One of only a few I've ever seen...ever. This was an early no-serial 1952 Les Paul which started life with P90s and a tailpiece (see pics). That is how the guitar came to me 30 years ago. This guitar was sent back to Gibson in 1959 for a refin and it was done with a cherry sunburst color…that’s right, this is an original GIBSON FACTORY 1959 cherry sunburst color refin top only with the back still original brown natural from 52’. May not be center seam but it is priced accordingly since it's closer to a burst than any other here on the web that is not an actual burst. Gibson updated the parts in 59' when they did the top refin, so it has bumble bees, knobs, harness, switch tip etc etc. Twenty-two years ago I gave it to noted and world renown luthier Mirabella Guitars & Restorations who then corrected the neck angle and refretted with 59' gauge wire with a true 59' bridge, 59’ studs, thumbwheels and 1959 PAF’s added. The stop bar is a $300 Montreaux which is awesome and pup rings are from Across the Pond and look terrific. Pups are 7.4 & 7.7 for a perfect combo of beautiful mids, clear, chimey, bell tone high's and a wonderful even spectrum across the tonal plains of the music she delivers.

My international shipper does have the CITIES documents so we can ship anywhere world wide.

Non Original: Has had a Mirabella refret with 59' wire, Over the Pond PUP rings, Montreax stop bar. Everything else is original 50’s. Case is a 70's plastic hinged protector chainsaw case.

Original: All plastic is 50's original plastic, finish front & back, pickguard, tuners, finish is original 59' burst finish done by Gibson. Switch tip, switch ring, 59’ knobs, 60’ harness & PAF’s. This guitar is KILLER!

This 59’ finish has been substantiated by Gruhn’s Guitars and I have the documentation letter from Gruhn’s that was given to me when I purchased the guitar to prove it along with a black and white photo of the original owner with his son on his lap dated Nov. 61' showing the guitar had already been re-fined in the cherry sunburst.

To quote George Gruhn in a letter (that I still have) to the owner dated 9/16/98 that I purchased with the guitar “As is typical of the period, this guitar has no serial number. Based on what I can see in then photos, it would appear that this guitar was sent back to the Gibson factory sometime during the 50’s and was refinished in a sunburst color. At the same time it would appear that the instrument was set up with tune-o-matic bridge and a trapeze tailpiece as well as the type tone and volume knobs which were used by Gibson during the mid to late 50’s. As is typical of the guitars which had gold finished tops, this instrument has a top seam which is not in the center of the instrument. Since originally this joint would have been covered by opaque gold colored lacquer, it was not critical to have book matched tops with a center seam. The finish on this guitar is not typical of the original finishes Gibson used on Les Paul Models prior to 1958; however. We have encountered a number of examples which were originally finished in gold and were later refinished by the factory in sunburst. This guitar in my opinion IS such an example. The hard shell case appears to be original to the instrument.” Signed George Gruhn.