Featured LSLP #21

Very Early, First Series 1968 Les Paul Standard - Are-Martin from Norway.

1)   What is the deal with this guitar?

    This guitar is out of Norway, and that is all the information I have on it. It is a 975xxx guitar, super early. Note the typical First Series features such as the crown inlay and P-90 pickups. A sweet guitar which was very early in the production run.

Featured LSLP #22

Very Early, First Series 1968 Les Paul Standard - Steve from UK.

1)   What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?

    978xxx

2)   How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?

    Shop in Denmark Street, London, UK forgotten the name. Bought in about 1972.

3)   Is it original or modified? How is it modified?

    Madly Modified. Mullered is the way I’d put it with hindsight.

4)   What kind of amp do you usually play it through?

    Havent played it through amp for yonks, but has been through everything from watkins, hiwatt, peavey 2x10 combo, marshall 50 with 8x10s.

5)   Why did you buy an LSLP?

    Just started a band and had wanted one ever since seeing Clapton and Pete Green in mid sixties with John Mayall, Peter Bs etc. I think I’d seen one even before this with Keith Richards. Have a vision in my head of him strumming away on ‘Last Time’ Could be mistaken though. It might have had a bigsby on it.

6)   How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?

    Googled ‘what age is my les paul?’ A few sites came up, but this was obviousle ‘the one’.

7)   Tell me about yourself. What is your first name? How long have you been playing guitar? What state/country are you from? What are your favorite kinds of music? Favorite bands? What was your first guitar?

    Name Steve. Played this guitar in an early seventies band ‘Rare Bird’ then very short lived ‘Runner’ in 79 and finally a couple of albums and tours, as rhythm gtr with Alvin Lee in early 80s. As I said in Q5, I’d wanted one since seeing the first one in 64-65, but couldn’t afford the thing of beauty that those guys played, so got this gold top, stripped off the gold hoping to find tiger stripe ( think that’s what it was called) underneath. WRONG. The bridge P90 had already been replaced with humbucker and I thought I’d add a middle pick-up which was done by Sam Lee. WRONG It just gets in the way. At one stage I had pickups wired to a stereo socket, and had 2 pickups going to a clean amp and one to a dirty amp, wahwah on one side none on the other, etc. Good fun. Guitar retired 20 years ago. Took it out of case for first time in about 5 years last week. You know what? The bloody thing was slightly out of tune. Might complain to Gibson.

8)   Anything you would like to add?

    Got round to wondering about the guitar’s age and possible value, so looked at the Gibson site’s chart and couldn’t find my number anywhere. Suddenly thought maybe I’d been playing a very nice copy for all this time. Googled ‘what is the age of my les paul’ and ‘wwwlatesixtieslespaul.com’ just jumped out. I emailed Stephen, and sent some details. He’s been really enthusiastic, and helpful and dated it early 68. I’m sure he knows his stuff. Once I’d had a look at all the ‘featured’ guitars I just had to add mine. Feel like I’ve shown up at Crufts with a mongrel. Still, he’s my mongrel and very handsome too. Aren’t they all? [EDIT: Yours is easily one of my favourites yet, mainly because of your history playing it. These guitars are all great, but I hope my readers recognize the personal stories behind each of the players too. Thanks for the submission, Steve!]

Featured LSLP #23

Modified Early Series 1968 Les Paul Standard - Rick (aka Wilko) from the LPF, USA.

1)   What is the deal with this guitar?

    This guitar was owned by Wilko (Rick) on the Les Paul Forum (LPF). He personally refinned it and discovered that it had a book matched, birdseye maple top. This guitar is very well known within the LSLP community, and Rick sold it years ago. I seem to recall him mentioning a bit of regret. :) Very unusual to see this type of wood. In fact, this is the only LSLP I have ever seen with this type of figure.

Featured LSLP #24

Middle Series Les Paul Custom - Gordy from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

1)   What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?

    Custom 851XXX.

2)   How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?

    Purchased from the original owner in 1972. He was a friend/professional guitarist here in Las Vegas who played a 335. He hated the weight of the LPC and offered to sell it to me – it just happened to be what I was looking for.

3)   Is it original or modified? How is it modified?

