The Rare Neal Schon-Owned ’60 Les Paul Custom: A Guitarist’s Dream
This exceptional Les Paul Custom, featuring three pickups, was once in the possession of Neal Schon, the legendary guitarist from Journey. its standout characteristic is the striking cherry finish,and only six of these guitars were produced by Gibson for the Swedish brand Hagstrom in 1960.
Little is known about the existence of these rare instruments, and this particular model may be the last one remaining in pristine condition. Other known examples have suffered damage, such as broken headstocks and various repairs.Notably, Gibson did not produce Les Paul Customs in any other hues during that era.
A Missed Opportunity at Auction
During the pandemic, Schon decided to part with this guitar through a Heritage Auction to make room in his home. Regrettably, it coincided with a downturn in the auction market, leading to disappointing sales for his collection. Joe Bonamassa, a fellow guitarist, later expressed that Schon should have postponed the auction, as the timing was far from ideal.
it was disheartening to witness the auction unfold, as there were concerns about its potential impact on the vintage guitar market. However, the market rebounded shortly after, leaving Schon to regret his timing-a real missed opportunity.
Specifications and Features
The limited series of cherry les Paul Customs all bear late-1960 serial numbers, with this one marked as ‘0 5700’. interestingly, while it does not feature the ultra-thin neck typical of later models, it does have a slightly shallower neck profile compared to earlier ‘bursts from the same year. This guitar remains untouched and retains its original case along with its diminutive factory frets,making it a true ‘fretless wonder’. with minimal wear on the first three frets, it truly seems likely that it was primarily played using basic chord shapes.
The guitar is equipped with gold hardware,Grover tuners,and three Patent Applied For pickups,all in line with expectations. Although the gold plating has worn down, giving the pickup covers a nickel-like appearance, the overall condition remains notable. The ebony fretboard features mother-of-pearl inlays and a split diamond headstock inlay.A notable detail is the ‘Made in USA’ stamp, which Gibson reserved for guitars intended for export during that period; post-1970, all guitars bore this stamp.
Construction Insights
During this time, Gibson began incorporating volutes into their neck designs, although not all models received this feature. For example, high-end jazz models like the L5 did not include volutes, possibly because Gibson believed those players were less likely to drop their instruments compared to Les Paul, SG, or ES-335 players.
Gibson seemed to prefer necks without volutes, likely due to concerns about their reputation for fragility, which rival companies like Fender capitalized on in their marketing. It raises the question of whether Gibson ever considered reinforcing the necks, as any alterations could have affected the guitar’s tonal qualities.
Pickup Configuration and Playability
The switching options on this model include the neck pickup, the neck pickup in combination with the center pickup out of phase, and the bridge pickup. Many players modify the circuit for live performances, as some find the center pickup obstructive while strumming.
While some musicians express frustration over unwanted sounds from the pickup covers, others, like Peter Frampton, argue that navigating between pickups is straightforward. However, not every player shares his level of expertise.
Body and Finish
The body of this guitar is crafted from solid mahogany without a maple cap. The translucent cherry finish boasts a rich and vibrant hue.While some may refer to it as ‘wine red’, Gibson’s official records classify it as ‘Cherry’. Remarkably, the color remains unfaded, indicating that Gibson had transitioned to a light-fast red pigment by the time this guitar was manufactured.
The finish does not resemble ‘aniline red’ and appears to be a stain topped with clear gloss coats. Close inspection reveals minimal lacquer checking,and aside from a few minor nicks on the back of the neck,the guitar is in excellent condition.
