Gibson 1983 Les Paul Pre-Historic 1959 RI Yamano Flametop w/ Ebony Board & HSC
Here we have a very rare one. It is the very first Gibson "R9". It's a 1983 Pre-Historic 1959 reissue with a beautiful figured flametop and specced with a rare ebony fingerboard. In early 1983, when the first flametop reissues were produced, the serial number started with 9. This was then changed to 3 in the course of 1983. This is also confirmed by the date on the Tim Shaws. In addition, many of these first reissues with Ebony were ordered by Yamano. This is a 100% original example of the guitar that would later be dubbed the "R9" after Gibson's Custom Shop division was established. Additional '59-centric features include nickel hardware, a slightly deeper carve on the maple top, a vintage-correct headstock shape, more correctly shaped amber bonnet knobs, and a thinner strip of binding in the treble-side cutaway. As you can see from the pics, the top on this thing is unbelievable! A classic Heritage Cherry with some of the thickest most defined flame we have ever had on a Pre-Historic. It really is breath-taking. These guitars are known as Pre-Historics, as they pre-date the "Historic Reissues" that were produced by the Custom Shop starting in 1994. On top of that, it’s a true Yamano order which made it to Japan (it even still has the clear 'Nihon Gibson' sticker on the headstock). Read up on these if you don’t already know… Yamano had a lot of sway in what guitars they got to pick due to the volume they imported from the USA to Japan from the 90’s to the mid 2000’s (a period which also coincided with some of Gibson’s finest work). It is said they had the pick of the bunch when it came to choosing the guitars they took back with them. This is one such guitar. The Pre-historics have a reputation as amazing guitars despite not being 100% historically correct, or perhaps because of it? This rare and beautiful guitar was produced in small quantities and therefore is a sought after piece for many Gibson collectors. It's a good solid 4.7kg. Its non-chambered body has deep, uniform flames that are visible from any angle. This beauty truly looks like a slightly faded type burst that started as a strong Heritage Cherry, and has darkened over time. It is beautifully built with a top that has a really nice carve to it. It is resonant and open and with its original Tim Shaws which sound simply amazing. The neck is smooth and fast with something approaching a ’59 profile carve, although it maybe feel a little shallower and wider. It has a lovely dense ebony fingerboard. Neck is dead straight, truss rod checked and functioning fine, plenty of life left in the newly polished frets, which still have their nibs. The binding is nice and tight with a few of the usual little binding cracks you always see on older Les Pauls. It has naturally aged to a nice vintage deep yellow. Some finish checking here and there in the nitrocellulose lacquer. No major areas of buckle rash or nasty big dings/paint chips. It has a few scratches over the body and back as you’d expect for 4 decades old. No history of breaks or repairs. You get all of the great looking gentle ageing with none of the bad stuff. Neck is dead straight truss rod checked and functioning fine, plenty of life left in the frets. Complete with Yamano booklet and original tan hardshell case with in fine working condition with a replacement handle. This is a very cool old Pre-historic with all the gentle ageing you could want but none of the bad or ugly stuff you usually get. It’s well along the road to being a real vintage looker. These late 80’s/early 90's pre-historics are very sought after. A great looking/playing ’59 Pre Historic and a superb investment. Don’t miss it!
Features:
One Piece Mahogany Body
Carved two-piece AAAAA Flamed Maple Top
One-Piece Mahogany Neck
Ebony Fretboard
ABR-1 Bridge
Aluminum Tailpiece
Nitro Finish
24.75 Inch Scale
Buy with confidence, Gas Station Guitars is a limited UK company and we offer a no question 14-day refund policy on all our guitars. We ship worldwide (see below for list of countries). At Gas Station Guitars we carefully hand-select all our guitars, if they don’t blow us away on all fronts, we just don’t put them in our shop; if it’s for sale by Gas Station Guitars, you know it’s gonna be pretty special. All pictures you see above are of the actual guitar, and all guitars have been fully checked and are with us in hand, so it’s straight from us to you! Our packaging is very tough and designed to protect equally guitars with hardcases and softcases. This guitar is NOT FOR TRADE or part exchange and we cannot do holds or lay aways. We ship to the E.U, Europe, U.S, Canada and of course the UK. **Please note we can no longer ship to Australia.**