Gold Top Detective: Sketchy GT on the Bay

[JJ Blair]

1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop Darkback, Collector-Grade w/ Lifton Case | eBay

Solder is untouched on the wiring harness and PAF covers, and the CentraLab pots have date codes from the 38th week of 1957. The pair of Bumblebee capacitors rounds out the harness, and the PAF waterslide decals are fully intact.

www.ebay.com

"Collector grade" with the back completely oversprayed in black. You've got to me kidding me. Nice all hog GT, though! But that's ridiculous for 175k, Makes me wonder if they were covering a break somewhere.

 

[sozo]

It might be an original darkback - but I guess the point is we don’t know for sure, and not being able to see the wood beneath the finish raises the possibility of a concealed headstock repair. I’m sure the seller is honest, but we don’t know what might have happened between 1958 and when they acquired it.

Strange that a darkback would have brown covers on the back - but it’s possible there are innocent explanations for these concerns.

 

[S. Weiger]

That "dark back" is a refin.
If in doubt, check here how it should really look:

Drew Berlin's Vintage Guitars | 1957 Gibson Les Paul PAF Gold Top (Dark Back) SN# 75216 (SOLD)

Official homepage of Drew Berlin - musician, studio owner, and renowned vintage guitar expert. theburstbrothers.com bamboorecording.com

drewberlin.com

 

[sozo]

So the darkbacks were never solid black, just a dark mahogany stain, with the grain still visible? I didn’t realise that. I’ve just had a look through “Goldtop Believers”, there are no pictures of a black back, the closest is dark mahogany - see pics. In that case, yes, it’s a refinish. Which means “collectors grade” is questionable. Cheers.

 

[sws1]

Not only is the pick guard missing, but I have doubts on the rings as well.

 

[simon]

It might be an original darkback - but I guess the point is we don’t know for sure, and not being able to see the wood beneath the finish raises the possibility of a concealed headstock repair. I’m sure the seller is honest, but we don’t know what might have happened between 1958 and when they acquired it.

Strange that a darkback would have brown covers on the back - but it’s possible there are innocent explanations for these concerns.

They certainly look different in different lightning but that think looks like a too dark refin. Black covers are a must.

 

[bluesky636]

"The (invisible) yellow inked 8-prefix serial is present on the back of the peghead."

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8TIAAOSwpONmYtVR/s-l1200.webp