One of the most striking and memorable designs in the history of the electric guitar, the Black Beauty is undeniably one of the most important electric guitars of the past 58 years. In the late '60s Gibson Les Paul Customs are mahogany on back with a maple top, just like the Les Paul Standard model. We should point out that Gibson did not stamp "Made in U.S.A." or carve a volute into the back of the neck until 1970, so this guitar happily lacks both. This model and era guitar is famous for being the “Return of the Single Cutaway” Les Paul after a hiatus of 7 years during which time none were made. Its frets were decidedly low profile which is why it retained its moniker of “Fretless Wonder.” In addition, with its gold-plated humbucking pickups and metal parts contrasted to that stark black body, fingerboard and peghead, and the 7-ply top binding and other rich appointments, there is something deeply moving about stepping into a room and seeing a guitar of this considerable elegance and regal mien facing you, surrounded by halogen spotlights and three burly armed guards wearing green suits with black epaulets. By that we mean the ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing, typically on the coat or jacket of a military uniform and probably not the hair removal from beneath the skin such as waxin’, electrolysis, laser hair removal, pluckin’ and/or tweezin’.
This guitar has the three-piece neck and the one-piece body which indicates with certainty that it is from mid-1969, and it also has the transitional length neck tenon. It has a slim profile C-shape neck which is quite comfortable; it weighs approximately 9 pounds, 2 oz. which is considered light for a Les Paul Custom. This example shows normal light signs of use and wear, plus minor checking; there are dings overall including one under the strings between the pickups; there is small crack in the jack plate, which is not uncommon.
Its nut width is 1 11/16th and its string spacing at the bridge is 2”. There are worn spots on each side of the back of the heel of the neck, and a smudge on the bass side of the bottom of the neck – possibly caused by the case; there are scuffs on the back edge of the headstock, light buckle marks on the back, a scrape in the wood at the bottom of the black trapezoidal cover; there are scrapes including on the sides, and scratches and long deep crazing lines on the face, dings on the headplate, It has the black pickguard laminated on three sides with white-black-white. It has four black witches hat knobs with gold caps, and a three-way toggle in the upper bass bout whose cap is said to be original but is whiter in color than he binding – which is apparently typical. The legend “Rhythm/Treble” is only slightly worn – less evidence of finger contact than many we have seen.
We present to you one of the most desirable of all modern solid bodies, in glossy black, a guitar that conforms to the very definition of the little black dress. For instance, a guitar like this could be at home in a restaurant or a cocktail lounge, as it is cut simply and just the right length and capability for either jazz or screaming rock ‘n’ roll. Like the little black dress the Les Paul Custom of 1969 is intended to be long-lasting and versatile, accessible to the most applications possible and, of course, it comes in a neutral color. Its revered status is such that it is often referred to as simply the "LPC.” WAS $14,950 BUT NOW ON SALE FOR: