More Goldtops?! Yup, we just can’t get enough of these and this one is a really lovely one….1954 Gibson Led Paul Standard Goldtop with zero issues and a nice light weight.

Released in 1952, the design of the Les Paul undertook some dramatic changes in its first few years. By 1954, the tailpiece was changed from the controversial trapeze design to a wraparound and, possibly more importantly, the angle of the neck was increased in late 53 to improve the action and adjustability of the bridge.

This is a wonderful guitar. The gold of the top has retained its lustrous finish which has taken on a slightly deeper hue when compared to some of the other Goldtops we’ve had in the showroom recently. There are a few dings around the edges with the most obvious being near the neck volume control that has gone through the paint. There is no sign of greening to the finish which can happen in some cases.

The checking is quite interesting as some follows the grain of the top and others follow a more standard pattern. This has an interesting effect as you move the guitar through light and makes it almost a three dimensional and very cool looking patina. The back of the body again shows signs of wear but on a whole it looks look great. The clear coat here really accentuates the grain and colour of the mahogany. This effect continues on the neck which exhibits some quite exquisite patterns and some of the straightest grain we have seen on a neck from this era. This is again is complimented by the richer hue of the clear coat.

The fretboard and original frets are in great shape with plenty of life left in both. The bridge shows no signs of corrosion and the plastics too are well preserved. The electronics are all correct. All the solder joints look unmolested and the pickups are both strong and very evenly balanced (not always the case!) with the classic mellowness and bite you expect from a 50’s vintage P-90 Gibson.

The guitar comes with its correct Lifton 4 latch case that seems to have gone through more of a time than the guitar but has at least served its purpose in keeping the guitar in very good shape.

Sonically this guitar is a joy. Both pickups are well balanced and deliver those 50s tones with aplomb. There’s plenty of scope here, from Hairy Fuzzy neck tones through smoother combined sounds to the bitting snarl of the bridge pickup. It will make you question why you need any other guitar in your life.

We’ve seen quite a few wrap tail Goltops here at ATB Guitars in recent month and this one certainly sits alongside the good ones as man archetype. The look and the tone of this guitar should surely make it a must have in any collection. It probably won’t be here for very long…!