1953 Gibson Les Paul Model Factory Reneck/Refinish 1969

This 1953 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop is an excellent example of Gibson’s repair and update work in the late 1960s. I purchased it from the owner who sent it to Gibson in 1969 to repair a broken neck. His granddad had given him the guitar in the mid 1960s, but a few years later he found it lying face down with a broken neck. His brother, conveniently, never claimed responsibility.

As a high school student in Ohio, his only income was from his paper route. He said it took him a long time to save the money, but he finally sent it off to Gibson for repair. Once back in Kalamazoo, the ’53 Goldtop received a new neck, a full refinish, a replaced bridge pickup, a Tune-O-Matic bridge, and a stop bar tailpiece. The original serial number, once ink stamped, was die stamped into the back of the headstock.

While an all original 1953 Les Paul would be preferable to most, this version is far more playable. It’s very light at 8.4 lbs, with a fat neck and full size frets. It’s a dream to play.

Measurements: 8.4lbs (3.80 kg) total weight. The neck measures 1.71" (1 11/16", 43.4mm) wide at the nut, 0.92" deep at the first fret, and 1.02" deep at the 12th fret (medium taper profile). The neck pickup reads 7.40k ohms and the bridge pickup reads 8.36k ohms.

Dates: The restamped serial number "30170" indicates that this guitar was originally made in 1953. The previous owner (since the mid 1960s) said he sent it for repair in 1969. The block Gibson logo with no dotted "i" was used in mid 1969. The unused tailpiece ground rout from the control cavity to the tailpiece confirms that the body is from 1953. 

Originality: The body, neck pickup, wiring/pots/capacitors, knobs, pickguard, and Catalin switch tip are from 1953. All other plastics, tuners, neck, fretboard, finish, bridge, and tailpiece are from the 1969 factory update.

Playability: Excellent. The neck is straight, frets have little wear, and the electronics operate as intended.

Condition: Excellent. 

Included: The original hardshell case is included. 

Fine Print: All guitars ship via FedEx Priority Overnight for domestic sales or FedEx Priority International. I offer a 48 hour approval period beginning on delivery for all sales during which you are welcome to opt for a return as long as the guitar is still in as-sent condition. I do not charge a restocking fee, but any non-refunded payment processing fees, outbound shipping, and return shipping costs are subtracted from the refund in the case of a return.