Gibson Custom Shop LPR7 ’57 Goldtop Reissue 2008

There’s something reassuringly old-school about this 2008 Gibson Custom Shop R7. At 9lb 7oz it’s a proper Les Paul, with that reassuring solidity translating into exactly the sort of big, authoritative tones you hope to hear from a good Goldtop.

The R7 is Gibson Custom Shop’s take on the legendary 1957 Les Paul Goldtop – the year the model acquired the humbuckers that would go on to define the classic Les Paul sound. Underneath the Goldtop finish is the traditional combination of a mahogany body with plain maple top, paired with a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard.

The neck has the substantial full ’57 profile – plenty in the hand without being unwieldy – and the pickups are the classic Burstbucker pairing used by Gibson on these guitars: a lower-output Burstbucker 1 at the neck and slightly hotter Burstbucker 2 at the bridge. Both use Alnico II magnets, giving the neck pickup a lovely open, airy quality while the bridge adds the bite and crunch you want when things get turned up.

They’re wired through CTS pots and Bumblebee capacitors in the traditional Les Paul control layout. The result is everything you’d hope for from a good R7: big and woody at the neck, plenty of bark and authority from the bridge and that wonderfully vocal Les Paul middle position.

This one dates from 2008 and is in excellent condition for its age. There are a couple of small dings to the side of the body and some light buckle rash to the back, but nothing that detracts from what is a very smart-looking guitar.

Complete with its original Gibson Custom Shop hard case, certificate and tags.

A lovely example of an earlier Custom Shop R7 – substantial, characterful and every inch a proper Les Paul.

• Brand: Gibson Custom Shop
• Model: LPR7 ’57 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue
• Origin: USA
• Year: 2008
• Serial No: 78706
• Weight: 9lb 7oz / 4.28kg
• Finish: Goldtop Nitrocellulose with Cream Binding
• Pickguard: Cream
• Body: Mahogany
• Top: Carved Maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Profile: ’57 Full C
• Fretboard: Rosewood, 12″ radius, cream binding, trapezoid inlays
• Scale length: 24.75″
• Frets: 22 Narrow/Tall
• Nut: Nylon
• Bridge Pickup: Gibson Burstbucker 2
• Neck Pickup: Gibson Burstbucker 1
• Controls: 2 volumes, 2 tones, 3-way selector toggle switch
• Knobs: Gold Top Hats
• Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic with Aluminum Stop Bar
• Tuners: Kluson
• Case: Original Hardcase and paperwork