1969 Les Paul Custom
Dan Orkin of Reverb.com on how to find a late 60s Les Paul Custom in the right condition – and at the right price
Les Pauls built by Gibson in the first years after the single-cut version’s resurrection in 1968 present a fascinating microcosm of the vintage Les Paul market in general. These transition instruments share qualities of both the original era of Les Paul production in the 50s, as well as the less-coveted guitars of the 1970s – and these vary substantially in exact specs and details.
Generally speaking, the earlier the guitar was built, the closer it gets to that magic 50s Kalamazoo production period. This in turn generates more collector interest and higher prices. While it’s tempting to draw a neat line between ’68- and ’69-issued guitars, as with most things vintage Gibson, the reality is not so simple. Many Les Paul Customs released in the first half of 1969 share specs with those built in 1968, while later ’69 releases are often more similar to those built in 1970 and beyond.
Over the past few years, ’69 Customs in pristine condition have sold in the £7,000 to £8,000 range, with several exceeding that mark. Two specific guitars with all the most cherished set of specs in outstanding condition have achieved prices over £11,500. All of these top-end guitars carry the earlier 50s-style spec list with some variation on whether the top is mahogany or maple. In fact, many believe that these guitars were built using some leftover parts and bodies from the 50s, so they’re as close to that mark as you’ll find.
This echelon of the market has been relatively stable over the past several years. Although longer term, interest in this whole era of Les Paul has been heightened as more and more collectors recognise how close these guitars are to, say, a ’58 Les Paul Custom at less than half the price.
Refins & RepaiRs
It’s not uncommon to find 60s Les Paul Customs with all manner of repairs and modifications. As with any other vintage guitar, collectors value originality above all else, even in cases where a mod may make a guitar a better-sounding or playing instrument. Of course, not all mods and repairs are created equal and the exact toll these take on valuation varies substantially. A neat paint job may only reduce the value 20 to 30 per cent, while a new suite of electronics (higher-gain DiMarzio pickup installs are not uncommon) might cut the resale value in half. With any vintage Gibson, keep an eye out for neck breaks and repairs. While pro neck repairs can bring a guitar 99 per cent back to life, it will always decrease the value by around half.
Apart from Gibson, there are many other builders making modern Les Paul-inspired guitars. Many players look to Heritage Guitar as a key alternative, while brands such as Rock N Roll Relics have picked up the vintage LP mantle as well. While harder to come buy, used LP Customs built by the now defunct Gibson Japanese subsidiary Orville are also fantastic value.