Gibson Les Paul Custom '57 Reissue Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1998), made in Nashville, TN, black lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case.
Overall length is 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This is a very well-done, accurate re-issue of the classic 1957 triple-PAF Les Paul Custom, with a factory Bigsby vibrato. This has had use as a serious stage guitar and remains a very fine player with some minor changes and light wear. There is a fairly substantial but well-patched ding in the top edge below the knobs; the rest of the finish is mostly clean with a few small chips here and there and some belt-buckle wear into, but not through, the finish on the back. The upper tone knob has a slight center crack but is functional.
The middle pickup has been replaced (under the original cover) but the other two are the original PAF re-issues; there is some requisite visible re-wiring in the cavity. The wiring scheme is as original, but the center position (bridge and middle) does not appear to be out-of-phase, likely the reason the middle pickup was replaced to secure a more meaty and powerful tone when combined with the bridge PU.
This guitar was bought by the last owner from Richard Fortus of Guns 'N' Roses who acquired it new in 1999 and mentioned touring with it in 2000. The frets are not jumbo-sized but are somewhat larger then the "fretless wonder" style originally applied to the 1950's Customs; they remain in good shape and the guitar is a very comfortable player. The original case is included; it is more worn than the guitar, but still functional. Excellent Condition.
