Gibson LP Deluxe, gold top, 30th anniversary limited edition, made in USA 2001. Now friends, some gold tops just look 'right', and this one... oh boy, it looks so right. The Les Paul Deluxe launched in 1970, a year or two into the Norlin era. The specs changed a few times between the super early 1969 examples and the late 70s, but a couple of things were constant: big headstock, bound fretboard and carved top, mini-humbuckers. This was made on the first production day of 2001, as part of a run made in 2000-01 to commemorate the original Deluxe model. It's got the original Yamano documentation included, which means this was subjected to the Japenese distributor's super stringent quality control process... they were notoriously fussy about these limited run models, they had to be perfect. It gets the best woods you could want on a Deluxe: one piece maple neck with no volute and a gorgeous one piece mahogany back. Very few LPs come with a one piece back these days, it's reserved for the top tier Custom Shop models, so to get such a gorgeous piece of solid mahogany for this kind of dime is pretty special. The neck is a moderate, comfy round shape: not skinny, but not super fat, more of a late 60s style shape than the super slim carves of the 70s. It's very resonant in the hands, with plenty of natural volume and sustain. The pickups sound unreal too. The neck pickup is piano-like and weighty, with a full fundamental note and a shimmering brightness on the top end. The bridge is angular and snarly, but with a complex harmonic sweetness and a lovely expressive rasp to it. The middle position is so clear and balanced it sounds almost like an upmarket Telecaster, which is always a very good sign on a Les. The bullion gold top has a superb rich depth to it too, it looks so classy. This absolutely delivers the goods in terms of feel and sound, and surely makes a pretty swish investment given the outstanding condition. Deluxe indeed.

Model: Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 30th Anniversary 
Made: USA, 2001, Nashville plant
Serial: 00011347
Finish: bullion gold top, natural back and sides, gloss nitro
Body: mahogany one piece back, carved solid maple top
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, moderate '60s profile
Weight: 4.170kg
Mods: volume pot replaced
Pickups: Gibson Mini Humbucker x2, Pat. No. stamped
Accessories: original case and docs

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has very minor scuffs on the  bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has a couple of small dimples up from the controls cavity, minor rub wear near the switch cavity and light scuffs along the back and bottom edges. The sides have minor dimples in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has some checking lines near the knobs, along the back edge and on the horns, minor dimples around the tailpiece and some light play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 strings.
Fret Life: 9/10, very minor wear only