My First 1950s Les Paul Is a Bit Different... | 1954 Gibson Les Paul Standard Red Double Cutaway Mod

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📚 Description: The primary owner of this Les Paul has owned it since 1969. He is the one that had all the mods done - except for the red finish. He decided it was time to part ways with this old friend to someone who will use it like he used to. This 1954 Les Paul has character - I hope you enjoy the tale of this Double Cut Les Paul! It is here on consignment and the owner will hear your offers out - email me at [e-mail]
🐕 Episode Guide:
0:00 - Intro - Check Links in the Description
0:30 - Unboxing
2:11 - First Impressions
4:01 - The Owner's Story
8:52 - Inside Look / Specs
30:42 - Tone Demo (Clean)
35:12 - Tone Demo (Dirty)
38:10 - Final Thoughts
🎞️ Videos Mentioned:
0:32 Trogly's Guitars: Vintage 1955 Gibson LP Jr
• Trogly's Guitars: Vint...
0:34 Trogly's Guitars: 1948 Gibson L7 P Sunburst
• Trogly's Guitars: 1948...
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My First 50s Les Paul Is a Bit Different... | 1954 Gibson Les Paul Standard Red Double Cutaway Mod
Affiliate Links are found in this description + comments section - clicking and purchasing items from partners will help financially support the show.

[@Trog]

I hope you enjoyed checking out this uniquely modified '54 Goldtop! 🔴Want to Own it? Make him an offer! troglysguitarshow.com/ ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/ 👕 Merch: teespring.com/basic-logo-4245?pid=211 🎸New Guitar Day Program: troglysguitarshow.com/ngd/

[@hkguitar1984]

A big congrats Sir. Kind of rockin your inner Ace Frehley! He had a DC Conversion.

[@mihalispsychedelicrealeyes1284]

How do I get you to review my 1981 Sg?

[@mihalispsychedelicrealeyes1284]

@@abrahamyanes2405 that would be great. Counterfeit replica ia a double negative making the guitar authentic. You Know like saying," I ain't got no money "

[@mihalispsychedelicrealeyes1284]

@@abrahamyanes2405 to be honest. I think this particular guitar is real. I also think that the guy destroyed it.

[@mihalispsychedelicrealeyes1284]

@@abrahamyanes2405 I agree. I guess it's like counterfeit money, jewelry etc

[@joojoosasa]

Modding a 50's Les Paul in the 60's was probably viewed like modding a 2010 Les Paul would be viewed today. Nobody cared. This guitar has a great, unique story and was played lovingly by it's owner. In my mind, that makes it very special.

[@StinkyRotorhead]

Yup thats what i Was thinking. Also back in the 60s, a used 50s les paul probbaly cost like $150. They sold for about $300 New for a standard and $600 for a custom. Today its like $2000 for a standard 50s and $4000 for a custom

[@allendean9807]

It’s one of the things i love about Bonamassa; he leaves the guitars he acquires exactly as is, warts and all. He refuses to refurbish them. He cleans them up- a little- and takes them out on the road. Total respect for those who played and owned them before

[@semdallinga69]

@@StinkyRotorhead If you adjust those numbers for inflation you get surprisingly close tho

[@joojoosasa]

@@StinkyRotorhead Right. Even accounting for appreciation, that $150 guitar in 1954 comes out to $990 today. What the hell happened?

[@joeyoungs8426]

So true. I acquired a 56 Jr basket case in the early 70’s and promptly refurbished it without even thinking about its value. Which of course was nil back then. Nobody wanted them which is how I got it. I used the original electronics but changed to grovers and a Schaller tailpiece I could intonate. Still have it and the original hdwr and I played the crap out of it.

[@ltsmash1200]

Just imagine if Dave Davies did buy this. Gibson would be selling $20k Murphy Aged Custom Shop copies of it right now.

[@jjbast]

And people would pay for it.

[@iagobroxado]

Right on the spot.

[@robstar197200]

That's true

[@jameshill2015]

Zackly..Gibson.. anything to make a buck..🤣

[@terrypussypower]

And it’s still on Trogly’s website over a year later! A 50’s Les Paul for $15,500, even tho it’s been modified that’s a good deal!

[@paulrawnsley3963]

I love this. Everything about the guitar says it was loved and the modifications made it even more cherished. Original vs Modified is an interesting argument - my foot is more in the Original camp, but then if I had the chance to buy Jack White's modified Gretsch I'd do it in a second. Would this mod be better if Jimi Page had it done rather than Vance? This guitar has a story and nothing is better than that, imo.

[@myoptik3x103]

Well put. Clearly this guitar was both well loved and extensively played and that is what it was designed and built for.

[@hkguitar1984]

When I see a guitar like this it reminds me of an old dog that you can tell had a great family and was always loved. I'm very much guilty of modifying what would now be prized vintage collector guitars, but back when I did the mods in the late 1970s it was no different than modifying an old Fox Body Mustang GT of today. Ahhh the good ol days, I do miss them dearly.

[@otavio048]

is it the one he used on the lazaretto music video?

[@theusualgamers3242]

@@otavio048 I think he’s referring to the Gretsch hollow body Jack White uses. It was originally a single cut but modified into a double, and had a section of the body routed out to install a Green Bullet harmonica mic that he could pull out and sing into

[@101Volts]

Original VS. Modified, well, I'm in the middle. Some guitars should be kept original as museum pieces, others should not. But if it was damaged and/or missing parts and especially missing its original finish already, its top value already left the harbor, so mods are more welcome in that boat.

