For sale is a stunning 1976 Gibson Les Paul Custom featuring the rare 3 (triple) pickup configuration. A true gem, this guitar barely shows any signs of wear, maintaining a pristine appearance rare for its age of nearly half a century.

Serial Number: 00118751, Made at the Kalamazoo (or) Nashville Plant, USA in 1976

Condition: Excellent, with minimal wear for its age. The finish has been well cared for, and the guitar has no significant dings, cracks, or structural issues. Extremely light playwear and next to no patina on the hardware.

• Finish: Original Ebony "Black Beauty" finish with gold hardware, exuding a timeless and elegant look.
• Pickups: Three original Gibson humbuckers deliver a rich, creamy tone with incredible sustain and tonal versatility, perfect for rock, blues, and jazz.
• Neck: Comfortable mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard and mother-of-pearl block inlays. The frets are in excellent shape, with plenty of life left for years of play.
• Hardware: All original gold hardware, including the tune-o-matic bridge, stop tailpiece, and stock tuners.
• Weight: Solid, with the classic heft Les Pauls are known for, offering sustain and resonance to match.

In a Gibson Les Paul with 3 (three) pickups, the wiring and controls are slightly different from a standard two-pickup configuration. The stock setup prioritizes simplicity but sacrifices the middle pickup’s independent use:

• Position 1 (Up): Neck pickup only.
• Position 2 (Middle): Middle and bridge pickups together.
• Position 3 (Down): Bridge pickup only.

The provenance of this guitar is almost impossible to believe:

In 2000 I was in a touring band playing a 1977 Les Paul Custom and was looking for a backup guitar as close as I could get to my #1. I actually wanted a 70's Silverburst, but the prices were going through the roof (looking back on it, I should have grabbed one considering how much they are worth now!). Seeing nothing in my local shops, I pivoted to eBay and found this '76 in black but with the 3 pick up configuration. The pictures looked great, the price was right, and if a triple was good enough for Peter Frampton and Ace Frehley, it would surely be good enough for me. I pulled the trigger.

When it arrived, I was shocked. The shipping materials were top notch. I pull the case out of the box, and it is absolutely gleaming - with the chrome latches even covered with tape so they wouldn't scratch. I opened the case and the guitar inside was absolutely immaculate. Zero scratches, no buckle marks, polished like glass and zero patina on any of the hardware. With the exception of a very minor cigarette glaze on the headstock (a classic move for keeping a lit cigarette going while playing) - the thing literally looked like it had never been played.

This guitar was so beautiful, I couldn't play it. In fact, I played it at a show ONLY ONCE and that was it - just couldn't bring myself to mess it up. I ended up using a different guitar as my #2 and left this one at home for almost 25 years. I've had it out of the case maybe 3 or 4 times since then just to look at it.

Obviously, this guitar has been meticulously maintained and is fully functional. If you are looking for an iconic instrument, in immaculate condition, this 1976 Gibson Les Paul Custom is for you. It includes the original hard shell case which is in excellent condition, clearly.

The odds of coming across an example such as this, in her condition, fades with each passing day. I've never seen an example in better condition and hope you enjoy giving her a safe place to age gracefully as I have.

Comes with original, purple fur lined hard shell case.

Notes on shipping: I don't want to take any chances, so would prefer to send either FedEx or UPS Express. I've estimated what it would take for that however if you prefer we use an alternative method, I'm sure we can work it out. Or pick it up anywhere near Boston.