Up for sale is this killer 1971 Gibson Les Paul Custom.  This guitar has been lovingly played and maintained during its 50-year life.   With no cracks, breaks, or repairs together with the original pickups and electronics, this guitar is primed and ready to rock for another half-century! Check out the video demo!  I am playing through a 1963 Fender Vibroverb: first cranked, then cleaner.   In addition to the beautiful ebony finish and gold hardware, the Les Paul “Custom” is distinguished from the “Standard” in a variety of ways.  Instead of rosewood, the fretboard on the custom is ebony, and is fitted with larger “block” mother of pearl inlays.  The face of the headstock also has a beautiful “diamond” shaped inlay with binding around the edges.   As a 1971 guitar, this one is squarely in the “Norlin” era and has all the characteristic features of the period.  There is a “made in USA” stamp below the six digit serial number. There is a “volute” on the back of the headstock just beneath the nut.  The “Gibson” logo has connected lettering (unlike the earlier version phased out in 1969.  The body and neck are both “three piece,” and come down to us structurally intact without breaks or repairs.  This one also has a maple top (as can be seen from the underside of the control cavity cutout, but a mahogany body and neck.   At the same time, its early enough in the 1970s to retain a few of the earlier features, including waffle back tuners and witch hat knobs. Cosmetically the guitar is in “good” vintage condition.  It clearly shows play wear in the form of scuffs, nicks and dings.  There is a bit more wear on the back  than on the front.  Its definitely a guitar you are not going to be afraid to gig with, but is not an eyesore. Electroncially the guitar sports the original patent number sticker pickups, essentially the same as the pickups found in late 1960s Gibsons.  They are capable of everything from glassy cleans to powerful overdrive, and definitely deliver on what you expect in terms of a vintage Gibson.  The original wiring harness is fully intact, including 1971 dated pots, Sprague capacitors and other wiring.   The guitar has been someone’s main player for a long time, and it shows evidence of having been faithfully maintained.  First, the guitar has been refretted.  The originals were “fretless wonders” which were quite low.  From a playability perspective, this is a great improvement.  The bridge and tailpiece currently on the guitar are Callaham parts—very high quality components that sell consistently for top dollar.  The tailpiece posts are original.  The pickup covers are slightly aged (naturally), but looked to be from the late 1970s or early 1980s (Tim Shaw Era).  The neck has a small area of wear that has been touched up, and some other areas have been partially oversprayed (mainly in the “middle” area where is seems most of the play occur).  This looks to have been professionally done and blends in very nicely to the original finish (which can be clearly confirmed under a blacklight).  There is crack in the neck pickup ring, but it holds in place as it should.  The original pickguard is missing. The output jack is likely a replacement.  The pots, harness, and pickups are original, but there is slight evidence of touchup on one solder joint. The guitar comes with a vintage, era-correct, purple-lined Gibson-branded case as seen in the photos. Sign is not included and is not for sale. I am a shop and operate under a business license. My price includes local sales tax.