[@eyemduckk]

Remember...back when he bought this in the late 60's ,this was just a "used" guitar..we never thought about them being collected!!

[@julosx]

He should have bought a SG instead…

[@wazda6488]

@@julosx no

[@wazda6488]

@@julosx sg wasn’t even out back then

[@TheMUSICHEART]

This is great to read!!! I got a Black Les Paul Custom with the Gold Hardware & 3 Humbuckers from Paul Staples. It wouldn’t hold tune and it was a rescue he was working on at the same time he did Vance’s cut. You see what Vance got! I got 2 pieces and I bet you know why! I was so sad.

[@Tim8tei]

Why did Billy Gibbons crave for a 59 Les Paul so much and really wanted and needed one from that year? Jimmy Page bought his 59 from Joe Walsh. All at the end of the 60s. They knew what was up.

[@timwhite5562]

It's depressing to hear someone playing for a long period then just stop entirely for 20+ years.

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

I stopped playing for close to 20 years myself. I wound up homeless and had to sell all of my guitars. Fast forward a few years and I was telling my therapist about being sad that I had to sell all of my gear. The following week she gifted me a BC Rich Warlock that had belonged to her son who had passed away recently. It reignited my passion for playing and now I own a bunch of instruments. I don’t really care for the Warlock but I’ll never sell it. It has too much sentimental value

[@gazzy_burns]

Exactly. Never stop. Life is too short.

[@unclefoiley819]

This is the material world. We all have to stop playing guitar in this body. The good news is we are all going to have to take another body. Hopefully it will be another human body & we'll pick up the guitar again.

[@gmon78]

@@unclefoiley819 Dude, wtf? Are you high?

[@101Volts]

@@gmon78 Probably not high. I'd have come up with a phrase like that too at one point, and I rarely even drink alcohol (even when I was more likely to say that.) He does have a point, if it's "don't be *too* materialistic." however much that is (which probably varies from one to another.) Dunno if I'd say "abstain from it all," though, unless that's your bag, and you actually need to stop for a while for whatever reason.

[@dennisapplegate7553]

I've got a 55 gold top , bought it in 1970 . Got in a estate sale of a music store in Florida. It was the owners and was mint . A few years ago it was refretted and a pick up repair done by Paul McCartney's guitar tech. Now it's with my best friend for some recording work .I'll really be glad when she comes home.

[@hkguitar1984]

Congrats, it takes some serious references and research to trust a reifret job on an instrument like that.

[@Sconzanator]

Ill take it in your will when you are done with her. Doesn’t hurt to ask…🤷🏼‍♂️

[@koDaffi]

@@Sconzanator If he's like me I'm having all my possessions buried with me. Prefer a pyramid but I don't think i have time to get it built. Would need to be limestone covered too so it blinds people from miles away.

[@Sconzanator]

Awesome haha! Have to have a moat with sharks too!!! Haha

[@benallmark9671]

You ever get it back ?

[@rbarker1706]

Glad you are getting back on track with in-hand vintage guitar reviews. This LP still has lots of life left in it. With some gentle setup/cleanup, it will still be rocking, for at least another half century.

[@eddiejr540]

It boggles my mind to think that when that guitar was new, the wood was at least 50yrs old...so now it’s about 120yr old wood...wrap your brain around that one...what a marvelous piece if history...thanks Trogly...you are the man!!!!!

[@pulaski1]

Old growth Honduran mahogany was often 40-60 annual growth rings _per inch,_ so a log sawn for guitars in the 1950's would have been several _hundred_ years old at the time it was turned into a guitar.

[@eddiejr540]

@@pulaski1 ....well done!!!

[@koDaffi]

We should cut it in half and count the rings.

[@PierceThirlen2]

Those pots are modular. The cutouts on the back are there to add switches to the pots. Don't forget that alnico magnets weaken over time. It's possible that the bridge pickup magnet needs a recharge. But there could also be a poor quality solder joint in the bridge pickup circuit.

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

How do you recharge a pickup magnet? I’ve never heard of that. Could you please elaborate on the pots as well. Were they made that way, or is it a modification? What kind of switches can you add to it, like a push/pull?

[@PierceThirlen2]

@@Dan.Solo.Chicago You just need to put the magnet into a sufficiently strong magnetic field. In a factory they will typically use an electromagnetic pulse. But you can also use permanent magnets. Example, connect three strong magnets into a C-shape and insert the magnet that you want to charge into the gap between the magnets in the C-shape. You can also weaken the magnetic field by widening the gap that the 3 magnets form. You could also use one strong magnet and use steel transformer laminations to conduct the magnetic field to the magnet that you want to charge. In a Gibson humbucking pickup they use one magnet in the center with a steel pole piece touching each opposite side of the magnet and those pole pieces conduct the magnetic field towards the strings just like copper wire conducts electricity. The distributor pickup magnet in my auto got weak and wouldn't make a large enough magnetic pulse to trigger the electronic ignition. I actually used 3 ceramic guitar pickup magnets and held them in a C-shape around the distributor pickup magnet and they recharged the distributor pickup magnet and my car started right up in subzero weather. But KEEP THE MAGNETS AWAY FROM YOUR CREDIT CARDS!

