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Repairs done to 50s Les Pauls at Gibson: Any Records?

tom wu

Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
984
Ok so this post one is a long time coming. I have a early 50s (54) Lester that was renecked early on in its life. Without naming any names, one prominent expert on all things LPs who worked on it told me the neck was likely a 1959 neck. Another person; a collector who knows a crapload about these guitars said "maybe, maybe not". The SN and other markings verify it a 54 body. I have had this guitar many years and I always wondered if the work was done at Gibson, is there a record of it? and more importantly, how would I go about verifying such a thing? BTW I have played tons of LPs, and this guitar has something very magical about it, so I can see where the love for old Les Pauls is something that s way beyond a craze or fad. Any help would be appreciated in this quest. Thanks
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
Take it to the Arlington show and have lots of "experts" check it out, preferably at the same time. Expect to remove the neck pickup so the neck joint is visible, etc.

You'll get the best answers in a day or two. :ganz
 

tom wu

Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
984
Take it to the Arlington show and have lots of "experts" check it out, preferably at the same time. Expect to remove the neck pickup so the neck joint is visible, etc.

You'll get the best answers in a day or two. :ganz


Thanks Tom. If I do take it to Arlington, it will be w the primary intention of jamming on stage with you..something I keep missing out on. Two TMs have had their mittens on this one, plus some other guy with an ordained name on this LPF knows it well...hence the claims already stated. Here's hoping to see ya this year.:salude
 

DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,319
I have a 1960 Black Beauty that was re-necked by Gibson in 1972 and stamped with a 1972-series serial number. I contacted the Historian at Gibson (I don't recall his name) and he said the don't have any repair records going back that far.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I would assume the headstock details would help. Holly face, logo placement and font style, silkscreen location and font as well as fret size, fingerboard and neck pitch. Serial number and font as well as the nut and Klusons all should help narrow the time frame.
 

Fried okra

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
3,156
Talk to Gibson Custom, great guys. I don't know about all the Ledger books. But, the solidbody ledger book from January to November '57 is missing. December '57 through June of 1958 is available. Good luck.
 
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