Framptons '54 Custom found

[Red Pharoah]

I have talked with Peter Frampton about his old LP Ctm. He said it was a 54 conversion. He stressed what he liked about it the most was, it was a very light weight for a Les Paul. Maybe 8 lbs even. This is very light for a vintage Custom as most are around 10 lbs give or take a 1/2 lb. Just curious...what does this found LP Ctm. weigh? Other then the weight and year of Peter's old Custom...I know nothing!! Hope this helps.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

In 1972-73 there was a Les Paul Custom 54 RI LE. But that had an ABR-1 and the last 3 inlays were smaller and smaller.

Just because the RULE is 50's Customs have the last 3 inlays all the same size, does not mean it always had to be that way. And if Peter F. did so many mods as to rip out the AlNiCo V and P90 and put in 3 HBs and put on a Nashville bridge etc, maybe when he refretted it with jumbos the tech had to shave down the last inlay to make them work properly.

 

[weirdotis]

Inlays on the headstock are not the same.

I don't buy that either.

Also, considering how flammable the old celluloid was, I have a hard time believing that the inlays, if anything, would have survived.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

I don't buy that either.

Also, considering how flammable the old celluloid was, I have a hard time believing that the inlays, if anything, would have survived.

Custom inlays are not celluliod, they are MOP. The Standard fretboard inlays were celluloid, the Gibson inlays was MOP too.

 

[Leumas]

Unless I see something compelling pretty soon, this is a pretty obvious hoax.

 

[weirdotis]

Custom inlays are not celluliod, they are MOP. The Standard fretboard inlays were celluloid, the Gibson inlays was MOP too.

Didn't know that. Thanks for correcting me!

Still, the MOP shouldn't have survived either.

 

[TKOjams]

Could be...

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

Didn't know that. Thanks for correcting me!

Still, the MOP shouldn't have survived either.

I know nothing about the details of the crash, maybe the guitar was ejected before the flames? I have no idea.

 

[weirdotis]

I know nothing about the details of the crash, maybe the guitar was ejected before the flames? I have no idea.

Neither do I. I was just going under the assumption that someone had posted earlier that it was engulfed by the flames.

 

[Leumas]

It doesn't bother you that we're talking about a completely different guitar than we were when the thread started?

 

[Lowdown]

Just an observation, is that mahogany I see peaking through the finish on the top? Unless I'm mistaken, if it is mahogany wouldn't this indicate a 50's instrument? '70's Customs all have a maple top if memory serves.
.

Absolutely.
Noted that myself.

As stated earlier,I'm also loving this tread. It sure does kick the crap outta the "Just Found A '59?" threads,that's for sure.

I will sit back and watch the events unfold with much hand wringing…

 

[captain tightpants]

It doesn't bother you that we're talking about a completely different guitar than we were when the thread started?

Yeah, that occurred to me too. The original claim was that this was the '54 "Comes Alive" guitar, now we're positing that it's a totally different instrument.

I will concede that it's possibly a '50's Custom modified with a Nashville bridge, but I don't see the compelling evidence that this was Frampton's.

That said, i honestly hope it is one of his lost guitars.

 

[JustD]

Such an interesting thread. IMHO I think that it's not his guitar, probably an old RI as some said over here. Waiting for more posts here.

 

[Metamatic]

What confuse me is that nobody mentioned the back on the head stock. Does it have a serial numer or did it vanish during the crash?

What was the serial on Frampton's guitar and is there anyevidence on the "resurrected"?

 

[Leumas]

Like I said before, it would be AWESOME if that was the case, but too much stinks about this.

1) NOBODY has addressed my question about the canted inlay. (moot when subject guitar switched)

2) It was DEFINITIVELY CLAIMED that this was the 54/60 conversion based on a reflection survey, despite lingering evidence to the contrary.

3) The original headstock pic shows the upper TRC screw in a place where the TRC cover would block out the bottom spikes of the inlays.

4) The new member upon seeing a grainy video exclaimed "THAT'S IT, THAT'S THE ONE" completely changing the game as to what is to be looked for in the guitar.

5) The nibs deal.

6) The guitar would have had to have survived a GOD DAMNED PLANE CRASH to be having this conversation in the first place.

I'm keeping an open enough mind for it to be changed, but the burden of proof is rapidly approaching the point of being prohibitively high.

 

[Funky54]

I have jumbo frets on mine if you look back, the last block inlay was not shaved down to fit with the big frets. No clue if this is it...but this sure is fun.

Also for anyone asking about a serial number....there wont be one on the back of the headstock or anywhere for that matter on this old of a guitar.

 

[captain tightpants]

I have jumbo frets on mine if you look back, the last block inlay was not shaved down to fit with the big frets. No clue if this is it...but this sure is fun.

Also for anyone asking about a serial number....there wont be one on the back of the headstock or anywhere for that matter on this old of a guitar.

What makes you say that? The vast majority of '50's Les Pauls were shipped with a serial number. Plenty examples of '50's Gibsons still sporting their serial numbers.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

It is true that 1952 Les Pauls did not have a SN but by 1953 they did .

 

[captain tightpants]

It is true that 1952 Les Pauls did not have a SN but by 1953 they did .

And those would by and large have been by and large goldtops, if not ALL of them.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

And those would by and large have been by and large goldtops, if not ALL of them.

Yes, that is very true!