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This used 8.6 lb Gibson will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD. This guitar is in very good condition, with the kind of wear and tear you'd expect from a well-loved instrument of this vintage: Various scratches and light surface dents along the body of the guitar, a few small nicks and chipped paint at the top of the headstock, and a slightly bent G-string tuner, along with upgraded control knobs and strap buttons. The accompanying hardshell case has its fair share of vintage charm as well.

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The Gibson Les Paul Custom has long represented the pinnacle of Gibson craftsmanship, and few versions are as fascinating as the early-1970s '54 Reissue models. Introduced during the controversial “Norlin era,” where Gibson heavily leaned into unconventional design changes, these guitars were among Gibson's first serious attempts to revisit the company's golden-age designs. At a time when vintage instruments had not yet become the collectible phenomenon they are today, Gibson looked back to the original 1954 Les Paul Custom for inspiration, creating a unique blend of historic styling and contemporary production techniques. Available at Haggerty's Music, this 1973 Les Paul Custom '54 Reissue captures a pivotal moment in Gibson history when the company began reconnecting with its own storied heritage.

Unlike later Historic Collection instruments, these early reissues possess a character all their own. The all-mahogany construction mirrors the original "Black Beauty" formula, delivering rich midrange response, exceptional sustain, and a thick, authoritative voice. The combination of a “staple style” Alnico V neck pickup and a vintage P-90 bridge pickup provides an unmistakably vintage tonal palette, offering warm, articulate neck tones alongside the aggressive bite and dynamic response that made the P-90 legendary. Whether pushed through a cranked tube amplifier or played clean, this pickup pairing offers remarkable versatility and unmistakable vintage character.

The neck profile reflects the substantial feel associated with many early Les Paul Customs, while the ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlays, and gold-plated hardware create the upscale appearance that earned the model its "tuxedo" nickname. The distinctive waffleback tuners, multi-ply appointments, and elegant Ebony finish further reinforce its status as one of Gibson's most visually striking instruments. Decades of natural aging have only enhanced its personality, giving it the feel and resonance that players often spend years searching for.

For collectors, this model represents an important chapter in Gibson's evolution. It predates the modern Historic Reissue program by decades and stands as one of the earliest factory attempts to recreate a classic Les Paul. For players, it delivers everything that made the original Black Beauty famous: Exceptional sustain, rich harmonic content, and timeless looks. Whether destined for a collection, the recording studio, or the stage, this vintage 1973 Les Paul Custom '54 Reissue remains a remarkable example of Gibson's enduring legacy.

Features / Specs

Highlights

• Series: Custom Reissue
• Orientation: Right-Handed
• Color: Ebony

Body

• Body Material: Mahogany
• Body Top Material: Mahogany (Carved Top)
• Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Body Shape: Les Paul
• Body Style: Solidbody

Neck

• Headstock Type: Gibson Open Book
• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Neck Shape: Rounded Medium C
• Neck Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Depth: 0.843” at 1st Fret, 0.976” at 12th Fret
• Neck Construction: Set-Neck
• Fingerboard Radius: 12"
• Fingerboard Material: Ebony
• Position Inlays: Rectangular Mother-of-Pearl Blocks
• Side Dots: Black
• Number of Frets: 22
• Truss Rod Style: Adjustable
• Truss Rod Nut: Headstock Access
• Nut Material: Nylon
• Nut Width: 1.69”
• Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
• Scale Length: 24.75”

Hardware

• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
• Bridge Cover/Tail Piece: Stopbar Tailpiece
• Bridge Mounting: 2-Stud Mounted
• Pickguard: Elevated Multi-Ply Beveled-Edge Black Plastic
• Pickup Covers: Neck: Black Alnico Staple-Style Cover; Bridge: Black Soapbar
• Control Knobs: Black Numbered Top Hat Knobs with Gold Inserts (Installed Post-Factory)
• Switch Tip: White
• Hardware Finish: Gold-Plated Metal
• Tuning Machines: Waffleback-Style Tuners with Keystone Metal Buttons
• String Trees: None
• Tremolo Arm: None
• Neck Plate: None
• Strap Buttons: Strap-Lok Buttons (Installed Post-Factory)
• Output Jack: Side-Mounted 1/4”

Electronics

• Pickup Configuration: SS
• Neck Pickup: Alnico V Staple-Style Single-Coil
• Bridge Pickup: Vintage Gibson P-90
• Controls: Volume, Volume 2, Tone, Tone 2
• Switching: 3-Way Toggle
• Auxiliary Switching: None

Miscellaneous

• Accessories: D’Addario Strings, Letter of Appraisal from George Gruhn
• Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case
• Serial Number: LE890130
• Manufacture Date: 1973