1954 Gibson Les Paul Conversion Sunburst
Description
Sunburst with a replacement top of old flamed maple. It’s refinished of course but with original aniline dye as used in late 50’s Les Pauls. You can see it around the edges of the top. We first saw this guitar about 25 years ago and it had the finish checking you can still see now. The conversion was done at least thirty years ago.
The Vintage Guitar price guide lists the 1958 Les Paul Standard at between $275K-$550K depending on the amount of flame. A clean original ’59 highly flamed example is listed up to $750K. A ’54 Goldtop is $40K-$60K
This conversion has been retopped with an old two piece maple with a crazy amount of 3D flame. The whole guitar was refinished and a new serial number added beginning with an 8. The neck is not huge like a ’58 but more like a ’60 in feel. The neck is unbroken and it has no cracks. It’s a nice neck but not as big as a ’58 might be. Note the logo placement on the headstock typical of the ’54 era, “Les” is lower, another sign of a real old wood 50’s body along with the holly headstock overlay. It’s the original logo with lots of old finish checking.
The mahogany body has the square wiring channel to the switch. Also note the cut in the control cavity. Look at the difference in the color inside the cavity compared to the outside. The old red finish is faded like your real 50’s standard. Also look at the buckle wear that is not fake but real from many years of club dates. Yes, the guitar is feather light and resonant. The binding in the cutaway is also correct for a burst.
The pots are newer, the caps are mixed. There is an original patent sticker pickup in the bridge with an output of 7.52K and a favorite of many, a Seymour Duncan Antiquity in the neck position with an 8.46K output. The poker chip and lacquered switch tip look real. The tailpiece is a 50’s nickel wraparound with nickel studs (maybe from ’54). The bridge is a chrome ABR-1 with most of the chrome worn off.
The kicker is it’s super light at 8.2 pounds. Wow, that’s light. Yup it is. Real bursts are graded and priced on flame. Need we say more? It’s light, resonant and has the vibe of a real burst with nothing fakey.
A rising tide lifts all boats and as real bursts rise in value something with old wood like this seems like a real smart buy. Comes with a first generation Gibson protector case with replaced latches. Consigned. $52K
The Vintage Guitar price guide lists the 1958 Les Paul Standard at between $275K-$550K depending on the amount of flame. A clean original ’59 highly flamed example is listed up to $750K. A ’54 Goldtop is $40K-$60K
This conversion has been retopped with an old two piece maple with a crazy amount of 3D flame. The whole guitar was refinished and a new serial number added beginning with an 8. The neck is not huge like a ’58 but more like a ’60 in feel. The neck is unbroken and it has no cracks. It’s a nice neck but not as big as a ’58 might be. Note the logo placement on the headstock typical of the ’54 era, “Les” is lower, another sign of a real old wood 50’s body along with the holly headstock overlay. It’s the original logo with lots of old finish checking.
The mahogany body has the square wiring channel to the switch. Also note the cut in the control cavity. Look at the difference in the color inside the cavity compared to the outside. The old red finish is faded like your real 50’s standard. Also look at the buckle wear that is not fake but real from many years of club dates. Yes, the guitar is feather light and resonant. The binding in the cutaway is also correct for a burst.
The pots are newer, the caps are mixed. There is an original patent sticker pickup in the bridge with an output of 7.52K and a favorite of many, a Seymour Duncan Antiquity in the neck position with an 8.46K output. The poker chip and lacquered switch tip look real. The tailpiece is a 50’s nickel wraparound with nickel studs (maybe from ’54). The bridge is a chrome ABR-1 with most of the chrome worn off.
The kicker is it’s super light at 8.2 pounds. Wow, that’s light. Yup it is. Real bursts are graded and priced on flame. Need we say more? It’s light, resonant and has the vibe of a real burst with nothing fakey.
A rising tide lifts all boats and as real bursts rise in value something with old wood like this seems like a real smart buy. Comes with a first generation Gibson protector case with replaced latches. Consigned. $52K