[@PierceThirlen2]

@@Dan.Solo.Chicago What kind of switches you can add depends upon the manufacturer of the pot. Some will only accept a rotary switch, but others may also accept a push pull switch.

[@ryanbesser4482]

@@PierceThirlen2 This is a super interesting explanation, I also had no idea that AlNiCo pickups could be charged! Thanks for sharing

[@zacharywatson885]

I don’t know why, but I think this thing looks awesome. Like I would almost commission a custom shop version of this if it wasn’t so expensive.

[@hkguitar1984]

It does have a look all its own. While maybe not my choices on modifications I'm sure I could get along just fine with that guitar as is.

[@larsheuker]

Japanese made ibanez artist is pretty much this but fancier and possibly better made or on par

[@robotsongs]

I would pay for this what Gibson would charge to make one. I definitely think they'd charge somewhere between $10-12,000, and that's the upper limit to what I think this guitar is worth. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE this guitar - but when taking into account how hard it's going to be to sell this (if you or your kids ever do down the line or when you pass), the swapped electronics, and the amount of money you're going to have to invest to get this up to full-on player quality, the monetary value depreciates substantially. I would rather have something with from-the-factory certification if I were going to spend that much, which is a really weird thing to say. The guitar is freaking awesome, just not $17,000 awesome in my book. For that, I'd rather something custom made and all tuned up.

[@paulcatarino2209]

It's great, I look at it and think this is the shape that should have existed as the transitional shape from Les Paul to SG.

[@wesleyalan9179]

I like it a lot!

[@electroKrunch]

People, in the 50's, weren't listening for a biting bridge pickup tone... Elvis, Holly and the others we using warmer tones...

[@mattrogers1946]

How about Freddie King?

[@koDaffi]

@@mattrogers1946 Brian May played the guitar. Freddie was the singer. ;)

[@electroKrunch]

@@mattrogers1946 Hell Yeah!!! I wasn't about to list all the greats!!!!

[@Timmsie95]

I constantly rewatch this episode cause it's such a cool example of what a true player's guitar looks like after half a century of wear. I recently bought the husk of a 2011 explorer off of a friend who refinished the body in white (left the neck as the ebony finish to maintain the feel), and I'm turning it into my "ideal" explorer. I hope to see it live a life like this after another 40-50 years!

[@floopusdoopus]

I don’t understand people saying it was butchered if the mod were done yesterday/terribly I’d understand the hate but at the time it was just an old Les Paul. If anything I think it’s better with all the mods, just shows how much it was loved. Given the choice between a brand new looking 54 and this, player wise I’d choose this.

[@TheMUSICHEART]

Paul had done some great work for a lot of guitarist and Vance was very happy with the improved playability. I was picking up a Black Les Paul Custom that Paul was rewiring but it was in 2 pieces.

[@dennisapplegate7553]

The top damage is from them using a hammer and chisel instead of a router to do the switch relocation. Look at the shape of the cavity you can even see what size of chisel they used .On the left side of your pic there is a channel cut you can tell .

[@Trog]

Good observation!

[@277southtombob]

I like players guitars really. Someone made that exactly what they wanted and played and loved it. I know that would be a great playing guitar and I would absolutely gig it proudly if I could get my hands on it and I would definitely keep it as is and play it for the rest of my time above ground. I love P90 Les Pauls and unique guitars. There’s nothing not to love about it. The 52-53 trapeze models are historically important but the tailpiece isn’t great for playing.

[@benjaminhawksleysr6573]

I understand expensive, collector's guitars that you don't really play and definitely don't gig but for me, I would never buy a guitar just to hang on a wall or keep in a case. Guitars are meant to be played and loved. Whenever I go guitar hunting for myself I always look for players grade because I want to be able to play my guitars and enjoy it the way it's supposed to be enjoyed.

[@jubei7259]

All my guitars are players. I've never cared much about how a guitar looks. I only care about how they feel, play & sound.

[@277southtombob]

I’ve never liked the idea of owning a guitar I was afraid of changing if there was something that could improve my enjoyment of playing. They were built to make music and be enjoyed and unless they’re just unplayable wall hangers I’ve always thought they should continue to be enjoyed.

[@alwaysopen7970]

Les Paul hated those old tail pieces.

[@joefordish]

this is A+ trogly! perfect balance of history, reverence, tear down and tones... all the stuff you do so well. and that guitar was really cool! thank you so much for taking the time to document and share that weirdo!

[@agcacustoms2852]

Man that is one beautiful guitar, to be honest I’d prefer to have this guitar to a standard 54 Les Paul. It looks so much better than the actual Gibson double cut Les Paul and it’s such a cool looking guitar with an interesting story.

[@fluffhead9525]

Jim Peterik is the man with an INSANE collection. I'm sure you've heard the song Vehicle. Has written on a bunch of chart toppers for other bands. 38 Special Hold on Loosely etc..

[@myoptik3x103]

Man Austin, I sometimes forget how tall you are. That guitar looks like a toy when you strap it on. I know that axe doesn’t make the collectors happy, but I think it’s great that it was played and enjoyed so much by its long time owner.

[@hkguitar1984]

He does make it look like a 3/4 Melody Maker, I didn't notice until you said something. The only other time you can get an idea of his frame size was when he demonstrated those Custom Fender Baseball Bats! Austin is a great Baseball Player.

