Thoughts on the 54 Goldtop?

[chirpy]

Curious to hear thoughts. Anything look off on this one?

1954 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

Vintage 1954 Gibson Les Paul Model Goldtop guitar with gold finish and wrap tail bridge for sale. True Vintage Guitar.

truevintageguitar.com

 

[chirpy]

Actually, just read the post that said I should be more specific in this inquiry. Two questions: what do you make of the difference of the neck color where it meets the body (darker neck than body), and the finish above the low E tuner?

 

[sws1]

Doesn't look off.

 

[gary buff]

Actually, just read the post that said I should be more specific in this inquiry. Two questions: what do you make of the difference of the neck color where it meets the body (darker neck than body), and the finish above the low E tuner?

Did you buy it? It's showing as sold.

 

[AA00475Bassman]

From what I have seen - The seller is very legitimate with disclosure on his inventory - I definitely ask before purchase - it really rubs when someone buys then comes on this forum exploring for information = advise the buyer should have inquired pre sale .

 

[chirpy]

From what I have seen - The seller is very legitimate with disclosure on his inventory - I definitely ask before purchase - it really rubs when someone buys then comes on this forum exploring for information = advise the buyer should have inquired pre sale .

I'm not questioning the seller. He's a good guy and discloses and represents it well. He shipped it to me with a 48 hr return policy, so just asking some questions now that it's in my hands.

I've played a couple 54/55s and have been researching them for the last few years, but I don't have nearly as much direct on experience which is why I asked here about the darker neck joint and finish near the low E tuner.

 

[gary buff]

I'm not questioning the seller. He's a good guy and discloses and represents it well. He shipped it to me with a 48 hr return policy, so just asking some questions now that it's in my hands.

I've played a couple 54/55s and have been researching them for the last few years, but I don't have nearly as much direct on experience which is why I asked here about the darker neck joint and finish near the low E tuner.

Hope it works out for you, if not Gruhn has a '54 on his site. No affiliation, etc.

 

[poor man's burst]

I can't see anything wrong with the finish around the low E tuner, either on the headstock face or back. Could you be more specific?

 

[chirpy]

I may be overly obsessing about the details (the guitar sounds and plays great). When looking at the neck in sunlight there's a change in darkness around the 3/4th fret. And the binding is a little lighter here on the bass side. Maybe theres a little scratch at the top of the tuner.

 

[poor man's burst]

The change in color on the back of the neck is probably caused by the case plush bleeding in the finish, where the neck rests in the case. I've seen that happen.
The difference in the bindings color is due to the finish being worn in some places, which is normal. This is the finish which turns amber. The binding underneath don't change color much over time and appear lighter in places where the finish is worn.
I still can't see anything wrong with the tuner. Nitro finish are brittle and movements of the tuners due to use and the scews getting a bit loose causing chipping in the finish are usual.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

Don't know, but I don't hold anyone responsible for checking over a guitar post-buy. Unless you can convince someone to hold one for you, FOMO is a real thing.

That light/shade spot in the neck wood looks funny but I'm not sure it means much, maybe just a reaction. Everything looks normal, these guitars often have little aging quirks. The mahogany has some splash to the grain lines and looks to be on the lighter side of the color spectrum, African maybe? 8 1/2 pounds, big neck, that's what all the folks love these days.

 

[DG2003]

I thought the back of the neck matches the sides of the guitar perfectly, and it's the mahogany back that seems lighter? PMB mentioned case plush bleeding, some maybe that's it. It's a beautiful guitar- enjoy!

 

[charliechitlins]

Send it to me and I'll check it out for you.
Shouldn't take more than 3 or 4 months.

 

[KS 5150]

looks fine to me.

 

[aladdinsane]

Looks normal to me. Nice goldtop! Congrats!

 

[Red Baron]

The neck and body is cut differently (and can also be cut from different trees), which affects how the grain filler stains the wood.
You only have to look at the headstock ears on most Les Paul's to see that they often appear lighter than the rest of the neck, yet they have the same stain as the rest of the guitar.