This Might Be My Greatest Find Yet! | 1986 Gibson Custom Shop Original Les Paul Artisan Trans Blue

[@Trog]

It wasn't the White one I've been hunting for... but man is it a COOL piece of Custom Order History! 🟢My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/shop/troglys?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/ 👕 Merch: teespring.com/basic-logo-4245?pid=211

[@davidrosenzweig1380]

i bet it left the factory with an artisan truss rod cover thats why the screws dont fit right they probably swapped that at the same time as tailpiece to make it look more traditional

[@mattryan6886]

What a beautiful instrument!!! What a special guitar for your collection. Getting it for a price you comfortable with the icing on the cake 🎂 I would not entertain any offers fo guitar 🎸 if I owned it same as yourself. The chainsaw case is fitting imo

[@brianbeavers4659]

Very cool color, p/u configuration & accoutrements.

[@robertpurdy4452]

I knew Trent and did business with him, not as much or as well as some of the local players in the Des Moines area, but I swear I saw this guitar a few months ago - it's one you wouldn't forget. I'm a lefty so all I got to do was hold it. Fantastic find. I just wish Trent was still here with us.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

0:07 The Trogmeister

[@RickStar72]

Trent Litten was an awesome guy. He was excellent at finding one off and odd guitars for us. When I couldn’t find the Les paul I had been looking for, Trent got it for me. He is greatly missed daily. I was fortunate enough to get his custom shop Jackson. Please don’t just throw this in a case. Trent would want it played, and played loud.

[@rocknrolla2426]

Thanks for that bit of history.

[@lazy_lefty]

Are you in des moines, iowa too? I am lol

[@RickStar72]

@@lazy_lefty I’m in Altoona

[@hardstones17]

oh my GOD that blue is one of the best I have ever seen. This is an incredible axe, great to see it and the history behind it

[@hkguitar1984]

Oh man, I'd have actually purchased an Artisan if they had been readily available in that Blue color.

[@matthewdmalin]

Man this really hit me. I’ve bought a lot of guitars from Trent. His store was a magnet for players from all over central Iowa. Trent’s passing was a major blow. Shows how small the world is anymore.

[@robertpurdy4452]

Same here! I've bought a lot of gear from Professional Music Center and Trent himself, he was a great guy to listen to and his stories were awesome Heck, my best friend and I were just in there two weeks ago when my friend bought a Martin acoustic. I'm a lefty and I like how they always have a few cool left-handed guitars. I saw this guitar in the shop after he passed and I had no idea the story behind it. It was so cool I knew it was that guitar as soon as I clicked on Trogly's video.

[@VidMashUp]

That's a big score. One of the biggest scores I've seen you land. That guitar is phenomenal.

[@sebg2086]

yes he just need to learn to play now

[@fairguinevere666]

@@sebg2086 Nah, it's a rule: the better of a luthier or collector you are, the less likely you are to be a good player, because of all the time you spend doing the playing-adjacent guitar stuff!

[@stewartross13]

@@sebg2086 keep dreaming rofl

[@the_hippykiller22]

@@fairguinevere666 Not really true. Wendell, Agufish's luthier, is very skilled on both sides

[@fairguinevere666]

@@the_hippykiller22 It's mostly a self deprecating joke, esp among luthiers. It's well known Leo Fender couldn't play at all, but made some of the most iconic guitars, whereas many iconic guitar players never made a guitar. So clearly there's an inverse correlation. This is very scientific. ;)

[@musclecarmitch908]

I've always loved the hearts and flowers design, I used to have a banjo with them! I have a Fender stratocaster with Tim Shaw designed pickup's it's a 2019 vintera 70's model, sadly they discontinued them in 2020 because of the Ash shortage.

[@allguitar887]

nice...I'm SUSPICIOUS ..lol...

[@mark5150ty]

Try lowering all the pickups equally so that you have Unity volume from all three pickups and then raise the screws on the pickups to get more output. The pickups are still loud and you don't have to worry about hitting them with your pic. Doing this also Tunes the way the pickup sounds. No one ever seems to use the screws in the humbucker properly. You should give it a try.

[@Greg-vd5om]

Trogly's in the HOUSE!!!

[@ManOrWomanIDK]

Gregular scheduled programming

[@josephculver7341]

That was part of Trent Litten’s collection here in Des Moines Iowa. Trent passed away in August very unexpectedly. This was hanging at his shop for like $4-$5k a couple weeks ago. RIP Trent

[@rodrossi9749]

How much did goober pay for it ?

