1972 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Gibson Les Paul Custom 1972 full front view

Gibson Les Paul Custom 1972 full rear view

Comments	The Gibson Les Paul Custom model was introduced in 1954 as an upmarket version of the still-infant Les Paul model. Instead of a maple cap on a mahogany slab, the body was all mahogany, and came in black with gold hardware. The original versions featured single-coil Alnico pickups, notable for their rectangular polepieces, and the now-ubiquitous Tune-o-Matic bridge and stop tailpiece combination. This model was called the ‘Black Beauty’ and in some versions appeared as the ‘Fretless Wonder’, sporting exceptionally low fretwire. In 1957, the Les Paul Custom lost the Alnico pickups, but gained three of the new humbucking pickups. When the Les Paul was reintroduced in 1968, the Custom got the same body construction as the Standard – with the maple cap. This 1972 Gibson Les Paul Custom model features three pickups; Customs have more commonly been available with two pickups. It’s been refretted, as can be seen in the front of headstock photo; the frets extend to the edge of the fingerboard over the binding. Gibson installs frets prior to binding, so the fret ends are not seen. It’s in good playing condition, and really sounds great.
Serial Number	676624, built during 1972 at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo Michigan, or possibly at the new plant in Nashville, Tennessee.
Pricing	$3,599.99 with molded Gibson hardshell case (not original)
Neck	3-piece maple neck with bound ebony fingerboard, mother of pearl block position markers, Gibson logo and split parallellogram crest on peghead.
Frets	This guitar has been refretted – it’s been played! – with larger fretwire and there’s lots of life left.
Body	Standard post-1968 Custom construction, carved maple cap on mahogany body.
Finish	Original gloss black nitrocellulose lacquer finish, with some wear and dings. The largest is a scratch on the back.
Hardware/electronics	Original hardware except for the bridge and fine-tuner tailpiece. The fine-tuner was introduced by Schaller and appeared on several guitar models, including the ES-355. Ribbed-back Kluson tuners with metal ‘tulip’ buttons. 3 pickups and standard Gibson wiring. Two pots have been replaced.
Playability/Action	Plays well and cleanly.
Case	Non-original Gibson molded case included.