Gibson Collector’s Choice #4 “Sandy” Aged #074 (2012)

'12 Gibson Custom Shop Collector's Choice #4 "Sandy" Aged, Dirty Lemon, professionally repaired neck crack, 4.04 kg – player's price!

A genuine Gibson Collector's Choice CC#4 "Sandy" in the aged version – not the considerably cheaper VOS – for €6,990? We'll tell you openly where this particularly low player's price comes from!

The CC#4 "Sandy" is the Custom Shop replica of the 1959 Les Paul with serial number 9 1228 from the collection of Tom Wittrock. Our aged example is number 074 and wears the beautifully faded Dirty Lemon finish with a strongly flamed top that you can already make out in the photos. On top of the Custom Shop ageing it has its own patina grown over the years: the guitar has been played a lot, has darkened slightly and feels as if it had aged completely naturally.

For the Collector's Choice series Gibson digitally scanned the original and measured it down to the last detail – from the neck profile to the wear marks. Even the lacquer overspray a previous owner once applied to the back of the original's neck was recreated. Also unusual is the mahogany neck with maple spline and its own CC#4 profile. The open zebra Custombuckers with Alnico 3 magnets are original and were voiced after the original. A maximum of 300 aged examples were built – plus 50 in VOS, which do without the elaborate ageing and trade for considerably less. This is the aged version.

The reason for the particularly low player's price: this Sandy had a stress crack in the neck just below the headstock. It was repaired absolutely professionally, and since nothing chipped off, you can hardly see anything of it. Our highly valued colleagues at Ten Guitars already offered the guitar with the repaired crack. There you'll find more detail photos of the spot, with arrows showing exactly where it is. The colleagues also shot a video of the guitar – well worth a listen!

And it has its advantages too: the glued joint is considered harder than the surrounding wood, which makes it particularly stable. Many players even swear that guitars with a repaired neck or headstock break resonate particularly well – Kirk Hammett and Michael Schenker are said to see it the same way. Above all, you get an aged Collector's Choice at a price that lets you play it on stage with a clear conscience instead of hiding it in a display case.

Sound-wise the Sandy is fully convincing: it is well played-in, has a great response and exactly the open, singing tone you expect from a '59 replica. The original zebra Custombuckers underline the rock look. At 4.04 kg it sits right in the perfect range for powerful sounds.

It comes in the original Gibson Custom case with Collector's Choice certificate, pre-pack checklist, hang tags and case candy, as pictured.

This is a genuine CC#4 Sandy Aged at a player's price – a rare opportunity for anyone who wants to play a Collector's Choice, not just own one!

Price€6,990 VAT not outlined (§ 25a UStG)