Crunge23 Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 My grandfather owned a pawnshop on Lower Broad Way in Nashville between 1986 and 1994 (Rose Loan Company, 419 Broad, Next door to Ernest Tubb). I have lots of fun stories about Lower Broad back then, but that is a topic for a different time. During that time, he and my aunt purchased me a Cherry Sunburst Les Paul from Gruhn Guitars. I know very little about it other than we were told it was a prototype I have been unable to find anything about it or any other similar guitars Any info would be helpful. I feel it is unique Guitar Info: Bought 1994-1995 from Gruhn Guitars SN: 91213357 Headstock: “Les Paul Model”, no marks on Truss rod cover Tuners: Gold Plate with black “Gibson”; Stamped “Made in U.S.A.” Pickup: Humbucker-Single-Humbucker Knobs: Top Hat style, 1 Volume, 1 Tone Switches: 5 Way; 2-way (1-1 position turns off pickups) Color: Cherry Sunburst (Very bright) Fretboard: Rosewood (assumed), block MOP inlay Other info: Carved Top (not flat like a LP Jr.), Gold plated accessories, no pick guard,one access on back (missing the round). Measures standard LP size, but feels lighter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Very unusual, so much so that I doubt if anyone on the forum will be able to shed any more light on it. Looks like a variation on the LP Studio - interesting switch arrangement, and the gold hardware and tuners make it special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunge23 Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 3 hours ago, jdgm said: Very unusual, so much so that I doubt if anyone on the forum will be able to shed any more light on it. Looks like a variation on the LP Studio - interesting switch arrangement, and the gold hardware and tuners make it special. I’m hoping someone from Gibson Factory in Memphis or Nashville may know. Since it ended up at Gruhn so that would make sense that it came from there. I agree the switch arrangement is interesting but so is the pickup arrangement - it would need the 5 way. Do you know any other resources that could help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 My only thought was to email Gruhn's with the pics and any details of when it was bought from there - and someone there may remember something. I've tried searching by image but all I got was lots of ordinary LP pictures - the search engine doesn't distinguish between 2 pickups and 3. There is a thread somewhere on this forum which tells you how to contact Gibson. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diskotekno Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 It's a Les Paul MIII. Beyond that I can't say much about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunge23 Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 Gibson emailed me the specs found in this forum but also found other info: Les Paul Studio Lite with MIII electronics Has a balsawood insert to reduce weight and a switch to go from traditional LP setup on a 5 way with HBs (Off, Neck tone off, Neck, Both, Bridge) Flip the two way and it goes into single coil mode (neck, neck/middle, middle, bridge/middle, bridge) apparently it was to compete with a Strat on the single coils but also give the LP sound when humbucking needless to say it didn’t take Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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