11/09/2026
1973 Gibson Les Paul Standard — One of Only Four Shipped in 1973
A genuinely rare early-1970s Gibson Les Paul
This is an exceptionally rare 1973 Gibson Les Paul Standard — and according to Gibson shipment totals, only four Les Paul Standard -58 guitars were shipped in 1973.
That makes this one of the rarest production-year Les Paul Standards of the entire 1970s.
This is not a later Deluxe converted to a Standard. It is a genuine factory Standard from the period when full-size-humbucker Les Paul Standards were being produced in extremely small numbers.
For the serious Gibson collector, this is a particularly significant guitar.
Why this 1973 Les Paul is special
Only four shipped in 1973
Gibson's historical shipment figures record just four Les Paul Standard -58 guitars shipped during 1973.
For perspective, Gibson shipped thousands of Les Paul Deluxe models during the same period. The 1973 Standard was an exceptionally low-production instrument.
This guitar therefore represents a remarkably small piece of Gibson's early-1970s Les Paul history.
Exceptional four-piece figured maple top
The guitar features a beautiful four-piece figured/flamed maple top, an unusual and visually striking feature on a 1973 Les Paul.
The "2" stamp associated with the top is present, and the four-piece construction is part of what makes this particular guitar so distinctive.
The top has a character that immediately recalls the figured maple tops of the much earlier 1958–1960 Les Paul Bursts, yet this is a genuine 1973 instrument from a completely different chapter of Gibson's history.
Brazilian rosewood fingerboard
The guitar has a fully bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays.
This is another particularly desirable feature for collectors of early-1970s Gibson instruments.
Original Patent Number pickups
The guitar retains its Patent Number pickups, providing the distinctive full-size-humbucker sound that makes these early Standards so appealing to players as well as collectors.
We have included a demonstration video so you can hear the guitar's character for yourself.
Original 1973 electronics and solder
The pots are dated 1973, and the original solder remains intact.
The pickup routes are also correct and remain as they should be.
These details are important because they help document the guitar's originality and history.
Condition
The guitar presents in excellent condition for a 1973 instrument, with natural player wear and some small dings consistent with its age and use.
The finish shows its history rather than attempting to hide it.
The guitar is fundamentally a superb-sounding, highly individual vintage Les Paul.
The tuners have been replaced with Gibson Deluxe tuners; the original tuners were Kluson Deluxe.
The jack plate has also been replaced.
These details are disclosed clearly because originality matters to serious vintage-guitar collectors.
A collector's guitar that can also be played
This is not simply a guitar to put behind glass.
It is an exceptional-sounding instrument with a powerful, individual voice, and the accompanying video demonstrates exactly what makes it special.
It would be equally at home in a serious vintage collection or in the hands of a player who wants something genuinely rare.
The key facts
Year: 1973
Model: Gibson Les Paul Standard
Production: Gibson shipment records show 4 Les Paul Standard -58 guitars shipped in 1973
Top: Four-piece figured/flamed maple
Fingerboard: Brazilian rosewood, bound
Inlays: Mother-of-pearl trapezoid
Pickups: Original Patent Number humbuckers
Pots: 1973 dated
Solder: Original
Pickup routes: Correct/original
Tuners: Gibson Deluxe replacement tuners; original Kluson Deluxe
Jack plate: Replacement
Condition: Excellent+ with age/player wear and minor dings
Rics Vintage Guitars reference: RC-52
A rare opportunity
1973 Les Paul Standards are rarely encountered because so few were shipped during the year.
With Gibson's shipment records documenting just four examples, this guitar represents an unusually scarce piece of Les Paul history.
For a collector looking for a genuine early-1970s Gibson Standard rather than a later reproduction or conversion, opportunities to acquire an instrument of this specification are exceptionally uncommon.
$16,500 AUD
International enquiries welcome.
For additional photographs, detailed information, serial-number documentation, condition questions or international shipping information, please contact Rics Vintage Guitars directly.
Rics Vintage Guitars — Australia's specialist online vintage guitar dealer.
