1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom SilverBurst

You all know what this is. The hype around these guitars has been inescapable in the last couple of years, though for good reason...

This is a 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom in SilverBurst, this would be the first year of their manufacture aside from a few '77 prototypes. The serial dates August 1978, which would make this one of the first SilverBurst's off the production line for it's September launch. This particular finish was discontinued in 1982, and Gibson estimates only about 150-200 were made in this particular finish, but no records of colours where kept. The finish was made of chromed aluminum to give it that signature sparkle and add to the TOAN - or so the ancient texts say...

This example is mostly original with the exception of one of the strap buttons. The tuners, bridge, frets, pickups, pots, caps and case are all original. The pickup covers have been removed at some point in time and are not included. The electronics appear all original and the pots have been dated to 1978. 

This early SilverBurst features a 3-piece Maple neck (later models had Mahogany necks), bound Ebony fretboard and a Mahogany body. The pickups are the original T-Tops which sound wonderful. Tuners are solid as well as the bridge and tail-piece. The frets have life in them with nibs intact, the truss-rod is also healthy. With a guitar this age it does have a faded finish, binding shrink and the odd finish ding. The bridge humbucker has been re-taped at some point too but works as it should!

This original purple interior hard case is included but it has seen better days, one latch is missing as well at the handle. 

It's not often you see an instrument like this in New Zealand and this one has allegedly been in storage for 20+ years!

A real piece of guitar history on display here at The Guitar Gallery.

So with all that out the way, let's address the elephant in the room; how much does it weigh?

The answer is 'Yes'. 

11.7lbs

Available at our Wellington store