[@matthewtayloryowieresearch1912]

Tall ? Austin is in flamin' orbit ff-sakes!.. Tall ? I reckon he's towering over the majority of us mountain maggots! Fair dinkum Trogly bra, if you're any longer I'm leavin'...Longer than a conger. Stretch 'Armstrog' Stretch... gr8 '70s toy that. How's the weather up there in the ionosphere, Ozzy Trogbourne? Didyabringyabongalong Station, Central QLD, Australia.

[@Jester-Riddle]

Great Guitar ! Personally think that Les Paul Double Cut style is an improvement aesthetically (and for weight !). I also prefer the lower toggle switch positioning ... Sounds great. Good Vid.

[@fernandog9684]

The vintage intro is fantastic! Hahah

[@hkguitar1984]

Yeah, hello AM Radio, I loved it too.

[@scottbogfoot]

13:54 no, you're mistaken. They painted the back of the bracket without removing it first lol

[@hkguitar1984]

Or maybe a touch-up. Either way it just adds to the whole vibe. It's still in better shape than Matthew Scott's Salvation Army LP Special (which is also ridiculously cool).

[@jimballardband]

I like double cut LP’s. And P-90’s. Hell Yeah! It looks great 👍🏼

[@Gtrtech]

Those pots are a bit goofy for guitar use. They are a type that allows a switch to be affixed to the back side. That's why there is an opening and the slotted part on the end of the shaft to move the switch. These were common on consumer electronics back in the old days. You would move the pot from the "0" position and the switch would close to turn on power to whatever it was in.

[@Gtrtech]

I think they are the wrong value as well. Sounds dead to me. I'd guess they are 100k

[@fairguinevere666]

The intro! I love it. Definitely hoping having a special vintage intro means more old guitars.

[@hkguitar1984]

AGREED

[@Patrick-Villa]

You could tell that the guy that owns this guitar was a good player and he knew what he liked in guitars. Now somebody could have vintage Gibson along with comfort and playability. It's like what Eddie Van Halen did to his guitars back in the day. Thanks for the informative video. You are very thorough when it comes to presenting guitars on your show.

[@bradball42]

My uncle had a 56 gold top standard it was perfect it’s still the best Les Paul I have played so far

[@hkguitar1984]

Years ago I had a chance to pick up a '54, '55 and a '56 (not all of them I was only looking at one), back then I could actually afford one. I ended up purchasing a brand new 1976 Les Paul Deluxe because I just couldn't get along with the vintage frets. Back in the 1970s those mid-50s P90 Standards were very affordable.

[@maryhough3889]

That neck pickup sounds amazing. The bridge is a bit microphonic but with all the mods on it still is a great piece. Would love to play it. Someone will love it ❤️. “Lord take me downtown” !

[@shawndouglass2939]

I'm just looking for some Tush 😉

[@Factory_Muff]

Apparently not for 16k. The boomer owner should take it back and get reacquainted with his old friend again and alleviate some of that arthritis. This is a part of him that he’ll never get back. It’s very sad actually. The long breaks some take from playing guitar affect your soul and you become regretful and ashamed. It’s hard to make that first step and open up the case again and play. Like not calling an old friend you haven’t spoken to in years and are ashamed for it, but the hardest thing to do is just pick up the phone and dial the number. Once you do that, all the shameful regret just goes away.

[@mottmatt7844]

I love how the double cut mod even had a binding. They did not skimp on the handywork and I would say this is a work of art bwcause no other Les Paul like this exists. I also appreciate how the heel of the neck was shaved down. Otherwise it would not improve playability as much. Overall I'd like Gibson to give this design a shot in the Custom shop.

[@jonathanhudak2059]

What a great story surrounding this very cool and unique guitar! Enjoyed every minute of it. It was almost like opening up a time capsule when you were taking it apart and looking in the pickup cavities and discovering it was originally a gold top and the different mods that have been done to it like replacing the tuners etc, awesome! 👍

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

Tbh I love that double cutaway…..I’d buy one of these if Gibson ever decided to do a Paranormal style series

[@alwaysopen7970]

Gibson did it a few years back because PRS did it.

[@KansaiSamurai]

As a dealer in coins, old guitars have one thing in common with old coins - never polish off a patina!

[@garyburginjr1366]

That is so cool! Malcolm Young had a red duo jet in his early career with acdc. It reminds me of that!!

[@JH-nl6bp]

The first LP double cut ever

[@bryonkidder6199]

Ace Frehley did the same thing to a Deluxe back in the late '70, it's the most famous homemade double cut Les Paul...imo It has a documented history you can look up and see it as it is today

[@JH-nl6bp]

@@bryonkidder6199 👍🏻 I always liked Ace Frehley. He made the dimarzio super distortions famous.

[@griffsloth5389]

SG?

[@av.punk.801]

@@griffsloth5389 didn't come along till a good few years after this. LPDCs weren't even around yet

[@sonicaids]

i like this better than the double cuts gibson sell, the top cutaway route looks so much better

[@drzecelectric4302]

Seriously

[@WendellFogmaster]

Word. If Gibson made a production model with that cutaway and shaved heel I'd totally rock it.

[@julosx]

Come on, it looks like shit. I wouldn't do anything like it to a guitar, and a Gibson to boot !

[@joeykelly5642]

This is a really cool guitar - the modifications give it a ton of character!

