1968 GIBSON LES PAUL

1968 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Serial # 519192

Condition: Very good – nicely aged, beautiful checking, very few minor dings on top and back side, one little bang visible on front of the body, light discolouration to body face, there are some marks on the side towards the jackplate but it fits well with the vintage look of this guitar, signs of the time.

Upgrades/modifications: vintage repro PG, chrome jack plate, vintage repro switch tip.

Description:

This guitar is in nice and mostly original condition, including nylon saddles, chrome hardware. Except a Vintage-Repro PG and a vintage switch tip, all plastics are original, all electrics and soldering are original. It has only minor playwear, the finish is still glossy, with a slight patina and a minimal amount of light checking, only noticeable upon close inspection. The Gold colour is beautiful with very light greenish shimmer on it, just the way it should be. It got the typical but not too chunky 68 neck profile, small 50s Style headstock, long neck tenon. The P-90 pickups do sound warm and punchy, the frets are perfect and the playability is great.

The guitar comes in its original black case with yellow plush interior.

Sounds amazing, with endless sustain!

History:

The early 1968 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop is a significant and sought-after instrument in the world of electric guitars. To understand its history, let’s delve into the context and developments leading up to its creation.

In the late 1950s, Gibson introduced the Les Paul model, named after the renowned guitarist and inventor. The Les Paul quickly gained popularity due to its solid body construction, innovative features, and rich, powerful tone. One of the distinctive variations of the Les Paul was the Goldtop, which featured a gold finish on the maple top.

By the early 1960s, the Les Paul design underwent significant changes. Gibson introduced a double-cutaway version, known as the SG (Solid Guitar), which replaced the original single-cutaway Les Paul design. The SG gained traction among players, and Gibson phased out the Les Paul model by 1961. However, this decision turned out to be short-lived.

In 1968, Gibson decided to revive the Les Paul model due to popular demand from guitarists who missed the original design. The early 1968 Les Paul Goldtop marked the return of the single-cutaway Les Paul body shape and reintroduced several key features of the early models.

These early 1968 Goldtops have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from later models of that year. Here are some notable features:

1. Body and Construction: The Les Paul Goldtop from this era featured a solid mahogany body with a carved maple top. The top was finished in a lustrous gold color, giving it the name “Goldtop.” This combination of tonewoods contributed to the guitar’s warm, resonant sound.
2. Neck and Fingerboard: The early 1968 Goldtops had a one-piece mahogany neck with a medium C-shaped profile. The fingerboard was made of rosewood and featured trapezoid inlays.
3. Pickups: These Goldtops came equipped with two humbucking pickups. These pickups, known as “Patent Number” or “PAF” (Patent Applied For), were highly regarded for their rich, balanced tone and are sought after by collectors and players alike.
4. Electronics and Controls: The early 1968 Goldtops featured the traditional Les Paul control layout. They had individual volume and tone controls for each pickup and a three-way toggle switch to select the pickup configurations.
5. Hardware: The hardware on these guitars was chrome-plated and included a Tune-o-Matic bridge and a stop tailpiece for improved intonation and sustain.

It’s worth noting that later in 1968, Gibson made several changes to the Les Paul model, including a switch from the gold finish to a sunburst finish, a larger headstock, and a modified neck joint. These alterations distinguish the early 1968 Goldtops from the later models produced in the same year.

The early 1968 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop holds a special place in guitar history as a transitional model, representing the reintroduction of the original Les Paul design. Today, these guitars are highly prized by collectors and guitar enthusiasts for their historical significance and exceptional playability.

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