Product: Gibson 52 Les Paul
Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted
06/20/2006
at
07:47pm
by
ModGuitar
Features
:
10
Made in 1952 - made in U.S.A. Solid 2-piece tiger striped maple top (Original gold paint removed years ago); solid mahogany back. Two volume; Two Tone controls. 3-way switch without back plate. P-90 soapbar pickups. Mahogany neck. Bridge is a wrap around trapeze - original under looped configuration. 1958 California Girl 5-latch curved top case - quite used - with postage stamp still affixed dated June 3, 1963. An old guitar cord from Manny's of New York was in the case - appears to be vintage 1960s.
Sound
:
10
Surprised to find the vintage P-90s are monsters using a 1969 Fender Twin Reverb (original with Oxford speakers) and Yamaha stomp box. At "2" the pickups roar and the sustain of this guitar, unamplified, is much better than any of my other 10 guitars (vintage/customs). Best pickups I've used so far and I have Deluxe Strat Joe Bardens in one of my Strats; '62 original Strat pups in a Custom Cargill Stratocaster, etc....these P-90s are more powerful.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The gold finish has been removed since the '70s and the natural two piece top is mostly tiger striped! Action is slightly high around the 12th fret, but not bad. Giving it a 9 because it doesn't have the original finish.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Ha...this guitar will be 55 years old next year and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Customer Support
:
10
I've always found Gibson to be terrific to deal with - this guitar has been out of warranty for over 50 years, so I haven't tried to "activate" any customer service, nor have I found it necessary.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've played since 1965. Guitars: 1968 Martin D-36; 1963 Givens & Cross; 2003 Martin HDN Negative Ltd; 1996 Rob Allen Esquire Custom; 2003 Warmoth Strat; 1982 Fender JV Strat (first week of production - March 1982); 1984 Cargill Custom Strat with original 1962 Strat pickups; 1896 Cole Eclipse banjo; 1975 Ode-Tut Taylor-Givens Mandolin; 1976 Guild F212; 1981 Ibanez 1310; 1969 Fender Twin Reverb. If stolen, I'm not sure I could afford to buy another one IF I could find one. The '52 LP is LIGHT at 7.5 lbs, great sound, incredible sustain, easy neck...best guitar I own. Best feature - the body's ability to sustain without amplification. I bought it from my mother's next door neighbor who's had it since the mid-70s and a guy very casually GAVE it to him. I wish the '58 case was in better shape - but, what the hey....I also got a great deal...
