1957 3.76Kg Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop Darkback

This is a rare original "MADEINUSA" Export 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop darkback with P90 pickups.
 
About only 200 of these were produced in 1957, just before Gibson changed over from P90 pickups to PAF's. It is just months away from a real Burst.... It was originally imported by a guitarist in Sweden and since then owned by a player/collector in Andorra. It has such a sweet tone and sustain, it feels and sounds really, really close to a real Burst.

The year 1957 was a transitional year for the Les Paul model. Up until then, Les Pauls always featured P90 pickups (or the rare staple Alnico pickup in the mid 50's Les Paul Custom's). From 1957 on, PAF Humbucker pickups would become the standard for the Les Paul, until the model was discontinued in 1960.
 
This beautiful guitar is all original with exception of 3 replaced bridge saddles and a refret. There are clear traces of use, but only of the kind you would expect on a guitar that was loved for decades and at the same time was been treated with care and respect. And don't forget: this beauty is almost 70 years old! 

All the plastics, single line single ring Kluson tuners, strap pins, trussrod cover, pickguard, non wire ABR-1 Bridge, short seam lightweight stoptail tailpiece, switch, switch tip, T/R selector switch ring, knobs, pots, Bumblebee capacitors, wiring loom, powerful P90 pickups, pickguard etc are all original to this guitar and the solder is completely untouched and pristine. This rare beauty sleeps in the original - and coveted by Burst collectors - Lifton Cali Girl Les Paul case and a leather strap that has been with this guitar for decades and could well be an original 50's strap! 

It has a smooth, chunky feeling typical '57 round neck profile and the guitar only weighs 3,76kg. The deep RW fretboard has a striking warm color and has only medium wear. The frets have enough life left for years to come. 
 
The original warm gold finish shows some marks and checking but far less then most Goldtops we've seen and over all it is in very good condition. Usually there is lots of green oxidation along the edges where the gold lacquer has cracked and come off but even that is not the case here. There is remarkably little wear on the back of the body and neck. The edges of the headstock have some wear and chips but it could easily be restored. We prefer to keep it as original as possible however. The body shows wear around the edges as well and there a patch in the middle of the back from old buckle rash that has been oversprayed to prevent it from further damage. Oh well.. What's done is done. But the whole guitar front and back lights up perfectly under UV light and besides the oversprayed patch it is all original. The Les Paul logo on the headstock is still vibrant and the serial number 7 0257 on the back can still be read very well. 

Right on top of the serial number it is stamped "MADEINUSA" as was done by Gibson when a guitar was ordered from outside the USA: This means that this is one of the very rare original Export models!
 
This 1957 Les Paul Standard truly is a magical guitar and it makes you understand why the end of the 50's are called Gibson's Golden Era.... It's a Burst dressed as a Goldtop with P90's. Simply Killer!