1957 Gibson Les Paul Special – TV Yellow

Pp For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special in TV Yellow.

The Les Paul Special was designed to bridge the gap between the bare-bones Junior and the more uptown Goldtop and Standard models. Like the Junior, it features a solid Honduran mahogany body, but offers greater tonal variety thanks to the added P90, as well as certain refinements including a bound Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard.

This particular example also bridges the gap between player- and collector-grade, featuring a Maestro Vibrola and lightning bridge on the one hand and a vibrant TV yellow finish and below-average wear on the other. Except for the bridge and tailpiece (which we believe were added by a dealer at the customers request) , however, the guitar remains in all-original condition down to the fret wire.

This Special plays well up and down the neck and yields the sort of rich, punchy tone these models are known for. While it will certainly roar when you dig in, this Special is highly touch-sensitive and cleans up nicely when you roll back the volume.   

Specifications

All components original unless specified otherwise

Model & Year

• Model: Gibson Les Paul Special
• Year of manufacture: 1957
• Serial Number: 7 7388
• Weight: 8lbs

Body

• Material: Solid mahogany
• Finish: Limed Mahogany (a.k.a. TV Yellow) nitrocellulose lacquer

Neck

• Material & Construction: Mahogany, set
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood
• Profile shape: Rounded C
• Nut Width: 1.70"
• Neck Depth
  • 1st: .89"
  • 12th: .98" 
• Radius: 12"
• Scale Length: 24.75"
• Inlays: Pearl dots
• Frets: Original
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe (single-line)

Hardware

• Bridge / Tailpiece: Lightning bridge and Maestro Vibrola with teaspoon handle
• Pickguard: 5-ply black
• Knobs: Bonnet style 
• Strap buttons: Original

Electronics

• Pickups: P90s
• Potentiometers: Original
• Wiring: Original
• Switch: 3-way

Condition

• Cosmetic: Good with below average wear and screw holes from previous tailpiece
• Structural: Excellent with no cracks or repairs