Current 1957 - 1958 Goldtops for sale...

[brandtkronholm]

Here's an "All Gold" 1957 [$216k] on Reverb. The description contains what I can only assume is a typo:

"You're eyes do not deceive you..... this an all gold 1957 Les Paul with double cream PAF humbuckers!!"

I'm not talking about the "You're" either.

Link: All Gold 1957 Les Paul on Reverb

I'm ... skeptical.

Thoughts?

 

[57gold]

Brushed SS covers are found on pre-sticker PAFs, none of which were double whites. Maybe it's a reference to the rings?

For $200K, you'd think you'd get one with a pick guard?

I have played a couple of P-90 all golds and the necks feel weird/grainy from the gold paint failing. May be rare in a 1957, but i'd prefer a dark or light back.

 

[sws1]

Here's an "All Gold" 1957 [$216k] on Reverb. The description contains what I can only assume is a typo:

"You're eyes do not deceive you..... this an all gold 1957 Les Paul with double cream PAF humbuckers!!"

I'm not talking about the "You're" either.

Link: All Gold 1957 Les Paul on Reverb

I'm ... skeptical.

Thoughts?

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Good luck.

Rings aren't real M69.
Neck angle is pretty shallow.
Early 56 for pots seems early for a 57. (My early 57 had 1st week of 57 pots).
The length to which he tries to explain the PAF stickers and covers is fun.
Wrong R/T switch ring.
No mention of refret.

If they carve the wiring track before the top goes on, then they drill the routes for the pickups from the top after they are glued together, how would you come up with this wiring channel (upper left of cavity):

 

[thin sissy]

Brushed SS covers are found on pre-sticker PAFs, none of which were double whites. Maybe it's a reference to the rings?

For $200K, you'd think you'd get one with a pick guard?

I have played a couple of P-90 all golds and the necks feel weird/grainy from the gold paint failing. May be rare in a 1957, but i'd prefer a dark or light back.

This brings up another thing I've noticed in these last three or so years. All gold examples are advertised for higher prices than brown backed ones, since they're "rarer". This used to be the exact opposite, sure - all golds are rarer, but most people want the brown backed ones, hence they're more expensive. Any of you noticed this, or am I just seeing things ?

I should add, all golds are really cool and I'd love to own one. But not at a higher price than a "normal" goldtop.

 

[jb_abides]

19-April-2025:

I just figured I'd capture the advertised details of the 4 Goldtops 4 Sale (on Reverb) --

https://reverb.com/p/gibson-les-paul-goldtop-1957

1st -- $192,628.27 - $19,262.83 off = New Price --> $173,365.44

Gibson Les Paul 1957 - Gold Top - Collector Grade - Dark Back: The following is an original PAF Loaded Gold Top in collector, investor quality, details as follows:
- Gibson Les Paul 1957 Serial 7 - 6960
- Dark Back, Cream Hardware, PAFs, Internally/Externally Original, Original Swing/Hang Tags, Condition 8/10 ( Normal Playing Wear ), Weight 8.6 Ilbs, Original Case
- Note - Original Machine Heads Fitted with Perished , Crystallised buttons although Reproductions are included for playing purposes
- Comments - Highly Desired Cream Hardware/Dark Back PAF loaded Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and only second in line to that of an original Burst

https://reverb.com/item/86785686-gibson-les-paul-1957-gold-top-collector-grade-dark-back

 

[jb_abides]

2nd -- $199,557.35

Gibson Les Paul Standard 1958 - Goldtop

https://reverb.com/item/88173229-gibson-les-paul-standard-1958-goldtopTHE CLASSIC 58

The following is an original PAF Loaded Gold Top in collector, investor quality, details as follows:
- Gibson Les Paul 1958, Serial 8 - 8795
- Gold Top (Maple Cap), Dark Back, Cream Hardware, PAFs, Internally/Externally Original, Original Swing/Hang Tags, Condition 8/10 ( Normal Playing Wear ), Weight 8.6Ilbs, Original Case
- Comments - Highly Desired Cream Hardware/Dark Back PAF loaded Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and only second in line to that of an original Burst

 

[jb_abides]

3rd -- $200,000

1957 Gibson Les Paul "Gold Top"

https://reverb.com/item/88720749-1957-gibson-les-paul-gold-top

New to the store is an original 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop! The Les Paul model guitar was established in 1952 and went through many changes until 1957, but by then we had the introduction of one of the best guitars ever made. We're so happy to have this incredible guitar in the store! The '57 comes with rare early examples of the holy grail pickups, the Patent Applied For pickups developed by Ted McCarty. It features very early brush nickel non-sticker P.A.F pickups that sound absolutely incredible! You'll notice when you plug this guitar in how it demonstrates perfectly crystal clear low and high end frequencies, both clean and with overdrive!

When playing the '57 you'll also notice how it has the most comfortable "C" shaped neck. It's perfectly worn in and feels amazing in your hand. This guitar features a gorgeous goldtop finish, 3-way toggle switch, two P.A.F. pickups, Kluson tuners, mahogany body/neck, rosewood fingerboard, bound fingerboard, stopbar tailpiece, trapezoid inlays and a Tune-o-matic bridge. The '57 has some overspray on the back of the neck, but otherwise all original! There's a reason guitar players like Slash, Neil Young, Alex Lifeson, Pete Townshend played these guitars, they're matchless. Comes with the original hardshell case!

