Another notable element to the overall rarity of this baby is that the serial number indicates that it was actually the first lefty of this model produced that year, which adds significantly to the desirability of this awesome player. We acquired this guitar several years ago from a person who recieved it as a slightly used gift from the original purchaser and owner of the instrument, and have been able to learn the entire history of possession of this classic guitar !

The original owner was a lefty (of course !) and played the instrument for several years, keeping it in all original condition and overall excellent shape. Around 1973 he had acquired quite a few other guitars as well, when he encountered an old friend who was a player...but had no guitar to play, as he had pawned it ! Our hero wouldn't hear of such a thing, and either out of guilt, pity, or perhaps just because it was such a truly "groovy" thing to do...he simply gave this beautiful guitar to his friend, with the simple instruction that his friend never pawn it or sell it during his lifetime ! The lucky recipient of such generosity then became the second owner of the guitar, and promised to do as his friend asked.

Unfortunately, the new owner happened to be a right handed player, and although he appreciated and respected the generosity displayed by his friend...he just never got used to playing the guitar upside down, and soon bought himself another guitar to play ! Luckily, the guy had the good sense to NEVER alter the guitar in any way since recieving it, and didn't even recut or alter the original bone nut which remains on the guitar to this day. Basically he remembered restringing it, playing it a few weeks perhaps...not liking it very much, and putting it back into its original yellow lined Gibson case...then forgetting about it, as he went on about his life for the next twenty years ! He never forgot the kindness of the gift however, so just as he promised and despite the fact that he really didn't need it, he did as his friend had asked, and had never pawned or sold it throughout the passing years.

By the end of 1998 , he realized that he had owned the guitar for almost twenty five years ! His friend now having long since passed on and with financial concerns looming on the horizon, the longtime second owner was forced into parting with the guitar...whereupon Collector's Connection stepped up to the action, and quickly negotiated to acquire this wonderful vintage instrument ! As we began our inventory process, we naturally did all of our ordinary background investigation of the guitar...and found out directly from Gibson that it was most likely the very first left handed one made, and we were obviously very excited by the news !

The guitar is in an overall condition of 9.5 and is all original, with the only noticable alteration being the obligatory removal of the solder which would secure the gold pickup covers to the pickups. When we obtained the guitar, these covers had been removed from the pickups and kept inside the case "forever"...but we placed them perfectly back onto the original double black bobbin, patent numbered humbuckers that each cover had originally been removed from. We did not resolder or change anything on this guitar, not even the aforementioned pickup covers ! The electronics inside have NEVER been tampered with, and inside the guitar control cavity on the back looks like a perfectly preserved time capsule...the finish on the guitar is undisturbed yet bears several nicks, scatches, and small dings which one would expect from a 30 + years old instrument that has been played. The finish has also began to weathercheck beautifully and evenly throughout, with no loss of paint or wear apparent anywhere on the guitar. The binding has mellowed to a stunning golden color throughout, and has almost become the same color as the plating on the original gold parts...which show only the lightest amount of player wear, in the typical location on the tuneamatic bridge where a lefty would rest his pickhand. Overall a gorgeous and extremely rare vintage guitar, worthy of the finest collections !

Overall condition is 9.5 as guitar has been played, but has definitely been taken care of by it's previous owner. These guitars tend to hold their values steadily as long as they haven't been abused, and most of our acquisitions of this type show immaculate babying.
This guitar definitely falls into that category, as although definitely played, it appears as if it were tucked in to its' case before bed every night.

Cased and stored since our acquisition, the guitar was taken out recently for an in hand description...the nickel parts are already starting to age naturally, and the guitar is starting to acquire that vintage look that we all prefer. The only thing this guitar is missing, is to have actually get played in by someone as a road guitar...as then it would get the vibe that goes with a guitar like this one, because it's really not missing anything else.

This instrument is a really nice playing and sounding Les Paul, bearing the chunky neck profile of a 1958 model. It has Classic PAF pickups, and all electronics are just as Gibson made them. The guitar also comes in the original Black Historic Series case, but is missing the warranty card and paperwork stuff...but this isn't supposed to be tucked away, it needs to be played !

The guitar pictured at left is a classic example of a legendary instrument, and simply put is a one of a kind Stratocaster hand made by Fender in 1963. The body countours are just so beautifully pronounced on this guitar, it shows the way they really used to make 'em before Leo sold the company. Even current model custom shop guitars don't come close to owning a true pre-CBS strat, despite the fact that Fender charges such absurd prices for them in relation to the originals.

When sold originally, this guitar probably retailed for approximately $ 250 to $ 300 dollars at the local music store, even with the gold parts, which was the dollar equivalent of about a couple weeks pay...a custom shop takes up more spending power than that by a considerable margin, and in fact most people would probably be better off spending the additional money and getting a real old one !