    Pickup covers removed. (I have them) Tone-Pros bridge. (I have the original ABR-1 bridge) Knobs replaced. (I have the original witch hat knobs) Damn their ugly!! Tone controls have push-pull pots. Coil tap on both pickups. (Pickups are original t-tops) I have the original pots and caps. Re-fret and bone nut. (I have the original nut) Mini switch is not connected to anything. [EDIT: Gordy, you REEEEEAAAALLLLLLLYYY don't want those pickup covers any more. :) :) :) Hint, hint....]

4)   What kind of amp do you usually play it through?

    Mesa/Boogie F-50

5)   Why did you buy an LSLP?

    I wanted a Les Paul and this just happened to be what was available to me at the time.

6)   How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?

    From the Les Paul Forum

7)   Tell me about yourself. What is your first name? How long have you been playing guitar? What state/country are you from? What are your favorite kinds of music? Favorite bands? What was your first guitar?

    Gordy, Las Vegas, NV/USA. I started playing guitar in 1961 and my first guitar was a 1961 Fender Duo-Sonic – at the time I thought the Les Paul Guitar was just “Butt Ugly!” It’s funny how things change. I spent a lot of time studying all of the Jazz greats in the 1960’s and as a result bought a 1966 Gibson L-5CES. As a professional the gigs almost always called for top 40 and most of the time used either the Les Paul or a Telecaster.

8)   Anything you would like to add?

    The guitar that I spend most of my time with now is this LPC. My musical tastes are all over the place these days and this guitar can give me the sound that I want almost all of the time. [EDIT: Gordy, thank you for submitting your guitar!]

Featured LSLP #25

Early Series Les Paul Custom - Fred from Frankfurt, Germany.

1)   What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?

    Les Paul Custom Serial# 534xxx w “i” dot on the pearl Gibson Headstock Logo.

2)   How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?

    At a Vintage guitar Show in Autumn 2013 I first played it and immediately fell in Love with it. Finally I got my lucky hands on it in February 2014. My LPC was owned and played by Matthias Jabs of the Scorpions from whom I had to honor to get it personally.

3)   Is it original or modified? How is it modified?

    The Custom is all original. Waffle Back Tuners, untouched Solder (Pot Codes 1376850), Pat# Sticker PU´s w Covers never been off, light weight at 9.52 lbs . Only Modification is a refret with playable Medium Jumbos.

4)   What kind of amp do you usually play it through?

    1969 Marshall Plexi Super Lead 100 Watts Model 1959 Amp from 23rd of April 1969 with matching Basketweave 1960 A 4x12 [EDIT: Fred, that's really cool! A nearly matching set of 1969 equipment. :) ]

5)   Why did you buy an LSLP?

    I owned a 1969 LPGT Serial# 541xxx 1pc Body & Neck before but didn´t like the big Headstock:-( I was looking for an early GT but couldn´t track a good and affordable original example. By hasard I stumbeled over the Custom and I knew I must have it...

6)   How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?

    I have found the LSLP.com homepage when I bought the 69 GT by searching for more information about it.

7)   Tell me about yourself. What is your first name? How long have you been playing guitar? What state/country are you from? What are your favorite kinds of music? Favorite bands? What was your first guitar?

    [Fred from Germany.] Played guitar since 1981 and live in Frankfurt Germany. My favorite Music goes from 1940´s Blues over 50´s Rock n Roll and 60´s Funk & Soul to Modern Rock and Metal. Biggest Guitar Influences are Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Rhandy Rhoads and Joe Bonamassa. Bands: The Brew UK, Audioslave, AC/DC, Montrose. My first guitar was an awful Eko Acoustic and my first electric a cheap Aria Sunburst LP Copy with a bolt on Neck.

8)   Anything you would like to add?

    LSLP is a great and very informative homepage. I wanted to share the guitar in Order to complete the knowledge on these fantastic Instruments. [EDIT: Fred, very kind of you to share your guitar. I am a fan of the Scorpions too!]

Here is Fred's ACTUAL guitar being used in a Scorpions video!

Featured LSLP #26

Mystery LP Standard... (Coming Soon) - XXXXX from XXXX, XXXX.

Featured LSLP #27

Early Series Les Paul Standard - Ian from Scotland.

***** ----- ORIGINAL OWNER ----- *****

1)   What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?

    I have a 515xxx 1968 Les Paul Gold Top.

2)   How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?

    I bought the guitar new from Forbes Music shop in Dundee in late 1968. [EDIT: A fantastic story! Congrats Ian!]

