Hoping for a helpful hand

[Janiehd]

Hoping to find some info. My husband and I are both life-long musicians and guitar collectors. Sadly he passed away on January 2 and I am trying to wrap my brain around our collection. His grandma gave him a black Les Paul, serial # 519340. According to my research it was made in 1968. But when I go online I see the Black Beauty Custom but the headstock looks different. This headstock says Les Paul Model. Any ideas? And thanks! Janie

 

[S. Weiger]

At first glance, I'd say it's a '68 Goldtop refinished in black & given black covers / knobs.
Inlays, headstock, kluson tulip tuners, brown finish mahogany body, top only body binding.. all this = Goldtop specs.
More & better pics of the guitar are needed though, also of the back control routing.

 

[jb_abides]

Hoping to find some info. My husband and I are both life-long musicians and guitar collectors. Sadly he passed away on January 2 and I am trying to wrap my brain around our collection. His grandma gave him a black Les Paul, serial # 519340. According to my research it was made in 1968. But when I go online I see the Black Beauty Custom but the headstock looks different. This headstock says Les Paul Model. Any ideas? And thanks! Janie


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HI Janie - Sorry for your loss.

This is not a Custom, as evidenced by the headstock features and lack of multi-ply binding, and the P-90 pickups.

It is hard to see due to quality of the picture but based on the serial number and assuming other aspects are legitimate, it should be a re-finished in ebony late-Sixties 68/early-69 Standard Goldtop P-90s with updated black plastics... if there's an factory finished ebony version, I've not heard of one. You never know...

Here's a site with more details to help you with details:

Serial number era

1968 Les Paul and 1969 Les Paul Serial Number Information

Common features:

1968 Les Paul and 1969 Les Paul Serial Number Information

The entire site is chock full of useful information regarding this era.

You might want to take off the strings, and look in the pickup cavity for traces of the gold finish. Also, check in the rear cavity for pot codes and see if those jive with the information provided on this site.

Please let us know your findings, good luck!

 

[Janiehd]

Thank you so much - I'm not surprised about the gold top finish - I remember Jack talking about re-finishing a gold-top into black... And the dates ring true too. I'll let you know what I 'uncover'

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Over the years I have seen a couple black 68's with black plastic that were supposedly original. Fortunately you remembered the re-fin, but if there is any doubt someone reputable with vintage guitars should be able to tell.

 

[RamseyBuckner]

HI Janie - Sorry for your loss.

This is not a Custom, as evidenced by the headstock features and lack of multi-ply binding, and the P-90 pickups.

It is hard to see due to quality of the picture but based on the serial number and assuming other aspects are legitimate, it should be a re-finished in ebony late-Sixties 68/early-69 Standard Goldtop P-90s with updated black plastics... if there's an factory finished ebony version, I've not heard of one. You never know...

Here's a site with more details to help you with details:

Serial number era


Common features:


The entire site is chock full of useful information regarding this era.

You might want to take off the strings, and look in the pickup cavity for traces of the gold finish. Also, check in the rear cavity for pot codes and see if those jive with the information provided on this site.

Please let us know your findings, good luck!


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[charliechitlins]

No volute.
Could be '68.