Page 73 - Guitar Classics Magazine - The Les Paul Bible 2019

VINTAGE BENCH TEST

KEY FEATURES
DESCRIPTION Solidbody electric guitar. Made in the USA
BUILD Mahogany body with maple cap, set mahogany neck with
unbound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard
fingers, they’re not as raised as on other 50s Les Paul HARDWARE, No-line Kluson tuners with replaced buttons, ABOVE LEFT The frets have
Goldtops we’ve encountered. The back of the body aftermarket Teisco bridge and B7 Bigsby been replaced, but a good job
and the neck both show extensive playwear and fairly ELECTRICS Two P-90 pickups, two volumes, two tones, was done and the thin wire
heavy checking consistent with marks under the 3-way selector switch was retained
scratchplate and on the metal parts. FINISH Metallic gold on top with clear nitrocellulose neck,
back and sides ABOVE TOP The control
SCALE LENGTH 628mm/24.75" cavity has square sides
IN USE rather than the later
NECK WIDTH 42mm at nut, 52mm at 12th fret
We’ve encountered two other ’52 Goldtops over the NECK DEPTH 20mm at first fret, 23.5mm at 12th fret ‘clover leaf’ shape
years – the first being so derelict that we can’t really STRING SPACING 35mm at nut, 51mm at bridge
comment on any qualities it may have had once WEIGHT 4.64kg/10.23lbs ABOVE The bridge pickup
still has the original diagonal
restored. Asides from a well-repaired neck break, the
screws that attached it to the
other was in very clean and original condition and its guitar’s body
neck profile made a lasting impression. Rob’s ’52 is Fortunately, a pretty decent job was made of it and
equally impactful – the neck is quite different to the it’s good to see that jumbo wire wasn’t installed.
deeper and rounder profiles we’ve encountered on The original wire would have been quite skinny
1954 and 1957 Goldtops. It’s surprisingly slim, and and quite possibly low, but this is medium-gauge
gives an overall vibe of sophistication and comfort. wire and it’s high enough to dig under the strings
The crisply carved headstock ears curve into a soft for bends and vibrato.
V that graduates seamlessly into a more rounded C as Unplugged, it sounds very balanced with plenty
you move towards the body. It’s anything but clubby of clarity and depth. Like the similarly heavy 1954
and while LPs from the mid-to-late 1950s can have it’s not especially deep and bassy, but it’s massively
a chunky and formidable feel, this guitar feels faster, resonant and sustaining with a ringing brightness
more delicate and svelte. and chime.
Given how much this guitar was played, it’s hardly Through an amp, this guitar does things Les
surprising the nut and the frets have been changed. Pauls shouldn’t really do. It’s exceptionally clear

THE LES PAUL BIBLE 73