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This is an absolutely stunning 1993 Gibson Pre-Historic 1960 Reissue Les Paul flame top in its original tobacco sunburst finish. This instrument was built in the US and hand-picked by Japanese importer Yamano Music for their Ishibashi store.
Yamano Music is the pre-eminent Japanese Gibson dealer with a reputation of ordering and only accepting the best of the best - spectacular flame tops, true to original neck profiles, nicely weighted, exact build specs, attention to detail etc. This instrument certainly ticks all those boxes.
This guitar is referred to as “Pre Historic” because it pre-dates the Gibson Custom, Art & Historic Division which was formally created as a stand alone operation in October 1993, with the production of historic reissues. The custom shop logo on earlier guitars was nothing but a "sticker" for custom orders and limited editions. The official historic reissue production (R4, R6, R7, R8, R9, R0, with long tenon neck etc) began after long research on the 50´s originals.
“HDSB” and Feb 18, 1993 are stamped in the neck pickup cavity and “RO” is stamped in the bridge cavity. The model designation from the original paperwork is “LP Reissue HD” and features a highly flamed maple top, ’60s slim neck profile, ’57 Classic humbuckers and no pickguard.
Features –
Model: Pre-Historic 1960 Reissue Les Paul
Build Year: 1993
Serial: 30xxx
Finish: Tobacco Sunburst Nitrocellulose
AAA Flamed maple top
One-piece mahogany neck with original-style truss rod routing & '60 neck profile
Long neck tenon with hide glue construction
22-fret solid rosewood fretboard with historically accurate trapezoid inlays
Authentic 1960 vintage look, feel and tone
Premium quality one piece mahogany body - non-chambered
'60 profile neck
’57 Classic humbuckers
2 volume knobs, 2 tone knobs, and 3-way switch
Single-ply cream binding on top and fretboard
All nickel hardware - slightly aged for vintage patina
Premium featherweight aluminium stopbar tailpiece
Original style toggle switch washer and jackplate
Vintage Kluson tulip style tuners
Weight: 8.8 lbs
Modifications: None
This is a fabulous guitar in every way. We know it’s special because it’s a Yamano – carefully pre-ordered to be built most precisely to the original specs of a 1960 Les Paul. That means it has all of the features listed above, and with a “slim taper” ’60 neck profile rather than the very much larger 58 and 59 necks.
“Slim Taper” is not totally accurate, as this is a great feeling neck – not too big but certainly not a thin neck. Just not as big as the 50’s sluggers. And being a Yamano, it is likely to be more suited to its Japanese customer base.
And did you notice it features a ONE PIECE solid premium mahogany body. Hard to find these, even in today’s Custom Shop builds.
This guitar was bought second hand from a reputable US dealer early last year, but must now be moved on. It is in excellent condition with only minor player wear evident – a few dents on the rear of the neck, and some insignificant marks on the back. The top is spectacular and super clean – not even any pick swirling … amazing considering it has never had a pick guard. Frets are 95% and everything works as it should.
It plays wonderfully well in all positions and sings beautifully in clean mode, while ramping up to full growl with those fabulous ’57 humbuckers when dialled up. Everything you could want in a classic premium quality Les Paul.
Comes in its 1990s era brown Gibson hard shell case with inner shroud in excellent condition, and complete with its original Yamano Music paperwork and tool-kit.
