It took another 16 years to happen, but finally, in the spring of 1997, I got around to buying my Gold Top. At about the same time I also bought a little Crate GX-15 practice amp (pictured below), an Audio-Technica DR-3100 wireless system, and a Boss ME-8 multiple effects processor.

To the left is a picture of the headstock of my 1996 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top. It is a "Limited Edition" model that Gibson manufactured specifically for Guitar Center.

Notice the Gibson Deluxe tuners and pearloid pegs; unusual features for a Standard Les Paul (yes, the trussrod cover does have the normal "Standard" logo stamped on it).

You can click on the image for a closer look at the back of the headstock if you're at all curious.

In the years that followed I managed to acquire my Stratocaster and my black Les Paul, as well as an Ace Frehley signature Les Paul which I have since traded in for another Standard (the Light Burst flametop). One of these days I will also have my SG, I swear! For a complete run-down on my guitar collection, check out the gallery below.

If you have the bucks and are only into the very finest guitars, check out Paul Reed Smith guitars. And for a great place to buy guitars and gear online, check out my favorite site: Musicians Friend. And if you are a Les Paul freak like me, or you love Gibson electric guitars in general and you live in San Diego, check out Centre City Music for the best prices you will find anywhere.
 

Guitar Collection Gallery
"Rocker"	¬ Gibson Les Paul Standard  Finish: Gold  Body: Mahogany w/ Maple top  Neck: Mahogany w/ Rosewood fingerboard  S/N: 91306358 (1996)  Pickguard removed by me  Gibson Les Paul Standard ®   Finish: Light Burst  Body: Mahogany w/ Figured Maple top  Neck: Mahogany w/ Rosewood fingerboard  S/N: 02803395 (2003)	"Amber"
"Phantom"	¬ Gibson Les Paul Standard  Finish: Black  Body: Mahogany w/ Maple top  Neck: Mahogany w/ Rosewood fingerboard  S/N: 92359567 (1999)  Pickguard removed by me  Gibson SG '61 Reissue ®  Finish: Heritage Cherry  Body: Mahogany  Neck: Mahogany w/ Rosewood fingerboard  S/N: n/a  This one is on my wish list	"Rosie"
"Slick"	¬ Fender American Standard Strat  Finish: Natural  Body: Ash  Neck: Maple w/ Maple fingerboard  S/N: N9396391 (1999)  Fender Roadhouse Strat ®  Finish: 3-tone Sunburst  Body: Alder  Neck: Maple w/ Rosewood fingerboard  S/N: n/a  This one is on my wish list	"Whiskey"
Amp/Effects Gallery
My current amp is a Marshall JCM 2000 series DSL100 all-tube head with a 1960A (slanted) 4x12 cabinet. This half-stack was acquired in May 2008 off of eBay for the princely sum of $1100. It didn't come with its footswitch, which is just fine with me since Marshall footswitches are notoriously unreliable.
My backup amp is a Marshall JCM 2000 series DSL401 all-tube combo. It's 40W of pure, unadulterated Marshall tone. It sports four EL84 power tubes driving a single 12" speaker. While this gives it a bit less oomph than its big brothers (the DSL100 and DSL50 heads), it can still produce that classic, roaring Marshall tone to ear-splitting levels. I may even get a 1x12 extension cabinet someday so that it can effectively function as a 2x12 mini-stack. Of course, this is somewhat unlikely now that I have a real half-stack.
The blue unit above is a Boss GT-5 Guitar Multi-effects processor that I picked up "used" (i.e., in the box, in brand-new, unused condition) from a doctor in Atlanta who didn't have the time to learn how to use it. I use it now instead of the ME-8 that I bought years before. Next to it is a Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner that is used to tune a guitar on stage. The GT-5 has a built-in tuner, but I like the TU-2 better. Above is a little 15-watt practice amp I got for use in my apartment. It is also a lot more portable than the others. It sports reverb and an input for plugging in a CD player for playing along with songs.