Gibson Les Paul Conversions

[S. Weiger]

Devil in the details as they say. Either that, or I need new glasses.

I've thought about why Eric don't mention the factory re-neck in the normal text also. He's too lazy maybe? ?

 

[Yewonthegnargnar]

That is light. Lucky thing to get em light when you are young. Or should I say get em young when they are light. Wonder if anyone ever came up with that one before. Anyways, what is that green guitar in your avatar?

Indeed! Yah, the green is a vintage 1954 that historic makeovers did for me. When I purchased the guitar it was already a refin and had an ebony board with super busy inlays. It had been through some stuff in its life. I’ve had Kim at HM do a few for me so went for a color I’ve always wanted after seeing a 52 refin Billy squire had. Almost the same green. Naturally, a new board.

 

[designerseye88]

Here's my 52/57 Conversion done by Dave Johnson

 

[Yewonthegnargnar]

This one is gorgeous.

 

[S. Weiger]

Here's my 52/57 Conversion done by Dave Johnson

Fantastic! Is that the original finish? It sure looks that way to me.

 

[jimmi]

I've thought about why Eric don't mention the factory re-neck in the normal text also. He's too lazy maybe? ?

Doesn’t it kind of add to the guitar ? Factory reset with a burst era neck. I would put PAFs in it probably better I never own it.

 

[S. Weiger]

Doesn’t it kind of add to the guitar ? Factory reset with a burst era neck. I would put PAFs in it probably better I never own it. <-- HA! ?

One would think so.. I for one would absolutely mention it in the plain text, if it were my sale.
I think there's far, far too few of those for a good comparison price wise. I find the asking price rather steep, but then again: Go find another one as they say.
Myself I'm not really into bursted Plaintops with a capital P. -Can't spot just one tiny flame anywhere.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Indeed! Yah, the green is a vintage 1954 that historic makeovers did for me. When I purchased the guitar it was already a refin and had an ebony board with super busy inlays. It had been through some stuff in its life. I’ve had Kim at HM do a few for me so went for a color I’ve always wanted after seeing a 52 refin Billy squire had. Almost the same green. Naturally, a new board.

Really cool. I think getting a different color is a great idea. If it is not trying to be a Goldtop does it really matter. Also, what did you use for inserts and studs? I know someone that is using the original shorter ones. He redid his 54 himself many years ago. He hardened the wood in the holes that had become enlarged from bending, coated the edges of the holes with some kind of epoxy and re-drilled for the inserts. It has remained perfect for 30+ years. Can't even tell he did it. It sounds really good, too, with his original P-90's.

 

[Yewonthegnargnar]

Really cool. I think getting a different color is a great idea. If it is not trying to be a Goldtop does it really matter. Also, what did you use for inserts and studs? I know someone that is using the original shorter ones. He redid his 54 himself many years ago. He hardened the wood in the holes that had become enlarged from bending, coated the edges of the holes with some kind of epoxy and re-drilled for the inserts. It has remained perfect for 30+ years. Can't even tell he did it. It sounds really good, too, with his original P-90's.

Hey thank you! Yeah, everything matters when it comes to reimagining the old wood. But, it’s mine and I did what I wanted! This had long studs but I’ve recently changed to the studs that came with the music city stud finder bridge. I prefer the shorter studs for sure. Bravo to your pal for getting after it.

 

[MBSC]

I've thought about why Eric don't mention the factory re-neck in the normal text also. He's too lazy maybe? ?

I think I saw somewhere he wanted $85k?

 

[MBSC]

Left to right//53/57 Mirabella, 52/59 Mirabella, 53/57 Terry Mueller, 52/59 Mirabella (listed earlier in thread) and a 54/59 Mirabella

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Glimpse of 50's Gibson converted sometime around 1970 by Bill Lewis, Mark Wilson, my uncle and possibly one of my uncles friends. A lot of hands involved.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Left to right//53/57 Mirabella, 52/59 Mirabella, 53/57 Terry Mueller, 52/59 Mirabella (listed earlier in thread) and a 54/59 Mirabella

Jiving with number 2. What are the weights like on all of those if you have ever weighed them? Can you note if any were retopped.

 

[S. Weiger]

I think I saw somewhere he wanted $85k?

Yes I saw that too, but it was € (Euro) 85K.
I think he's open to offers though. I

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the seller..

 

[MBSC]

Jiving with number 2. What are the weights like on all of those if you have ever weighed them? Can you note if any were retopped.

I do NOT believe in retops..to me they are not conversions but a modded guitar. They are all under around 8.5 except the 54' that was 9.2...54' was noted as having heavier guitars. All my conversions had all 50's parts and PAF's except pup rings and the one with the montreaux stop bar. Your #2 selection was the perfect burst with every part off a 59' Gibson, unmolested pafs from a 59' ES 175 and all parts bought from uncle lou back in late mid to late 2000's...I sold that guitar in the height of the recession in 2012 for $34k...I'd get $60 for that now lol...and it weighed 8.2 lbs

 

[S. Weiger]

I do NOT believe in retops..to me they are not conversions but a modded guitar. They are all under around 8.5 except the 54' that was 9.2...54' was noted as having heavier guitars. All my conversions had all 50's parts and PAF's except pup rings and the one with the montreaux stop bar. Your #2 selection was the perfect burst with every part off a 59' Gibson, unmolested pafs from a 59' ES 175 and all parts bought from uncle lou back in late mid to late 2000's...I sold that guitar in the height of the recession in 2012 for $34k...I'd get $60 for that now lol...and it weighed 8.2 lbs

That last photo really shows how beautiful it is. Looks like a center seam? I was under the impression only bursts have CS, but this look spot on

I want it NOW!
I want it NOW!
I don't care HOW!

 

[MBSC]

That last photo really shows how beautiful it is. Looks like a center seam? I was under the impression only bursts have CS, but this look spot on

I want it NOW!
I want it NOW!
I don't care HOW!

View attachment 24392

This perfect CS burst had a snappier and brighter sound...I always preferred the one I still have that started with P90s and a Gibson factory refin from 59

 

[jimmi]

That last photo really shows how beautiful it is. Looks like a center seam? I was under the impression only bursts have CS, but this look spot on

I want it NOW!
I want it NOW!
I don't care HOW!

View attachment 24392

There is a fairly similar converted ‘54 on sale on reverb. It isn’t cheap…~$45k asking (but I am sure you could negotiate). There is also o r that the seller said Yuuki McClure did the work on with a fairly nice top for mid 30s. Both have 50s/60s parts etc.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

This perfect CS burst had a snappier and brighter sound...I always preferred the one I still have that started with P90s and a Gibson factory refin from 59

I really just love the color of the Sunface you had. I would always keep a better sounding and feeling to my personal taste guitar first. Did the look and color weigh at all in your decision or did you like the look of the one you kept better as well? Is the one you kept in your pic of 5?

 

[MBSC]

I really just love the color of the Sunface you had. I would always keep a better sounding and feeling to my personal taste guitar first. Did the look and color weigh at all in your decision or did you like the look of the one you kept better as well? Is the one you kept in your pic of 5?

Long story short..the fellow that bought the perfect burst played all 5 or 6 conversions of mine for 2.5 hours strumming G and Em...for 2.5 hours. He bought the one he did because his client wanted the perfect looking one. The one I have and kept is the one he said he would have bought for himself as it was the best sounding.