Mysterious Gibson Les Paul Jr type prototype guitar

[marc61]

Saw it in the pawn shop today. Looked kinda like a Les Paul Jr. It was mustard yellow with one pickup, and a black pickguard. Stamped on the back of the headstock was a serial number but, also "not for resale'. Has some kind of locking tremolo system. On the nut, it's missing the lock for the two ,middle strings. The guy said that piece can be bought. Owner claimed just a few made like 100 or something.

As with the Guild bass I saw, I will try and take pics to post tomorrow. They're asking $1400 for it, which even if rare seems like a lot.

[Grey]

There's always the possibility that it's legit, but it's probably a one-off custom job. Kinda sounds like a melody maker with one pickup and the black guard.

[marc61]

There's always the possibility that it's legit, but it's probably a one-off custom job. Kinda sounds like a melody maker with one pickup and the black guard.

Apologies, that's what it looks more like, a melody maker

[Grey]

Apologies, that's what it looks more like, a melody maker

The melody maker and the jr. have similar features. The easiest way to tell the difference is that the melody maker has the jack on the front instead of the side, and has a different headstock. Some models also say 'melody maker' on the pickguard.

[marc61]

Erik, I'll take a look tomorrow. Let's see if the owner lets me take pics

Appearently, the not for resale stamp meant the guitar was made for an endorsee, or possibly a trade show. He did mention he thought it was from the 80s