Black Beauty refinished

[Xrun Morzov]

So I've found a refinished Black Beauty that's not listed on ebay/reverb. The seller says it's '54. Her's his words: "I know its a 54’ The 54’ did not have serial numbers. It could be 55’ or 56’ but not later then that, The bridge and tailpiece and switch is original. Machine heads and pots are 70’s. Bridge pickup is 50’s and the neck is a Duncan antiqiuty. The case is 70’s Gibson."

Have played her and I think she's awesome though I don't have much experience with 50's guitars. Would like your opinion and advise to verify that it's a real 50's Gibson. Some pics:

 

[Oranjeaap]

It's for sale by a trusted store. If you doubt their knowledge, ask for more pictures because the 3 pictures on their website are hardly enough to say anything else apart from "yep it's black".

 

[jimi55lp]

I only see two photos?

 

[Dynabyte]

The thing that sticks out to me, if I recall correctly all 50s Customs had the inlays at the 17th, 19th and 21st position the same size, it's the one thing you can use as an indicator. Maybe it has a new fretboard - a picture of the control cavity and neck joint under the neck pickup will tell alot.

 

[Kris Ford]

DEFINITELY refretted.

 

[FUS44]

Is it a 72 RI? I think Dynabite is right about the inlays. The 72 RI was close to a 54 including the long tenon, but I don't think they got the inlays or HS shape right. That one doesn't look like a 70's HS though. How about some more pics.....

 

[Midnight Blues]

I don't think so? The '72s had LE (Limited Edition) prefixed serial numbers. At least mine does anyway.

 

[Xrun Morzov]

It's for sale by a trusted store. If you doubt their knowledge, ask for more pictures because the 3 pictures on their website are hardly enough to say anything else apart from "yep it's black".

I actually did try it by myself and liked the feeling. In addition the guitar is pretty lightweight.

The thing that sticks out to me, if I recall correctly all 50s Customs had the inlays at the 17th, 19th and 21st position the same size, it's the one thing you can use as an indicator. Maybe it has a new fretboard - a picture of the control cavity and neck joint under the neck pickup will tell alot.

Thank you for this input. I will ask seller for photos of the control cavity and neck joint under the neck pickup.

DEFINITELY refretted.

Obviously yes, sir )

Is it a 72 RI? I think Dynabite is right about the inlays. The 72 RI was close to a 54 including the long tenon, but I don't think they got the inlays or HS shape right. That one doesn't look like a 70's HS though. How about some more pics.....

Sorry, what do you mean by 'HS shape'?

 

[Reno_1ted]

Sorry, what do you mean by 'HS shape'?

Headstock shape

 

[Oranjeaap]

I actually did try it by myself and liked the feeling. In addition the guitar is pretty lightweight.

That's a good start

 

[zhivago]

More pics would be great...

Yes, the last three inlays should all be the same size, but there have been a few vintage 50s Customs where the last one was smaller.

The knobs are pointing to it being a late '55/'56/early '57 guitar.

Definitely has been refretted and it looks like it had Grovers too in the past.

Cool looking guitar...

 

[Xrun Morzov]

Headstock shape

Looks similar to '68, though it definitely has mahogany top (seen through some dents on the top). I've found some info on '68...
http://www.latesixtieslespauls.com/common.asp

 

[JJ Blair]

Wrong knobs for '54, but those could have been changed.

The thing that sticks out to me, if I recall correctly all 50s Customs had the inlays at the 17th, 19th and 21st position the same size, it's the one thing you can use as an indicator.

Not "all," but almost all. Even the one in the catalog has a smaller 21st fret inlay.

My '58 has a small 21st fret inlay. Richard Henry feels that it was sent for a refret, and they swapped the whole fretboard, but I see not evidence of that, and it makes no sense to me. Besides, why on earth would you refret a fretless wonder? There's no frets to wear.

 

[LPPILOT]

TRC does not butt down tight against the top edge of the nut like 68 and Norlins .

Look at the neck heal shape. They were smaller and rounder than 60's

The logo looks good

 

[ziggybumwah]

That looks great! I just put a new fretboard on a friend's 72 Les Paul Custom which looks just like this one although more beat up.... It was a fretless wonder too, but the neck/ fretboard had a terrible hump where it met the body and was unplayable.
Anyhoo, a tidbit of info: if it were a '72, it would have a serial number that starts with LE (limited edition)

That neck staple pickup is a blast by the way!! Post more pics if you have them!

 

[Britbender]

Refin = lost serial nr. ?

looks like a 72 to me...

 

[Xrun Morzov]

looks like a 72 to me...

What makes you think so?

 

[Xrun Morzov]

Here's some more photos from the seller. Is it short tenon?!

 

[JJ Blair]

OK, here's what I see: Not '50s switch ring. Does not look like '50 finish to me. Looks like short tenon. Obviously not '50 caps.

 

[Dynabyte]

I am no expert in these guitars - but here's a link to a 1955 on Reverb with what appears to be the same neck pickup cavity. It may have needed to be routed deeper to allow for the Alnico single coil. The control cavity routes look correct with the chew mark but others should chime in.

https://reverb.com/item/23458-gibson-les-paul-custom-1955