Gibson Les Paul – Showcase Edition Vintage 1988 Standard 1956 Reissue

Here we have a truly exceptional guitar. Gibson Les Paul Showcase Pro edition, in fantastic collector grade condition. This one has the all-important certificate of authenticity (see photo).

It’s a 1956-style Les Paul Pro Goldtop pre-historic custom shop. The Showcase edition guitars were released back in 1988, 9 models in total, 20 of each, but this Goldtop edition was doubled to a series of 40. The series was meant for 20 dealers only and that is how they were distributed.
The 1956 goldtops were also named “Les Paul Pro”. Each of the goldtops of this reissue were personally signed on the pickguard by Les Paul himself.

The guitar features a solid one piece Mahogany Body, Maple Top, Gold Finish, P100 pickups (double-stacked P90’s), Mahogany Neck, 50’s style headstock, Ebony fretboard with trapezoid perloid inlays, Stop-tail and Nashville style Bridge.

This is an outstanding example of the 1988 Gibson Showcase Edition Les Paul. It’s hard to believe that this is already 26 years old, as it’s virtually unplayed.

What is immediately noticeable about this guitar is that it appears to have been painted in the vintage style, meaning few were sprayed in this colour and in between it looks as if some of the copper has oxidised in the gun, giving it a bit of a greenish tint to the gold. If you compare this finish to the “gold bullion” look of today’s Les Paul, the difference is very noticeable.

The guitar is in excellent overall condition, with very little playwear. Some very very light scratching and marks, but nothing through the finish. The guitar comes with the COA and original case – also in great condition. There is only one point to note - one of the screw holes in the scratchplate (the one nearest the neck) has a short split to the outside of the plate, almost certainly due to over-tightening of the screw at some point.

The guitar plays effortlessly, the pickups are well balance and are capable of blues or high gain work.

Needless to say, these guitars are sought after and very hard to find, with only 40 in existence. If anyone is looking for a dead cert to become VERY valuable in years to come, this is it!

I am based in the UK, so if you are based outside the EU, please consider any import duties or other taxes that may be payable on import.