[@josephculver7341]

@@rodrossi9749 ROFL no clue but it was hanging on the wall for $4 or $5k. I have a distant pic of it on my phone hanging on the wall, can’t zoom in enough to see the asking price. Cool guitar, was a dog though

[@rodrossi9749]

@@scottjunge9916 ..... I was just curious, I figured he may have overpaid. Tragic story about Trent.

[@rodrossi9749]

@@josephculver7341 ..... $ 3495 is more than fair. Sad story for sure.

[@scottjunge9916]

@@rodrossi9749 he gave me a fair price. I made a nice little profit.

[@robertjones1409]

That's the best artisan I've ever seen. Gorgeous and cool.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Beautiful find, well done! Glad you're keeping this Trans Blue Artisan for the museum.

[@ThunderFalcon333]

Inlays look like a bad clown outfit also hate the 3rd middle pick up...its blue that's about it . Trogly makes it interesting though it's not for me.👤

[@irishRocker1]

You could tell it was a future museum piece by the fact he was covering his hands to touch it whenever possible lol

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Congratulations Austin on a one-of-a-kind find! this is a beautiful guitar and I never knew they made an artisan Les Paul in blue like this, fantastic!

[@ferox965]

Beautiful. That blue is totally electric. What a stunner.

[@backpackbiker2675]

Another Great Video!! Thank you!!!

[@bikerjon8934]

Waffles*Waffles*Waffles

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Congratulations on climbing to the summit of the mole hill. You earned todays Gold Medal.

[@hkguitar1984]

Gold AND Waffles, most excellent and congrats Biker Jon

[@rondobondo6600]

Waffle waffle Waffles you just won the fabulous Wallmart award for the very first comment wooohooo you are absolutely amazing 🍪 🍪 🍪 🍍

[@christophervaldez8746]

Wallmart

[@yoboisteven1741]

"TROGLY IN THE HOUSE" -Greg

[@strat0871]

Nice one. A guy I knew long time ago had a "regular" Artisan LP, walnut with 3 pups and gold hardware, beautiful. I played it on a L3 Lab Series amp, sounded great.

[@WalkenDead]

Gibson should really bring back the valute on all of their models, cause why not make the headstock stronger. I do really like that old gibson inlay on the headstock too

[@ironmikezero]

In 1969 I bought a new Pontiac GTO; the color was "Liberty Blue". The color of this LP stopped me dead in my tracks - it appears identical. Awash in nostalgia, I sat stunned. Thanks, Austin . . . thank you very much.

[@CA10Z]

Now that is one special LP. I’m happy for. Those are definitely PAF, or at least they sound like mine. I must confess, I have watch hundreds of guitar demos on KZbin. It seems necessary to run with some distortion. For the life of me I don’t know why. With all the variables of distortion [to me] it seems unnecessary. Again Congratulations.

[@tallpaul1020]

Just Beautiful!!! Love the old Gibson logo and inlays!!!. Hold on to that one Trogly!!! It will look great in the Museum 🎸👍

[@davidsteuer4601]

Oh my! That's a holy grail guitar my man.

[@voyager7]

Trogly: The back has a great flame 6/10, Trogly: The NECK is highly flamed too!! 9/10, Trogly: IT'S GOT A STINGER!!!!!!! 23/10 lol Seriously dude, gorgeous guitar!!!!

[@davidwrobel3650]

Is it just me? I’m not seeing the stinger. The middle position sounds like the two pups (bridge & middle) wired out of phase. A bit quacky. Guitar sounds good. Congrats!

[@martinweston7144]

There were also 6 grey colored Artisans imported into Australia in the late 70's/early 80's , I remember seeing them at a piano store called Nicholson''s in Sydney. They weren't a painted Grey, they were all the same plain wood [Don't know what type] that was stained a very light grey [Imagine old wood that has been left outdoors for years] I don't know if they were single run of LP Artisans of that finish that Gibson made, then rejected and sold on as a lot, or that they didn't pass QC, as I also remember that they all seemed to be suffering the elaborate inlay slightly popping out of the fretboard, all I know is they exist

[@dlux8735]

Good for you, when you least expect it! The universe delivers. Cheers!

[@SR-ih1be]

This is the first LP guitar I've seen on your show that would make me sell mine for.

[@hkguitar1984]

It is a rare and special day when Austin proclaims he is not selling a guitar he's acquired! Congrats Sir, a very great find indeed. Very cool, love the trans blue. Interesting about the round body wiring passage and the ground wire as my 1986 LP Custom has the same features and was also custom ordered. I promise you Austin, as soon as I talk our Dog's Vet into letting me use his X-Ray machine I'll let you know if mine weight relived. Maybe those bodies are old stock from the Kalamazoo Plant!

