Gibson CS Collector’s Choice #12 ’57 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue 2010s

Gibson Custom Shop Collector’s Choice #12 ’57 Les Paul Goldtop

Made in USA
Serial Number #135

Another stunning Collectors Choice #12! Love a ’57 RI and these are highly regarded and rightfully so! Superb Instrument. In as good as new condition complete with all paperwork, COA and case.

This guitar has several notable distinctions including its place as the first original Goldtop to be offered as a Collectors Choice model. Additionally, the original guitar’s current owner is none other than former Gibson’s CEO and the man that helped Gibson rise from the ashes, Henry Juszkiewicz.

An exceptional example of a ’57 Les Paul Standard. Its got a sweet, thick tone, and has a unique balance between the bridge and neck pickups. Both pickups based on a Custom Bucker, but with a slightly under wound bridge pickup that sounds incredible! no harsh bite that some have, makes it super enjoyable to play and listen to..

Fame aside, Collector’s Choice #12 is a players guitar, with a typical beefy late 50’s profile, light weight and a delicate balance of power and an incredible “chime” in its pickup set.  It’s aging reflects a guitar that’s been used as it should be, but cared for throughout its years.

As always, its distinctive patina and individual marks have been artfully recaptured by Gibson Custom’s expert aging team.  Collector’s Choice #12 was offered in a Limited run of up to 300, with qualifying materials determining the final run size.

Between 2010 and 2017, the Custom Shop at Gibson produced 39 different models grouped together as the limited-edition Collector’s Choice series. According to Gibson, the series would “crack open the greatest vaults of vintage instruments in the world, allowing players the opportunity to own replicas of one-of-a-kind historic guitars. We’ve contacted some of the world’s most prominent collectors of rare instruments and convinced them to share their greatest prizes in this unique and unprecedented program.”

The Custom Shop pulled together two primary aspects of its existing work: Tom Murphy’s aging techniques, which it had first called upon in 1999; and artist-related Les Pauls, which for the Shop had started with the Gary Rossington model of 2002. And for Collector’s Choice the Shop drew inspiration not just from guitars owned or once owned by notable players, but also from instruments revered among the specialist community of Burst collectors.