1989 Pre-Historic 1959 Gibson Les Paul??

[Mickzep1]

Hey guys,

Any info on this particular model in terms of rarity etc?

I noticed it has no hole for the scratch plate?

Cheers

 

[bluesky636]

It also has no dot over the "i".

The tuners use nuts instead of bushings.

It appears to have been refretted as there are no nibs.

Need to see under the pickups and in the control cavities.

Have you checked the serial number with Gibson?

 

[AA00475Bassman]

Gibson will have all the info on a legitimate serial # - I have contacted Gibson several times over the years for info .

 

[jb_abides]

Looks good and proper to me, a 'non-expert'... beyond what was mentioned above RE logo, tuner nuts, it has the double line Gibson Deluxe tuners, late-80s era cherry finish, serial font and position.

As mentioned, check electronics cavity and also for 'PCB' under the pickups to ID as Bill Lawrence.

Pre-Historics were a sort of evolving, movable feast: no idea about total number in 1989 if to be considered as 'rarity' ... ask @Strings Jr.

Also see @mikeslub as he's got an essential collection.

 

[mikeslub]

Looks like a pre-Historic from the 80's. Agree that it is likely refretted. Most pre-Historic had the first digit of the serial number represent the year of manufacture, but some had the "9" like a 1959 (of course, those built in 1989 had a "9" there). Otherwise will have to check the pot codes to see what year of manufacture. It was somewhat common in the late 80's to not put the screw holes in the top for the pick guard from the factory if it had a nice top, but the pick guard was included in the case pocket.

 

[Strings Jr.]

The serial number placement and font are consistent with '89. Knowing the rest of the serial number would be definitive.

I may have covered this before, but here goes again to help answer the OP's question.
In the early 80's with the re-introduction of ink stamped serial numbers on LP Reissues, there were several variations. Some were A xxxx, N xxxx, 9 xxxx, and some special orders were just xxxx. In April '83 there was a small run of reissues with 3 xxxx serial numbers, but it wasn't until late August that the decision was made to start using the last digit of the year for the first digit of the serial number. In April of '84 I built 4 0001 and in February '85 I built 5 0001. But in '86 things changed a little. The last digit of the year was still used as the first digit of the serial, but the last four digits remained sequential from the previous year. On January 16th, 1986 I built 6 0350 and 6 0352. From that point forward, the last four remained sequential, probably until the Historics began.

As for rarity, there were hundreds and hundreds of them made.

 

[AA00475Bassman]

Thank you Strings JR - as one could see from post #2 the direction this was going .

 

[El Gringo]

Looks like a pre-Historic from the 80's. Agree that it is likely refretted. Most pre-Historic had the first digit of the serial number represent the year of manufacture, but some had the "9" like a 1959 (of course, those built in 1989 had a "9" there). Otherwise will have to check the pot codes to see what year of manufacture. It was somewhat common in the late 80's to not put the screw holes in the top for the pick guard from the factory if it had a nice top, but the pick guard was included in the case pocket.

Mike , that was one of the best things Gibson ever did in there lifetime . Giving us a choice on to drill for a guard or not . (I personally hate a pickguard on a fine nicely figured piece of maple )

 

[El Gringo]

The serial number placement and font are consistent with '89. Knowing the rest of the serial number would be definitive.

I may have covered this before, but here goes again to help answer the OP's question.
In the early 80's with the re-introduction of ink stamped serial numbers on LP Reissues, there were several variations. Some were A xxxx, N xxxx, 9 xxxx, and some special orders were just xxxx. In April '83 there was a small run of reissues with 3 xxxx serial numbers, but it wasn't until late August that the decision was made to start using the last digit of the year for the first digit of the serial number. In April of '84 I built 4 0001 and in February '85 I built 5 0001. But in '86 things changed a little. The last digit of the year was still used as the first digit of the serial, but the last four digits remained sequential from the previous year. On January 16th, 1986 I built 6 0350 and 6 0352. From that point forward, the last four remained sequential, probably until the Historics began.

As for rarity, there were hundreds and hundreds of them made.

We are so lucky to have your valuable insight and wisdom on all things GIBSON ! Thank You Most Kindly Strings Jr.!

 

[jb_abides]

Mike , that was one of the best things Gibson ever did in there lifetime . Giving us a choice on to drill for a guard or not . (I personally hate a pickguard on a fine nicely figured piece of maple )

It happens.

My HJ-era 20-teen USA Standards came without the guard drilled; however, my HJ-era 2018 USA Classic with P-90s came with guard in place.

Under JC/Cesar, I think they delineate by grade of top. Only the Koa and Supremes LPs are sans guard, AFAIK.

 

[El Gringo]

It happens.

My HJ-era 20-teen USA Standards came without the guard drilled; however, my HJ-era 2018 USA Classic with P-90s came with guard in place.

Under JC/Cesar, I think they delineate by grade of top. Only the Koa and Supremes LPs are sans guard, AFAIK.

I think you are correct .

 

[El Gringo]

It happens.

My HJ-era 20-teen USA Standards came without the guard drilled; however, my HJ-era 2018 USA Classic with P-90s came with guard in place.

Under JC/Cesar, I think they delineate by grade of top. Only the Koa and Supremes LPs are sans guard, AFAIK.

https://wildwoodguitars.com/product...l-standard-50s-custom-shop-top-180/?cat_id=32 Check out this offering from Wildwood Guitars . A most fine looking Gibson USA 50's Les Paul Standard with a Custom Shop AAA top , with the dreaded pickguard . My one and only question would be WHY JC/ CEASAR ?

 

[jb_abides]

https://wildwoodguitars.com/product...l-standard-50s-custom-shop-top-180/?cat_id=32 Check out this offering from Wildwood Guitars . A most fine looking Gibson USA 50's Les Paul Standard with a Custom Shop AAA top , with the dreaded pickguard . My one and only question would be WHY JC/ CEASAR ?

I predict their answer might be: despite the killer top, it's in the Original Collection emulating a 50s Burst, so on they go!

 

[DvnLesPaul]

Brings back memories of the "one that got away" for me. Elderly Instruments in Lansing, some time in the early 90's had a 89 pre historic with a staggeringly beautiful top that I lusted after hard. It didnt move for quite some time and I kept coming back to it. I even tried swinging a major trade with some of my pointy headstock whammy bar stock - to no avail. With no historic line at the time for comparative pricing it just seemed like it was too much. I saved this pic I found online as the closest comparison to that unique top I have seen.

 

[Strings Jr.]

Mike , that was one of the best things Gibson ever did in there lifetime . Giving us a choice on to drill for a guard or not . (I personally hate a pickguard on a fine nicely figured piece of maple )

Agree! We suggested that all along. That's why my two 77's were never drilled. It was especially painful to do when we started using Quilted Maple in the plant.

 

[El Gringo]

Agree! We suggested that all along. That's why my two 77's were never drilled. It was especially painful to do when we started using Quilted Maple in the plant.

I can just imagine that and cringing .

 

[El Gringo]

I predict their answer might be: despite the killer top, it's in the Original Collection emulating a 50s Burst, so on they go!

Yup , and damn shame .

 

[El Gringo]

Brings back memories of the "one that got away" for me. Elderly Instruments in Lansing, some time in the early 90's had a 89 pre historic with a staggeringly beautiful top that I lusted after hard. It didnt move for quite some time and I kept coming back to it. I even tried swinging a major trade with some of my pointy headstock whammy bar stock - to no avail. With no historic line at the time for comparative pricing it just seemed like it was too much. I saved this pic I found online as the closest comparison to that unique top I have seen. View attachment 28370

That is quite stunning