1979 Les Paul Custom For Sale
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Hampshire

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I purchased this guitar in 2008 from a student. He told me he acquired it from the original owner about 2 years earlier. It had been used as a working instrument as the owner from new was a semi-pro player. Both of these people smoked, so this guitar has a distinctive aroma that reminds me of old jazz clubs and seedy joints from my youth. It has some marks and signs of a life of playing, nothing bad, plenty more pics just ask. It has a fair amount of play wear which has caused the gold plate to thin out and wear off, there are some mild area's of buckle rash (only minor lines rather than finish checking or worse) in 2 area's on the back, but it's all very cool none the less. The tail stop is a TP6, so you can fine tune while playing, this was a dealer option according to my Gibson accredited luthier Joe White, (he is a walking bible of all things guitar wise), the wear on the tail stop certainly suggests it is original.
The pots I think are all original. A couple of times a year I clean them with a shot of Servisol as they start to crackle. I cannot read the stamp on the neck volume pot due to the solder, but the solder and ageing look right plus the 2 numbers visible match the pot below. The switch also looks to be correct, I've no reason to doubt otherwise as it feels old enough when you use it (slight play, but no popping or anything suspicious). This guitar has never had a break, split or crack and has no apparent sign of a major knock. The frets are original with a good amount of play left and no marks. Tuners are all original, as is the nut and scratch plate, all the screws, strap buttons. When I first bought it I took it to Andy Manners at Vintage and Rare in Bath and he believed this guitar to be all original and in very good condition, I've done nothing to it since to change any of that.
The serial number (73119594) dates this guitar to day 311 (November 7th), 1979. The end 3 digits make it a Nashville plant guitar. This guitar is lovely, it plays so easily with the 60's profile neck and ebony board, nice low action it is truly a fretless wonder. The mahogany body gives power and tone, the maple cap not only looks lovely but drives those wonderful mid range 60's/70's tones that this guitar delivers. You've got mojo by the bucket load here, and the yellowing of the binding gets better each year. For a few years I had a vintage lightweight tail stop on there which puts it on a par with a 59/60 in sustain and tone (but without the price tag and it's a mod that causes no molestation). I love this guitar, but it needs to help me fund the P/A for my band. I've only used it at home or at the odd rehearsal or session. I'll not sell it cheap and I'm not desperate, so forget silly offers please. This is like a perfectly made custom shop relic only it's been done with 33 years of moderate use and love. I've seen other same age wine red's that don't have the depth or graining of this one, it's vintage cool. You're welcome to drop by and try it out, I work from home so it's an easy thing to arrange I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe + extra cab you can use, or bring your own amp. I've taken lots of pictures, see below. I have tried to point out anything that may need to be known, but if you have a questions or want more pictures please ask. I've not taken a shot of the underside of the pickups as it's not good to keep pulling these parts about, but I can assure you they have the correct date and if you insist or come to view you can have a look.
The original case is the chainsaw type, the 2 catches on one side work, the other is broken and is inside the case. Due to plastic fatigue I cannot fix it but it's there. This guitar is heavy, it weighs in at 5 Kilo's or 11 pounds in old money.
Dimensions available on request, it's a Les Paul the same size as any other.
I'm on 01420 88183 if you wish to talk to me about anything to do with this sale.