Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty, 1970

CONDITION: Very good. The front of the guitar is quite clean for a vintage black Les Paul, with some small dings and light dents. There is a small touch-up on the back of the neck. The back has buckle rash with some rough touch-up work (refer to photos). Plays great with the low frets that are particular to these fretless wonder Customs.

The Les Paul Custom has always been Gibson's statement guitar. Les Paul himself wanted it to look like a tuxedo, and that black-and-gold combination still turns heads more than half a century later. This 1970 Black Beauty is a fantastic example from one of the more interesting transitional years in Gibson's history, and it comes to us from its second owner, who clearly cared for this guitar over the years.

1970 marked the first year for the volute at the back of the headstock, a small reinforcement detail that's become a reliable dating marker for collectors. This example sports the early "bump" style volute along with a three-piece neck and the pancake body construction typical of the era. All the hallmarks are here: the split diamond headstock inlay, ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl blocks, and those iconic witch hat knobs with gold caps.

What stands out immediately is the weight. At 9.5 pounds, this one is noticeably lighter than most of its peers from this period, many of which tip the scales well past 10 pounds. That lighter weight translates to a guitar that's more comfortable to play and, in my experience, tends to be more resonant and alive acoustically.

The electronics appear completely original and untouched, which is exactly what you want to see. The patent sticker pickups deliver that warm, full-bodied vintage tone these guitars are known for. There's a richness and complexity in those pickups that reward dynamic playing. Roll back the volume, and they clean up beautifully. Dig in, and they respond with authority.

The neck is straight, and the original fretless wonder frets are in great shape, giving this Custom the smooth, fast feel that earned the model its famous nickname. Action is very low with no buzz or issues. The medium fat neck profile has a comfortable taper from the 1st fret to the 12th that just feels right in your hand. There's a small touch-up on the back of the neck covering an old ding, and a touch-up to the belt buckle area. Check out the photos for a close look. Honest evidence of a guitar that was played and loved.

This is a Black Beauty that plays as good as it looks. It comes with its original vintage Gibson hardshell case with orange interior, also in excellent condition. A worthy example of one of Gibson's most iconic instruments.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.