Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop Narrow Headstock – USA 1968

In late 1960, Gibson replaced the Les Paul body shape with the SG design. The Les Paul design was first reintroduced briefly in 1968 as essentially a reissue of the 1955 Les Paul, with a pair of P-90 pickups and a tune-o-matic bridge.

This reissue model was made only in 1968 and 1969, and there was quite a bit of variation within those produced. 

After some years of non-manufacture, 1968 saw the return of the single cutaway Les Paul P90 Gold Top and the Black Beauty Les Paul Custom. 1968 also possibly represented a sort of a last hurrah because many aficianados feel that the late sixties was the pinnacle of an era of fine Gibson guitars made by some of their best craftsmen.

Many will say Gibson’s best guitars were built in the late fifties. And perhaps that the early sixties came next. If so, then maybe the late sixties instruments were perhaps stage 3 in the evolution of great Gibson guitars.

The 1968 Les Pauls had to be well crafted in order to live up to the LPs from the late fifties.

The 68 Goldtop specs include one piece necks and one piece mahogany bodies with a 2-piece maple cap on top of the mahogany. Not long afterwards the pickups were switched to mini humbuckers because some execs decided that P90’s were not being well enough received on the LP gold tops of the time.

By 1969 Gibson started using the 'pancake' style multi-ply body, though there are some '69 examples with two-piece body as well. Les Paul necks also later became 3 piece, and also in 1969, Gibson started building necks with a volute at the headstock.

P90 Les Pauls from 1968 were built in low numbers (1224 total) and now are extremely rare. And this is a very good one. All original in condition. It has been played, but not much in recent times. This is a classic collector grade piece that has been very well looked after.

This is a great playing guitar with a large 50s style neck profile & frets in excellent condition. It is acoustically resonant and electrically electrifying. A rock solid investor grade original ‘68 LP Goldtop – they didn’t make many, so check this one out. 

Comes in its original gold lined Gibson hard case in excellent condition.

Features:

Action at 1st Fret: 0.5mm

Action at 12th Fret: 1.25mm

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 23.24mm

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 27.34mm

Nut Width: 43.28mm

Width at 12th Fret: 52.37mm

Weight: 4.4kg / 9.7lb

Narrow headstock

Long Neck tenon

One piece mahogany neck

One piece solid mahogany body

Two piece maple cap top

Deep dish top carve

Two original P90 pickups

Serial # 505xxx (1968)

Pots date to 45^th week 1967

Beautifully yellowed binding with no cracking

Virtually no greening on the top and little to no finish checking

A few small nicks & dings – see pics

A faint pattern can be seen around the edges of the top possibly from a floral covering at some stage

Some surface belt buckle wear on the back of the body

Rosewood fingerboard with trapezoidal pearl inlays

Original Kluson Deluxe tuners