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Alligator Les Paul case??!!

spursn17

New member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Messages
8
Hi.
Hope someone on here can help solve a mystery.
About 20 odd years ago i bought a 1970 Les Paul Deluxe,
but it came in a case with alligator style exterior:hmm
I have always thought that it was a replacement case of some sort.
But after inspecting an original case of that era i'm not so sure.
The inside of the case is pretty much exactly the same (purple), as is the shape of the case.
There is no Gibson marking of any kind on the case.
Can any one solve this 20 year old mystery:)
Thanks.
 

TexasFM3

New member
Joined
Jan 30, 2006
Messages
45
Hi.
Hope someone on here can help solve a mystery.
About 20 odd years ago i bought a 1970 Les Paul Deluxe,
but it came in a case with alligator style exterior:hmm
I have always thought that it was a replacement case of some sort.
But after inspecting an original case of that era i'm not so sure.
The inside of the case is pretty much exactly the same (purple), as is the shape of the case.
There is no Gibson marking of any kind on the case.
Can any one solve this 20 year old mystery:)
Thanks.

Brother - perhaps you are referring to cases that came with the 2002 LP Voodoo from 20 years ago. They came with some great looking cases in these types of prints. They may have placed it in one of these prior to the sale?

@@@EDIT@@@
Sorry brother - after my post I seen you mention there were no Gibson markings. The case would not be for the voodoo. Sorry Brother.
 
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spursn17

New member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Messages
8
Aftermarket, non Gibson.

Hi.
So there is absolutely no chance that this could be an option when the guitar was ordered?
I find it somewhat strange that the shape of the case and the lining is so very similar to the Gibson cases of the time.
And the case i would say, is at least as old as the guitar.

Cheers.
 

Big Daddy Class

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
136
Hi.
So there is absolutely no chance that this could be an option when the guitar was ordered?
I find it somewhat strange that the shape of the case and the lining is so very similar to the Gibson cases of the time.
And the case i would say, is at least as old as the guitar.

Cheers.
Gibson has sold some Alligator style (not sure they were actual Alligator) cases over the years notably in the 50s. The were the "Chipboard" cases and had no fur inside . I believe they fit the ES-335 guitars as well as the Les Paul jrs. I am unclear if any other Les Pauls came in those cases. They have not held up well over the years and tend to be sold in pieces (they fell apart). I believe there have been other more recent Alligator Les Paul cases--for example, I think the Dickie Betts Signature was sold in an Alligator case. I guess it is not impossible that Gibson sold branded Alligator cases in the 70's but I am unaware of them.
 

Scott L

Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2008
Messages
880
The Johnny A. signature model has shipped with a Alligator case, IIRC nowhere did it say Gibson on the case.

This is a 2006

sogf2y8ewgdq0rspjmgw.jpg


h4cvkqqkpe19kvqf8p1p.jpg
 

Big Daddy Class

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
136
The Johnny A. signature model has shipped with a Alligator case, IIRC nowhere did it say Gibson on the case.

This is a 2006

sogf2y8ewgdq0rspjmgw.jpg


h4cvkqqkpe19kvqf8p1p.jpg
Obviously off topic but that is one of the more beautiful guitars I have ever seen. You really should give me that guitar!
 

spursn17

New member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Messages
8
Gibson has sold some Alligator style (not sure they were actual Alligator) cases over the years notably in the 50s. The were the "Chipboard" cases and had no fur inside . I believe they fit the ES-335 guitars as well as the Les Paul jrs. I am unclear if any other Les Pauls came in those cases. They have not held up well over the years and tend to be sold in pieces (they fell apart). I believe there have been other more recent Alligator Les Paul cases--for example, I think the Dickie Betts Signature was sold in an Alligator case. I guess it is not impossible that Gibson sold branded Alligator cases in the 70's but I am unaware of them.

Yeah, i'm aware of the 50's "cardboard" cases...but this one is more solid than that, more like the gibson cases of the 70s.
And it's not real alligator skin, but some kind of imitation.
Thanks for answer:)
 

Rich R

In the Zone/Backstage Pass
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
4,999
The Johnny A. signature model has shipped with a Alligator case, IIRC nowhere did it say Gibson on the case.

