The iconic Les Paul Custom has been the top of the range Gibson solid body since its introduction in 1954. Reintroduced in 1968 in the Les Paul body style after a period of being manufactured under the SG model name, late '60s Les Paul Customs are often regarded as some of the finest solid body electric guitars made outside of the companies '50s golden era. This 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom is a fantastic example from the first year of the models re-introduction to the Gibson catalog.
This guitar features a one piece Mahogany body with Maple cap along with a Mahogany neck and Ebony fingerboard, with the typically resplendent block inlays and split diamond peghead logo found on all custom models. These 1968 models do not feature the Mahogany & Maple 'Pancake' design found from early 1969 onwards. This guitar features the long tenon neck join used on the Les Paul Standard & Custom models of the late 1950's, and features the wider headstock design with a 14 degree pitch angle. The original gold waffle back tuners are present and correct, though the ABR1 style bridge and tailpiece are replacements. The cavity is routed through the mahogany body, with the maple cap applied after - a feature unique to 1968 Les Paul Custom models. This guitar has been fully refinished in the sleek Ebony colour that makes these instruments so recognisable, along with the multi bound top and back.
The body is fitted with the original T Top pickups that have a well balanced tone with plenty of clarity and bite. This set sound particularly open with a good dynamic response, making it easy to see why pickups from this period are often compared favourably to their '50s PAF counterparts. The original covers have been removed.
This guitar is in very good, with some signs of play wear to the back and front of the body, and some lacquer checking to the front of the headstock. The headstock has been repair at some point. The ebony refinish has aged nicely, with the slightly greened look that occurs as the clear lacquer coat yellows over time. There is also some wear waffle back tuners, although the function as they should. This guitar is electronically original, and includes a period case.
As with all our vintage instruments, this guitar has been given a thorough service by the Vintage Instrument Workshop and is guaranteed for 3 years in line with our vintage instrument warranty.