This is the former main road guitar for a country picker who played the Nashville circuit with it for years, he was the original owner of the instrument and took excellent care of it for almost thirty years before selling it to us years ago. The guitar has that paint soaked into the wood look to it, as the years of play and weatherchecking of the instrument combined with the smoky clubs, to produce a truly unique yellow hue to the guitar.

As a true one of a kind instrument it's difficult to place a condition rating upon it, as it has so many stories of it's own that you seem to look right past the nicks and dents it earned throughout it's years of service. An excellent player, with a sound to match...we judge this guitar harshly, by applying an overall rating of 7.0 due to being in such well played condition.

If this guitar never sells, it suits us fine...as finding another one would be next to impossible !

Many that you will come across have had a right handed Bigsby added as an aftermarket item, which unfortunately decreases the originality and value of the guitar substantially in the process...this example howeveris just as Gibson made it oh so long ago, and is simply stunning in its pristine originality !

The guitar comes in the original case, and has never had any repairs or replacement of parts. The Bigsby actually stays in tune as long as you don't actually use it, as is common among these tremolos...however the overall playability and sound of this rare semi hollow instrument is simply outstanding, and as a left handed instrument is most likely the nicest example remaining in existance today !

This guitar is worthy of an in hand description, but please only serious inquiries !

By now, the casual reader of this website would have had to realize that we have a "thing" for nice Les Pauls...they are simply stunning instruments in general, and a joy to play !

But we specialize in locating only the nicest examples of the model which are available, and this particular one stands out as one of the nicest '59 reissues which we've encountered in a long time. A lefty, made in 1991 all original in classis Cherry Sunburst...has been played enough to actually appear upon close inspection as if it's a real '59 Flametop !

It's never had a pickguard installed, and doesn't come with one, as whoever originally purchased it probably just couldn't bring himself to put a screw into this magnificent wood. Gibson is known for the wood they use, but sometimes they have been known to out do themselves...the magnificent 3 D flame that projects through this one is truly an outstanding example of what can be produced at the custom shop when they try !

In all original but played condition, this guitar is in an overall condition of 8.0 as it is beginning to show the onset of its' lifelong process of weatherchecking. Time will only treat this one well though, as it is afterall a Les Paul !

This beautiful instrument is yet another of our wonderful lefty Reissue Les Pauls. Anyone who has ever played one knows the feel and craftsmanship of the Gibson Custom Shop line, and this guitar was made with the finest quilted maple top that was available !

Quilted maple is not something that is often used at Gibson, and mostly only available as a custom order. This guitar was definitely made in the custom shop, and it's left handed as well...no doubt the original purchaser decided that the quilted maple top was worth the additional wait !

In all original condition, this instrument has only the lightest amount of player wear present, and appears to have spent the majority of its' existence inside the original case in which it still resides. Outfitted with the original custom shop reissue PAF pickups, this guitar has that classic rythm sound while retaining the power to play scorching leads !

Everyone knows that this is the preferred model of many major rock stars, and anyone who plays one instantly knows why. This is one of the earlier reissues as well, and remains in very good overall 8.5 condition. This guitar is sure to not only increase in value as it gets older, but also only become a better looking '59 Reissue the more it begins to show its' age.

Looking for a nice used guitar ?

Unfortunately, they will still make you wait approximately 18 months (they tell you 10 !) to get one of these. Naturally it's a custom order, and you must put down 50 % upfront non-refundable deposit to even get on the production list...hope you like it when you get it, because you sure can't send it back !

Not here, as we have several of these beautiful guitars in stock and currently available in a wide selection of colors !

If you simply order an American Series Reissue, as a left hand model it is currently only available in two tone sunburst...which is a true disservice to the community of lefty players, but a simple fact of life at Fender.
We have been able to acquire access to the entire custom color availability which is offered at Fender, simply by spending enough money to make them pay attention to us !
It still takes forever to actually get the guitars, but we have planned ahead of the shortcomings of production and ordered many in advance...we shall always be acquiring new models, and can get practically any color that you want !

If you don't see what you want in our inventory list, we can get you what you want during the next production run if you prefer...or we also know where to find them, as our sources for locating instruments are the best in the business !

Nicely played in, this guitar is starting to show its' age in glorious fashion, just the way an old strat should !
People now pay the custom shop to age the guitars for them, and this guitar is already aging naturally...if this were from the Custom Shop now, it would be considered as Closet Classic condition, but in fact is is simply rated by us as 8.5 condition due to being played in. Already forming wear spots in the cowboy chord positions, this guitar is going to look outstanding when it recieves another 10 years of loving wear from a discriminating lefty.

An original 1957 Strat in this color and with gold parts would cost approximately $ 30,000 in today's market, and we do know where one is currently available...however you would worry about playing it, for fear of dropping such an investment !
This is a nice alternative, at a price within reach of the average player. Comes in the original tweed case, and is one of only a few lefties of this model we have encountered.

All original electronics, with cloth wound vintage pickups...get it while you can !