1990 Standard; Custom Shop finish (8 x 100kb pic's)

[RedSkwirrell]

This post is a response to a question from 'JCarno' in another thread.
I have a bad habit of going off-topic and recognise this can cause upset on some forums, hence starting this one.

This is my 1990 Gibson Les Paul Standard cherry sunburst finished in the Gibson Custom Shop with a very subtle, almost non-existent, flame around the edges (which is my favourite thing about it).
I bought it in England (Ealing) in 1991 as my first LP, after spending every weekend for two years driving all over the South of England looking for one.
I tried out hundreds of different types of Standard, Custom, and Classic, but every one I tried had some little fault with it and this was too big a deal for me to accept them.
Played this and bought it straight away.

Everything is original, except:-

The original nut dropped off while I was changing strings after just one year and it would never settle back quite as it should.
I took it to a luthier who carved a new one out of an old piano key.
There's one paper shim under it, on the high side.
I think it's improved the tone, but nobody else noticed so it's probably just me.
I've replaced the original fret wire* three times and had the neck re-shot.
*First with fat Fender wire (dreadful error of judgment) and then with two different types of Gibson wire.
I can't remember wither Gibson wire was, but the latter has lasted much better than the original, which only gave me 2 years.

I didn't want to risk my meager skills on its' very first set up and took it to an incompetent "luthier" who returned it to me a week later;
The set-up was worse than when I gave it to him and there were two marks in the finish (fortunately not on the top).
He'd obviously dropped some chemical on it as it had dribbled about four inches down the back of the neck and then dropped onto the rear of the body and done the same.
It had completely removed the finish right down to the wood.

A friend of mine told me to take it to a friend of his, who was a luthier working for 'Palm Bay' guitars.
Previously he had been with 'Patrick Eggle' Guitars.
He very kindly fixed the damage so it's unnoticeable now, even though I know roughly where it was.
I watched him do it and it took less than 60 seconds.
He basically used a buffer-wheel to 'polish' the finish either side of the damage over it.

Needs a bit of a clean now but here it is:-


1990 Gibson Les Paul Standard cherry sunburst flame finish.


Original Gibson matching case for the guitar.


Yeah. I guess I should have warned youse all in advance about the lining.


With the protective cloth removed.


Took me twenty years and three cameras to capture this finish.
Every other photo' made it look like a normal cherry sunburst.
These were taken with a Canon EOS-600D; 18-55mm lens; in a mix of natural, tungsten, and flash lighting.


View of the finish from the business side of the body.


Top of the neck with Headstock; carved replacement nut; and dirty fret board.
Original Klusons (never had a problem with them).
It has a deep profile neck (too deep for it's time) but I don't know which model it's copying.


"Custom Shop Edition" stamp on rear of headstock

The dealer told me it is one of two imported to the U.K.
I don't think that was entirely true, but it is a lovely player with great soft and hard tones.
(If it was true I'd be interested to know what happened to the other one).

I wasn't listening when the guy told me exactly what this guitar is.
I know it's a copy of an earlier version but not which one; The serial number indicates that it wasn't a re-issue.
I also know the production line history (from the headstock serial number).
If anyone knows any more about what it might be, I would like to know.
Thanks.

Skwizz

[JCarno]

Hey, Thanks for this!!
The reason I was curious is because I own a 1990 Standard HCSB but mine is not Custom Shop.
I've only owned mine for a couple months so when I see one of the same year I try to get as much info as I can.
The previous owner did state that the PU covers had been replaced by him but was unsure of the rest of the hardware.
I've since replaced the bridge and TP with Faber aged ABR1 Nashville replacement and aluminum TP.
It still has the nibs so I'm assuming it has never been refretted. It does appear to have had a leveling done.

I gotta say, this axe just fits me like a glove. It's a little heavy but I don't mind. It sustains for days!! Pearly Gates neck position, Marshall DSL50 and Mesa Single Lead50 in stereo and I can hold a note for ever.
Here's a few before and after pics.
Left is before, right, after.
Yes, Its really hard to capture the top with my cam as it truly looks.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your info.
Oh, one more thing,(said in my best Columbo voice) Have you ever noticed the name of the person who signed yours in the neck PU cavity? Mine is signed by Betty.
Thanks,Joe

[RedSkwirrell]

You're welcome.
Mine's very heavy too, but I know they had already started reducing weights by then.
Your description sounds great, Joe.
Top looks good too.
I had to use a digital camera to get the best out of mine (it was costing me a fortune in cellulose).
Once I went digital I was able to experiment.
I founs the best result was to keep the room light on, let natural light in from outside, and mix with some flash to top it up.
Seems to work best if the guitar's horizontal with the flash almost right over it as well.

Perhaps you could help with the term "nibs".
As I've had my '90 re-fretted several times, I probably don't have them anyway.
But I don't know what they are and am keen to.

Alas, I've never had Betty's Pups out, so I can't say for sure if she's ever been near my cavity.


[If I ever go there, I'll get back and let you know.]

[JCarno]

Nibs are the part of the binding that is attached to the fret wire. Often times when you have a refret, you lose the nibs during the process.
Perhaps this will explain it better:Philtone Guitar Company - Nibs

[bdubbs]

Originally Posted by JCarno

Nibs are the part of the binding that is attached to the fret wire. Often times when you have a refret, you lose the nibs during the process.
Perhaps this will explain it better:Philtone Guitar Company - Nibs

Thats the luthier I bring my stuff to. Great guy.

[brokenarrow5]

very nice

[RedSkwirrell]

Originally Posted by JCarno

Often times when you have a refret, you lose the nibs during the process.

Hmmm, interesting.
I will have a look later today and post a separate shot of the neck binding.
I confess I am not sure if the nibs were saved.
Three different luthiers were involved in three different refrets.
I'm not optimistic.

These are the guys who finally fixed mine up for me.
(Wish I'd taken it to them in the first place)

[JCarno]

No need for more pics as I can see from the ones you posted that they are missing. From what I've read, it's not a big deal. It's expected on a guitar that's had a refret. I understand it's nearly impossible to save them. Again, no big deal, just means it's a player.
I do think though that your guitar is alot more special than mine. In my research I have found that there are guitars from that era that are called "pre historic reissues" It seems the more I read the more confusing it gets. But yours being from the Custom Shop indicates it may be one of those. I'll see if I can find some of the stuff I've read.

Edit: Ok, here's one. http://www.lespaulforum.com/slubarti...9reissues.html
After reading that, you can see where the confusion comes from.

And another: 1990’s R9 price?

[RedSkwirrell]

Originally Posted by JCarno

No need for more pics as I can see from the ones you posted that they are missing.

Ah, good spot.

The latter re-issues on your first link are brilliant.
The '83 top is lovely.
I love the '93 just because the red die doesn't cover most of the body.
Just a thin strip around the outer edges.
Nice.