Up for sale, a 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom “Black Beauty” in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a vintage hardshell case. A quintessential early ‘70s Custom, this Les Paul features a pair of T Top patent # sticker pickups, a “sandwich” mahogany body with a carved maple top and a 100% original Ebony gloss nitro lacquer finish.

Offering rich sustain at 9lbs 8oz, the tonewood combination delivers a classic Les Paul tonal profile, with the warmth and fullness of the mahogany balanced by the articulate top end and snappy attack provided by both the maple cap and the ebony fretboard. All three pickup positions are distinct and rich-sounding, with an articulate growl and cut from the bridge position that has ideal treble detail, while the neck pickup has the expected oomph and fullness. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, we've dialed in this Les Paul Custom with fresh 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: Slender-to-chunky C, measuring .775” 1st fret, .970” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Ebony, block inlays
• Frets: Jumbo, refret, moderate wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-8
• Scale Length: 24 3/4”
• Nut: 1 11/16”, bone (replacement)
• Tuners: Kluson Waffleback (modern, vintage-spec)
• Serialization: Six-digit stamp dates to ‘73

Body Specs:

• Wood: Maple, mahogany
• Pickups: Patent Sticker T-Top x2 (replacement aged gold covers)
• Harness: CTS pots date to the 44th week of ‘73
• Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, Three-way pickup selector
• Hardware: Patent # ABR-1 bridge, stopbar, strap buttons (replacement)
• Plastics: Reflector cap knobs, five-ply pickguard

The gloss Ebony nitro lacquer finish shows moderate buckle rash central to the back, some pick scuffing on top, and minor dings and finish scratches consistent with use, primarily concentrated at the lower bout. The nitro gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean, with just a couple shallow marks along the profile length. There is also a small “2” stamped above the serial number, denoting a Factory Second for some small cosmetic flaw indiscernible after 50+ years.

A vintage black tolex hardshell case with blue plush interior is included.