1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom Alpine White "20th Anniversary Edition + OHSC

1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom "20th Anniversary Model"
MADE IN USA
Alpine White Finish // Gold Hardware
EARLY NORLIN-ERA
"20th Anniversary" STAMPED on 12th Fret
"RANDY RHOADES" LES PAUL

Adult owned only. 2 owners only. Original Gibson HSC included.
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Up for sale is a VERY RARE Gibson Les Paul Custom "20th anniversary" model from 1974.

The "20th Ann." model was ONLY released in the year 1974 to celebrate the first release of the LP Custom in 1954.

Gibson released couple different finishes.. standard Black Beauty.. Some in sunburst.. and some others.. But the Alpine White finish seems to be the color that shows up the least in the market.

This Gibson LPC has been owned 90% of it's life by the previous owner. It has been played and truly loved... and deservedly so. The original Alpine White finish has naturally aged and changed colors to a "beige-ish / cream-ish" hue. This includes the headstock, body, neck, binding color and even parts of the abalone inlays. Very nice feature that I personally enjoy on vintage guitars.

Lots of surface vintage check marks across the guitar.. even more common on finishes like Alpine White.. Gold Tops.. SilverBursts.. etc.. You can't avoid them for these vintage Gibsons.. just part of a natural aging process. Looks super cool and adds some legit vintage character.

I've played a good number of LP Customs in my lifetime... this specific "20th anniversary" is EASILY one of the best guitars I've ever had the chance to play.... PERIOD. Super comfortable neck to play with and the naturally vintage aged Ebony Fingerboard feels incredible on your hands. Great playing guitar for those who enjoy playing natural and raw... As in just the Guitar + Tube Amp.. and nothing else. You can get a super clean and smooth sounding tone.. especially if you like playing with the Volume + Tone knob dialed slightly down.

Some oxidation on the gold metal hardware. This includes some on the pickups and bridge/saddle area. Some dust near saddle that can be easily cleaned off. Tuners have been upgraded to Gold Grovers straight off a modern Gibson Custom Shop LP. The bridge/saddle also upgraded to modern Gibson Custom Shop parts. The modern Gibson Custom Shop hardware provide much better tuning stability + intonation to this 50 year old guitar. Original Gibson bridge included.

Has some surface scratches, marks, dings, smudges here and there just from honest play. Some discoloration on back of the neck located near the 3-5 frets area. Clearly loved playing in the A-Minor scale range lol. Had a professional repair job on the small crack located on bottom side of neck. This was done during the early 90's and still completely stable and rock solid. Very difficult to feel or even tell and feels smooth when your hand is over it. No affect on playability and simply visual. I've heavily inspected and play-tested this guitar before purchase. There was was absolutely no playability + structural instability issues... so I bought it. NO HEADSTOCK CRACK. 

Original Gibson "witch-hat knobs". Original pickguard, original Gibson humbucking pickups. Selector switch tip has been replaced to modern metal / silver one. Gives it a tiny unique modern flair to a vintage Gibson. You can easily replace it to a different one if you wish.

The highlight of this guitar (to me) is easily the playability + neck profile. It's just so damn easy to play this guitar... almost effortless. The vintage "fretless wonders" frets makes playing any type of chord so easy and joyful to play. I've played mainly clean blues + jazz on this Gibson Les Paul.. plugged straight into a Fender Tube Amp. It just produces a very natural and clean tone that sounds very pleasant to your ears.

This neck profile is very interesting and unique to the hands. Almost starts out a little slimmer.. similar to some modern Fender Stratocasters.. then as you go up past the 4-5th frets, the neck profile noticeably gets bigger and thicker up to the 12th fret.. It's very difficult to explain in words.. you must feel the neck yourself with your own hands. This "20th ann" neck profile is only unique to this specific model.. I've never felt this type of neck on any other Gibson Les Paul Custom before.

Standard Gibson LP Custom Diamond inlay on headstock, 4 knobs (2 tone/2 volume). Real Ebony fingerboard... my favorite fingerboard wood out of all the others. Has some good weight - over 10 pounds. Pretty typical of any Gibson LP Custom... if you're worried about weight, don't get the LP Custom. Simple as that.

Overall, this is just an incredibly great playing 50 year old instrument. The "20th anniversary" just adds the extra uniqueness + rarity to your average everyday Les Paul Custom. 

There's a reason why the Gibson Les Paul Customs are so revered and widely respected in the guitar community. Not only do they look good... but they PLAY & FEEL SUPERB. If you know.. you know.