This is a 2006

sogf2y8ewgdq0rspjmgw.jpg


h4cvkqqkpe19kvqf8p1p.jpg

That's a really cool case! Personally, I'm absolutely goofy about cool cases, and find it an affordable folly to "pimp out" the guitars in my collection with interesting cases.

BTW, it would be prohibitive for a standard manufacturer to offer a REAL alligator case, so I'm pretty sure that's never happened. However, a custom-made one would be entirely possible, if you wanted to spend the money. One of the coolest cases ever IMHO was one that Louis Vuitton (ultra high-end luggage maker) made up for a print ad featuring Keef and the case, hangin' in a posh hotel room...
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10145/Keef_Vuitton.jpg
 

Big Daddy Class

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
136
That's a really cool case! Personally, I'm absolutely goofy about cool cases, and find it an affordable folly to "pimp out" the guitars in my collection with interesting cases.

BTW, it would be prohibitive for a standard manufacturer to offer a REAL alligator case, so I'm pretty sure that's never happened. However, a custom-made one would be entirely possible, if you wanted to spend the money. One of the coolest cases ever IMHO was one that Louis Vuitton (ultra high-end luggage maker) made up for a print ad featuring Keef and the case, hangin' in a posh hotel room...
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10145/Keef_Vuitton.jpg

It was not just for a print ad. They sell them. There is one for sale at Nordstrom in Nashville (where I live). It is 9k. In addition Gibson made some Louis Vuitton custom guitars (which were R9's) custom painted for LV and sold in LV cases. Those are at the LV store in Nashville (which is curiously right next door to Nordstrom in the same mall)

Correction--that is a Gucci Les Paul case they have at Nordstrom for 9k. Positive it was LV at the LV store, though! Apparently they sold one of them, though. They only have one now.
 
Last edited:

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Hi.
So there is absolutely no chance that this could be an option when the guitar was ordered?
I find it somewhat strange that the shape of the case and the lining is so very similar to the Gibson cases of the time.
And the case i would say, is at least as old as the guitar.

Cheers.

No.. Not in 70's or unbranded. Not an option and not original. So what? I like cool cases and faux gator or croc are my favorites.
 

Big Daddy Class

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
136
The Johnny A. signature model has shipped with a Alligator case, IIRC nowhere did it say Gibson on the case.

This is a 2006

sogf2y8ewgdq0rspjmgw.jpg


h4cvkqqkpe19kvqf8p1p.jpg
Any idea what they called the color of that guitar? Online I can only find "Ginger", "Sunset Glow", "Gold", "Trans Green" and "Bourbon Burst" and that one does not match any of those?

Edit--Nevermind. I found it. "Trans Black"
 

Bandido Borracho

New member
Joined
Feb 12, 2021
Messages
9
Hi.
Hope someone on here can help solve a mystery.
About 20 odd years ago i bought a 1970 Les Paul Deluxe,
but it came in a case with alligator style exterior:hmm
I have always thought that it was a replacement case of some sort.
But after inspecting an original case of that era i'm not so sure.
The inside of the case is pretty much exactly the same (purple), as is the shape of the case.
There is no Gibson marking of any kind on the case.
Can any one solve this 20 year old mystery:)
Thanks.
I had this Gibson case… and I’m looking for its twin
 

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gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
I seem to remember the Dickie Betts LP coming in an alligator case, pretty cool lookin’ as I recall.
 

Gitfiddler

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
1,194
IIRC, the early 2000's Dickie Betts LP Goldtops came with two cases, one regular Gibson CS case, and a second faux gator case.
I could be wrong, however, since I never got one of those.

That said, I was able to score one of those DB faux gator cases from Dave's around that time. He had a few that he sold separately.
I keep my '01 Goldtop R7 in it.
 
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bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
I got only one faux gator case; it's hiding a guitar that came originally with a Bigsby but I removed the Bigsby and installed a short trapeze.
Will soon have a proper wrap tail :D


# 1 faux gator 1.jpg


# 1 faux gator 2.jpg
 

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
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