In a moment of clarity and seemingly at odds with the trends at Gibson at the time, the company decided to reissue their much lauded Goldtop in as close a spec as possible. Choosing to build them with single piece bodies, thin binding, single piece necks, small headstock and no volute, these guitars were a nod to the head to the companies heritage, something that would not be attempted again for another decade. 

Fitted with a wraptail and a pair of P90’s, the carve and the headstock angle may not have been quite right but you could be mistaken for thinking you’d gone back in time 15 years… Produced between 1971 and 1973 (actually one was shipped in 1974), these are a rare sight with only 25 being produced in the first year out of a total of 1071.

This guitar just looks the part. The goldtop is in excellent shape and even has some cool looking forearm wear in the green patch nicely matching the greening of the top. There are a few knocks and bumps but nothing too substantial or unexpected. The back is in good condition with again some minor marking. 

The single piece mahogany neck shows very little signs of wear. The fretboard is in great shape. The original fret have plenty of life left in them.

Plastics and hardware are in great shape with only some slight wear to be seen on the bridge. The embossed covers are a classic late 71/72 touch. The jack plate is a later example and there are signs a different one has been on before (see pics).

Electronically everything looks correct with pots dated at week 41 of 1971. 

The guitar comes with the correct  purple lined, 1971, oblong hardshell case.

The unamplified tone has plenty of sustain and the  P90s bring all the grit and snarl you'd expect. By no means a light guitar, this Les Paul is not the heaviest, comparable to other 50s LPs we’ve had of late. 

A rare example and a stunning guitar that looks and sounds the part. Grab it before it get away…