SOLD! - 1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty 3-PAF's

Wow.... I cannot recall having ever seen such a clean and stunning 64 year old guitar... What a Beauty!!!!
 
This is an incredible example of a 100% all original 1957 3-pickup “Black Beauty” Les Paul Custom that just screams Rock ‘n’ Roll. It is without a doubt a head turner and the cleanest Black Beauty I have ever seen! Straight from the collection of a very well known NYC guitar dealer and collector. 
 
The so called Black Beauty really is a piece of history, sporting the traditional Les Paul Custom "tuxedo" look that would become iconic in it's own right. These guitars were Gibson’s top-of-the-line model featuring a double-bound solid Mahogany body in a black finish, Ebony fretboard with block inlays, bound headstock, gold hardware and a trio of PAF humbuckers to finish it off. Luxury to the max.
 
And so, this specimen truly is a Black Beauty in 9/10 condition. Untouched solder, no cracks, no breaks, no repairs whatsoever and even the finish is all original with just some small marks. Hardly any play-wear, no weather checking, no nothing. It looks brand new and tidy under blacklight. It plays well with the original “fretless wonder” frets and the pickups produce a lively tone with lots of punch, dynamics and clarity. The original black croc hardshell case with yellow lining is also in stunning condition. Original PAF stickered PAF's with Gold covers in pristine condition, solder untouched. Neck + middle PU rings stamped "MR 491 / M-69 7", bridge PU ring stamped "MR 490 / M-69 8", Black Bell tone and volume knobs, ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic non-retainer bridge with metal saddles and Stop tailpiece, Waffle back tuners, original fretless wonder frets are in good shape.
 
Tonally, this incredible treasure is about as vocal as it can get, with an ultra resonant body and very dynamic response.
 
The neck position is super creamy, warm and articulate, never losing composure or note definition under a heavy attack. The middle position provides cut and clarity, with the bridge and middle pickup out of phase, producing glorious "quack" and expressive push in the upper midrange, just as it came from the factory in 1957. The bridge pickup is exceptionally thick, with a big rock punch and an extremely vocal high end, perfect for those soaring single note runs with waves of harmonic content.
 
A fantastic, one of a kind, collector’s grade guitar!