1994 Les Paul Custom – ’52 Black Beauty Reissue
1994 Gibson Les Paul Custom – ’52 Black Beauty Re-issue
Up for auction is a 1994 Gibson Les Paul Custom – 1952 Black Beauty Re-issue (S/N: 2 4487).
It has that classic Les Paul FAT sound and plays like butter.
It was purchased new in 1995. I am the original owner and it has resided in its case
for most of the years since then in a smoke free environment. It’s seldom traveled away
from home – never to a gig.
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Included is the original hardshell case that was provided when it was purchased.
It’s a black Epiphone Les Paul case with the Epiphone logo removed.
You’ll probably agree that the black exterior with grey interior is more striking
for this guitar than the original equipment Gibson brown exterior case that would have been provided.
The shop had run out of Gibson cases the day I made the purchase so they substituted the black case.
The day I purchased this guitar I spent almost two hours playing the various Les Pauls
in stock and this was the overwhelming winner for FAT, DEEP, BASS sound.
The plastic knob on the Rhythm/Treble toggle switch has been replaced with a
gold plated metal one. The plastic mounting piece for the output jack
has been replaced with a gold plated metal one as well. These are both clearly shown in the pictures.
Otherwise, the guitar is all original equipment. The guitar itself weights 9.6 lbs and with the case
included weights 18 lbs. When setup properly, the action is great with no buzzing or metallic sound.
When I purchased the guitar in 1995, I was in a Jazz/Blues phase. I am really an acoustic folkie
at heart, so I haven’t played the guitar much. Since the guitar was only played regularly for a short
period of time, there is virtually no fret wear or fingerboard wear. However, since it hasn’t been played,
it will need a new set of strings and need to be setup the way you want it.
It’s a great guitar and I hate to let it go. I don’t play it, have enough challenges with my
acoustic instruments (guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin) and have a wife that won’t let me make any
more acoustic purchases until I sell something.
Issues
There are several minor issues which reduce the value but don’t affect the sound or playability.
Here’s a list of the issues, all minor if purchased as a player and not as a collectable.
There was a headstock crack, typical of Les Pauls, which was professionally repaired and then refinished.
The crack was not completely through the wood and there is no visible indication that a repair was made.
You can’t tell that the area was refinished. The repair was made in 1995 and there have been no issues
since that time.
I drilled several holes in the top to mount a MIDI pick … Click For More Info