3)   Is it original or modified? How is it modified?

    The guitar is all original.

4)   What kind of amp do you usually play it through?

    I originally played through a Vox AC100, but now only play at home through a Peavey practice amp. [EDIT: Small world, I used to live near the Peavey factory and toured there a couple times.]

5)   Why did you buy an LSLP?

    I bought it through sheer luck! I played in a Scottish band in my youth and one of the other bands we played with occasionally (The Pathfinders from Glasgow), their lead guitarist Fraser had a Les Paul sunburst , which he let me play . One day when we were playing in Dundee, we visited Forbes music shop before the gig and there it was just sitting on display. I had to have it. I was only 16 at the time, so had to convince my dad to let me have it – we he did! [EDIT: Ian, your dad was very kind to help you our with your Goldtop. I imagine it was pretty expensive!]

6)   How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?

    Through googling ’68 LP’s.

7)   Tell me about yourself. What is your first name? How long have you been playing guitar? What state/country are you from? What are your favorite kinds of music? Favorite bands? What was your first guitar?

    Ian. I am from Scotland... I started playing guitar at the age of 8. I played in a band in Scotland through my teens. We supported most of the big bands of the time., most notably Cream, Taste, (Rory Gallagher), Robert Plant (pre Led Zep), John Mayall. My first guitar was a Japanese “Top Twenty’ but quickly moved on to a white Fender Telecaster. [EDIT: Such a great musical upbringing. I wish I could have seen all of those shows!]

8)   Anything you would like to add?

    Great site, which I stumbled on when looking for info on my guitar. Keep up the good work ! [EDIT: Ian, you are too kind. Thank you for the generous donation of your story and pictures. Hopefully, many people will enjoy them for years to come.]

Featured LSLP #28

First Series Les Paul Standard - Jared from California.

1)   What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?

    1968 Goldtop with crown inlay. 505XXX.

2)   How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?

    Stumbled across the guitar about 7 years ago in a small guitar shop that I frequented. I didn’t know why it had the crown inlay, but I knew it wasn’t a 50’s model due to the impressed serial number.

3)   Is it original or modified? How is it modified?

    The guitar has been modified, but the finish is all original. It looks great under a black light. The pickups were changed from P-90s to humbuckers before I bought it. The pots and tuners were all changed so I bought and installed a 1968 wiring harness and 1968 tuners. The pickup routes were horrible. It looked like someone drilled a bunch of small holes and chipped out the wood to make the humbuckers fit. I cleaned the routes up and you can still see the long neck tenon.

4)   What kind of amp do you usually play it through?

    I play the guitar through a variety of amps, but love it most through a Marshall 9100 with a JMP-1 preamp set to the JTM45 setting. I don’t use too much distortion though. It also sounds great through my JCM2000 TSL set at 50 watts.

5)   Why did you buy an LSLP?

    I have been in love with Les Pauls since I first saw a photo of Billy Gibbons with one. I thought it was the coolest looking guitar. I have owned many les pauls, and still have a huge love for them.

6)   How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?

    I learned of LSLP website from mylespaul.com.

7)   Tell me about yourself. What is your first name? How long have you been playing guitar? What state/country are you from? What are your favorite kinds of music? Favorite bands? What was your first guitar?

    My name is Jared and I live in California. I have played guitar since I was 6 years old, and I am self taught guitarist. Like many others, I would listen to LPs and try to learn what was being played (no youtube back then). Had to learn the hard way. I love Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Aerosmith, UFO, Jimmy Page, & ZZ Top, just to name a few. My first guitar was an Alvarez acoustic that I found in a house we moved into when I was 6. I have no idea where the guitar came from, and my parents don’t recall ever buying it. My next guitar was a Kay Les Paul sunburst copy that I played for years. In about 1980, my dad bought me a 1972 Gibson SG for $200, and it was phenomenal. The guy selling the SG also had a 1950’s LP Jr that he wanted $50 for. We passed on that one :(

8)   Anything you would like to add?

    My guitars were recently in a fire. My 68 and two other guitars were in a gun safe. The guitars survived, but took a lot of heat. The 1968 case didn’t do as well as the newer style cases. Get good cases, secure your guitars, and get insured.

Featured LSLP #29

Mystery LP Standard... (Coming Soon, when confirmed) - XXXXX from XXXX, XXXX.