This auction is for a 1974 Gibson Les Paul 1955 Special RI Electric Guitar. In 1974 Gibson re-issued the 1955 Les Paul Special(guitar was a go between the Les Paul Junior and the Les Paul Standard.). Based upon my sources from a Les Paul forum Gibson produced 1925 of these guitars in 1974 and shipped them all out. The source does note that in 1976 two were shipped but did not elaborate. They did not ship any more until 1977 when they added the tunomatic bridge assembly. This particular guitar has been modified in that fashion. Also the Kluson tuners have been replaced with Schaller tuning machines. That is a necessary upgrade if you intend on bending any strings. I have an old Epiphone Les Paul and the G tuning machine(Kluson) is hanging off. One of the first things Jimmy Page did when Joe Walsh sold him a Les Paul standard for $500 was replace the Klusons with quality tuners. The tuners on this guitar right now are an improvement. Guitar has a totally different feel compared with a Kluson rigged guitar. The former owner(not me)also replaced the pick guard(not included) and put dog ears over the P-90 Pickups. Nice vintage sound coming out of those P-90's to cut through the mix(something you wont do with most humbuckers). I plan on upgrading everything on my Epiphone the way this person did because it's the right thing to do. However as a result you will see holes here and there. Also since the stopbar had to be moved back you will see where the original holes have been plugged. The guitar's neck is very flat from what I can see and feel. It's a very intimate feeling playing this guitar. I'll include a new pack of strings with this guitar, D'addario xl 10's. There is a good amount of fret wear. I can take some more detailed pictures if requested. There is also a lot of body wear. This is to be expected coming from a guitar from 1974. Also as I've pointed out in my other listing for a 1978 Stratocaster, old guitars that are in mint condition are guitars no one wanted to play. That's a fact jack. The person who played this guitar played it a lot. I'd guesstimate he was a punk rock player or someone who played a lot of powerchord because there is considerable wear where he picked just behind the neck pickup. I think this is a pretty good guitar that could fit a lot of different styles(Rock, classic rock, alternative, punk rock, etc) thanks to those wonderful P-90's. This guitar has a lot of mojo going on. I'd even suggest now the only reason the original owner is no longer playing this is because he is dead. This was not a guitar for the corner of the room. This is a working man's instrument. Certainly a new setup is in order and depending upon your style and taste some fret work is always a possibility(leveling, crowning, etc). The original case is not available but I am including a Gibson case. It's not pictured but pictures are available. It's one of the brown high quality cases with pink interior. There is some wear or marks which look like plaster. Other than that it's in excellent condition. Some padding might be needed since I think it's for a regular Les Paul which is thicker. I'm not sure about that though. Guitar will ship UPS ground, insured or can be picked up if you are local. Thursday, July 5, 2012
1974 Gibson Les Paul 1955 Special RI Electric Guitar 8.5 lbs * Super Relic*
This auction is for a 1974 Gibson Les Paul 1955 Special RI Electric Guitar. In 1974 Gibson re-issued the 1955 Les Paul Special(guitar was a go between the Les Paul Junior and the Les Paul Standard.). Based upon my sources from a Les Paul forum Gibson produced 1925 of these guitars in 1974 and shipped them all out. The source does note that in 1976 two were shipped but did not elaborate. They did not ship any more until 1977 when they added the tunomatic bridge assembly. This particular guitar has been modified in that fashion. Also the Kluson tuners have been replaced with Schaller tuning machines. That is a necessary upgrade if you intend on bending any strings. I have an old Epiphone Les Paul and the G tuning machine(Kluson) is hanging off. One of the first things Jimmy Page did when Joe Walsh sold him a Les Paul standard for $500 was replace the Klusons with quality tuners. The tuners on this guitar right now are an improvement. Guitar has a totally different feel compared with a Kluson rigged guitar. The former owner(not me)also replaced the pick guard(not included) and put dog ears over the P-90 Pickups. Nice vintage sound coming out of those P-90's to cut through the mix(something you wont do with most humbuckers). I plan on upgrading everything on my Epiphone the way this person did because it's the right thing to do. However as a result you will see holes here and there. Also since the stopbar had to be moved back you will see where the original holes have been plugged. The guitar's neck is very flat from what I can see and feel. It's a very intimate feeling playing this guitar. I'll include a new pack of strings with this guitar, D'addario xl 10's. There is a good amount of fret wear. I can take some more detailed pictures if requested. There is also a lot of body wear. This is to be expected coming from a guitar from 1974. Also as I've pointed out in my other listing for a 1978 Stratocaster, old guitars that are in mint condition are guitars no one wanted to play. That's a fact jack. The person who played this guitar played it a lot. I'd guesstimate he was a punk rock player or someone who played a lot of powerchord because there is considerable wear where he picked just behind the neck pickup. I think this is a pretty good guitar that could fit a lot of different styles(Rock, classic rock, alternative, punk rock, etc) thanks to those wonderful P-90's. This guitar has a lot of mojo going on. I'd even suggest now the only reason the original owner is no longer playing this is because he is dead. This was not a guitar for the corner of the room. This is a working man's instrument. Certainly a new setup is in order and depending upon your style and taste some fret work is always a possibility(leveling, crowning, etc). The original case is not available but I am including a Gibson case. It's not pictured but pictures are available. It's one of the brown high quality cases with pink interior. There is some wear or marks which look like plaster. Other than that it's in excellent condition. Some padding might be needed since I think it's for a regular Les Paul which is thicker. I'm not sure about that though. Guitar will ship UPS ground, insured or can be picked up if you are local. 
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