[@alanhaynes418]

Unless there is a problem with the fixing at the body end of the truss rod (which is pretty rare) there is absolutely no issue with the few threads showing at the headstock end - there are 2 inches of thread at this point for adjustment. As long as you can get a tool over the truss rod nut, you are good to go. Most adjustments require less than half a turn so there is plenty of room left. You seem to have a bee in your bonnet about this Austin!

[@justinguitarcia]

Those are my favorite sounding pickups on any guitar you’ve shown. The bridge pickups on these are notoriously weaker in output from the neck but that midrange cuts like a knife in the mix. With the right player this thing would absolutely crush

[@vorpalblades]

The pickups were all the same. There was no difference in winds between neck and bridge.

[@davidmckean955]

@@vorpalblades that's the point he's making, people expect higher output bridge pickups on guitars now but that wasn't how it was in the 50s.

[@milanbertosa8071]

Ray Peterik? Jim Peterik was in Survivor. Jim takes great care of vintage instruments, as far as I know. I’ve seen his collection.

[@paulandlesson]

I owned a 52' LP. It was a gold top, but my father finished it to that same red. It had original tuners, a trapeze tail piece and a case that looked just like the original you showed. Is there any chance this could be the same GTR. What is amazing it that the red finish looks just like the one my father put on it. I sold it for @ 7K back around 2005. Please let me know of any history behind it.

[@RambleTone]

Wow, I love the transparent red finish, and the grain on it is awesome! I don’t think I would change a thing. I personally like the vintage P90’s which are less output than the modern ones, I own a period correct ‘56 Epiphone version and the pickups have a 7k output, so I guess they’re spot on👍🎸🔥🔊

[@HenrySchecker]

i love it. Looks awesome and great origin story. To be fair the mods were done in the pursuit of better playability, I can't help but respect somebody who wanted to make the guitar their own. Personally I'd swap that bridge p90 for a mini-humbucker to give it some more output without rerouting the guitar

[@barrygoins6900]

Great job on describing everything, you ought to see if Jared would let u document the tornado gold top or his red one

[@gt-37guy6]

It's altered, its Red, and it is cool as hell....I love it.

[@johnm3946]

There's many standards out there , nothing wrong with moding one out of hundreds. Very inventive.

[@OnlyDansMusic2112]

Thousands*

[@davidmckean955]

The vintage guitar market will crash again anyway and they'll all be worth a lot less. In 2007 this would have been a $25,000 guitar and now I'm guessing most people wouldn't pay $9,000 for it. The boomers are mostly the ones collecting these things.

[@fretr1pper618]

18k seems wayyyy overpriced. Gorgeous but seems to need a new truss rod too.

[@AlienSexGod]

lol is that what he was asking? You could buy original finish and hardware 54 GT's for that sort of money recently..... What % does the Trog charge for consignment?

[@juniorg296]

lol yeah 8 months ago too. this won't sell for more than $8k - and that's if there's a wealthy player out there that wants this AS IS (hacked up body, cracked top, and consumer grade electronics)...I buy pre-60 modded gibsons for the wood and pickups. You're buying a great neck and P-90's here, the rest is functional but that's it, once 10% or more of the body has been removed you're selling husks. I made an offer today that was instantly declined without counter, so either his seller is unrealistic or Trogly is unrealistic...but one is certainly true cuz this thing has sat for 8 months and is gonna keep sitting at that price. Also doesn't help his case with "is this the best Les Paul I've ever played....ehhhh, NO!" - like dude help your case out...who the hell is gonna spend $15k+ on a "golden era" les paul after the seller says "eh" about it. LMAO!

[@Wargasm644]

Cool guitar. I like modded guitars. Yeah, can hurt the value. But who cares. As long as the owner enjoys it. And in this case, it seems to have been loved and played for many years. Nice one!

[@timwhite5562]

I think the original vs modified will depend on whether the buyer is a collector vs player. Obviously a collector can be both, but the player's priorities will markedly different. I was a luthier for many years and have had the opportunity to play pretty much everything (all least in the Fender and Gibson camp) and there is definitely a difference, both in regards to the instruments and owners. Many times the nicest and cleanest vintage instrument isn't necessarily the best sounding, sometimes it's not really even good sounding. I've owned several sets of original PAFs, the first set out of an ES335 that was left behind leaning against the rear end of a car; the owner had to run in to answer a call and when he came out he had forgotten he hadn't put it in the trunk, put the car in reverse to back out, then heard and felt the "thump-thump," it was essentially a pile of toothpicks with a neck). Each set I planned on keeping, but quickly decided to sell them because in all honesty, a modern PAF sounded better. -I'm in the player camp and would take and play this in heartbeat.

[@juniorg296]

I'd bet ya for $15k+ you wouldn't

[@nalukeko]

14:08 My guess is that is from the drill bit catching the wood grain and ripping it. I've done that to one of my home-built guitars. It's a semi-hollow with maple top and when I wanted to put a better pot in I needed to drill a wider hole. Probably didn't use enough rpm, went in too quick, but got caught and it tore a similar (smaller) piece off the top.

[@hkguitar1984]

Maybe a pilot hole first and then drill from the top down. Either way a dull tool or not enough RPM and it'll chip out.

[@robotsongs]

This is why you always use sharp brad point bits on figured wood like that.

[@hakancarlsson2881]

Might sound weird but going backwards with the drill is a great way of avoiding tear-out.

