Gibson Custom Shop Collector's Choice #43A "Mick Ralphs" 1958 Les Paul

Up for sale is my Gibson Custom Shop Collector's Choice #43A "Mick Ralphs" 1958 Les Paul Standard — Ralphs Burst, True Historic Aged, 100% Stock, 8lbs 12.6oz

Collector's Choice #43, the "Mick Ralphs" 1958 Les Paul Standard, in Ralphs Burst with True Historic specs and the aged finish. Serial CC 43A 107, one of only 300 made. 2017 build. This guitar is in “like new” mint condition and is exactly as it was when it left the Custom Shop - 100% stock, all original, never modified, never repaired, no changes of any kind. It’s important to note that CC 43A was one of the few from the Collector’s Choice series that received the full True Historic spec treatment.

Gibson built this beautiful instrument after taking Mick Ralphs' original 1958 Standard (#8 7049) apart and measuring everything: the top carve, the neck contours, the pickup outputs, the wear pattern. Months of prototyping, and ultimately signed off by Mick Ralphs himself. All-hide-glue construction, Custombucker pickups, hand-wired harness, period-correct plastics and nickel hardware, ABR-1 and stopbar with gold top hats. The aging is the authentic True Historic treatment, and you’d be hard pressed to see the difference in this one against the original. The weight is 8 lbs 12 oz., which tone seekers know is a sweet spot for players seeking maximum sustain and comfort from their instrument. This guitar sustains and resonates like an original 1958 Les Paul that I played many years ago. The C neck is very comfortable and feels more like a typical ’59 neck. The density gives it the low-end authority that 58/59 Les Pauls are known for. Unplugged it rings; plugged in the Custombuckers do the thing you buy a Collector's Choice for.

Owned by a non-smoking adult, kept in the case in a climate-controlled home studio. No belt rash beyond the factory aging, no dings, no dents, no buckle marks, no fret wear worth mentioning. Frets are effectively full. Electronics are quiet — no crackle, no dead spots, switch is solid. Neck is straight and the setup and intonation are perfect. Includes the original Gibson Custom hardshell case, the full Collector's Choice Certificate of Authenticity booklet (serial-matched to 8 7049 / CC 43A 107, signed by the Gibson Custom General Manager), Gibson Gold Warranty booklet, Custom Shop medallion, and all original hang tags including the Bumblebee-equipped and Vintage Reissue Strings tags. Nothing is missing.

Specs:

• Gibson Custom Shop Collector's Choice #43A, limited run of 300
• Solid mahogany body, figured maple top
• Ralphs Burst finish, True Historic aged nitrocellulose
• Mahogany neck, chunky '58 C profile, hide-glue set neck
• Rosewood fingerboard, 12" radius, 22 frets, 24.75" scale
• Gibson Custombucker pickups, hand-wired harness
• Nickel hardware, ABR-1 bridge, aluminum stopbar, gold top hat knobs

Local pickup is welcome, insured shipping within the US or Canada, and I'll ship internationally at the buyer's cost, fully insured and properly packed in the original case inside an outer box.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ACTUAL SHIPPING CHARGES WILL BE CALCULATED AT THE POINT OF SALE AND MAY VARY FROM THAT WHICH IS STATED.

Serious inquiries only. If the ad is up it is still available. I respond to all reasonable inquiries, so if you don't receive a response please check your junk mail!