• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

NGD! Late 1953 Les Paul Standard / 3 2390 / Joining the 50s Les Paul Club

miczap

Active member
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
213
So- I crossed off a bucket list guitar the other day. Please welcome this gorgeous and original 1953 Les Paul Standard 'Goldtop' to my little stable!

It's a later serial for '53 (3 2390) and as such, has all the '54 features that you want in a wraptail goldtop and as a little bonus, this particular example is nice and light weight.

This particular guitar was purchased in 2000 off the wall at Guitar Centre and brought to Melbourne where it has lived at a mastering studio ever since.

It's pretty rare for guitars like this to become available in Australia, so when this one popped up the first time in a store, I jumped at the opportunity to go and see what all the fuss was about with these!

I fell in love, but didn't have the money at the time so I accepted that it wasn't going to happen and moved on.

A year and a half later, and I found out that my friend Joel (@joelsvintage) had been working on the guitar and had managed to snap it up! On his way back up to Sydney, he stopped over and I got to see the old girl one more time.

I must have looked pretty sore on its way out because not long afterwards, (and with some financial gymnastics) we worked out a deal and after a little while it made its way back from vacation, back to Melbourne.

It sounds amazing in all positions but the neck pickup in particular blows everything else I have out of the water. Every note is rich, full and exciting.

153247996_455115375831176_9192378842181371661_n.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Phatfrank

Active member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Messages
309
Congrats on a beautiful Goldtop! They are amazing guitars, enjoy her to the fullest.
 

S. Weiger

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2002
Messages
1,744
Congrats, it's a lovely lester! You can almost see from the way it looks, that it will sound amazing. :love:🎸
 

Tollywood

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2022
Messages
394
Oh man, that’s some sweet mojo. I love it. Congrats.
 

DutchRay

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 15, 2015
Messages
872
Congrats! Getting my '55 was a life changing event, I hope you'll get the same experience 🤘
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Congrats on the Lester! Love your tennis shoes! I have a couple of custom made Chuck Taylor’s(Converse) That are colorful.
 

dwagar

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
4,451
Congratulations. That is beautiful. I have an early '53 (with trap). They are amazing.
 

57gold

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2005
Messages
692
Looks fantastic and light weight, to boot.

Strong pickups, it's a trifecta!

Congrats on the score.
 

65Firebird

Active member
Joined
Oct 14, 2019
Messages
110
I saw the video Joel did on Facebook with this guitar and wondered where it got to. Congrats, great to see it stayed in Oz. Enjoy(y)
 

au_rick

Active member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
871
The Guitar Colonel has a nice looking '57 Black Beauty for sale right now too (no affiliation)
 
Top