Anybody Ever Seen One of These?

[Conroyfootball]

I saw this auction for a Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut but it don't look like anything I have ever seen. The body looks like an Ibanez Artist with symetrical cutaways and I have never seen a Les Paul with an Explorer head. I think it's a fake but I thought I'd see if any of you had ever seen one.

Rock on.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7405201019

[idsnowdog]

For a while in the 80's Gibson put explorer style headstocks on some of their guitars. They thought it made them look more modern.

[Alvin Lee Fan]

I used to have one of those, boy I wish I'd never have sold it. It's a Les Paul XPL. They (mine at least) are great guitars. Not heavy, they have the Shaw PAFs in them, play and sound fantastic.

Mine was in ebony finish. You can find versions with Kahler trems also.

[Voxman]

what the f..k is that??? a lot of alcohol at the Gibsons in the 80`s i guess!

[Surgeon]

Ok, I just understood where the Heritage 170 get their shape from...

that headstock looks so wrong on a symetrical guitar...

[Zerberus]

Les Paul XPL, classic example of a Norlin-era abortion....

[Surgeon]

Les Paul XPL, classic example of a Norlin-era abortion....

No wonder people bash norlin-era guitars so much...

[Zerberus]

LOL... Well, while the designs were sometimes a bit whack (Part of me actually kind of likes the LP XPL, for example), the build quality in general was the real problem... though there are some that are real gems, like my flying v and the fabled Ex GF´s LP Custom ... but have to look much harder to find a good Norlin-Era gibson than a Pre or Post Norlin one, IMO

[marvar]

I have one of these, and it's my main stage guitar- I love it, had it for about 5 years, mine is metallic red, I changed the hardware to black. It's build quality and finish is excellent. It also is a real explorer neck, which I prefer-not just a droopy headstock stuck on a LP neck. It also has a carved maple cap.
I think it's beautiful! Whenever and wherever I open the case it always draws a crowd.
I prefer it over regular LP's. but I've always gravitated towards unusual guitars.
BTW- he is asking way too much for the one on ebay.

[JeffB]

I think I'd be much more inclined to like it if it was a reverse explorer headstock...I love the doublecut bodyshape though...

I don't ever recall seeing these back in the day....

I used to love those Gibson set neck superstrats tho (name/model # escapes me)

[Zerberus]

US1 and WRC, Jeff

[marvar]

I do remember seeing some pics of Pat Travers holding one- but I never saw any ads or catalog stuff. I don't even remember seeing them in stores, but there are a few of them around- I get people emailing me about them every so often, because I did a review on Harmony Central.
I call it my Les Paulorer!

[JeffB]

US1 and WRC, Jeff

Thats them! Thanks Tim

I neva pulled the trigger on one, but I came REAL close a few times.

[JeffB]

In da middle (obviously)