should keep it...I decided to take it off the Headstock first to make sure it had the Gibson and les paul logos.

It was great when I realized the skin was coming off easier than I though, but it did leave residue. Which I used mostly distilled white vinegar to remove. I was super excited when the Gibson and Les Paul logos appeared when ripping off the skin.

After cleaning the headstock as well as I could, I decided top leave the body as is for the time being. But it kinda literally stunk. The Pawn guy said the previous owner was a "known" player going through hard times...and that the guitar was heavily used over the years (it shows). So this week I suddenly decided it was time to get this guy as close to it original form as possible.

Besides the skin, the guy also glued sparkly stuff on the binding and knobs. That sparkly stuff and glue is harder to remove than the skin itself.

I do have some questions for you experts. After peeling the body paint is very irregular...beat up...maybe why he decided to skin it. My question is....and may be hard to tell from photos, do you think it was repainted? Or is this how a weathered LPS paint job goes when used with little love. Also, the Gold Bridge made in germany...is that a replacement? I dont think it came with gold hardware..though the studs in the guitar for the bridge and tailpiece are also wore gold...the tailpiece is chrome.

Im still slowly cleaning scraping a little each day..especially at the binding..ordered a pickguard, switch cap and gonna order original tuners. I wonder if I should consider sanding and repainting or just leave it as is.

See photos of the work in progress. More photos in second comment.
 

Attachments

  • 35481227_10214207590091448_8845778771551191040_o.jpg
    35481227_10214207590091448_8845778771551191040_o.jpg
    53.9 KB · Views: 177
  • 35294592_10214187845757852_1355366540450463744_n.jpg
    35294592_10214187845757852_1355366540450463744_n.jpg
    52.3 KB · Views: 147
  • 37019335_10214375249322824_1046507260282404864_n.jpg
    37019335_10214375249322824_1046507260282404864_n.jpg
    58.2 KB · Views: 304
  • 36913855_10214375249282823_6087802480618373120_n.jpg
    36913855_10214375249282823_6087802480618373120_n.jpg
    55.8 KB · Views: 123
  • 37013355_10214375249762835_7571252990309302272_n.jpg
    37013355_10214375249762835_7571252990309302272_n.jpg
    55.5 KB · Views: 150

95LP

New member
Joined
Jul 14, 2018
Messages
3
More photos....
 

Attachments

  • 36988177_10214375249202821_5295216096352141312_n.jpg
    36988177_10214375249202821_5295216096352141312_n.jpg
    55.6 KB · Views: 90
  • 36988162_10214375250322849_4640261234711592960_n.jpg
    36988162_10214375250322849_4640261234711592960_n.jpg
    55.8 KB · Views: 127
  • 37076068_10214375250362850_4166020884441595904_n.jpg
    37076068_10214375250362850_4166020884441595904_n.jpg
    57 KB · Views: 89

95LP

New member
Joined
Jul 14, 2018
Messages
3
Here are a few shots....binding area before and after cleaning /scraping. Also a nice ugly shot of the paint job so you can see more details of how it is and if you think its original.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1159-1.jpg
    IMG_1159-1.jpg
    52.4 KB · Views: 97
  • IMG_1248.jpg
    IMG_1248.jpg
    47.7 KB · Views: 96
  • 55323968616__70D4FAE3-1FC1-4871-8D40-363AD5A6C987-1.jpg
    55323968616__70D4FAE3-1FC1-4871-8D40-363AD5A6C987-1.jpg
    51.2 KB · Views: 112

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
I like this Les Paul in all it's funky glory . I bet this Lester can tell a story or two and there the rub if only she could talk ?
 

Jericbrazier

New member
Joined
Jul 6, 2018
Messages
6
I recently got a helluva deal on a beat up ‘96 Classic GT (pre snot green inlays), and it’s the best sounding and feeling LP I’ve had the pleasure of playing. IMHO, when a good instrument has a lot of miles on it, it’s a player. I’m usually more skeptical about a 20 year old guitar that looks new. Besides, people pay extra to buy guitars that are beat up (reliced). I think it’s way cooler if the dings, scratches, and checking was caused by someone playing and loving that guitar.
 

Vince Q

Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2017
Messages
43
What in heaven's name possesses people to do something like that to such a fine guitar? (Rhetorically speaking)
 

SpencerD

Active member
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Messages
910
Awesome!

The shroom shroud adhesive totalled out the finish coat the guitar originally had. No biggie. --- Freaking hilarious! :hee:dude:
 

chasenblues

New member
Joined
Jul 3, 2006
Messages
1,228
What in heaven's name possesses people to do something like that to such a fine guitar? (Rhetorically speaking)

A over zealous Alice In Wonderland Or Allman Bros fan.?:laugh2:

attachment.php
 

Hotshot

Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2017
Messages
282
I scored the same deal on a beat up studio. I used it as a learning op, and did a True Historic, aniline dye, nitro re fin. Keep using Napta on it, and then try Simple Green. Id strip all the electrics out of it and deep clean it. Man that would be a fun project. I also think once you clean it you can Drill buff it back to glory.

I know my 16" Buffer i use would make it look new.


Heres mine.

i-twgsC47-XL.jpg
 

SpencerD

Active member
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Messages
910
A over zealous Alice In Wonderland Or Allman Bros fan.?:laugh2:

attachment.php

Doodman --- the chances of an ABB guy wrapping a Les Paul in plastic are pretty slim.

Not even being Cubenisis mushrooms is fucking comical too right?
 

cincyguitar

Active member
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
431
This guy that put those mushrooms on that Les Paul has been eating too many mushrooms...:dude:
 

SpencerD

Active member
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Messages
910
Uh,so yeah....this clip is definitely one of those NSFW or kids -- Neil Patrick Harris shrooming out .....or something....


 
Top