Unusual Early LP Custom '53?

[OKGuitar]

This 53/54 LP Custom is out of a big collection in Ontario. I'm not terribly knowledgeable about this model and I figured I would see if any of the experts here could help me out. Pot codes are 134323. There is no serial number on the headstock but there is a stamped/embossed number on the heel which could be aftermarket or not. It looks like Gibsons font but the number makes no sense. It reads 3G4682. It has speed knobs rather than bonnets. It has a low profile ABR-1. Other than that it's a pretty standard issue LP Custom. I don't believe there have been any alterations. It's a very good player even with the fretless wonder frets. Any thoughts or opinions? Thank you.

 

[poor man's burst]

The speed knobs and lack of headstock serial number are consistent with an early Les Paul Custom. A shorter headstock is also caracteristic as well as thin ears tailpiece.
I have no info about the number stamped on the neck heel.

 

[OKGuitar]

Has anyone seen a low profile ABR-1 on a Les Paul Custom? I've only seen them on early 58 ES-335's. I've never even seen a gold one before.

 

[Jumping@Shadows]

Awesome guitar, and when you consider these ‘53’s (arguably ‘prototypes’ with the non standard production short headstocks), ran alongside the trapeze late ‘52/early ‘53 Goldtops with shallow neck set and lack of serial stamp, these make sense to have a low profile ABR/stoptail set up and no S/N as the overall construction/geometry was the same.

I would assume IRC pots/Grey Tiger caps with brown insulated ground wire as per the Goldtops?

I can’t comment on the heel stamp, but it’s a noted feature on other earliest examples of this model.

I find these absolutely one of the very coolest Gibson models, and why the fact the ABR/Stoptail setup debuting in the early ‘53 trapeze era is glossed over is puzzling!

 

[neuroy]

When were the ABR-1. invented ?
What were the first models equipped with ABR_1 ´s ?

 

[poor man's burst]

When were the ABR-1. invented ?
What were the first models equipped with ABR_1 ´s ?

First appeared on the Les Paul Custom in '53.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

why the fact the ABR/Stoptail setup debuting in the early ‘53 trapeze era is glossed over is puzzling!

For sure! I had no clue that there were any stoptails produced or designed before 55. This is a pretty unique guitar.