1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard – Goldtop (All Gold)

1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard – Goldtop (All Gold)

We present an all original early 1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard – Goldtop in its original All Gold finish, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This beautiful early example still features the original trapeze tailpiece, as seen on the first production models.

History

The Gibson Les Paul Standard was introduced in 1952 as Gibson’s first solidbody electric guitar, developed in collaboration with Les Paul. These early Goldtops quickly became some of the most influential electric guitars ever produced.

This early 1953 example features the rare “All Gold” finish, meaning the gold finish extends across the top, back, and even the neck. This finish style was seen on only a number of early ’50s Les Pauls, as the more common Goldtop has a natural mahogany back.

The guitar still retains its original trapeze tailpiece, a design carried over from the first Les Pauls introduced in 1952. Later in 1953, Gibson replaced this design with the wraparound bridge, making trapeze-tailpiece examples an important part of the Les Paul’s earliest development.

The combination of a solid mahogany body with carved maple top, the iconic gold finish, and the powerful P-90 pickups created a tone that helped define the early sound of electric guitar music. Today, these early Les Paul Goldtops are among the most collectible and historically significant vintage Gibson guitars ever produced.

Condition

This 1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard is in excellent, clean condition, showing natural play wear with minor nicks and dings consistent with age. The original Goldtop (All Gold) finish displays beautiful checking and patina, giving the guitar a highly desirable vintage appearance.

The one-piece mahogany neck is straight and comfortable, and the neck angle is perfect, ensuring ideal string action and playability. The bound rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlays is clean and well preserved. The original frets are perfect with a lot of life left.

The P-90 pickups are strong, well balanced, and sound incredible, delivering the rich midrange and clarity that early Goldtops are known for. The original tuners are in great shape, and the original strap buttons are perfect. This classic solidbody plays and sounds fantastic, offering the unmistakable tone of an early 1950s Les Paul.

Originality

This 1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard – Goldtop is 100% original throughout. All hardware, pickups, electronics, and finish remain exactly as they left the Kalamazoo factory.

The guitar retains its original trapeze tailpiece, knobs, pickguard, pickup covers, tuners, and strap buttons. The electronics and wiring remain untouched and fully intact, with no broken solder joints or rewound pickups. No modifications – all original and 100% correct.

Includes its original Gibson 4-Latch brown hardshell case with pink interior, with all latches and handle in perfect working order.

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