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. 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 a slight sign of greening to the finish which can happen in some cases.

The checking is wonderful and really adds another dimension to the top.  The back of the body again shows signs of wear but on a whole it looks 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. 

The fretboard is in great shape The refret has been well done. 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 aside from one ground wire which looks like it may have been reheated. 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 1955, 5 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 biting snarl of the bridge pickup. It will make you question why you need any other guitar in your life.

A bucket list guitar if ever there was one, there is no reason why this guitar shouldn't be in your collection. Grab it before it gets away…