1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959/1960 to "Burst." Photo intense!!!

[eric ernest]

Here's a cool guitar I came across this past weekend. It's a one owner, 1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop that was sent back to the Kalamazoo factory in 1959/1960 and converted to current specs. (Minus the PAFs.)

It was re-necked with a 100% true-to-form 1960 neck.

For all intents and purposes, this guitar is a "Burst" with P-90's.

This first photo is "as found" with original strap and flat '52 style case. (Note misadjusted guard.)

Shot with 3 cameras and in direct sunlight, passive lighting, and with flash. You'll notice the color varies considerably. The actual color is very much like a Gibson Heritage 80.

Enjoy!

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

 

[eric ernest]

Continued...

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop guitar factory converted in 1959 1960 to "Burst."

 

[lpfan1980]

So its a vintage re-vintage awesome.

 

[eric ernest]

Yeah, I should address the issue of the two toggleswitch backplates. Apparently, when they refinished it, they routed the backplate ledge to clean it out. In doing so, they routed too deep. The solution was to just put two packplates on it.

Never seen that before!

 

[pinefd]

Wow, very cool Eric!


Frank

 

[Sharp]

so it would have had a rap around bridge and the TOM fit in the same holes? great pictures of beauty guitar Thanks

 

[Hogie34]

Oh man, that is a beauty! Thanks for sharing those photos Mr. Ernest. Greatly appreciated!

 

[NINFNM]

That's the perfect guitar

 

[lewis_grey]

What a cool find! Be interested to know if that makes it more or less valuable than if it was totally original...certainly if it had been converted to PAF’s at the same time you’d imagine it would be worth quite a bit more than a standard 53.

 

[sws1]

Silly question...how do you know it was Gibson in 1960 that did the work? Is it because the paint is 'right'?

 

[eric ernest]

The paint and the neck are spot on 1960. The inlays are pre-1961....but also not early 50's.

Additionally, the no wire ABR-1, and the stoptail is actually the short break 1959 bottom mold seam.

Here's a good side by side to illustrate the transparency of the early 50's inlays versus later ones. With the SG model in 1961, Gibson resumed the more trasparent inlays.

 

[eric ernest]

Be interested to know if that makes it more or less valuable than if it was totally original.

It's considerably more desirable and valuable than a stock 1953.

 

[gibsongt]

Great pictures! Do you have a picture that shows where the trap tailpiece holes were? What did the factory do to them? Thanks!

 

[mdubya]

Super cool! Thanks for sharing.

 

[eric ernest]

Do you have a picture that shows where the trap tailpiece holes were?

They were plugged rather well. This is in direct sunlight. Much less noticeable otherwise.

 

[goldtop0]

Thanks Eric, looks great and definitely a reworked gem plus keeping of the good tone P90s .............but for me I like a fat neck so the '60s one just wouldn't be the go.........good lord I'm picky

 

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

Schiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit...

 

[Deftone]

wOw! Beautiful. So cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Uncle Vinnie]

The fact that Gibson did the mod should keep the purists from stroking out. I'm glad they didn't swap out the P90s for PAFs.

Looks like a 70s Les Paul Pro.

 

[WhiteEpiLP]

What about the bridge location, was they any form of anchor on trapeze models where the bridge sits?