Early 1970s Gibson Les Paul Recording – Natural

Serial Number: 055475

Weight: 9.86 lbs

Includes Gibson Hardshell Case

Fantastic early Gibson Les Paul Recording in Natural finish. This is one of Gibson's most interesting and ambitious Les Paul designs, developed around Les Paul's preference for low-impedance pickups and an unusually versatile passive electronics system intended for both conventional amplification and recording applications.

This example features the early-style Recording configuration with the output jack and extensive electronics controls mounted directly to the large black front control panel.

We have photographed the internal electronics and wiring for reference. Because Gibson serial numbers from this period can overlap and the visible component markings do not provide us with a sufficiently definitive production date, we are conservatively listing this guitar as an Early 1970s example rather than assigning it a specific year.

Serial number is 055475.

ELECTRONICS & CONTROLS:

The guitar retains the distinctive low-impedance pickup and electronics configuration that defines the Les Paul Recording.

Features include:

• Two Gibson-embossed low-impedance humbucking pickups

• Master Volume

• Treble control

• Bass control

• Multi-position Decade control

• 3-position Tone selector

• 3-position Front / Both / Rear pickup selector

• IN / OUT phase switch

• HI / LO output impedance switch

• Front-mounted output jack

The Recording's unusual passive electronics package gives it a very different personality from a conventional Les Paul. It was designed to provide an exceptionally broad range of tones while taking advantage of Gibson's low-impedance pickup system.

CONSTRUCTION & FEATURES:

• Early 1970s Gibson Les Paul Recording

• Serial #055475

• Natural finish

• Set neck construction

• Bound body

• Bound rosewood fingerboard

• Small pearl block fingerboard inlays

• Multi-bound headstock

• Pearl Gibson logo

• Large split-diamond headstock inlay

• "Les Paul Recording" truss rod cover

• Grover tuning machines

• Wide-travel "harmonica" bridge

• Stopbar tailpiece

• Chrome hardware

• Volute

• Weight: 9.86 lbs

• Gibson hardshell case included

NECK MEASUREMENTS:

Nut Width: 1.70"

Neck Depth at Nut: .82"

Width at 12th Fret: 2.07"

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 1.00"

The neck starts relatively slim near the nut and becomes noticeably fuller as you move toward the body. It currently has comfortable low action and plays extremely well.

CONDITION:

Very good vintage condition.

This is clearly a guitar that has been played over the decades, but it has also been remarkably well kept.

There are normal scratches, finish swirls, small marks and other signs of use throughout. Areas of the clear coat show wear and deterioration from age, including visible finish loss/wear on the back of the body. The back of the neck also shows honest play wear through portions of the finish.

Despite the wear, the guitar presents extremely well for an early-'70s instrument. The chrome hardware remains particularly attractive without the severe oxidation or heavy pitting often encountered on guitars of this age.

The nut has been cosmetically scalloped between the individual string slots by a previous owner. The modification is visible in the photos and is being disclosed for accuracy. The string slots themselves remain functional and the guitar currently plays very well with low action.

Please examine all photographs carefully, including the detailed photos of the electronics, finish wear, neck and nut, as they form an important part of the condition description.

At 9.86 lbs, this is also a very manageable example of the Les Paul Recording, a model that can often be quite substantial.

The combination of the Natural finish, small pearl block inlays, split-diamond headstock, black control panels and Gibson-embossed low-impedance pickups gives the Recording a look unlike virtually any other Les Paul.

More importantly, this is a great-playing example. The low action, comfortable neck and enormous range of controls make it a fascinating vintage Gibson both as an instrument and as a piece of Les Paul design history.

Includes a very cool Gibson hardshell case as pictured.

Professionally packed for safe shipment.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.