1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop — Factory Bigsby & Refinish

 For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this 1956 Gibson Les Paul.

This is a very cool old Les Paul that has a story. It started life as a special order with the customer requesting a Bigsby tailpiece.  Unlike Les Pauls that were converted to Bigsby after leaving the factory, this guitar shows no stud holes for a factory stop bar tailpiece, indicating that the Bigsby was installed by Gibson during production in Kalamazoo.

The guitar also wears a factory gold nitrocellulose refinish, with an especially intriguing color scheme: gold on the top and red on the back, sides, and neck. The red is suggestive of a late-1950s/early-1960s factory refinish, when Gibson was transitioning toward the finishes associated with the Sunburst models. We believe that he finish has subsequently received an aftermarket clear coat and it has developed attractive weather checking.

The body itself appears to predate the 1956 serial number, retaining evidence of the earlier wraparound-tailpiece configuration. Beyond its unusual factory history, this Goldtop retains plenty of classic vintage character, including its original P90s and all electronic components. At 9lbs 2oz, it is a substantial but manageable example, which remains structurally excellent with no cracks, breaks, or repairs.

A unique piece of Gibson history, this Les Paul offers the appeal of a mid-'50s Goldtop with the added distinction of a genuine factory Bigsby installation and factory refinish. It comes complete with its original Lifton case.  

This guitar is an excellent player as is but is also a candidate for conversion to a PAF Goldtop or 'Burst, but would also be a monster player if the studs and a wraparound-tailpiece tailpiece were simple installed and removal of the Bigsby would reduce the weight by 14 ounces.

Specifications

All components original unless specified otherwise

Model & Year

• Model: Gibson Les Paul Model
• Year of manufacture: 1956
• Serial Number: 611611

Body

• Material: Carved maple over mahogany
• Finish: Gold nitrocellulose lacquer factory refinish
• Weight: 9lb 2oz
• Notes: Body shows post-hole configuration consistent with earlier wraparound tailpiece; likely left over from 1955 and fitted with bowtie
• Pickups: P90s
• Potentiometers: Centralab

Neck

• Construction: Mahogany
• Finish: Red factory refinish
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Profile shape: Chunky C
• Nut Width: 1.70"
• Depth: .90" (1st), .97" (12th)
• Inlays: Trapezoids
• Frets: Approx. .070" x .028"
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe single-ring, single-line reproduction

Hardware

• Bridge / Tailpiece: Bowtie with factory Bigsby B7
• Pickguard: Single-ply
• Knobs: Gold bonnet

Condition

• Cosmetic: Good with factory refinish (top: gold on gold; back, sides, neck: red) and aftermarket clear coat and weather checking
• Structural: Excellent with no cracks, breaks, or repairs
• Accessories: Original Lifton case