1952/59 Gibson Les Paul "Lucy" Red Conversion

You don't see a lot of copies of George Harrison's Les Paul known to all as "Lucy". You can read about the original on my ES-335 blog at www.es-335.com. There are lots of ways to make a Les Paul conversion. One of the best ways is to find a 1952 or early 53 donor guitar. First, they are relatively inexpensive for a goldtop. Second, you don't end up with any filled holes in the top as you would on a late 53 through early 55. It requires a neck reset but that's a small price to pay considering the price differential between a trap tail LP and a wraptail. This conversion was done by Jim Weyandt (Jam City Guitars) and the work, as usual, is impeccable. The all important electronics are from 59 (double white PAFs) and the original 52 harness. There are some repro parts including the pickup rings, the back plates and the bridge. The tailpiece looks like a late 60's. Harness is newer. The top, unlike the original Lucy, is a center seam flame top. Big fat neck and wonderful tone. The original trapeze tailpiece was used to make a plate to cover the holes at the endpin. I'd be surprised if George's Lucy sounded better than this one (that's assuming he was playing it and not me). The key to conversions, in my opinion, is old wood. Not just old but old growth. That's all gone now and will never be available again in our lifetime (or ever). Weight is a very comfortable 8 and a half pounds. case is a 5 latch Stone. It is expensive but find another Lucy even close to this one. Folks are asking $70K to $90K for the aged reissues. This one isn't much more.