[@grantcindrich]

‘86 gang💪 hope you’re well bud

[@tallthinkev]

Everyman has their price!

[@hkguitar1984]

@@grantcindrich Greetings Grant

[@hkguitar1984]

@@tallthinkev A true statement indeed

[@vincentrandles8105]

Can't wait to see your museum, (After it's up & running of course) I just think it would be way cool!!

[@tgvettes]

Not a huge Les Paul fan but this one I would love to have. If it had had Gold hardware it would have been perfect.

[@markschafer8275]

Hey Austin...April Wine used artisans,,,check em out

[@webbfaze124]

That thing is BLUE. I been thinking a dark blue LP Custom would be sharp. Not like a straight up blue… but more of a dark navy.

[@jakekology3016]

That guitar is so beautiful wow I love the 3 humbucker setup, a blue beauty🔥🔥💯

[@markfurman4386]

My biggest find is my 1st new guitar in 15 years. Been that long since I touched one. Playing, uh, practicing, on only the new one but going through my other ones, getting them freshened up. This new one, cheap 335 alt but at least it isn't lespaulized. Output jack, p/u selector switch where God and Gibson intended. Not a big deal but it allowed me the purchase decision. $189 with tax. Purdy Lil Thang. Not like my Epi Dot so far, but have to wait till some chops build back in the maimed hand. Nuttin like manually hitting every note, huh. Fifteen years since I spent time on a stage. Don't think I'm going back, but stranger things have happened. Wish an old man luck, huh.

[@zeusapollo8688]

Did you improve while not playing?

[@markfurman4386]

@@zeusapollo8688 No. It's like starting over. But I feel the need.

[@le_elexius0444]

That's one of the most beautiful Les Pauls I have ever seen... and very special

[@brianbeavers4659]

I'm glad that you are very happy with your aquisition

[@216trixie]

I love blue LP's, but I've never cared for three pickups. Just don't like the look.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

O so close! That is a great guitar.

[@hkguitar1984]

Happy Saturday Night Sarge

[@bassicly4250]

I wouldn't call that a stinger. No point , just a black headstock.

[@tcarroll2054]

The back of headstock is just black….it’s not a stinger so keep it your pants Chief

[@Angel-fz8dr]

I don't see any stinger. It's just black on the back of the headstock. Nothing on the neck?

[@dirknewton9103]

I worked for Trent in Des Moines and just saw this guitar at the shop a while back. The guitar is seeing more daylight now as it was not generally displayed. Trent was very sharp on knowledge this is weird to see this out in circulation but it's being appreciated. RIP Trent.

[@dirknewton9103]

It was years back when I worked for him.

[@robertpurdy4452]

I saw it too! I moved to Marion, Iowa last year from West Des Moines and took a trip to the store and realized Trent had passed away. I'm left-handed so I only got to hold it. I knew it was the same guitar as soon as the case was opened in the video and I saw the headstock. Yeah, I was there to see if I could talk to him about maybe getting a left-handed Martin 00-28 ordered and found out he had passed a couple months previous. He was one cool dude. I always liked that BiLT guitar he had in the case.

[@kaleor22]

9th!

[@seancbrophy]

I’m a sucker for a blue Les Paul. This thing is the tits.

[@andrewrice6526]

This is gorgeous! Deep blue WITH GIBSON HEARTS AND FLOWERS BANJO INLAY???!!!

[@tomfoolery2082]

AND 1,2,3 Tim Shaws , good for u Trogly .

[@FUNZO1975]

My first real Gibson Les Paul was a 1978 "Artisan" with 3 pickups and the walnut brown finish. I paid $700. for it in 1988/1989.

[@scottdavidson6066]

Wow!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Oh no Stan Rash showed up again. He is a real pain in the neck. LOL!

[@davidrosenzweig1380]

lol

[@mikeherrmann5360]

best color of blue I' v ever seen. I have a thing for bright white binding.

[@williammcclurd7448]

Beautiful les paul. It's blue and everyone else is green with envy

[@tolvajakos]

why do you call it a stinger? i thought that was a volute. and it has the back of the headstock painted.

[@ramsilva]

Trogly’s in the HOUSE!!!

[@13squared57]

you hear that lisa? you can actually pinpoint the second trogly creams himself when he sees the stinger.

[@bigtills6271]

No split in the binding on my 91 std, think its spent all its life in UK, the weather is pretty mild in winter and summer. I maybe miles off with my verdict, but the US has, hotter, drier and more humid summers, and harsh winters?

[@frostshock13]

Wow, I didn't expect to hear that. Professional Music is where I use to get all my music stuff even though it's two hour drive. Sad to hear about Trent.

