For Sale: 1982 Gibson Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst w/ Gibson Gen 1 Chainsaw Case

Up for sale is a 1982 Gibson Les Paul Custom in Heritage Cherry Sunburst, complete with a Gibson Gen 1 chainsaw hard-shell case.

This is a very cool early-’80s Les Paul Custom with tons of vintage character, a killer Sunburst finish, and some very desirable era-correct features. One of the standout details is the original Gibson Speed Winder tuners — a unique tuner design Gibson only used from approximately 1978–1984. These are a fun and increasingly collectible feature that immediately dates the guitar to this specific era of Gibson production.

This guitar has also been upgraded with a boutique set of Rio Grande pickups that sound fantastic and suit the guitar extremely well.

Condition

Very Good – 8/10

This guitar shows honest vintage wear consistent with age and use, including:

• Light scratches throughout
• Dings from normal play
• Wear on the back of the body
• Tarnish and aging to the hardware

Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

There are no cracks, breaks, or structural issues. The neck is straight, the frets are in excellent playable condition, and the guitar has been professionally set up and plays cleanly up and down the neck with no buzzing or dead spots.

Originality & Upgrades

The following parts have been replaced:

• Nut
• Bridge saddles
• Knobs
• Pots
• Pickups

The pickups have been upgraded to a boutique Rio Grande Texas BBQ set:

• Rio Grande BBQ Bucker (Bridge)
• Rio Grande Genuine Texas (Neck)

These are high-end boutique pickups handmade in Texas and retail for over $350 a set.

The BBQ Bucker delivers thick mids, fat low end, and aggressive punch, while the Genuine Texas neck pickup offers a slightly leaner but rich and articulate voice. Together they make an extremely versatile set capable of handling blues, rock, hard rock, metal, and jazz with ease.

If you are not familiar with Rio Grande pickups, they are widely respected boutique pickups known for delivering classic vintage-inspired tones with extra output, warmth, and personality.

Specifications

• Year: 1982
• Serial Number: 82232942
• Finish: Heritage Cherry Sunburst
• Body: Mahogany with Maple Top
• Neck: Mahogany
• Neck Profile: Thin
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Scale Length: 24.75"
• Nut Width: 1.70"
• Neck Depth: .80" at the 1st fret, .96" at the 12th fret
• Pickups: Rio Grande BBQ Bucker (Bridge), Rio Grande Genuine Texas (Neck)
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Toggle
• Hardware: Gold
• Tuners: Original Gibson Speed Winder Tuners
• Weight: 10 lbs 12 oz
• Case: Gibson Gen 1 Chainsaw Hard-Shell Case

Electronics & Features

One of the coolest aspects of this guitar is the combination of the early-’80s Les Paul Custom platform with the upgraded Rio Grande pickup set. The boutique pickups pair extremely well with the naturally resonant construction of the guitar and give it a huge, powerful voice while still retaining clarity and articulation.

The ebony fingerboard adds snap and attack, while the thin neck profile makes the guitar very comfortable and easy to navigate.

The original Gibson Speed Winder tuners are also a great period-correct feature rarely seen outside this specific era.

Tone & Feel

This Les Paul Custom has the thick, sustaining voice players expect from a good vintage Custom, but the Rio Grande pickups push it into even more aggressive and versatile territory.

The bridge pickup delivers huge mids, strong lows, and excellent punch, while the neck pickup remains warm, rich, and articulate without getting muddy.

It works beautifully for classic rock, blues, hard rock, metal, and fusion while still cleaning up nicely for lower-gain tones.

At 10 lbs 12 oz, it has the substantial feel many players specifically look for in an early-’80s Les Paul Custom.

Transparency & Photos

As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos are provided of the actual instrument. At the end of the photo set, you’ll find close-up images taken under direct lighting to highlight any wear. We don’t just describe the condition — we show it in detail so there are no surprises.

Many customers tell us our guitars often arrive in better condition than expected.

Why Buy From Guitar Chimp?

With over 18 years of experience, Guitar Chimp is trusted by players and collectors worldwide for high-quality, player-ready instruments.

Every guitar is thoroughly inspected and professionally set up by our in-house luthier.

We are experts at shipping and have safely shipped thousands of guitars all over the world. Every instrument is professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation.

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This 1982 Gibson Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst is a killer vintage Custom with boutique Rio Grande pickups, rare Speed Winder tuners, tons of vibe, and classic early-’80s Gibson character.

🎸 Jerald – Guitar Chimp
Providing The Finest Guitars, Basses & Amps Since 2006