Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium Plus, wine red, made in USA 2000. This is an exceptional LP, that's for sure. The LP Classic was a reissue of the 1960 Les Paul, so while it pre-dates the fancy R9s etc of today, it's not altogether dissimilar. The LP Classic had a plain maple top, whereas these Premium Plus models added a luxury flame maple top and sold for fair bit more cash. You get proper vintage style appointments: unchambered two piece mahogany body, solid flame maple cap, nitro finish, neck and body binding with fret nibs, trapezoid mother of pearl inlays and headstock logo... it's all very classy. The slim 1960 profile neck is perfect: it's a gorgeous piece of rosewood and an arrow straight, perfectly grained piece of mahogany, quick and comfy in the hands and a pleasure to play. The body is fairly light for a solid piece of mahogany; it's resonant and sprightly unplugged and again, the grain of the mahogany on show on the back is superb. The flame maple top has that tasty depth to it; there's a whole bunch of different lines to trace with your eyes; it's quite the visual delight. Tone wise, this has all that LP goodness: thick, meaty low end, warm and rounded on the neck pickup with a nice dash of sparkle, heaps of growl, snap and sizzle on the bridge pickup. The Bigsby is a heap of fun, it adds a certain airiness to the attack and opens up a whole bunch of fun tricks that'll keep you pushing the envelope on your playing. Plus, this has one of those outrageous brown cases with the pink lining. Gibson changed a whole bunch of specs and processes in 2001, but this little legend pre-dates all that and so is built with a whole bunch of care, love and common sense. LPCPP FTW.

Model: Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium Plus
Made: USA, 2000 (serial 010284)
Finish: wine red over flame maple
Body: unchambered mahogany, flame maple red
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board
Weight: 4.350kg
Mods: Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpice installed, with Vibramate V7 drill-free system so as to be totally reversible.
Pickups: original Gibson 490R (neck) and 500T (bridge) humbuckers
Case: deluxe brown LP hardcase, pink lining, great condition

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear.. Headstock has some minor scuffs on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back. The back has some light 'buckle rush'; widespread minor scuffs and surface scratches but no major marks. The sides have some minor marks: dimples on the top and bottom horns and shoulder, light scuffs near the jack. The front has some dimples and light surface scratches near the knobs and shoulder, plus some minor play scratches on both horns and the guard. Overall: very good condition (8/10).

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have minor wear, heaps of life in them; 8/10 for fret life left. No headstock breaks. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.