1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom – Mickey Baker

If you would like to see internal photos of the guitar you are more than welcome. Please contact us through email or give us a call.

1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom – Mickey Baker

We present an all original 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom – Mickey Baker. Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

This incredible guitar is one of the most rare Les Paul Custom to come across. Gibson only made this model with P.A.F’s in 1957 and some claim only 7-12 of them were made in that year. In 1956 Gibson also made very few Mickey Baker with three P90’s pickups.

The unique characteristic of this historical piece is the ‘Mickey Baker Wiring’ circuit ( like Gibson ES-5 ) which features 3 volume knobs on the lower bout of the guitar (one for each pickup) and instead of a toggle-switch at the upper bout of the guitar, it features a unique ‘master volume’ knob. This configuration allows the player to blend in all three pickups as they like, and therefore achieve unique tonal possibilities.

Overall this guitar is in excellent condition with minor nicks, dings and other cosmetic wear. It features beautiful finish checking all over the body and neck. The gold-platted nickel hardware has faded nicely over the years, which gives this historical guitar an amazing look. The original frets are in great shape with a lot of life left in them.

The guitar features a one-piece and quite light-weight mahogany body and a one-piece bound mahogany neck with block inlays. The bound headstock with the pearl inlay and pearl Gibson logo looks overall pretty good with some finish checking and a bit of wear on the back at the top. The original Kluson waffleback tuning machines turns nicely and works perfect, and even comes with the original pearloid tuner-buttons.

1957 was indeed a part of Gibson’s golden years specially considering the infamous “Patent Applied For” pickups also known as P.A.F. pickups that were only produced from late 1956 until late 1962. This guitar features none less than 3 original P.A.F pickups. The sound is absolutely incredible and extremely clear. They’re all very well balanced although the neck pickup measures a little bit higher than the middle and bridge pickup which is not uncommon.

Pickups and the electronics/wiring remain untouched and intact, with no broken solder joints, no re-wound pickups. All original and correct.

Comes complete with its original Gibson hardshell case with black exterior. Latches and handle are in perfect working order

Mickey Baker History

Mickey Baker (also known as Mickey “Guitar” Baker) was born in Louisville Kentucky on October 15, 1925. He was one half of the pop-duo Mickey & Sylvia, who had a hit single with “Love Is Strange” in 1957.

Mickey Baker is listed in Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Baker is also noteworthy as a session guitarist and guitar educator. Baker’s session work spanned jazz, calypso, mambo, and rhythm ‘n’ blues. He is widely held to be a critical force in the bridging of rhythm ‘n’ blues and rock ‘n’ roll, along with Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. In 1961, he took the male spoken part (usually assumed to be Ike Turner) on Ike & Tina Turner’s early hit, “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine.” Shortly afterwards he moved to France, making a few solo records and working with a lot of French pop and rock performers, including Ronnie Bird. Baker has recorded only sporadically since the mid 1960s.

In 1999 Baker was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. His self-tuition method book series, the “Complete Course in Jazz Guitar” is a mainstay for introducing students of guitar to the world of jazz. He was also important as an early exponent of the solid body electric guitar used for jazz – especially the Les Paul Custom, which he and Johnny Cray used and endorsed heavily during the 1950’s. Gibson also made them special triple-pickup versions with unique controls – now known as the Mickey Baker Les Paul Custom.

Specs

With your purchase you get picture documentation on a USB drive and a Certificate of Authenticity. Read more