The Goldtop Les Paul is one of the all time classic Gibson guitar models. In 1967, the company's electric guitar sales were floundering, with the SG as the only real solid body offering in the line up. Around the same time, players like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, and Michael Bloomfield generated a renewed interest in the earlier Les Paul designs. Gibson caught wind of this and decided to revive two previously discontinued models at the summer NAMM show of 1968- the Les Paul goldtop with p-90's and the Les Paul Custom with humbuckers. They were such a great success that nearly half of Gibson's production at the time were Les Pauls.

The classic combination of p-90 pickups with a thick solid mahogany body is unbeatable. The original p-90's are very sensitive, responsive, and clear. The increased depth of the mahogany body, when compared to the SG, adds a good amount of lower mids that beefs up the sound in all positions. Everything about this guitar just feels substantial and solid. The neck is a very full, rounded C profile measuring in at 0.94" at the first fret. It weighs in at a hefty 9lb 14oz, though surprisingly, it feels great to play standing up or sitting down. The balance is perfect with no neck dive. It comes with the original hard shell case. The handle is broken but a replacement will be included. If you were to have only one electric guitar, this wouldn't be a bad choice.