NVGD - Ninja

ninjaking67

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I must apologize for having somewhat ignored you fine folks over the past couple of weeks as the lead up to Christmas and then New Years took up more than all of my time.
So, a belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!:cheers:
Now that I have that business out of the way, on to the important stuff!

There is a long and convoluted story that unfolded over the last 2 months or so that explains how things came to be. I do not wish to bore you all with the details. Suffice it to say that I purchased a very expensive guitar that was then returned due to some authentication questions that the retailer could not answer.

This retailer was more than willing to make amends for their inability to solve the original issue. As a result, I wish to present to you my newly acquired Piece of lumber.

Full.jpg

Head.jpg

It is a 1990 Gibson Les Paul Standard complete with original Gibson hard shell case.
I included 'V' for Vintage in the thread title. I don't know for sure what constitutes 'vintage' in the guitar world but this beastie is almost 29 years old. Maybe one or more of you can enlighten me on whether this is truly vintage or not. No matter, on to the details.

It has many bumps and bruises and some small scratches and chips, especially in the headstock. Overall in decent enough shape, though. The frets could use some work but it still plays very well, without buzzing. In fact, as member Leedspool can attest, it virtually plays itself. This is a very good thing, as I can't play for s&$t!o_O

The finish around the Gibson headstock logo has shrunk somewhat, similar to other old Gibbys that I have seen. The tuners have been replaced with Gotoh lockers but the originals are still in the case. The 2 volume pots have also been replaced and the originals are in the case. I will take a gut shot photo to post tonight.

Here are some more detailed photos:

Head Close.jpg
Head Rear.jpg
Body.jpg Rear.jpg
 
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I have a question that I hope one of you all-knowing Gibson gurus may be able to answer.
The bridge pickup has been replaced with a Seymour Duncan JB and it sounds fantastic. The neck pickup appears to be stock but there are absolutely no markings on the bottom of the pickup baseplate or anywhere else. No stampings or stickers or anything. No sign of residue from where a sticker or label might have been. Do any of you have any idea whether this is original and/or what it might be?
 
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I also have the original pickguard as well. The binding both on the body and on the neck has yellowed nicely. This things weighs an absolute ton! I will try to remember to weigh it and post the results tonight.
 
I should also mention that with a bit more horse trading, I was able to parlay the Retailers mistake into a second guitar. In addition to handing back the guitar in question and receiving the above beauty, I also traded in my Godin Empire P90 and negotiated a 2018 Fender American Special Stratocaster! That will be the source for another thread.
 
Well
1 congratulations on a gorgeous axe
2 congratulations on TWO axes
(Man that retailer musta f,ed up)
3. Can we get a glass of water for Session5 .......he is going to faint when he hears you traded in a GODIN!!!!
 
Well
1 congratulations on a gorgeous axe
2 congratulations on TWO axes
(Man that retailer musta f,ed up)
3. Can we get a glass of water for Session5 .......he is going to faint when he hears you traded in a GODIN!!!!
He's going to have a stroke, then, when he finds out I sold my other Godin (a session HSS) since I got the new Fender Strat!

I do have my eye on another Godin though!
 
Congrats on a cool guitar! Looking forward to more details and pics. Maybe some mods, or even "de-mods", too... :fingersx:
Thanks Syscokid!
So far I have removed the pickguard and replaced the gold speed knobs with the gold mirror top hats you see in the above pics. The guitar sounds really great and plays really great. I'm not really planning any mods in the near future. Time will tell though!
I do know that the bridge tone pot is feeling a little bit "gritty" or rough when turned. It still works fine, with no crackle or scratchiness so far. I suspect that it will have to be replaced at some point.
The only other 'change' I made was to drop the stop tail to the deck and top wrap the new strings. It almost always improves the string angle over the bridge in my experience.
 
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I should also mention that with a bit more horse trading, I was able to parlay the Retailers mistake into a second guitar. In addition to handing back the guitar in question and receiving the above beauty, I also traded in my Godin Empire P90 and negotiated a 2018 Fender American Special Stratocaster! That will be the source for another thread.

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;>)/
 
That guitar plays so well, it’s low action and sound is second to non. This should be your go to guitar, the bumps and knocks are character

Just needs some gold hardware Lol
 
Very nice!! The info I am seeing is that the 1990 Standard had BL circuitboard pups. They look like this

s-l400.jpg

If they do not look like that, then they were replaced and they could be anything
 
Very nice!! The info I am seeing is that the 1990 Standard had BL circuitboard pups. They look like this

View attachment 20909

If they do not look like that, then they were replaced and they could be anything
RVA,
It most definitely does not look like that. It has a regular metal short-leg baseplate with the nickel cover soldered to it as per normal. No markings whatsoever. It has vintage style single conductor cloth push back wire with a braided shield. As you state, it could be almost anything. It sounds good when the neck pickup is selected (the p'up in question) and when both are selected. The JB in the bridge sounds amazing!
 
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