2013 Les Paul Custom

[Pappy58]

Hey everyone, forum noobie here, but not Gibson or Les Paul noobie. I have been lurking some time have found this forum to be very friendly and knowledgeable. I was recently presented with what appears to be a Les Paul Custom made in 2013 with SN: CS 301170. All the SN searchers I have found only show 5 numerals after the CS. I am assuming that this was sequence number 1170 in 2013? Any assistance on the SN would be appreciated.

This guitar seems to be somewhat unique from what I have researched;

Spec Sheet states 490 and 498+ for pickups, but this baby has Custom Buckers. The one in the neck position is labeled "R Custom Bucker" and the one in the bridge position is labeled "M Custom Bucker". Both have date codes of 1/15/13 and also have the black PAF stickers. Any thoughts on how these ended up in there and what the difference between the M and R versions might be?

Also, the spec sheet states Richlite, but this board looks and plays like rosewood. I was expecting something that would emulate thee original Ebony at least from appearance. I really cant tell much difference so far between this one and the rosewood board on my 02 Standard double cut. The frets are a little deeper, and it does feel slightly slicker, but if this is a composite they have done a fine job on it.

So my base question is; Is it possible this one could have been special ordered? Or more likely the builder that day used what was in the bin at the time? Any insight would be appreciated. This is a beautiful playing, feeling and sounding guitar, and I was quite pleased to find the Custom Buckers. Much more clarity than the dark 490/498 combo, at least from a 30 min first play after re-string and setup.

Thanks fore the time folks! I am hoping I might have something fairly unique? Any insight on this one would be appreciated.

Pappy

 

[Farquad]

Howdy and Welcome.
Beautiful custom. The board does look like rosewood from the pic. It isnt uncommon to have special runs which yours most likely would fall in. As far as the serial number goes, yes I believe you are correct and that is the 1170th guitar the CS made in 2013.
No idea on the M and R of the pups. I do like the custom bucker sound though.

 

[Pappy58]

Thanks for the feedback Farquad. Now that you mention the special run thing thing, that seems like a real possibility. I guess next thing is to call Gibson with this SN and see what they can tell me. It does appear to to have some add's beyond the published spec, and the more I play and study the board the more I'm convinced it is Rosewood!

 

[politenessman]

the r is for rhythm, m is for middle. somehow it ended up on the bridge of your guitar. its probably very much like the neck custombucker.

 

[Pappy58]

the r is for rhythm, m is for middle. somehow it ended up on the bridge of your guitar. its probably very much like the neck custombucker.

Thanks for that! I really can't tell much difference. They both measure at 7.85k and seem fairly symmetrical in tone.

 

[starscream]

Spec Sheet states 490 and 498+ for pickups, but this baby has Custom Buckers. The one in the neck position is labeled "R Custom Bucker" and the one in the bridge position is labeled "M Custom Bucker". Both have date codes of 1/15/13 and also have the black PAF stickers. Any thoughts on how these ended up in there and what the difference between the M and R versions might be?

Also, the spec sheet states Richlite, but this board looks and plays like rosewood. I was expecting something that would emulate thee original Ebony at least from appearance. I really cant tell much difference so far between this one and the rosewood board on my 02 Standard double cut. The frets are a little deeper, and it does feel slightly slicker, but if this is a composite they have done a fine job on it.

What "spec sheet" are you talking about? Sounds like somebody guessed wrong, or it's for a different Custom model.

 

[Pappy58]

What "spec sheet" are you talking about? Sounds like somebody guessed wrong, or it's for a different Custom model.

The spec sheet I'm speaking of is the Gibson Spec Sheet for a Les Paul Custom Select as posted by Sweetwater and Gibson:

Tech Specs
Body Type Les Paul
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Number of Strings 6
Body Material Mahogany
Top Material Carved Maple
Body Finish Gloss
Color Sunrise Tea Burst
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Shape 1960 Slim Taper Version 2
Scale Length 24.75"
Fingerboard Material Richlite
Fingerboard Inlay Blocks
Number of Frets 22
Tuners Gold Gloss
Number of Pickups 2
Neck Pickup 490R
Bridge Pickup 498T
Controls 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone, 3-way Switch
Case Included Hardshell

No guessing at what the pics are showing. ..but all the data out there that I find say's only historic models get CB's in the Customer Shop ? ...as far as standard product goes anyway. I plan to make that call to Gibson CS tomorrow. Cheers!

 

[tazzboy]

Very nice looking LP

 

[Pappy58]

Very nice looking LP

Thank You!

