Gibson 1983 Les Paul Pre-Historic 1959 Reissue Yamano Flametop w/ Ebony Board
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. In addition, many of these first reissues with Ebony were ordered by Yamano. This is also confirmed by the date on the Tim Shaws. 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 a ’59 profile carve. 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 almost 3 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
At Gas Station Guitars we carefully hand-select all our guitars and refuse a lot more than we accept, 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’d gonna be pretty special. All pictures are of actual guitars, all guitars are in hand and we do not use stock photos. NOT FOR TRADE or part exchange, thanks. We ship worldwide to the USA, E.U, Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan and of course the UK.