Ever since I was about 16 years old I dreamed of owning a
Gibson
Les Paul Gold Top guitar. I mean, I really lusted after it.
I also wanted, at various times, a black Les Paul, an SG, and a
Fender
Stratocaster. Alas, I have never been a Telecaster or archtop fan.
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.
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