Gibson Les Paul Custom, Black (1972)
LP-Style · Vintage
This 1972 Gibson Les Paul Custom in the none-more-classic "Black Beauty" aesthetic just rolled into the shop on trade, and man, we are digging this old LP big time!
As if an LP Custom couldn't get any cooler, this '72 features the first-year embossed pickup covers! A short-lived feature of the early 70s humbucker loaded electrics, these Patent # "T-Top" pickups got a little more dressed up with the Gibson logo pressed into the covers. It's an era-defining feature, as they were mostly phased out in 1973.
Owned by a longtime working musician and guitar teacher, this guitar is back on the market for the first time in roughly 40 years. Its prior owner made a few parts changes over the years, like adding a gold-plated truss rod cover, swapping out the toggle switch tip and ring, and having the fingerboard planed and refretted some time ago. The refret itself was well done, although the planing altered the factory 12" radius to a tighter 9.5" radius. We maximized this now-unique guitar geometry by swapping out the original ABR-1 bridge (included with the guitar) for a Faber ABR-1 bridge that aligned more with the radius change. Although collectors wouldn't think twice about considering the guitar, a gigging musician couldn't deny that it plays and sounds amazing. It's almost like you're combining Fender neck feel with Gibson sound and looks. We're into it!
The guitar is free of any breaks or body repairs, and the finish is original. The wiring harness is also original, with CTS pots show date codes of mid 1972, and a pair of Sprague "black beauty" capacitors - how fitting?! A replaced input jack plate (with a brass plated one to match) is holding up nicely and has developed a nice patina that matches the rest of the hardware.
Even with some modifications, you can't keep a great LP down!
Priced with original hardshell case.
| Style | Solidbody |
| Body | Mahogany |
| Finish | Nitrocellulose |
| Color | Black |
| Pickups | Original Embossed Cover Pat # | 7.35k Neck / 7.47k Bridge |
| Electronics | Original CTS | 137 722x and 7230 codes (where visible) |
| Controls | Volume (x2) / Tone (x2) / 3-Way Toggle |
| Bridge | Faber ABR-1 w/ Stopbar (Original ABR-1 included) |
| Tuners | Original Kluson "Waffleback" |
| Pickguard | Original |
| Knobs | Witch Hat |
| Neck | 3-Piece Mahogany |
| Binding | White |
| Carve | Slim/Medium C | .80"-.94" |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Radius | 9.5" |
| Inlays | Blocks |
| Frets | Jumbo (Refret) |
| Nut | Bone |
| Scale Length | 24 3/4" |
| Serial # | 745135 |
| Weight | 9lbs 12oz |
| Case | Original Hardshell |
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
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