[@alwaysopen7970]

They make reamers to enlarge holes and StewMac sells them.

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

Viewers all upset the guy made it play better for him. Ray Davis liked it good enuff for me. Was a 15 year old guitar just like my 15 year old telecaster is now its worth less than the day I bought it new. It wasn't vintage when he modded it & it was played not collected.

[@Pandamasque]

14:11 the wood grain matches, so I say that piece got chipped off and pulled up while whoever drilled/routed the top was pulling the drill bit out. So they just glued the piece back in.

[@limpneckmike]

I 100% relate to accidentally hitting the pickup switch! In fact I have a Les Paul Special that I had modified to move that switch out of my way. Nothing as extreme as this, but I had the guitar tech take out the bridge volume pot, make the neck volume pot a master volume, and put the switch where the bridge volume pot used to be. Never would have thought to make it a double cut! Mine just has a hole where the switch used to be.

[@tm8951]

Ace Frehley had a heavily modified double cut Les Paul that used to be a single cut you should check it out sometime if you get a chance.

[@kirkprell4493]

It was his #1. 1973 Les Paul Deluxe. It is no longer in Ace's possession, it belongs to a private collector and is lovingly called Blackie. There are videos of Ace being reunited with it, and the tone is still unmistakable.

[@dommadonia9207]

This one will make someone very happy! Nice story, hope the next owner will love it by playing it like the original owner did.

[@papasmamas1]

I actually like it... A LOT. Much more than the actual LPaul Double Cut.

[@aliensporebomb]

I totally love it. Gibson, if you're out there - this is the sort of thing I'd buy if you sold them! The symmetrical doublecut and the red top with the white P90s and white binding just has a great look. And this particular example sounds killer under heavy overdrive. Nice one!

[@leonthompson8988]

Apparently the Chicago shop didn't do as good as I believe Strings and Things guitars were done. Quite a few big players had that done as well as Dimarzios in the 70s

[@TheMUSICHEART]

Paul Staples did the second cutaway and was with Vance when he picked it up. For Vance, it was all about getting access to the entire fretboard.

[@danduntz9112]

What an interesting mod. It would be cool if Gibson made some of these. It’s different enough from an SG and a DC and a Les Paul. Oh, and make some lefty for crying out loud!

[@gzo313]

The weird black circles on the P90s backsides are called grommets, and are there to prevent wires from chafing.

[@jimtomatola]

22:00 I believe these pots used to have on / off switches on the back ( like they were an on / off volume control from a TV ) which would explain why there is no stop ( the switch would stop it. )

[@greghoeltzel332]

I wish more people modded their Gibson's like this and the "horn delete sg" you had. They make me so happy

[@skukeness6201]

Reminds me of the Beatles Lucy Les Paul that began life as a gold top before it was refinished cherry at some point before George got it. I wonder if that served any inspiration for this one, given the timing

[@TheMUSICHEART]

Interesting coincidence, but it was red when he bought it.

[@robinmorris5416]

Dude, you should get in touch with jarred James Nichols. He has a 50 something les Paul thats about the same shade of red as that one. He knows his is also a refinish but he said he plays it every night. I just feel like he'll be interested in it, and I know yall are somewhat buddies, so you can at least get through and talk to him about it. I think it's. A gorgeous guitar. The cutaway is really well done and proportional to the bottom cutaway. The binding looks good, and thee color looks vintage as well. It'd be an awesome player grade guitar with the neck, and body of a freaking 54 les Paul. Jarrad would slay dragons with that ax man!

[@Trog]

He passed on it. I was hoping it would go to him haha

[@duanewelsh5611]

Very cool guitar, enjoyed it's story also. Glad they sent it to you so you could share it with us!

[@nealsimmons2853]

Rudy saved a Les Paul Custom of mine that sat underwater in a flooded basement for 24 hours in Skokie. Rebuilt the neck, milled and set ebony block at base of replaced trussrod and refretted with big fat frets. Sound-post changed hands and Rudy went on to purchase WASHBURN!

[@tinystar3010]

I dont understand how the guy "accidentally" kept hitting the toggle. Its so far out of the way of your picking hand that even strumming wouldn't reach it. Unless he was trying to strum on the fretboard or something weird. I've never accidentally hit my LP's toggle before.

[@michaelgranka7904]

I accidentally hit mine all the time.

[@ataxiasalrighttonigh]

You must play with very precise movements ala Derek Trucks or something. I accidentally smack the pickup selector on my Les Paul all the time.

[@demuthjesse]

Plenty of people hit them....its very common.

[@hkguitar1984]

Ha ha ha, his other two guitars were a Jazzmaster and a ES-335, I can see how the Les Paul toggle would seem out of place to him.

[@jeffbrown3009]

I accidentally hit it all the time. Tbf, I KNOW I have a really aggressive strum

[@johnlerro997]

The 'black circle' on back of the pickups is called a rubber grommet :). Without it the wires would rub against the metal and possibly short out.

[@ralphwest8156]

I would trust Trogly to clean and condition this one ' ...a bit of pup and cavity screening wouldn't go a miss, raise the switch inside a tad to clear the top retainer, re-fit the 3rd fret marker and lift the bridge pup with period springs or foam ...all set then for another 67 years '

[@kcuhc84]

Is it possible to replace the toggle switch with a rotary switch? It would make it harder to accidentally change switch positions and we would not need to move the toggle.

