For sale in the forth coming auction at Gardiner and Houlgate - 25-30K estimate - of course + fees
https://www.guitar-auctions.co.uk/sale/177/465/Early-1950s-Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-59-Conversion-electric-Early 1950s Gibson Les Paul Standard '59 Conversion electric guitar; Body: faded burst finished two piece maple re-top upon original mahogany body, old Bigsby holes present (top holes plugged), buckle scratches to back, light checking and other marks; Neck: mahogany, blemish behind 11th fret, further minor marks, '59 range serial stamp, new head face veneer and logo; Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood with original inlays; Frets: good, refret; Electrics: working, 'Patent Applied For' humbucker pickups, later potentiometers, switch tip possibly correct; Hardware: repro tuners, repro bridge and stop bar, repro pickguard, OTP 'M-69' white plastic pickup rings, repro control knobs; Case: '59 period five latch Stone hard case; Weight: 3.79kg; Overall condition: good * Purchased by the vendor from an Internationally recognised successful record producer whom acquired the guitar from a musician colleague. Sold with a signed letter from the previous owner stating 'To whom it may concern, I have enjoyed collecting vintage guitars throughout my career in the music business and have owned many rare and valuable examples. I acquired this converted Les Paul in 1989 whilst I was working in USA .... Although at the time the guitar had been refinished red, I recognise that the guitar would have started life as a 1952 or 1953 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top. The guitar had been routed to accommodate humbucker pickups and a Tune O Matic bridge and stop tail, assembly had also been installed. At this time it did not a bare a serial number. It was a fantastic instrument! Over the next twenty eight years I used this Les Paul on various recording projects. In 2017 I sold The Les Paul (to the vendor) a vintage guitar collector local to me. (He) explained that he intended to give the Les Paul to vintage guitar expert Gary Winterflood, owner of Guitar Avenue Ltd. to coordinate it's conversion to '59 spec Les Paul Standard by their guitar Luthier of high repute known as 'The Stigg'. I kept in touch with (the vendor) during the process of witnessing my old guitar going the various stages of it's progression. (signed) Regards' **Sold with laminated photographs showing the previous owner holding the instrument in the studio 1980s and a photo of him holding the guitar as it is now. Also including photographs showing the guitar alongside other guitars in his collection, one showing the guitar stood next to the Duggie Lock burst. Other photos show close ups of the fretboard inlays when the guitar had it's red finish, showing a 'fingerprint' match to the guitar as it is now. The early '50s to '59 spec conversion was coordinated by Gary Winterflood and carried out by the guitar luthier known 'The Stigg'. Whilst most of the hardware and electrics on the guitar are repro it is appears that the pickups are probably original PAFS, and are the pickups that came installed when acquired by the vendor. ***Sold with Cites A10 certificate no. 618536/01
Comments
In my opinion it would be better still with no number, a number beginning with something like the letter C instead of the 9, or possibly (although it opens the same possible can of worms) a 52 or 53 number, since that’s what the guitar actually is
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
...based in Southend-On-Sea.
Just like its "probably" a 1950s guitar.
me to - I'm glad such guitars don't generally appeal to me - I don't mind a players grade example, with/without refin and even a broken headstock, all at the right price of course, but potentially 30K for such a bitsa baffles me - I saw one at the North East Guitar Show in March - Similar price and I looked at it trying to suss out the how, why, what etc - I've seen some similar conversions that are 'more straight fwd' and well done but this just appears to be to big a mess - New serial number, headstock veneer + logo, refin - So kind of what is kosher about it - Seen some postings by @jumping@shadows that look far more desirable and credible - This just has far to many negatives and very little positives IMO
Offset said: that was my 1st thought as well
I can accept the idea of a conversion and appreciate some guys, like Yuki, can offer some fine examples - But this one comes across as far to iffy IMO
Reading the posting again - It even has a new figured top - I'm sure I've seen other conversions where it has been discovered that the top was slightly figured, under the original gold top finish, so then converted to a 59 accordingly and retains some 'original' features hence more credible
Think the humbuckers and case are the only + points in this example
I must’ve missed those…
Top holes wouldn't need plugging if the old top has gone??
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*EDIT - whatever, it sounds like a bit of a dog's dinner...
This kind of thing is the very opposite of what the vintage market generally prizes (ie originality beyond all else). I’m afraid I just don’t get it…
True. I think i can just about see them.
A butt shot is important but rarely shown with conversions, especially pre-wraparound ones
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The asking price is completely taking the piss. I wouldn't have been surprised to read that it had previously been routed for a Floyd Rose and then restored by Ed Roman
The market will decide it's value
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