• 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!

My Les Paul Custom

Andy79

New member
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
Messages
28


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p...G4UNX8feKOcMIrKbZY3vc=w530-h706-no?authuser=0

View attachment 13793

Hi All,

A quick hello from the UK – this forum has been really helpful when I was looking for my Les Paul, with any question I asked of the internet.
Up until now I’ve been playing a Telecaster Standard, a 70’s Yamaha acoustic and occasionally an Ibanez with a blue quilted maple top. I'm into blues/rock/60's/70's/Indie/modern rock.

I decided that my first proper Les Paul was going to be a late 80’s or 90’s Custom – which proved tricky as they are thin on the ground where I live in the north of England - they all seem to reside around London!
After a few months of looking – I got impatient and bought my guitar unseen online, from a seller that specialises in shipping guitars. I had not even got around to trying a custom in a guitar store,
and my only experience of a Les Paul was an Epiphone that I had briefly 20 years ago as a beginner! Risky. After lots of questions to the seller and extra photos etc. I took the plunge – and it arrived safely in a ton of bubble wrap around the hardcase.

So it’s a late 1990 Custom in Black, Ebony fretboard and gold hardware. Looks all original, pickups have black ‘Patent applied for’ stickers on the back which I think may be ’57 Classics.
Looks as though it’s not had a lot of use over 30 years – original frets only have a little wear. First fret is too high and setup/action/pickup height is all over the place so needs a little love.

First impressions in my hands – the neck feels great, quite rounded ‘C’ shape, not thin not fat.
Unplugged strum – Wow the sustain.... never played anything like it before.
Plugged in to my Marshall JTM30 - neck pickup – now this sounds nice, detailed. that sustain again. Strum a chord and listen –, what’s that I’m hearing - overtones? (harmonics?) I don’t know how to describe it but it sounds fantastic. Turned up the pre-amp gain and there’s that fat creamy lead sound high up the neck – just what I wanted. Bridge pickup a bit quiet/thin, but then it’s set very low and one adjuster screw is stuck.

Heavy as you’d expect – 10.5lbs – placed it on my guitar stand and the stand sagged and spread under the weight! So need to buy a heavier duty stand I think.
It looks fantastic – the Nitro finish has yellowed and has crazed in places, especially on the front of the headstock. Pickup covers and the bridge are quite badly corroded/bubbled (the green stuff coming through the plating) so I might try to improve that a little.

Planning to get it to a good guitar tech for a fret dress/crown, full setup. Here's a couple of pics to start with.



bay LPC 1990 bb  5 s-l1600.jpgbay LPC 1990 bb  2 s-l1600.jpg
 
Last edited:

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Andy!, Andy!!, Andrew!!! Loverly, beautimous Les Paul Custom! In proper tuxedo glossy ebony black. Ebony 'board w/ MOP inlays, split diamond MOP headstock, multibound and gold plated!! HAVE MERCY!! ANDY!!


I'm a big fan of those Top of the Line Les Pauls and have often sung the praises of the toneful 57 Classic paf type humbucker. A pup as good as it gets for vintage Gibson Les Paul tones, imo. Ya done good, brother. You must be sportin' a mighty big grin now.

Enjoy it. Play it like you mean it!!:salude:hank:hank:hank:yah:peace2
 

metropolis

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
390
Looks great! Congrats and welcome aboard. A black custom is the one LP missing for me and posts like your don't help calm that feeling!
 

Andy79

New member
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
Messages
28
Andy!, Andy!!, Andrew!!! Loverly, beautimous Les Paul Custom! In proper tuxedo glossy ebony black. Ebony 'board w/ MOP inlays, split diamond MOP headstock, multibound and gold plated!! HAVE MERCY!! ANDY!!


I'm a big fan of those Top of the Line Les Pauls and have often sung the praises of the toneful 57 Classic paf type humbucker. A pup as good as it gets for vintage Gibson Les Paul tones, imo. Ya done good, brother. You must be sportin' a mighty big grin now.

Enjoy it. Play it like you mean it!!:salude:hank:hank:hank:yah:peace2

Big Al, many thanks for the enthusiastic reply!

After a few late evenings sorting out green corrosion on the hardware, and rusty screws etc, it has gone to a great tech for a full setup, I can't wait to get it back!
 

Andy79

New member
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
Messages
28
Looks great! Congrats and welcome aboard. A black custom is the one LP missing for me and posts like your don't help calm that feeling!

Thanks! (and apologies!) it's a slippery slope... but probably will be a long time before I'm allowed to buy a second LP!
 

metropolis

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
390
That's a gorgeous guitar and looks beautifully, naturally aged. Good pedigree too, I have a great '89 Standard (that also weighs a ton!) :peace2
 

VamboRool

Active member
Joined
Nov 25, 2015
Messages
424
If you don't already have a really wide strap, get one, it will help with the weight. I like real leather also.
 

Andy79

New member
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
Messages
28
That's a gorgeous guitar and looks beautifully, naturally aged. Good pedigree too, I have a great '89 Standard (that also weighs a ton!) :peace2

thankyou, an 1989 onward was what I was aiming for. They are great well made guitars.
 

Andy79

New member
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
Messages
28
If you don't already have a really wide strap, get one, it will help with the weight. I like real leather also.

Great point. Levys suede ones are my choice for my two porkers:

Light tan for my Goldtop: https://www.hotroxuk.com/levys-ms26-tan-suede-leather-strap.html
Black for my ebony Custom: https://www.hotroxuk.com/levys-ms26-blk-suede-21-2-guitar-strap.html

These two are very well made for the price.

Cheers, I have a wide light tan suede one on my telecaster that I’ve been borrowing, would be good to get a black suede one to match the custom :hmm
 

Aceman

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2008
Messages
51
Hey Andy - SWEET Custom. Glad you loved it!

Really was worried as I read you went from a Tele and an Ibanez shredder to that!

As for the strap - good god man! That's like taking a super model out for dinner and she hasn't picked out a fantastic pair of heels to wear yet. Get that strap now!!!
 

Daking1959

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2016
Messages
43
Very nice..
Here,s my Black Beauty # 2 71xx.
I think this is a pre custom shop LPC. The serial # is in yellow ink not stamped into the head stock. Long neck tenon. Im not sure if its weight relived. 3 57 classic Pu with PAF stickers. Abr birdge with wire retainer.
 

Attachments

  • P1020035.jpg
    P1020035.jpg
    50.6 KB · Views: 20

Andy79

New member
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
Messages
28
Very nice..
Here,s my Black Beauty # 2 71xx.
I think this is a pre custom shop LPC. The serial # is in yellow ink not stamped into the head stock. Long neck tenon. Im not sure if its weight relived. 3 57 classic Pu with PAF stickers. Abr birdge with wire retainer.

very nice!

So that will be a 1992 built Black beauty 1957 reissue then? Guessing all Mahogany body, pots possibly 1950’s spec? Bet it sounds incredible.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
You guys are great!! I have always gotten moist over the mighty Black Beauty. I'm so jealous.
 
Top