Up for sale is a seriously cool 1982 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Candy Apple Red.

This is a great player-grade example from the later Norlin era, and at more than 40 years old it has accumulated exactly the kind of wear and character you’d hope to see on a vintage Les Paul that’s actually been played.

The Candy Apple Red finish is particularly striking and has aged beautifully. There’s lacquer checking throughout the guitar along with plenty of honest cosmetic wear. This isn’t a pristine collector piece, and it isn’t trying to be. It’s a vintage Les Paul with decades of history behind it and a ton of personality.

Condition

The guitar is in Very Good player-grade condition with considerable finish checking and normal wear from age and use.

The neck has been sanded down somewhat over the years and has a slimmer profile, giving it a fast, comfortable broken-in feel.

The guitar has also been refretted, so unlike many vintage guitars where you’re buying decades of fret wear along with the instrument, this one is ready to be played.

Since I’ve owned it, I’ve had it professionally set up by Gibson a couple of times. Gibson also replaced the output jack and jack plate.

Please look closely through all of the photos for the best representation of the guitar’s cosmetic condition.

Electronics & Hardware

This guitar has seen a number of changes over its life, and most—if not all—of the hardware has been replaced.

The bridge position currently has a Seymour Duncan JB, which is a fantastic match for this guitar and gives the bridge position plenty of output, bite and definition.

I haven’t been able to positively identify the neck pickup, but it sounds great and balances nicely with the JB.

The electronics have been upgraded with CTS pots and Orange Drop capacitors.

It also has Gotoh locking tuners, and this guitar holds tune exceptionally well.

Specifications & Details

• 1982 Gibson Les Paul Standard
• Candy Apple Red finish
• Norlin-era Gibson
• Mahogany body
• Maple top
• Maple neck
• Rosewood fingerboard
• 24.75” scale length
• 22 frets
• Seymour Duncan JB bridge pickup
• Unidentified neck humbucker
• CTS pots
• Orange Drop capacitors
• Gotoh locking tuners
• Refretted
• Slimmer, partially sanded neck profile
• Extensive natural lacquer checking
• Replacement output jack and jack plate installed by Gibson
• Weight: 9.11 lbs
• Norlin-era Gibson “chainsaw” case included

Case

The guitar comes with a period Norlin-era chainsaw case.

The case is functional but definitely shows its age and is not in great cosmetic condition. It does its job and is a very cool period-correct companion to the guitar.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t the Les Paul for someone looking for an untouched museum piece.

It’s for someone who wants a real 1982 Gibson Les Paul Standard that they can actually play without worrying about putting the first scratch on it.

The modifications make it a much more practical player’s guitar, while the Candy Apple Red finish, decades of lacquer checking and genuine vintage wear give it an appearance that would be difficult to convincingly recreate.

It’s got the feel of an old guitar because it is an old guitar.

If you’re looking for a vintage Les Paul with plenty of character, a broken-in neck, modernized electronics and hardware, and absolutely no need to baby it, this is a great one.

The guitar will be carefully packed for shipment.

Please feel free to message me with any questions or requests for additional photos.