1957 Gibson Les Paul Special
Gibson introduced the Les Paul Special in 1955 as a mid-level offering that was priced in between the Standard and Jr Models. With its limed mahogany TV finish and double P-90s it was well received and was the right guitar at the right time to compete against Fender’s Telecaster. All these years later, it’s still the right guitar at the right time, but is likely more complimentary to a whiteguard era Tele for most single-coil fans.
This example was built in 1957 and remains 100% original and unmodified with the exception of a set of tuner buttons harvested from 1960’s Klusons. No other fine print. Electronics, frets, hardware, nut, finish – nothing’s been touched. Apart from a set-up it’s had no time on a guitar repair bench. The neck angle is fine, electronics sound fabulous, and playability is excellent. The neck has a ’57 feel – not as chunky as a ’58, but chunky enough and nicely rounded, with edges that roll in just right. Depth of .925” at the first fret and .995” at the 9th.
The P-90s measure 8.05K (neck) and 8.11 (bridge). The guitar weighs in at 7.3 lbs. Frets show very little playwear, nut has never been out, and the truss rod works properly. The finish shows light playwear but no abuse. There are a few chips in the finish on the back of the neck, the usual assortment of dings, and some pickwear near the pickguard and on the uppermost reaches of the fingerboard. Set up in our shop.
With modern hardshell case.
This example was built in 1957 and remains 100% original and unmodified with the exception of a set of tuner buttons harvested from 1960’s Klusons. No other fine print. Electronics, frets, hardware, nut, finish – nothing’s been touched. Apart from a set-up it’s had no time on a guitar repair bench. The neck angle is fine, electronics sound fabulous, and playability is excellent. The neck has a ’57 feel – not as chunky as a ’58, but chunky enough and nicely rounded, with edges that roll in just right. Depth of .925” at the first fret and .995” at the 9th.
The P-90s measure 8.05K (neck) and 8.11 (bridge). The guitar weighs in at 7.3 lbs. Frets show very little playwear, nut has never been out, and the truss rod works properly. The finish shows light playwear but no abuse. There are a few chips in the finish on the back of the neck, the usual assortment of dings, and some pickwear near the pickguard and on the uppermost reaches of the fingerboard. Set up in our shop.
With modern hardshell case.