1990 Gibson Les Paul Custom Kahler

1990 Gibson Les Paul Custom – Alpine White – Gibson/Kahler

The Gibson Les Paul Custom has always represented the top end of the regular Gibson USA Les Paul range, combining the classic Les Paul construction with an altogether more luxurious specification. This particular 1990 example is something rather more unusual: an Alpine White Les Paul Custom fitted from new with the Gibson-branded Kahler tremolo system and locking nut.

Dating from 1990, this is a particularly interesting late-period example of Gibson's use of the Kahler SuperTune system. Gibson offered Kahler-made tremolo systems under its own branding during this period, and custom order examples like this are considerably less common than the conventional stop-tailpiece Les Paul Customs.

Finished in Alpine White, the guitar has the full Les Paul Custom specification, including the bound mahogany body with maple cap, bound ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays, bound headstock with split-diamond inlay, gold hardware and twin covered humbuckers.

The standout feature is, of course, the Gibson-branded Kahler tremolo, complete with the corresponding locking nut. This is the substantial Kahler system used by Gibson during the late 1980s and early 1990s and gives the guitar a very different character from a conventional Les Paul, whilst retaining the familiar weight, construction and tone of the Custom.

The guitar's serial number is 91590333 dating it to 8 June 1990. The original CTS potentiometers carry R1379015 codes, corresponding to the 15th week of 1990, and the original humbuckers carry the characteristic Pat. No. 2,737,842 embossed markings on their baseplates.

The guitar is all original and in excellent condition, with the Alpine White finish fading to that lovely vintage cream colour. There are a couple of small loss of finish to the top of the headstock, and some play wear to the finish of the treble side of the neck over the length of the first 5 frets (see last 2 pictures). The gold hardware is likewise in excellent condition, and the fretboard, frets and overall finish present beautifully. This is an unusually well-preserved example of a 36+ year old Gibson. The guitar comes complete with its original Gibson tan hard case, with the combination latch not working ...... oh yeah and it weighs 4.70kg, as someone always asks.......

Shipping within mainland UK using fully insured 24-hour courier service @ £40.00.

Shipping to US/Canada, using UPS, is £185.00. Shipping to EU is £70.00

Customers outside of UK/EU/US/Canada should contact Vintage Rare & Retro Guitars for a shipping quotation. Free pick-up is always available at our Gullane shop.