User Submitted Featured Guitars:
Since I began this site back in 2006, I have been fortunate to receive hundreds of emails from all over the world. I have heard from: Japan, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Norway, Poland, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Argentina, Scotland, the UK, Belgium, Hungary, New Zealand, and more.
Recently, it occurred to me that it would be fun to feature some of your guitars and, more importantly, your stories. Don't worry! You don't need some mint, all-original example. If it is a real LSLP, I'm sure others would love to see it. If you would like to be featured, please download the Microsoft Word Document below. It has instructions on what to do. Don't forget to attach it and a couple of your favorite pictures to your return email.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Any comment in brackets, marked "EDIT", is commentary by myself. Any claims to condition in the following featurettes are strictly the beliefs of the generous people who have submitted them in their own words. The author of this site has not validated or endorsed them in any way, this particular section is just a place to share stories for entertainment, etc. :) Nothing too serious. :)
Featured LSLP #31
Modified Middle Series 1969 Les Paul Deluxe - Albert from Argentina.
In Albert's own words:
Hi MW,
Hope this email finds you well.
You may remember me (or not). I submitted a very clean, very early '68 to you and it's on your site. You helped me verify all the right details to know I had found a real gem. I acquired that guitar a while back and continue exploring the Late Sixties LPs.
I have made a new acquisition you may find of interest. It's a highly modified 1969 Deluxe. I purchased the guitar from NYC studio musician Jimmy Calvert. He was a songwriter and studio musician for the Archies and the Ohio Players during the 1960s. He then became the guitarist and song writing partner for Tommy James of Tommy James and the Shondells. In the '70s he played on several studio albums for both John Lennon and Ringo Starr including "Photograph". He continued to tour into the '80s and 90s.
The guitar was highly modified by J. Calvert as he added humbuckers and a coil tap switch. He had also switched the tuners, put in a brass nut (yuck! in my opinion) and a different stop tail. As you will see in the photos (one before photo with humbuckers exposed and the rest after work I have done to it), it has been highly used and abused and has a heavily reliced look that's full of mojo.
When I bought (rescued) this guitar it was close to shot. The frets were as badly worn as any guitar I or my luthier had ever seen. The bridge was covered in nail polish (some preservation technique gone bad), etc. I was convinced that she had greatness underneath her obvious wear and tear.
I had it refretted, put on vintage spec Kluson tuners installed, an original nut, an original nickel stoptail from '69 and original humbucker covers from '69 as Calvert had removed them. She came back from the shop (Chicago Fretworks) in amazing shape. She plays and sounds so so beautifully. She's right up there with my early '68 and my killer all original '54 LP GT. She may be the closest I ever get to a '57 LP GT, as they are priced out of my range. But this one has the feel of an extremely worn shoe, the look of a crusty, lusty, rock bitch of a guitar, and the sound you would expect.
If this guitar could talk, we can only imagine the studio and touring stories it could tell.
I thought the guitar's history and owner was interesting and I'm thrilled she has been brought back to life to thrive and rock once again.
Hope you enjoy the pics!
Cheers,
Albert D.
Big Fan of Late Sixties LP site
Featured LSLP #32 & #33 & #34
Three Middle Series 1969 Les Paul Deluxes - Kepha from Texas.
1) What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?
I own 3 LSLP’S Deluxes 1- LATE 68 GT with solid body 8178XX and 3 piece neck 2- 69 LSLP’S one 69 solid body with 3 piece neck, refin cherry burst, 8469XX, the other is a 69 GT with 3 piece neck and pancake body 8968XX. ---- (EDIT: I believe that Kepha's 817xxx is mostly likely a Mid-69 Deluxe.)
2) How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?
Bought the 68 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the 69 pancake body from ebay, the 69 burst from an individual.
3) Is it original or modified? How is it modified?
all are modified in some way. 68 has nashville bridge and 50’s p-90’s, the 69 pancake body has a humbucker in the bridge and grovers. The 69 Burst has humbuckers from 71,72, with the Gibson logo on the covers. I think it was refinished around that time possibly at the Gibson plant as it is right on with the colors of that era and the pickups might have been also installed at that time as they are 71,72 era.
4) What kind of amp do you usually play it through?
70’s silver face Fender Twin and 74 Marshall pa head with marshall stack.
5) Why did you buy an LSLP?
Love Gibson Les Pauls
6) How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?
internet
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 Kepha and I live in Texas. I‘ve been playing guitar since I was 16. I grew up in New Orleans listening to lots of blues/rock and local bands such as the Neville Bros, and Dr. John. My favorite bands are Free w/Paul Kossoff, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Allman Bros., Lyrnyrd Skyrnyrd, and many other blues rock bands as well as southern rock bands. I still have my first guitar a 74 Fender Stratocaster.
8) Anything you would like to add?
I love LP’s and have about 30 at this time. Can’t get enough of the solid body LP guitar!
Featured LSLP #35 & #36
Two Middle Series 1969 Les Paul Deluxes - Don from Edmonton Alberta, Canada.
Don and I discussed his Sunburst's finish in subsequent emails. It sure looks like a 70's spray/color, and the guitar has gold in it's pickup cavities. So, while I am sure the guitar shipped in 69 as a Goldtop, it is certainly plausible that someone sent it back to Gibson to have it sprayed as a Sunburst. We'll never know! SWEET guitar. Certainly is an OLD top-only refin. Killer guitar!
In Don's own words:
Hey MW.....