 

[rikko]

Purdy!!!

 

[KSPaul]

I think that it is a newer version of the 68 Reissue Flametop (or Figured) Custom. By newer version, I mean that a few of the specs have changed (e.g. rosewood board instead of ebony, Nashville bridge instead of ABR, etc.)

Recently, I saw what looked like the following at a local Guitar Center, and it was tagged as a 68RI Flametop

Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Figured Electric Guitar Tiger Eye Rosewood Fingerboard | Musician's Friend

As I think you'll find, the specs appear to be a match to yours.

For comparisons sake, here are a few pix of my 2008 68RI Custom

 

[musicmaniac]

Love burst Customs congrats!

 

[Pappy58]

I think that it is a newer version of the 68 Reissue Flametop (or Figured) Custom. By newer version, I mean that a few of the specs have changed (e.g. rosewood board instead of ebony, Nashville bridge instead of ABR, etc.)

Recently, I saw what looked like the following at a local Guitar Center, and it was tagged as a 68RI Flametop

Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Figured Electric Guitar Tiger Eye Rosewood Fingerboard | Musician's Friend

As I think you'll find, the specs appear to be a match to yours.

For comparisons sake, here are a few pix of my 2008 68RI Custom

Interesting! Thanks much looks like you may have found it! I'll look into this. Still have not found the time to call Gibson CS but will do by tomorrow! Peace all!

 

[starscream]

The spec sheet I'm speaking of is the Gibson Spec Sheet for a Les Paul Custom Select as posted by Sweetwater and Gibson:

Tech Specs
Body Type Les Paul
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Number of Strings 6
Body Material Mahogany
Top Material Carved Maple
Body Finish Gloss
Color Sunrise Tea Burst
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Shape 1960 Slim Taper Version 2
Scale Length 24.75"
Fingerboard Material Richlite
Fingerboard Inlay Blocks
Number of Frets 22
Tuners Gold Gloss
Number of Pickups 2
Neck Pickup 490R
Bridge Pickup 498T
Controls 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone, 3-way Switch
Case Included Hardshell

No guessing at what the pics are showing. ..but all the data out there that I find say's only historic models get CB's in the Customer Shop ? ...as far as standard product goes anyway. I plan to make that call to Gibson CS tomorrow. Cheers!

I don't think that's your guitar model. I don't know if someone told you it was originally purchased from Sweetwater and that was it, or if you're just guessing because it looks similar. The guitar on the Sweetwater page is darker with a thicker rim burst, and you can definitely tell it is Richlite too. I'd guess yours is from a limited run, or they changed the specs between years.

In regards to it being a '68 reissue, if you have the Certificate of Authenticity, for the model it will say "68 LPC".

 

[Pappy58]

I don't think that's your guitar model. I don't know if someone told you it was originally purchased from Sweetwater and that was it, or if you're just guessing because it looks similar. The guitar on the Sweetwater page is darker with a thicker rim burst, and you can definitely tell it is Richlite too. I'd guess yours is from a limited run, or they changed the specs between years.

In regards to it being a '68 reissue, if you have the Certificate of Authenticity, for the model it will say "68 LPC".

Thanks StarScream...the COA states LP Custom F. The spec I posted is a little bit of a guess, but seems to be homologous to most LP Customs for 13 and 14 and is found on most retail sites for this model. I do not know where this guitar was originally purchased. My wife bought it from a dealer I was working with on a 05 standard plus, and she decided to get the bling model. Finding these upgrades was quite the surprise ...but it does seem this must have been from a special run based on the options on it.

Thanks for all the input gents! I have it strung and set up to my liking and it plays like butter and absolutely sings through the 59 Bandmaster! Named it "Gato" cause it looks like a striped tabby cat!

 

[Progrocker111]

In regards to it being a '68 reissue, if you have the Certificate of Authenticity, for the model it will say "68 LPC".

68 reissue should be equipped with ABR bridge. There is Nashville bridge on his photos.

 

[JM2112]

Very cool looking 2013 LP Custom!

The Custom Shop has done others with rosewood fret boards. I've got a 2013 that they did in a limited run with Sweetwater along with some other specs that are different than a typical LP Custom.

 

[FingerLakesFan]

That is a gorgeous guitar, I really love it. I wrote Gibson about a question and they were really good about answering and making sure they had answered all my questions. Will be interested in what they have to say.

 

[Pappy58]

I am indeed loving this thing and my girl for the awesome gift! Looks like mine might be the same as JM2112 with a slightly different burst? Sending email to Gibson as we speak!