Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom Ebony 1990
Orville by Gibson LPC, made in Japan 1990, wearing black. Orville was Mr Gibson's first name, so it was a natural choice when Gibson began making some beautiful guitars under license in Japan for the local market. They were made at the always-excellent Terada factory, which still makes high end Gretsch guitars today. This example was a high end model, so it got the 'by Gibson' on the headstock and a set of USA-made Gibson pickups. It feels great in the hands: at 4.5kg, it's no lightweight, but it's a long way from the heaviest LPC in the shop at time of writing. The neck is late 60s style slim C, the hardware has held up beautifully, and it plays very smoothly indeed. The tone is fantastic: warm, smooth and full, with a balanced roundness on the neck pickup and an articulate snarl on the bridge. All those Custom appointments look unreal too: gold hardware, seven ply binding, split diamond headstock, block inlays... it makes the aged black finish pop perfectly. How come nobody calls their kid Orville these days?
Model: Orville by Gibson Les Paul Custom
Made: Japan, 1990, Terada Gakki factory
Serial: G010876
Finish: ebony, gloss poly
Body: mahogany, maple carved top
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, slim 60s shape
Weight: 4.555kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Gibson USA Original humbucker x2
Accessories: basic non-original hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end, scuffs on the edges and some scuffs on the front around the posts. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back as well as a small dent on the board on the treble side near the 9th fret on the board. The back has scuffs on the horns and near the neck join, dents and surface scratches in the elbow area, surface scratches along the back edge, dimples around the control cavity and widespread minor scuffs around the whole body. The sides have minor scuffs on the top horn, scuffs and dimples in the elbow area and back edge, dents and scuffs near the jack and some scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has scuffs and a scratch near the knobs, some dimples, scuffs and dents behind the bridge, dimples and scuffs in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 7/10, normal wear but playing evenly with no major buzz issues