Love your site....It was a real treat to come across.....I've sent some pics of my '69 Deluxes....Do whatever you wish with them.....One is obviously a 'closet classic' and the other a well worn player....my favorite by far...I have never in 40+ years played a better Les Paul than the sunburst one.....Goldtop serial # 821xxx......Sunburst serial # 829xxx....There is a little bit of gold spray in the pickup cavities of the sunburst. I've included a letter from Gibson stating that they did offer custom finishes in '69 but it is hard to determine whether or not it is a factory finish.....My gut feeling is that it is. Also note the non-symetrical cut on the bottom of the headstock of the sunburst one.....owning I guess to less mechanical and more hands on in the construction. Anyway I hope you enjoy.
Thanks a bunch
Don G.
Edmonton Alberta, Canada
2-11-15
PS - I forgot to mention that bother guitars have the same pot date code.....1376902
Featured LSLP #37
Early Series 1968 Les Paul Standard - Larry from Ohio.
Congrats on the new purchase, Larry!
In Larry's own words:
Hello MW
Thought I would send you a pic of the 68 goldtop if you want to add it to the site. I do not have ms word on my phone though. Sorry. Everything is original except for a refret(Gruhn completed I think) and strap buttons. Serial# 529xxx. Pots dated 1376850. I just got it a few days ago. I've been noodling with LSLP guitars for off and on last 10yrs. First Les Paul was a Vantage copy back in the mid 80s. Thanks again.
Larry H.
(from Ohio)
Featured LSLP #38
Middle Series 1969 Les Paul Deluxe - George from Minnesota.
1) What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?
1969 Les Paul Deluxe, 851XXX.
2) How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?
I bought it used in 1973 at a small neighborhood music store. I’ve owned it over 41 years. EDIT: I just wanted to how cool it is George that you have owned this guitar for long. Congrats man, truly fantastic.
3) Is it original or modified? How is it modified?
Everything is original, with the exception of the jack plate & Schaller Strap Locks. It has a one piece body.
4) What kind of amp do you usually play it through?
Peavey Delta Blues. Many others through the years.
5) Why did you buy an LSLP?
I didn’t know the difference at the time.
6) How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?
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?
My name is George, I live in a suburb of Minneapolis Mn, USA. I’ve been playing guitar & bass for about 44 years. I like Blues, Rock & Southern Rock. Skynyrd, Zeppelin, Mountian, Cream, Alman Bros, etc….. My first playable guitar was a Harmony Bobkat H-15.
Featured LSLP #39
Early Series 1969 (basically a 68) Les Paul Custom - Marc from California.
1) What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?
Custom 531
2) How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?
I found it buried at a guitar center in Orange County. I’ve owned it since Summer, 2014.
3) Is it original or modified? How is it modified?
I believe the volume pots were changed in the early 70s. The tuners were changed AND NOW HAVE Kluson replicas. I put a Nashville bridge on as the guitar simply would not intonate with the ABR bridge. I have the original bridge and the guitar has a Carruthers refret so it’s playable.
4) What kind of amp do you usually play it through?
Marshall Plexi, JMP, Carr, Fender Deluxe, Supro, Ampeg VT-22 (Exile amps).
5) Why did you buy an LSLP?
I bought my first guitar at 17. A guy painting our house had one for sale. I thought it was the most beautiful instrument I’d ever seen. A 1980 Fretless Wonder; $425.00. Shortly thereafter I discovered Mick Ronson and loved his tone. He had a 68 LPC and he had an unreal tone I’d never heard from anyone. Loud, powerful, commanding yet subtle. Biting, but smooth.
6) How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?
Searching the web.
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?
Marc. Los Angeles, CA. Playing since I was a teenager. Early Bowie, Stones, Zepp, Aerosmith, Clapton, Mick Taylor and Michael Shenker.
8) Anything you would like to add?
I see a number of people trying to sell their 69 Les Pauls with transitional tenons as long tenons. It’s really not right to misrepresent a guitar and it can cost people thousands of dollars. I hope this site serves at least one purpose to give people a place to learn and research about their guitars. It’s better for the whole vintage guitar entity. [EDIT: Marc, I cannot tell you how bad the misrepresentation stuff was back in the early 2000's when I first tried to learn about these guitars. I have been very happy to see more and more honest sellers since then, but there are a few still trying everything they can to eek a few more $$$ out of an unsuspecting buyer. I hope this site has helped; that was the objective. Thank you for your submission, and your kind words in our emails.]
Featured LSLP #40
Modified Middle Series 1969 Les Paul Deluxe - Delphin from France.
1) What kind of LSLP do you have (Std, Dlx, Cust)? What are the first 3 digits of the serial #?
1969 Les paul Deluxe, 808XXX but the original serial number was lost because the guitar was stripped and sanded many times, so I re-add a correct range serial number.
2) How did you find your LSLP, and how long have you owned it?
I found it on french classifieds website on October, 2014.
3) Is it original or modified? How is it modified?
It was modified, differents pickups, mini-switches, tuners, sanded neck joint, finish. But I had original harness (with 1376852 pots), neck pickup, bridge and stop bar. I restored it to original configuration with correct period tuners and mini-humbucker patent sticker on the bridge.
4) What kind of amp do you usually play it through?
I played on 1975 Fender Vibrochamp or 1965 Klemt Echolette M40
5) Why did you buy an LSLP?
I bought it for restored a vintage Les Paul !
6) How did you find out about latesixtieslespauls.com?
On the web
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 Delphin, I'm French, I've been playing for 8 years. My favorite kinds of music it's late sixties British Blues like Savoy Brown, John Mayall, Cream, Fleetwood Mac, ect... I'm a big fan of AC/DC too ! My first guitar was a Stagg Stratocaster 8 years ago.
8) Anything you would like to add?
My restoration in pics here: [EDIT: SEE EMBEDDED YOUTUBE VIDEO BELOW] What do you think about it ? Sorry for mistakes and thank you for your website I found a lot of informations for restored my LSLP. [EDIT: Delphin, thank you for submitting your guitar! EVERYONE, please watch Delphin's video. It's great!]