[@MichaelDouglasSkewes]

I have one of the white custom Les Paul ,that I was working at music store and they gave me a break . But ,like a idiot, when the store was closing , they had a Gene Simmons Kramer Axe bass # 69 ! They sold it on ebsy for a ridiculously high price ,I could have got it for $250.00 ,not ......I can't remember, something like 250,000.00 ,possibly . I could have got a ton of great guitars, but in the 80s ,it was all Jackson's and Charvel s! That blue is nice ,but ,I'll take my Ace Frehley blue burst! You. Could get Gibson's for a couple hundred bucks ,which is what most are really worth.

[@revrenlove]

I haven't heard Floyd's name in a while! Met him several times back in the day, and, I tell ya, what a good hearted soul!

[@sweettoof9002]

That might be the coolest guitar you’ve ever done, man. Just wow.

[@EverestMystery]

Gorgeous guitar, drool worthy....great video Austin.

[@dosgos]

Get some white jeweler gloves!

[@I-Libertine]

That stamp in the neck pickup is "ST" (for standard)

[@kevingates503]

Who was the rock star that had it first thats the real cool question

[@pcar928fan]

WOW! This is so beautiful! I love the color blue and this is exactly what I love to see… In fact I love it so much I bought my FAV guitar in Trans Blue… Parker Fly Classic!!!

[@АндрейСпасенников-з2в]

Is this a face reveal at 6:49 ?)

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Great find. Beautiful guitar. I love the specs. And I especially love the black and blue color scheme. This was a popular color combination in the early to mid 80's. I remember wanting a black and blue Honda Nighthawk 700S motorcycle back then.

[@USWNTfan101]

I love this guitar. Would probably be something I would consider ordering from Gibson if I had that kind of money.

[@caphenning]

It’s not an "Artisan", like your buddy said, it was a custom order job that a new guy was proving his skills with. Henry J saw it and said, ‘You know what, we should build these." That’s why there are no other blue ones, they would have had to pay royalties to the guy that custom ordered; it’s his intellectual property. You have the Prototype for the Artisan..

[@ajbowen9371]

That would have required a time machine from 1986(blue artisan) to 1976(artisan released)

[@caphenning]

@@ajbowen9371 Ahh, got it, I misunderstood the timeline differential.

[@terrypussypower]

Was Kalamazoo shut down completely? And if so, how long was it until HERITAGE took it over the factory 🏭 and started building their instruments?

[@pauldavis5489]

So Beautiful! Hope to visit your museum some day!

[@JohnnyReading]

Neck clean = good, Bridge clean = bad, Middle clean = hot garbage; Neck dirty = bad, Bridge dirty = good, Middle dirty = GOD LIKE.

[@rogerfeagin4598]

Selling my '77 Artisan was the biggest mistake ever! I owned it from '77 when my dad bought it right off the wall for me until I was in my 30s. Huge regret!

[@lukekelly4360]

Yes

[@vincentrandles8105]

Hey Austin - if you get that museum up and running next year, (2025) live got a Marshall half-stack I'll donate. (100 W. Head)

[@patrickleonard1737]

What’s the song around the 27:40 mark?

[@patrickleonard1737]

Got it! The call of Ktulu!

[@vangibbs4675]

Jaw Dropping BEAUTIFUL!! Missed my chance to buy a 77 Artisan several years ago. Still kicking g myself for that one.

[@joshuataft5541]

We all have one that got away..women and guitars..lol atkeast for me ...👍😂

[@rdykes828]

My 76 triple p.u. walnut ,gold hardware came with the same typ of stoptail that is on your blue !!!! Real nice !

[@maximillianpalaza]

The Call of Ktulu🤘🏼 Classic!!! That Gibson is sick! $30,000 wouldn't change my mind either. It's priceless.

[@tomlynch4232]

I dont see the 50,000.00 guitars you had listed on reverb. did they sell?

[@roebuckmckinney]

You mentioned how you like the wiring on a triple pickup custom, and I like that setting too, but here's what I did to mine, to get just a little more versatility: 1) Neck and middle pickups are wired to a push/pull on the neck tone pot, which acts as a primary pickup selector. Down is Neck, Up is middle. 2)Tone pot is wired to the the Neck side of the toggle 3) You get five total positions: Neck, Middle and Bridge alone, plus Neck/Bridge and Middle/Bridge. Everything cool about a stock triple pickup LP, plus the standard two-pickup LP middle position and most importantly, a middle pickup all by itself. And it's clearly a different tone than the neck or bridge

[@f3uibeghardt522]

That's so pretty. I'd never buy a LP with 3 pickups, but I wish Gibson would start releasing more colors like this on their Standards, or even do the Gecko Bursts and Manhattan Midnights again. And I've always really liked the look of the solid-color Les Pauls, too, especially the jewel-like look of the sapphire blue contrasted with the double binding like you have here.

