Rare 1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom in original Polaris white with the super rare (for a Custom) ebony block, short Vibrola trem. In this near mint condition, it would be prime contender to top any vintage guitar pageant out there…

According to LP forum gossip, only approximately 20-25 of these were ever made. 

Lightweight and with the original small frets (that actually play real well). All three original PAF pickups are lovely and strong with the classic out of phase sound in the middle position.

This guitar is breathtaking. It is not totally “mint” as this particular color doesn’t take too kindly to age. There is some minor checking and a little bit of clear coat yellowing but this is being picky as overall this is an absurdly clean and original Les Paul SG Custom- to describe it as near mint would not do it an injustice… 

Even the gold plating, save for a few of the usual wear marks, is in exceptional shape. It is one of those guitars that pop out at you as soon as you open the case.

Serial number, like on a lot of these white 60’s SG’s, is very difficult to make out but under a strong light you can just about see 79573 which is 1962. I would guess at early 1962 as it still has the 1961 type SG neck join without the lip.

It seems at some stage the original Grover tuners were replaced with Schallers but these were soon returned with no lasting imprint left on the guitar. It did however leave 6 small screw holes on the rear of the headstock that a luthier has expertly filled in and touched up. You will struggle to see these and they won’t even photograph well. 

There are also signs of small touch up areas in the fretboard binding and nut region where it often separates slightly on these original white Customs.

In addition to this, the covers for the 3 x original Patent Applied For pickups have been off/on but they have not been disconnected from the pots so no rewinds or repairs. All three PAF’s have their stickers on the underside with one having most of the sticker worn off yet by the spacing of the letters left, you can tell it is a PAF.

Most likely a couple of the screws in the pickguard have been replaced too. The original case is also in very nice shape and has the correct wide pebble grain and orange interior with the brass Gibson logo still attached.

This is a very rare guitar and what’s more it is in exceptional condition. You’d struggle to find one in better shape and at a more reasonable price. 

SUMMARY

Model: Les Paul Custom (SG)

Year: 1962

Finish: Polaris White

Modifications: Other tuners on at some stage

Repairs: Some touch ups around binding and nut

Weight: 7.7lbs 

Case: Correct Black Tolex hardshell

Fingerboard: Ebony

Body Wood: Mahogany

Neck Wood: Mahogany

Tuners: Correct Gold Plated Grover

Pickups: 3 x Correct PAF humbucker

Hardware: Correct Gold Plated

Neck Profile: Flat C

Nut Width: 43.3

Neck Depth 1: 20.2

Neck Depth 12: 22.2

Pots: 4 x Correct 500k Centrelab