[@av.punk.801]

Were rotaries even commonplace enough in the 60s to justify that?

[@spudvader]

Sure you could do that. All that really needs done is for the hole to be drilled a little deeper so the switch tip clears the guitar top. The reason this might not have been done is because the top was cracked, who knows.

[@TheJeffcurran]

Nice vintage touch Austin. That was cool.

[@AntmanFelix]

As an avid SG and Double Cutaway fan, thats an awesome looking Les Paul! TOTALLY RAD! Would love to play this one. Only 50s Les Paul I played was a 54 Junior and that was awesome!

[@scottbogfoot]

Three is so much on the go with this guitar that it's crossing the line into beautiful artwork!

[@hkguitar1984]

Agreed.

[@clarkbabin9799]

Look in the black light it's a gold top again. I dont know if them pickups are exactly the same but if they aren't maybe when the guitar was rewired they put them in the wrong place. Wish I could buy that one but maybe I just might have to get that melody maker setup and install it in a blank I purchased . Only thing is it's a bolt on body and I got a a set neck that won't work with it.

[@ja7941]

How absolutely amazing is that just take a moment and think about what you're holding in your hands that is literally a piece of History you are documenting on this show wow that should be like in a museum somewhere and be worth fortunes just amazing you're so lucky I love your show

[@doster59]

Loved the vintage titles! Cool look at that guitar.

[@clarkbabin9799]

Them pots look like something that may have been salvaged from old electronics. I attended electronics classes for two years in the late 80s. We had a lot of old electronics that was donated for us to tinker with. Some came from TV and stereo shops. Others were donated by private citizens or some military equipment. Those pots looks like some of what we worked with. Except the didn't have big hole that you could see into. Only part was exposed was the middle blade or shaft. Unfortunately we never got any guitars in there. Also that dust on them pickups sometimes happens when you've got two metals mixed either in the plating or even in the casing of some electronics. Age makes that happen and if its stored in a less than climate controlled room.

[@ms1535]

Great video! I was expecting to see bumblebee’s. Didn’t know they used ceramic caps back then. I usually put two adjusting screws on a bridge that starts to lean. I screw the first one all the way down to the body. Top wrap was a good idea. I love P-90’s but they sounded kinda flat at first until you started to rock out.

[@jonlennon3348]

It has a fretless wonder neck which I loved on my 72 I had.

[@marvinstorm9153]

Pity the wrap tail didn't stay. They are marvellous, even with a lightening or TonePro. Like Teles I find wraps a joy, sustain y'all! I can feel the guitar vibrate on my body if it's a good fit. Tuneomatics don't do that so often I don't think. Interesting guitar, love the history. It looks nice (except for the wrap !). No clue what this is worth .... Market decides. Probably a CS Gibson price, I wouldn't pay more. Resale is problematic, but it's a keeper I reckon. I quite enjoy the hard core Gibson guys go ballistic on mods. I've seen a lot worse than this in my 50 years of owning a few "interesting" planks. A Tele neck on a LP Spécial for instance. Bolt on job. Plays really well actually, 57 thin body kind of works. It looks cool, sort of Fano! Yeah it's sacrilege sort of .... You only live once

[@georgemueh3273]

Thats awesome Reminds me of Ace Frehley and his Les Paul deluxe with the same mod.... this is a hot mess but in a cool way. A heavily modified guitar before a lot of guys did that. Got mojo for sure.

[@ZXPhantom]

Raise the bridge and roll some tone off. Likely an offset seem top. If you check the 2010 Gibson Custom Shop R5 Hot Rod Series, they made '55 LPs with what were popular mods of the past. "Authentic" 50s modded Gibsons from the factory. I have one with a nice flame maple burst top with offset seam, wrap around bridge, humbucker pickups and a boat "V" neck shave.

[@dar3mor6]

That's gonna be interesting

[@georgejasper8794]

The Guitar Gallery repaired the neck on my late 60s SG and added the Grovers. Sound post - spent a ton of dough there. Bought my '78 Ibanez, still one of my main guitars. This is a cool story.

[@sethmolen8288]

I have an early 50s Les Paul with some curious mods too. It’s lighter than that one. You should review it sometime.

[@hkguitar1984]

I'd love to see Austin review your guitar.

[@larryalexander900]

Why wait, do a review yourself, would love to see it.

[@peanutbutterisfu]

Cleans sound really good! The dirty leads sound amazing but the chords sound muddy on the lower register but sound great when playing in the middle of The neck like the kinda southern rock stuff u played really sounds great. Would be a perfect guitar for that 70’s southern rock sound not gonna find much better tone for doing that kinda sound. It’s had 70 years for the wood to dry out that’s definitely a reason why the guitar vibrates so well imo it probably sounds the best it ever has now.

[@BrentAdams]

I like it! ... but I'm sure it will be way to far out of my price range. LOL! I'm not into the "Vintage" vibe, but I love that the owner turned it into a double cut. My kinda player.

[@robotsongs]

Trogly has it listed for $17k on his website. I think that's a bit high, what do you think?

[@BrentAdams]

@@robotsongs stock originals are going for well over double that amount. That doesn't seem to be overpriced.... just not what I would ever pay for any guitar.

