Gibson 'The Paul II' 1998 Les Paul In Emerald Green With Hard Case

A rare find today 'The Paul II' is a USA made Gibson Les Paul with a difference. The model was developed by Whitey Morrison, the Gibson plant manager in Nashville designed to be the lower-cost Les Paul variant in a new series of instruments. Paired down looks, similar to a LP Studio , 'The Paul' has discarded the binding and inlays for a simpler look, finished in transparent emerald green but still fitted with Gibson exposed humbuckers.

Originally launched in 1978 as 'The Paul', the model was made up until 1982 and relaunched as 'The Paul II' in 1996 and then subsequently discontinued again in 1998, making this guitar, one of those made in that short interval period. The 1996-1999 model was resurrected with a mahogany body and carved top like a Les Paul Studio instead of the flat top of prior models of The Paul. The body is 2/3 as thick as a normal Les Paul and features a rear belly cut as well.

This particular guitar has had a life on the Punk scene and shows it. Owned by Phil Ram a member of the 70'd punk band The Vibrators and other musical incarnations of Phils', this guitar was chosen for an album cover and this comes with the guitar!

The guitar itself has a good few knocks and bumps, as to be expected with a gigged and loved instrument but nothing structural or detrimental to its playability. The frets are in good order, as is the fretboard, original Gibson humbuckers sound as they should and plays beautifully, set up professionally instore and thoroughly 'tested' by our tech! A really unusual model to find and with a great history, an awesome guitar to own.