1978 GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM NATURAL w/ DATED T-TOP x 3 Start Price USD 5,190.00 Current Price USD 5,190.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, September 26, 2008 End Time Sunday, October 26, 2008 Location West Japan See more about '1978 GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM NATURAL w/ DATED T-TOP x 3' Description Item Description Up for sale is a Les Paul Custom with factory-original 3 T-Top pickups in rare blonde/natural finish. The guitar was made in 1978 (serial #: 707985xx,) is considered semi-vintage and very rare to come out in the market. To the best of my knowledge, 1978 is the "official" first year of the triple-PU LP Custom's comeback, and only 106 were shipped in that year (per Gibson's shipping ledger.) Apparently, most of them were in ebony and the natural/blonde finish like this one for sale is extremely difficult to find today. The guitar is 100% ORIGINAL except for the brass nut and one PU ring screw. The original three pickups all have the patent number impressed into the baseplate as well as a 1978 date ink-stamped on each. There are subtle flames spreading evenly over the center piece of the body top maple. The neck is almost as thin as the Classics, but it gets meaty as you move up towards higher positions. The cosmetic conditions are good for a guitar that's 30 years old. There are small and shallow indentations on the body top as well as on the sides. In the middle towards the treble side on the body back is belt scratches and in the small area along the edge the mahogany is exposed (pictured.) The body top binding wher the player's forearm makes contact is rolledFrom the neck heel up, it's also in good conditions with four or five small worn spots on the neck (the biggest ones pictured.) The hardware is worn and tarnished. The fret wires are 7.5 to 8 on a 10 scale from the low to mid positions. No breaks or repairs done to the guitar. It weighs 11.3lbs. It comes in a brand new Gator (?) LP hardshell case. They advertise these cases as "for Les Pauls" but the dimensions are a little too big for the model. But the case itself is very sturdy and I will stuff sufficient cushion around the body and headstock. I tried my best to describe this guitar from the viewpoint of originality, and functional and cosmetic conditions as accurate as possible. Please bear in mind, however, I am no expert and not liable for any ignorant information the description may contain. To compensate for that, the listing is accompanied by a number of detailed photos to help you judge the guitar and make a purchasing decision. What you see in the pictures is/are what you will get. Shipping Item ships out from Japan FULLY INSURED via a trackable airmail service. Delviery usually takes 2 to 7 days. Countries I ship to and shipping/handling/insurance charge: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Singapore (US$120)USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (US$140) EU countries, Switzerland and Norway (US$160) *Above rates do NOT include any applicable import duties or taxes which are the sole responsibility of the buyer. As per packing instructions provided by Larrivee and other reputable guitar manufactures (Gibson, Martin, Taylor, etc,) I ship the guitar with the strings at full tension, tuned regular with sufficient cushion around the headstock. For more details about proper shipping exercise, please see http://www.larrivee.com/html/customerservice/repairinfo.html Payment The buyer must contact me within 48 hours of the listing's close. Payment via bank wire transfer or PayPal only. No checks or money orders. I am not interested in a trade. Payment must be received within 5 business days, not including the day of the listing's close. The buyer is solely responsible for any applicable customs duties, VAT and other taxes. Return Item is sold as-is and non-returnable unless the guitar arrives at your door damaged in a way that's not described above. If you need to return the guitar to me, you will need to notify me within 24 hours of the receipt of the guitar. I will not accept any claim past this approval time, therefore please inspect the guitar right upon the delivery. Place a Bid!