 

[jb_abides]

4th -- "Bunky" -- $215,000

1957 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top "Bunky"

https://reverb.com/item/88964807-1957-gibson-les-paul-gold-top-bunky

We are thrilled to present "Bunky," a remarkable 1957 Gibson Les Paul. This iconic instrument has been cherished by the same owner for 98% of its life and is now available exclusively here at Thunder Road Seattle.

As one of the earliest PAF-equipped Les Pauls, it features factory black plastics, non-sticker PAF pickups with stainless steel covers, and a serial number beginning with 72.

This guitar is insanely cool and is one of the earliest PAF gold tops. It has had the same owner (Bunky) for a majority of its life. The guitar was sold 5 or 6 years ago to a collector in Seattle and has been in their collection since. Bunky and his band "The Pioneers" would play colleges, balls and events in Portland, Maine throughout the late 50s and into the 60s. This guitar has tons of mojo and play wear but is largely original.

Specs and details are below.

Pickup Readings: Bridge 7.6k Neck 7.7k

Neck dimensions: 1st 0.89 12th 0.98

Serial 72XXX

Weight: 9 pounds 8 ounces

Pot codes: 134701

Nut width: 1 11/16

Non-original period correct Lifton case, similar to those used by Guild.

Mods: Pro refret, and one coil on the bridge pickup has been re-wound. 5 no line tuners, 1 single line. 1957 was a transitional year for these tuning keys and I believe all 6 are original to the guitar. The middle position is wired out of phase giving this position a killer Peter Green tone.

 

[jb_abides]

More pics of Bunky --

 

[jb_abides]

More Bunky --

 

[gary buff]

Apologies if this one from RS has been posted.

1957 Gibson Les Paul "Gold Top" | Rumble Seat Music

New to the store is an original 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop! The Les Paul model guitar was established in 1952 and went through many changes until 1957, but by then we had the introduction of one of the best guitars ever made. We're so happy to have this incredible guitar in the store! This...

www.rumbleseatmusic.com

RE all-golds, back in the day I owned 4 GTs at different times and two of them were all-golds (both '54s). I don't know what the shipping totals were but at that time they seemed pretty common. I saw quite a few of them and the backs of the necks could get pretty crusty if they were played a lot so people would pass on them.

 

[blewsbreaker]

2nd -- $199,557.35

Gibson Les Paul Standard 1958 - Goldtop


The following is an original PAF Loaded Gold Top in collector, investor quality, details as follows:
- Gibson Les Paul 1958, Serial 8 - 8795
- Gold Top (Maple Cap), Dark Back, Cream Hardware, PAFs, Internally/Externally Original, Original Swing/Hang Tags, Condition 8/10 ( Normal Playing Wear ), Weight 8.6Ilbs, Original Case
- Comments - Highly Desired Cream Hardware/Dark Back PAF loaded Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and only second in line to that of an original Burst

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Wow. One serial # above mine. Mine is a touch cleaner...

 

[S. Weiger]

2nd -- $199,557.35

Gibson Les Paul Standard 1958 - Goldtop


The following is an original PAF Loaded Gold Top in collector, investor quality, details as follows:
- Gibson Les Paul 1958, Serial 8 - 8795
- Gold Top (Maple Cap), Dark Back, Cream Hardware, PAFs, Internally/Externally Original, Original Swing/Hang Tags, Condition 8/10 ( Normal Playing Wear ), Weight 8.6Ilbs, Original Case
- Comments - Highly Desired Cream Hardware/Dark Back PAF loaded Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and only second in line to that of an original Burst

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Nice example, but to my understanding re. the '50s serial # rubber stamps, the first digit denotes the year. It clearly says "7" = 1957. The last 4 digits would put it far into the Burst range, if the guitar was made in 1958.

And: London vintage guitars of Denmark st. = Justin Harrison = Buyer beware.. (!)

 

[S. Weiger]

Your #3 is very intriguing. It's the first confirmed original black plastic GT with a serial # in the 2 thousands, that I ever recall seeing. With those prices though, I'm out of that game -for now at least.

 

[sws1]

Your #3 is very intriguing. It's the first confirmed original black plastic GT with a serial # in the 2 thousands, that I ever recall seeing. With those prices though, I'm out of that game -for now at least.

Look at burst serial. Lots of 57 GTs with a 2 second digit, including one that I used to own (and shared here awhile ago.)

 

[S. Weiger]

Look at burst serial. Lots of 57 GTs with a 2 second digit, including one that I used to own (and shared here awhile ago.)

With confirmed original black plastic? Ok never really browsed the 1957 section of Burstserial..

 

[Xpensive Wino]

 

[matkoehler]

With confirmed original black plastic? Ok never really browsed the 1957 section of Burstserial..

Yep only the earliest ones and 7 33xx is where the black plastics seem to stop. If you see one with black plastics with a later serial number it has likely been harvested for cream rings...

 

[S. Weiger]

Yep only the earliest ones and 7 33xx is where the black plastics seem to stop. If you see one with black plastics with a later serial number it has likely been harvested for cream rings...

True. That's why I underlined "with confirmed original black plastic?". Initially I was under the impression that white cream plastic came around 7 19xx but apparently there exists many black plastic Goldtops in the 7 2xxx range also, which came originally this way.