1968 Les Paul and 1969 Les Paul Serial Number Information

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The Modern Reissues of Late 60's Les Pauls:

There is a renewed and increased interest in this era of guitars. Original examples are increasingly scarce and expensive. This has led Gibson to make some initial experiments into recreating them for the modern masses.

There are two, obvious categories that these guitars fit into: Deluxes (Mini-humbuckered GT's) and Customs.

PLEASE NOTE: This area will be under construction for some time as I first focus on getting the actual old guitars' sections accurate and typo free. For now, this section will be just to provide general guidelines to prospective buyers. Eventually, Id like it to be comprehensive.

Les Paul Customs: 68 Custom Authentic & 68 Custom Figured Top

Both models offer a unique combination of Les Paul Custom looks with a maple topped body. Most 50's construction style reissues today are pure mahogany bodies. Large necks.

68 CUSTOM AUTHENTIC: (Discontinued) This model has unfortunately been discontinued. It featured a dulled black finish, dulled nickel hardware, a light tailpiece, ABR bridge, 1-pc construction, tall pickup rings, and a long neck tenon. It had a hefty neck with a full 17-degree tilt headstock. Briefly, its knobs were incorrect, the headstock pitch was incorrect, its truss rod cover was incorrect, etc, etc... It was a VERY high quality instrument built in the Custom Shop to the highest of Gibsons standards. It featured 57 Classic pickups originally and eventually changed to BB's. Id like to document the pickup changes more clearly in the future.

68 CUSTOM FIGURED TOP: This model is currently in production. Obviously, it features a beautifully figured maple top with natural or tinted backs. Also Custom Shop, it is of the highest quality. Its features are identical to the 68CA except for its finish. Sunburst finishes (ALA LP Standard).

Les Paul Deluxes: 69 Deluxe Reissue & Deluxe

More info here later. Basically, there was a 69 Deluxe RI (a NON CUSTOM SHOP guitar) as a limited edition in the late 90s early 2000's. It was similar to the current standard production guitar simply entitled "Deluxe" with the exception that the 69 RI's had a "Limited Edition" decal on the back of the headstock. (There may be more differences, so check back as I add learn more. Im not sure their necks were indentical for instance.)

No long tenon. No transitional tenon. It has the modern rocker joint and Nashville TOM bridge. No pancake body, no 3-pc neck. No volute. Small headstock. No lightweight tailpiece. Typical 90's neck.

Mostly available in Black, Wine Red, and GT.