Up for sale, a 1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and hangtags. Produced early in '69 (with pot codes from late '68), this Custom is extremely responsive, offering bold muscle and dynamic cut when played acoustically, weighing 10lbs 1oz.

The guitar retains the original pair of patent sticker T Top humbuckers and delivers plenty of detail, treble cut, and roaring, punchy low end. All three pickup positions are distinct, with more growl and taut low end from the bridge pickup, while the neck pickup has the expected oomph and fullness. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, we've dialed in this Les Paul Custom with fresh 10-46 strings, spot-on intonation and low action.

The three-piece mahogany neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve at the nut, with notable shoulder and heft further up the fretboard, measuring .785 deep at the 1st fret and .970" at the 12th. The bound ebony fretboard has been cleanly refretted with jumbo fretwire that has plenty of meat, showing virtually no wear. The guitar plays cleanly in every register, the neck is straight, and the truss rod is responsive and optimally adjusted. The nut has been upgraded to a hand-carved piece of bone measuring 1 11/16" in width, ensuring optimal note clarity and sustain. The headstock has a stamped serial number, with no volute and no "Made in USA" stamp, cosmetic changes made later in the model year. The guitar is fitted with a vintage set of gold Kluson "waffle back" tuning machines which turn smoothly and hold pitch well. There are tiny singular touched-up mounting holes for a different tuner set (Schallers) just inset from the Kluson baseplates, and the tuner holes have been doweled and redrilled for the smaller vintage Kluson post size.

The electronics include the matched pair of original patent sticker T Top humbuckers with gold covers. The neck pickup retains its patent number waterslide decal, and the bridge pickup has just a corner of the decal. The wiring harness retains two of the original pots (both Tones) which date to the 52nd week of '68, and the Volume pots are vintage replacements with their dates obscured by solder. A pair of genuine NOS Sprague Black Beauty capacitors round out the harness. The neck pickup route also reveals the "transitional" neck tenon; a short tenon with the cavity cut for a long tenon.

Hardware includes a genuine '60s ABR-1 patent number bridge and lightweight stopbar, and the bridge features the small foundry stamp in the upper right corner of the base, fitted with metal saddles in lieu of the original nylon. Plastic parts include a multi-ply pickguard and quartet of witch hat knobs, both sourced from a genuine 1968-69 Custom (but not original to this particular Custom), along with the stock pickup rings. The amber switch tip and properly-shaped strap buttons are modern.

The original Ebony nitro lacquer finish is particularly glossy and well-kept, and cosmetic wear includes an area of buckle rash just north of the control cavity cover, lighter buckle wear at the bass-side waist, and some additional scuffing and tiny nicks across the back. Wear is otherwise limited to a few similarly tiny marks on top behind the bridge. The smooth nitro gloss is retained on the neck profile, with some minor marks on the profile length that aren’t distracting to the palm while fretting.

The original black tolex no-logo hardshell case with gold plush interior is included. The case retains its original latches and repaired handle. Two original hangtags are also included.