[@robotsongs]

@@BrentAdams I am well aware that stock originals are going for that price, but this thing is so modded that I don't think that 50%+ price reduction is unreasonable. This thing was *hacked.* This is not collector-grade stuff, and it's the collectors that drive up the insane prices. This is purely a player, nothing more, and like I said, reselling this thing is going to be a bear.

[@BizarrePudding]

@@robotsongs I think the high asking price is probably down to it being a consignment piece...I'm guessing the seller is trying to net 10-12K, so he has to factor in Austin's consignment fee which is likely as high as 30% - that would put it up around the 17K they're asking...Essentially you're paying an extra 5K for the privilege of buying it through Austin...

[@shawndouglass2939]

@@robotsongs too high for my liking to be sure, maybe not someone else though 🙃

[@ivandiwakara7766]

What a well executed mod!!! Looks great with double cutaway

[@landonwolfe5193]

I had the honor of playing an original 58 Sunburst Les Paul when I was in Knoxville Tennessee. I'm absolutely mind blown by this double cut. 🧡

[@eupel1]

I totally feel the previous owner. I have small hands, I always accidentally knock the toggle switch and can’t reach the higher frets on a single cutaway. Double cut all the way!

[@michaelzschoche2746]

Wonder how they redid the binding when they converted it to a double cut.

[@edryba4867]

I’ve heard literally THOUSANDS of Les Pauls, but THIS one put about 90% of them to SHAME! Even with those stone-age P-90’s, this is a “head-and-shoulders-above the rest” ax! LOVE that dual cutaway! And of course, Gibson started making Les Pauls with dual cutaways, some time after this one was built. But this one, even with the mods, is a prime example of the Master Luthier’s art. If you’ve ever watched Rick Beato, you may have discovered that he has TWO dual cutaway Les Pauls, including one that was custom made for HIM, and it’s absolutely GORGEOUS! Should you see Rick with a Les Paul, check to see if the body is a sort of iridescent metal-flake blue. THAT is the one which was made for him.It’s a BEAUTIFUL guitar, and it sounds nothing short of AMAZING!!!! And you must know that Gibson’s “retail” name for that bridge is a “Tune-O-Matic”. It sure looks like that original stop-bar couldn’t do much for intonation. That’s why modern guitars have bridges with INDIVIDUAL adjustments for EACH saddle. The color mismatch in the binding looks like someone really good did the original fix to the binding, but that he really didn’t care about the color mismatch. I would call that approach “Pure Schlock! If it were MY guitar, I’d have the binding re-done with Gibson’s “Triple Binding” - it’s white with two thin black stripes running parallel with the length of the binding. That’s what my Epiphone Sheraton II (a 335 copy made for Gibson in Korea in the late 1980s, and NOT in China!) has on it, and it looks GREAT! The price on the Chinese Sheratons is about the same now as my Korean-made one was in the late 1980’s. That should give you a hint as to the quality of those. My Korean Sheraton is every bit as good as a present-day 335! At the time, it was the best-kept secret in new guitars. Interesting how the pots have holes in their back covers… if those pots didn’t get crackly in fairly short order, I’d be amazed! If those pots NEVER got crackly, I’m DOUBLY AMAZED! I would love to have it… but NOT for $17,500!!!!!!

[@taokichavez9319]

the black and white intro was the best way to start this episode, really cool man!

[@bennyjones1597]

That thing has some serious Mojo going on bro it sounds so sweet

[@stephenmarsh3986]

Pat Travers owns a custom made cherry sunburst LP double cut standard. The shape is what Ibanez produced as the Artist series from the 70's onwards.

[@brodym661]

Can we contact Gibson so they start making these??? I’m not a huge Les Paul guy, but this thing is beautiful

[@chip9177]

Cool guitar. Im tore between leaving it as is or perfecting the added cutout, cleaning up the witness marks taking it back to a gold top.....why are the toggle switches always up & down? front to back would be more logical, esp on this one after the switch was relocated.

[@ronperrone1152]

Excellent. I recommend you begin a forensic analyst segment where you can discern numerous things from the wear and tear of a guitar.

[@janiterinadrum1627]

I always wished that Gibson would have made a symmetrical double cutaway like that. Pat Travers had one specially made and I think Ace Frehley had a black one and that guy from Emerson Lake and Palmer had one made

[@Trog]

Not in the 50s - but they did do a symetrical one in the 2010s legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2016/USA/Les-Paul-Standard-Double-Cutaway-Limited.aspx

[@alwaysopen7970]

Greg Lake?

[@alwaysopen7970]

@@Trog Because PRS was doing so.

[@frantisca]

Nice piece of history. I have mixed feelings about it though. The frets are really thin: I had a 1968 LP that had similar ones and I did not find them really comfortable to play. The trussrod being as is could lead to neck warp with time and the black paint on the wood could flake away. The rout of the top cut is quite rough and needs some cosmetic retouch. That said, it is an interesting instrument, but rather than investing 17K in it, I'd look for a good guitar with more modern features. Actually, I own 2 double cuts that are playing wonderfully, very well finished, with top-notch accoutrements. One is a Gordon Smith, UK hand-made guitars with in-house pickups: sounds and plays awesome. The other one is a Gene Baker B3 still from the hand-made in California period, Lollar '50s wind P 90's, a gem. Both together for the fraction of the actual modded '54 LP. Your call guys...

[@AlienSexGod]

Was the asking price $17k USD for this on Reverb?