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Mystery Les Paul with Gibson Vibrato Bridge


milgunsguy

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Serial number places manufacture at 1985, when these vibrato bridges were fashionable. PAF pickups (so say the little stickers on them). Bound body. Sunburst finish. Pearl dot inlays on rosewood fingerboard. NO model name on truss rod cover. "Les Paul Model" on the headstock. Gold hardware. Grover tuners. Vibrato bridge marked: "Gibson"

 

What model is this?

 

It is a fine instrument. Stays in tune.

 

Regards from Colorado

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I remember to have seen several of Kahler-equipped Les Paul guitars in the Music Shop, Munich, which was under one roof with ISO, the European Gibson distributor that time. They all had black plastic parts, some had gold-plated hardware, some chrome-plated I think but could have been nickel, too, although I don't think so. They came in ebony and some in a kind of dark cherry burst like the one shown in the pictures, and I am pretty sure there were vintage sunbursts, too. I also believe that they all came with maple necks, not mahogany, and rosewood fretboards,

but sadly I can't say for sure if they had dot inlays.

Since Gibson switched back to mahogany necks around 1983, the Kahler equipped LPs I know of might predate the transition.

Add: Forgot to mention that all the Kahler LPs I saw had plain tops.

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Something about the headstock logo doesn't seem quite right. I also think the PAF stickers and dot inlays are suspicious.

No, it's all good.

 

It's exactly what rct says - a Studio Custom. They were only made for two years - '84/'85 - but there are a few of them floating around the forum looking just like that one but minus the trem.

 

The p'ups may also have (larger) stickers on the underside with the same Pat Appl For message in the same Art Deco-esque typeface, black-on-white. They've also turned up here before.

 

P.

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Is there a shadow from the case on the headstock that is making it look like the "N" is way to close to the edge?

 

Can't tell if the letter is that close or if it is a shadow optical illusion.

 

 

 

Great looking guitar and I have a Kahler like that on my Explorer and like it.

 

NHTom

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  • 2 months later...
...Are all such rings the same, if the pickups are the large ones?...

They all have the same space for the p'up but the bridge ring is available in different heights.

 

Most Gibson USA LP rings are one height (for the bridge p'up) but those for the Re-Issues are a different height and have a slightly higher profile.

Visually the regular rings have the p'up sitting higher - proud - of the ring whereas with the RI rings the top surface of the p'up is nearer to being flush with the top of the ring.

 

P.

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