Comes with:
- 1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom "20th Anniversary" 
- Original Gibson 70's Hardshell Case
- Original Gibson Gold Bridge
- Misc. (tools, picks, etc)

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Payment must be completed 24 hours upon purchase.

Mandatory signature confirmation delivery.

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Gibson Les Paul Custom HISTORY: The "Tuxedo" Les Paul

The Gibson Les Paul Custom is one of the most iconic electric guitars ever made, celebrated for its luxurious appointments, exceptional craftsmanship, and versatile sound. Originally introduced in 1954 as a high-end version of the Les Paul Standard, the Custom has been nicknamed the "Black Beauty" for its elegant black finish and gold hardware.

Key Features

1. Design

• Body:

  • Constructed from mahogany for both the body and the carved top (early models featured an all-mahogany body; later models introduced a maple top).
  • The solid body provides a warm, rich tone with excellent sustain.

• Neck:

  • Mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard (later models may feature richlite or rosewood).
  • Features block inlays and a split-diamond headstock inlay, adding to its luxurious aesthetic.
  • Neck profile varies by era, from chunky 1950s styles to slimmer 1960s shapes.

• Finish:

  • Initially available only in glossy black, later expanded to include finishes like Alpine White, Wine Red, and Silverburst.

2. Electronics

• Pickups:

  • Early models featured P-90 single-coils (1954–1957).
  • From 1957 onwards, equipped with humbuckers (originally Gibson's PAFs, later 490R/498T or Burstbuckers in modern models).
  • Dual humbuckers provide a warm, powerful tone with reduced noise.

• Controls:

  • Standard Les Paul layout with two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a three-way toggle switch for pickup selection.

3. Hardware

• Bridge:
  • Early models featured a wraparound tailpiece; later models adopted the Tune-O-Matic bridge for improved intonation.
• Tailpiece:
  • Stopbar tailpiece for increased sustain and stability.
• Tuners:
  • Vintage-style tuners, often gold-plated to match the hardware.
• Gold Hardware:
  • A signature feature of the Custom, adding a touch of opulence.

Tone and Playability

The Les Paul Custom is renowned for its warm, resonant tone and exceptional sustain. Its tonal characteristics include:

• Thick, rich lows and a powerful midrange, making it ideal for rock, metal, blues, and jazz.
• Clear, singing highs, especially with humbuckers, suitable for lead playing.
• The ebony fingerboard adds a touch of brightness and snap to the overall tone.

Notable Players

The Les Paul Custom has been a favorite of countless legendary guitarists, including:

• Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin): Used a Black Beauty early in his career.
• Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne): Famous for his Alpine White Les Paul Custom.
• Peter Frampton: Played a triple-pickup Les Paul Custom, contributing to his signature sound.
• Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society): Known for his bullseye-finish Custom.
• Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones): Played a Custom in the 1960s.
• Slash (Guns N' Roses): Frequently uses Les Paul Customs live and in the studio.

Evolution and Variants

• 1954–1957: The original Les Paul Custom featured a single P-90 in the bridge and a "staple" Alnico pickup in the neck.
• 1957: Gibson introduced humbucking pickups, transforming the Les Paul Custom into the dual-humbucker powerhouse it remains today.
• 1961–1968: The Les Paul Custom was replaced by the SG Custom due to declining sales of the single-cut Les Paul.
• 1968: Gibson reintroduced the Les Paul Custom with its classic single-cutaway design.

Modern Les Paul Custom

Gibson's modern Les Paul Custom models are produced by the Gibson Custom Shop and remain true to the original design while incorporating modern features:

• Improved neck stability with a long tenon neck joint.
• Modern pickups like Burstbuckers or 490R/498T for vintage-inspired tones.
• Weight-relief options to make the guitar more comfortable for extended playing sessions.

Why Choose a Les Paul Custom?

1. Luxurious Aesthetics:
   • The combination of gold hardware, block inlays, and an ebony fingerboard exudes elegance.
2. Superior Craftsmanship:
   • Built to the highest standards, offering excellent tone, playability, and durability.
3. Versatility:
   • Handles a wide range of genres, from jazz and blues to hard rock and metal.
4. Collector Appeal:
   • A timeless design that holds its value and is highly sought after by guitar enthusiasts.

Fun Facts

• Les Paul originally referred to the Custom as the "Fretted Cadillac of Guitars" due to its luxurious features.
• The Alpine White finish on the Custom is famous for aging into a creamy yellow over time, a look beloved by vintage guitar fans.