Kalamazoo 1953-1956
COLORS:
Black
BODY:
Body Wood: Solid Mahogany
Binding: Royalite 7-Ply Binding on Top / 5-Ply on Bottom and Headstock
Top Wood: None
Lacquer: Color Lacquer
Finish: Clear Gloss Nitrocellulose
NECK:
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Nut: Nylon (Molded)
Neck Angle: 4°
Headstock Logo: Pearl Inlay Gibson + Split Diamond Ornament
Serial: Yellow Ink Stamped (From 1954)
Binding: Cellulose Nitrate Single Layer
Fretboard Material: Ebony
Inlay: Pearloid Block Inlay
Neck Lacquer: Black Nitrocellulose
Neck Top-Coat: Gloss Nitrocellulose
Neck Profile: Medium Rounded "C"
Nut Width: 1.687" (42.85 mm)
Scale: 24.75" (628.65mm)
Radius: 12"
#Frets: 22
OG Fretwire: NS Low Narrow Frets
Trussrod: Standard Headstock
Bolt-On Type: Glued Set-Neck
HARDWARE:
Bridge Type: Gold ABR-2 Bridge (No Wire Retainer)
Tailpiece: ABR Aluminum Gold (Thin Ear)
Saddles: ABR Gold Plated Brass Saddles
Tuners: Kluson Wafferback / Single Ring Keystone Buttons
PLASTIC:
Knobs: Black See-Thru Speed Knobs (Tenite Butyrate Plastic)
Black Bell Knobs (since 1955)
Pickguard: 3-Ply Black/White/Black
Back Covers: Black Plastic
Switch Plate: Black w/ Gold Lettering
Trussrod Cover: White Plastic with Black Top-Layer / "Les Paul Custom"
ELECTRONICS:
Switch: 3-Way Switchcraft / Cream Tip
Pickup Config: SS
Wiring: Vintage Wiring
Capacitor: Grey Tiger 0.2mfd PIO
Pots: 500k Centralab
Neck Pickup: Seth Lover P90 Staple Alnico V Single-Coil / Black Cover
Bridge Pickup: P90 Standard Single-Coil / Black Cover
Case: Black Hardcase w/ Orange Gold Lining
INFO:
The Black Beauty, The Fretless Wonder. The Tuxedo. Many names for this guitar. It was essentially Lester's request to have this made. He wanted a more luxurious and elegant Les Paul made. The result was the Custom with all black lacquer, fancier binding, inlay and gold hardware. It was premature to the LP Standard to adapt the ABR Bridge and had the correct 4° neck angle from start.
1954 was the proper birth-year of the Les Paul Custom. But some models were made ready to ship at the end of 1953, but was not listed in the catalog until 54.
Except for not having serial on the 1953 productions. It remained unchanged until 1957 with the exception of potentiometer knobs changed in '55
CHANGES:
1953: These guitars was not serialised.
1955: Speed knobs changed to bell knobs