NGD Holy Grail 58 Les Paul Custom

[aladdinsane]

I can hardly believe it, but after a lifetime of dreaming of one, I now own a 1958 Les Paul Custom. It took a lot of guitars and then some to get here. A big shoutout to Ben at CME for making this happen.

It came from the son of the original owner. Complete with some 60 year-old strings, pickup selector card, and other case candy. The only non-original thing about it is a changed saddle and an added strap button to the back. Here are some pics. Sorry if they're huge.

 

[jb_abides]

Whoa, that's an insanely beautiful specimen, my lad!

Congrats, indeed. And great pics, too.

Do you keep guitars in those safes, or pew-pews?

 

[Midnight Blues]

Absolutely gorgeous! Very cool that you've realized a dream! Congrats, HNGD

and play her in good health!

 

[aladdinsane]

Whoa, that's an insanely beautiful specimen, my lad!

Congrats, indeed. And great pics, too.

Do you keep guitars in those safes, or pew-pews?

Haha! Thanks! Not my safes. The pics are from CME. I think they have some kind of vault decor going on...

 

[aladdinsane]

Absolutely gorgeous! Very cool that you've realized a dream! Congrats, HNGD

and play her in good health!

Thanks! Never thought I'd have a PAF LP!

 

[jb_abides]

Haha! Thanks! Not my safes. The pics are from CME. I think they have some kind of vault decor going on...

OK, yeah, that's the CME Vault!

 

[brandtkronholm]

I can hardly believe it, but after a lifetime of dreaming of one, I now own a 1958 Les Paul Custom. It took a lot of guitars and then some to get here. A big shoutout to Ben at CME for making this happen.

It came from the son of the original owner. Complete with some 60 year-old strings, pickup selector card, and other case candy. The only non-original thing about it is a changed saddle and an added strap button to the back. Here are some pics. Sorry if they're huge.


View attachment 29426View attachment 29427View attachment 29428View attachment 29429View attachment 29430View attachment 29431View attachment 29432View attachment 29433View attachment 29435View attachment 29436

1956 Les Paul Standard
1957 ES350
1958 Les Paul Custom

What's next?
(What are you going to do with the bonus strap pin?)

 

[Dishimyuh]

Congratulations!

 

[aladdinsane]

1956 Les Paul Standard
1957 ES350
1958 Les Paul Custom

What's next?
(What are you going to do with the bonus strap pin?)

Hahahaha. I actually have a 1956 Custom and a 1954 Standard (no 56 Standard). I had to sell the 350 to fund this 58 Custom. It was painful, but the PAF Custom is my burst! I am partial to 57-58 goldtops, though...

Initially, my gut was to remove the stap pin, but I may just leave it as part of the history of the guitar. What do you think?

 

[jb_abides]

Leave It

(... cool history, assuming it doesn't bother you playing ...)

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Wow what a steller find! Congrats on that! Back looks good too. I'd leave the pin in too. History.
Cheers

 

[AA00475Bassman]

Beautiful - what are your feelings about loaning it to some of your Brethren on the Forum - Please ?

 

[garywright]

I would definitely leave the rear strap button.

 

[zombieralph]

Congratulations, that's worthy of a phone background!

 

[latestarter]

Leave it.

Well done on achieving this milestone.

 

[aladdinsane]

Does anyone know when the customs got the Grovers? Seems like early 58? Then some seem to have Klusons again in 59. The famous Clapton custom, which is a 58, also has Grovers, and judging by the serial number, is later in the year than mine. Did they only get Grovers in 58?

 

[aladdinsane]

Double post...

 

[Stow]

That is lovely! Congratulations!!

 

[brandtkronholm]

Hahahaha. I actually have a 1956 Custom and a 1954 Standard (no 56 Standard). I had to sell the 350 to fund this 58 Custom. It was painful, but the PAF Custom is my burst! I am partial to 57-58 goldtops, though...

Initially, my gut was to remove the stap pin, but I may just leave it as part of the history of the guitar. What do you think?

View attachment 29442

Remove it.
100%
It’s your guitar now and there’s no need to treat it like an artifact in a museum.

I’d also be inclined to refret it, but only if it really, truly, actually needed it.

What a great score! You are not helping my G.A.S. at all. I’ve had one PAF black beauty (‘59? Bigsby) and one P90 black beauty (‘57) pass through my hands very briefly a long time ago. Despite the weight, I really dug the PAF version. I can’t make heads nor tails of single coil pickups.

Perhaps in the future I’ll call up Gibson and request a M2M black beauty with the Switchmaster guts! (See picture.) I don’t know if this one is “jake” (translates from the original Southworth to “original” and/or “no worries”) but I like it. I digress…

I repeat myself, but great score!

Now we’ll need a family photo.


…freaky…

 

[mikeslub]

Congratulations on your score, and the photos are amazing!