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Pricing and availability
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Description
Step back in time with the iconic 1973 Gibson Les Paul 'Cherry Sunburst', a solid body electric guitar that embodies the spirit of rock and roll's golden era. Known for its distinct, resonant tone and classic appeal, this vintage gem is more than just an instrument—it's a piece of musical history. Built during a time when craftsmanship was paramount, the 1973 Gibson Les Paul features a mahogany body with a carved maple top, offering a rich, full sound that has captivated generations of musicians.
Equipped with dual humbucker pickups, the Les Paul delivers a powerful, balanced output, making it versatile for a range of genres from blues to heavy metal. The rosewood fingerboard adds a smooth, warm quality to your play, while the classic tune-o-matic bridge ensures precise intonation and sustain. This model also includes the original Gibson headstock design, a testament to its authentic vintage charm.
Perfect for seasoned players and collectors alike, this Gibson Les Paul maintains the timeless design and superior playability that have made it a staple in the music world. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, this guitar offers the depth and character that only decades of musical legacy can provide.
Key Features:
- Mahogany body with carved maple top
- Dual humbucker pickups for balanced output
- Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
- Classic tune-o-matic bridge for precise intonation
- Original Gibson headstock design for vintage appeal
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul 1973.
Features and functionality
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The 50s neck profile is chunkier, while the 60s profile is slimmer, affecting playability and comfort.
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Les Pauls are generally heavy, with weights commonly exceeding 9lbs; lighter options can be found at Wildwood Guitars, which lists individual guitar weights.
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The guitar likely has replaced control knobs and a headstock with a non-standard serial number, possibly due to a previous replacement.
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The Les Paul Classic features coil-splitting and a kill switch, providing more tonal flexibility than the Standard model.
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User experience
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A user suggests asking about the neck profile preference and weight tolerance to align with the player's comfort and style.
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An owner describes the smooth feel of neck bindings as "like butter," despite Les Paul himself disliking them.
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A 1971 Les Paul owner praises the patent sticker T-Top humbuckers for their unmatched magic compared to other humbuckers.
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Some find the Les Paul Standard's large neck cumbersome, preferring the Classic's slimmer profile for playability.
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Value and pricing
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Second-hand custom models can offer great value, potentially available for around $3.5k, compared to new models that can cost up to $5k.
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The Gibson Demo Shop on Reverb is a recommended source for finding deals on models like the Les Paul Classic for around $2,000.
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The Les Paul Classic can be a cost-effective alternative to the Standard, with similar tones and added features at a lower price point.
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Use cases and applications
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A Les Paul with a cherry sunburst finish is often sought after for its classic rock appeal, aligning with players who value vintage aesthetics and sound.
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Mods and upgrades
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The bridge pickup is identified as a DiMarzio Super Distortion, while the neck pickup may be an original T-Top with the cover removed.
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Build quality
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The 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom features a "pancake body," indicating a visible seam on the guitar's side, a characteristic of the Norlin era.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
This guitar was used by Tosh from 1972 to mid-1973. It was Tosh's main guitar in the studio with The Wailers on Catch a Fire and Burnin and on stage on the Catch a Fire tour. It can famously be seen on The Old Grey Whistle Test performance of Stir it Up and Concrete Jungle in May of 1973. He also briefly used it at the beginning of the group's US tour for Burnin but was later either opted for the Ovation Breadwinner or was stolen from the tour bus (similar to Marley's Stratocaster). It's unknown where the guitar is currently.
Jimi: This is the guitar that started my obsession with this model, my first Les Paul. I paid $625 for this guitar around 1983. Originally a deluxe with mini humbuckers the old faithful has seen many changes and repairs, including radical weight reduction surgery!
She is loaded with an old set of Seymour Duncan SH-1's and has a coil tap switch for the neck, a mod I had done many years ago, and still favour.
Album Usage
The Gibson Les Paul 1973 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Les Paul 1973, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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