Rapid City, SD, United States
About this listing
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This used 8.6 lb Gibson will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD. This guitar is in very good condition, with the kind of wear and tear you'd expect from a well-loved instrument of this vintage: Various scratches and light surface dents along the body of the guitar, a few small nicks and chipped paint at the top of the headstock, and a slightly bent G-string tuner, along with upgraded control knobs and strap buttons. The accompanying hardshell case has its fair share of vintage charm as well.
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The Gibson Les Paul Custom has long represented the pinnacle of Gibson craftsmanship, and few versions are as fascinating as the early-1970s '54 Reissue models. Introduced during the controversial “Norlin era,” where Gibson heavily leaned into unconventional design changes, these guitars were among Gibson's first serious attempts to revisit the company's golden-age designs. At a time when vintage instruments had not yet become the collectible phenomenon they are today, Gibson looked back to the original 1954 Les Paul Custom for inspiration, creating a unique blend of historic styling and contemporary production techniques. Available at Haggerty's Music, this 1973 Les Paul Custom '54 Reissue captures a pivotal moment in Gibson history when the company began reconnecting with its own storied heritage.
Unlike later Historic Collection instruments, these early reissues possess a character all their own. The all-mahogany construction mirrors the original "Black Beauty" formula, delivering rich midrange response, exceptional sustain, and a thick, authoritative voice. The combination of a “staple style” Alnico V neck pickup and a vintage P-90 bridge pickup provides an unmistakably vintage tonal palette, offering warm, articulate neck tones alongside the aggressive bite and dynamic response that made the P-90 legendary. Whether pushed through a cranked tube amplifier or played clean, this pickup pairing offers remarkable versatility and unmistakable vintage character.
The neck profile reflects the substantial feel associated with many early Les Paul Customs, while the ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlays, and gold-plated hardware create the upscale appearance that earned the model its "tuxedo" nickname. The distinctive waffleback tuners, multi-ply appointments, and elegant Ebony finish further reinforce its status as one of Gibson's most visually striking instruments. Decades of natural aging have only enhanced its personality, giving it the feel and resonance that players often spend years searching for.
For collectors, this model represents an important chapter in Gibson's evolution. It predates the modern Historic Reissue program by decades and stands as one of the earliest factory attempts to recreate a classic Les Paul. For players, it delivers everything that made the original Black Beauty famous: Exceptional sustain, rich harmonic content, and timeless looks. Whether destined for a collection, the recording studio, or the stage, this vintage 1973 Les Paul Custom '54 Reissue remains a remarkable example of Gibson's enduring legacy.
Features / Specs
Highlights
Series: Custom Reissue
Orientation: Right-Handed
Color: Ebony
Body
Body Material: Mahogany
Body Top Material: Mahogany (Carved Top)
Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Les Paul
Body Style: Solidbody
Neck
Headstock Type: Gibson Open Book
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Shape: Rounded Medium C
Neck Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Depth: 0.843” at 1st Fret, 0.976” at 12th Fret
Neck Construction: Set-Neck
Fingerboard Radius: 12"
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Position Inlays: Rectangular Mother-of-Pearl Blocks
Side Dots: Black
Number of Frets: 22
Truss Rod Style: Adjustable
Truss Rod Nut: Headstock Access
Nut Material: Nylon
Nut Width: 1.69”
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 24.75”
Hardware
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
Bridge Cover/Tail Piece: Stopbar Tailpiece
Bridge Mounting: 2-Stud Mounted
Pickguard: Elevated Multi-Ply Beveled-Edge Black Plastic
Pickup Covers: Neck: Black Alnico Staple-Style Cover; Bridge: Black Soapbar
Control Knobs: Black Numbered Top Hat Knobs with Gold Inserts (Installed Post-Factory)
Switch Tip: White
Hardware Finish: Gold-Plated Metal
Tuning Machines: Waffleback-Style Tuners with Keystone Metal Buttons
String Trees: None
Tremolo Arm: None
Neck Plate: None
Strap Buttons: Strap-Lok Buttons (Installed Post-Factory)
Output Jack: Side-Mounted 1/4”
Electronics
Pickup Configuration: SS
Neck Pickup: Alnico V Staple-Style Single-Coil
Bridge Pickup: Vintage Gibson P-90
Controls: Volume, Volume 2, Tone, Tone 2
Switching: 3-Way Toggle
Auxiliary Switching: None
Miscellaneous
Accessories: D’Addario Strings, Letter of Appraisal from George Gruhn
Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case
Serial Number: LE890130
Manufacture Date: 1973
Price$13,999
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