Les Paul Standard with Block inlays?

[OdgeUK]

Hi guys, I’ve been watching the excellent Zeppelin track breakdowns on Carl Baldassare’s channel and his Les Paul has Block inlays like a Custom. Was this ever a Gibson model?? Intrigued on the story of this guitar. So far, he hasn’t responded to me asking.

 

[OdgeUK]

Interesting. Just seen one of his Insta posts that describes this guitar as a ‘78 Custom! Guess they didn’t all get the diamond inlay in the headstock back then?!

 

[Tollywood]

I don’t have a 1978, but I do have a 1976 SG Custom with block inlays, gold hardware and the diamond inlay on the headstock. I’ve never seen one like his.

 

[jrgtr42]

With Gibson, anything goes. Never say never about anything. I've run across lots of models with other specs on them.

 

[OdgeUK]

I don’t have a 1978, but I do have a 1976 SG Custom with block inlays and the diamond inlay on the headstock. I’ve never seen one like his.

Yeah, it’s an anomaly to be sure. I like the look actually.

 

[Flogger]

I'm going with replaced fingerboard.

 

[VamboRool]

Agree with Flogger, replaced fret board or blocks added. No back binding on the body or split diamond on the head stock. Nickel or chrome hardware (yes some Customs came that way, but the vast majority did not). Single ply pick guard and cream plastic are features for a Standard.

 

[OdgeUK]

Interesting. So a Les Paul Standard with replaced fingerboard maybe? Quite a departure from the ‘78 Custom that Carl describes it as.

 

[Midnight Blues]

Here’s CB’s response to a poster who posted a question about it on this video:

“

​

Carl Baldassarre
1 month ago
Hi Tyler! Very astute. So far the guitar is a mystery. I bought it used as a kid. I’m trying to reach out to Gibson directly to see if they could help. I hope to see you around again soon!”

I also posted a comment that it had a “Marc Bolan” vibe to it.

 

[Norton]

I've seen a stand with the vine inlay before, all other things were standard spec. Anything's possible, there was also a block inlay standard posted in the "Where are they now" thread.

 

[shaunmurphy]

Interesting. So a Les Paul Standard with replaced fingerboard maybe? Quite a departure from the ‘78 Custom that Carl describes it as.

ok thank you

 

[OdgeUK]

Carl just responded and said it is a 73//74 Deluxe with custom fingerboard. The mini humbuckers were replaced with full size before he got the instrument.

 

[Hugomania]

Hi guys, I’ve been watching the excellent Zeppelin track breakdowns on Carl Baldassare’s channel and his Les Paul has Block inlays like a Custom. Was this ever a Gibson model?? Intrigued on the story of this guitar. So far, he hasn’t responded to me asking.

View attachment 17749

Carl is going to do an episode on the guitar coming up soon. Hope you check it out.

 

[Big Al]

It is as if nobody ever heard of modified guitars. Very common. You could easily order most Gibsons with almost any substitute part from a dealer. You could send a guitar back to Gibson for repair and/or modification. Refins, new or upgraded parts etc. A Gibson Repair tech could do them if you were near one and any competent repair tech or luthier could do a mod. We've all seen some crazy homemade diy attempts as well as some inspired cool ones posted. Very rare for these to be stock regular issue.