Gibson Les Paul Special Solid Body Electric Guitar (1956)
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Item #7827
Gibson Les Paul Special Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1956), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, limed mahogany finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is a fine example of a 1956 single-cutaway Les Paul Special, showing signs of play but in very good shape for 60+ years on. The features are typical of the first variant of this model with a "limed mahogany" finish on the body and neck, two powerful P-90 pickups with black plastic covers, black bonnet knobs, a multi-ply beveled-edge black celluloid pickguard, and the nickel-plated bar bridge/tailpiece assembly. The headstock carries the pearl Gibson logo and silkscreen "Les Paul Special" designation. The original wiring is complete and intact including the much-loved "bumblebee" capacitors.
Although 1956 was a fairly high production year for this model, only 1345 were shipped out; the LP Special is not nearly as common as the single pickup LP Junior, which sold over 3,000 that year alone. These single cutaway Specials are much more solid in construction than the double-cutaway version introduced the next year; many find the handling and sound more pleasing as well. This is a great all-around guitar, suitable for everything from rampaging Rock'n'Roll to hard blues and even twangy country. As the iconic Gibson solid bodies from the ever-longer-ago 1950s become more venerable, the original single-cutaway Special represents perhaps the greatest value in a "Golden Era" Les Paul.
Overall length is 39 1/4 in. (99.7 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 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 guitar shows just some typical light play wear, but for its age remains quite clean overall. The TV Yellow finish is very well-preserved with typical fine checking. It has retained the attractive "limed" pale yellow and shows mostly small dings, chips, and smooth wear spots on the back and edges. The electronics are all original with untouched solder joints and the capacitors in fine fettle. The thin black plastic jack plate is amazingly still original (nearly all of them are broken by now) as is the plastic rhythm/treble ring on the selector switch; only the amber tip is a very accurate replacement.
The only other hardware alteration is that the tuners were changed at some point, and are now restored back to the exact original Kluson Deluxes that came on the guitar originally. Only a couple of chips and very light shadow remains around a couple of the bushings to indicate this; there are no visible screw holes. The guitar has also been expertly refretted with period-correct wire, so it is now ready to go for the next 60 years. A super-playing and sounding example. Excellent - Condition.
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This is a fine example of a 1956 single-cutaway Les Paul Special, showing signs of play but in very good shape for 60+ years on. The features are typical of the first variant of this model with a "limed mahogany" finish on the body and neck, two powerful P-90 pickups with black plastic covers, black bonnet knobs, a multi-ply beveled-edge black celluloid pickguard, and the nickel-plated bar bridge/tailpiece assembly. The headstock carries the pearl Gibson logo and silkscreen "Les Paul Special" designation. The original wiring is complete and intact including the much-loved "bumblebee" capacitors.
Although 1956 was a fairly high production year for this model, only 1345 were shipped out; the LP Special is not nearly as common as the single pickup LP Junior, which sold over 3,000 that year alone. These single cutaway Specials are much more solid in construction than the double-cutaway version introduced the next year; many find the handling and sound more pleasing as well. This is a great all-around guitar, suitable for everything from rampaging Rock'n'Roll to hard blues and even twangy country. As the iconic Gibson solid bodies from the ever-longer-ago 1950s become more venerable, the original single-cutaway Special represents perhaps the greatest value in a "Golden Era" Les Paul.
Overall length is 39 1/4 in. (99.7 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 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 guitar shows just some typical light play wear, but for its age remains quite clean overall. The TV Yellow finish is very well-preserved with typical fine checking. It has retained the attractive "limed" pale yellow and shows mostly small dings, chips, and smooth wear spots on the back and edges. The electronics are all original with untouched solder joints and the capacitors in fine fettle. The thin black plastic jack plate is amazingly still original (nearly all of them are broken by now) as is the plastic rhythm/treble ring on the selector switch; only the amber tip is a very accurate replacement.
The only other hardware alteration is that the tuners were changed at some point, and are now restored back to the exact original Kluson Deluxes that came on the guitar originally. Only a couple of chips and very light shadow remains around a couple of the bushings to indicate this; there are no visible screw holes. The guitar has also been expertly refretted with period-correct wire, so it is now ready to go for the next 60 years. A super-playing and sounding example. Excellent - Condition.