[@yourdrummer2034]

I concur. Blue is left out of guitar finishes too often.

[@thebeastmaster3453]

What’s wrong with 3 pickups?

[@f3uibeghardt522]

@@thebeastmaster3453 Nothing. I just don't like them.

[@thebeastmaster3453]

@@f3uibeghardt522 Fair enough. Just on Les Paul’s or are strats out of the question?

[@f3uibeghardt522]

@@thebeastmaster3453 Oh no. Strats must have 3 pickups, or I don't like them.

[@abaddonbolero9605]

Ok, I'll bite. What's a 'stinger' and WHY is it Called that? A blacl H/S back? I DO love the volute though. Volutes RULE!! Can you do a thing on the 2005? metallic colored Explorer reissues? They even made some leftys! Don't forget US LH crowd! (not sure of the year- but they made some double-cutaway LP's the same year in LH too, and gold tops, w/P-90;s or HB's! I like when you do the oddballs. 80's were good for that. They took more chances, and some good...AND bad axes came out of that era.

[@mboyer68]

A custom guitar that someone spent ridiculous money on, and Gibson can't even get the pickups lined up. Unbelievable. Well, totally believable actually based on Gibson's numerous known quality issues.

[@wildbill2122]

Not to P!$$ on your parade Trog-Man BUT that is NOT like any 'STINGER' I have ever seen on any GIBSON, Custom or not....I say this because its missing the tail goin down the back into the frets ! U R correct about the difference in the paints colour due to Mahogany bein darker, so rule out refin........ but that Stinger ?.....UH, NAH !

[@sjlefebvre]

Kind of a blunted stinger...

[@djross2043]

Even though I own a Gibson, 2019 ES 335 w/Memphis Wiring & MP90’s, ebony. Last run out of Memphis factory before closing its doors. I knew little about Gibson’s, but through your show I’ve learned a lot about Gibson’s. TY

[@aintmanyofusleft]

Had 3 early artisans, all "rootbeer" all triple pickup all gold hdwr. never realized they even made something like this blue one, wow it is really stunning. Don't even want to know how much...........Ok, how much?

[@onedsanso2172]

Loved this Trogs blue artistson. LOVE TIM SHAW'S. Bahama blue? Hmmmm it's looking like custom a shop color called Kalamazoo Blue on 1982 custom shop on clear nob standards.

[@georgie5397]

Please do a video of all your Gibson Collection, Fender Collection and Non-Gibson and Non-Fender collection. Question: Do you prefer Gibson over Fender? If yes, why? I watch almost all your videos and majority of them are Gibsons. Thanks ❤️❤️❤️

[@real_fjcalabrese]

That's a sexy guitar!

[@FenderMarko47]

that thing is achingly beautiful (from an owner of a blue Les Paul)

[@dannbrauckmann1545]

Man, have you got any old Japan-made Les Pauls you'd be willing to part with? I'm looking for an affordable Greco Custom-style from the late 70's or early 80's, or maybe a Burny. Third option for me is an Edwards with the Nitro finish. Have you got any leads on anything like that? Any help is appreciated!

[@1972bmac]

Hello, I enjoy your video's. I live in SB cali. Was looking on CL in Santa Barbara some guy is selling a Gibson Victory MVII MV2 1981 . I know you like Gibsons and thought you might like this guitar.. Cool..

[@OTOss8]

I don't know much about guitars and I tried googling what a stinger is but I'm unable to see anything in this video that matches the google descriptions. Can someone point out what he's talking about in the video? I'd really appreciate it. Cheers.

[@Trog]

It is the black paint on the back of the headstock

[@OTOss8]

@@TrogOhhh, hey thank you for letting me know. I was expecting black paint to come downward into a point and didn't see any point so was confused. I didn't realize it could just be black on the back of the headstock without that point. Cheers man. Been really enjoying your videos.

[@vincentrandles8105]

My 1st guitar teacher had an artesian in walnut with a tree of life motif. Even the top of the body was carved! A special piece to be sure, & I'm a overactive child (un) prodigy trying to focus on "Mary had a little lamb" or some such - (& because I'm there Voluntarily - obviously) and focusing on her guitar! Which is ALSO why I can recall it so vividly!!

[@AndyK.23]

Cool info! Great rare guitar, congrats. I've never liked 3-pickup LP's, just because, like you mentioned, they are a PITA to play!