For Sale: 1991 Gibson Les Paul Custom – Alpine White (Naturally Yellowed) | OHSC

Up for sale is a killer 1991 Gibson Les Paul Custom in Alpine White, complete with its original Gibson hard-shell case.

This is a fantastic early-’90s Les Paul Custom with tons of genuine vintage character. The original Alpine White finish has naturally aged and yellowed beautifully over the past 35 years, giving the guitar the unmistakable cream-colored appearance that makes older white Les Paul Customs so visually distinctive.

Combined with the ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, multi-ply binding, block inlays, and naturally worn finish, it has that incredible broken-in Black Beauty-meets-Randy Rhoads aesthetic that simply can't be duplicated by a new guitar.

Another particularly interesting feature is its original pickup set. This guitar has an early Gibson 498T bridge pickup and 490R neck pickup, both with the early patent-number stamping on the baseplates.

This is a genuine vintage Les Paul Custom that has been played, maintained, and professionally set up—not a closet queen. It has the wear and character to prove it.

Condition

Very Good – 8/10

This guitar shows honest vintage wear throughout, including:

• Scratches
• Dings
• Finish checking throughout
• Wear on the back
• Tarnishing and aging to the gold hardware
• Natural yellowing of the original Alpine White finish
• Additional normal cosmetic wear consistent with age and use

Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

The guitar has had the following changes over the years:

• Nut has been replaced
• Guitar has been professionally refretted with medium-jumbo frets
• Gold cover on the bridge pickup has been replaced

With the exception of those items, the guitar remains original, including its original Gibson pickups and hardware.

There are no cracks, breaks, repairs, or structural issues.

The neck is straight and stable, and the replacement medium-jumbo frets are in good playing condition.

The guitar has been professionally inspected and set up by our in-house luthier and plays cleanly across the entire fingerboard with comfortable action and no buzzing or dead spots.

The original Gibson hard-shell case is included. The case shows wear from age and use and has a broken combination latch, but it remains functional and works great for protecting the guitar.

Specifications

• Model: Gibson Les Paul Custom
• Year: 1991
• Serial Number: 90381484
• Finish: Alpine White – Naturally Aged/Yellowed
• Body: Mahogany
• Top: Maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Neck Profile: Thin
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Fingerboard Radius: 12"
• Scale Length: 24.75"
• Frets: 22 Replacement Medium Jumbo
• Nut: Replacement
• Nut Width: 1.69"
• Neck Depth: .80" at the 1st Fret
• Neck Depth: 1.00" at the 12th Fret
• Neck Pickup: Original Gibson 490R Humbucker – Patent Stamped
• Bridge Pickup: Original Gibson 498T Humbucker – Patent Stamped
• Bridge Pickup Cover: Replacement Gold Cover
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone
• Switching: 3-Way Toggle
• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
• Tailpiece: Stopbar
• Hardware: Gold
• Weight: 9 lbs 14 oz
• Case: Original Gibson Hard-Shell Case

Early-’90s Les Paul Custom

The early 1990s were an interesting period for Gibson, and Les Paul Customs from this era have developed a strong following among players looking for a substantial, traditional Gibson with the unmistakable feel of an older instrument.

This example has now accumulated more than three decades of natural aging and playwear, giving it a personality that a new Les Paul simply doesn't have.

The combination of a mahogany body, maple top, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, and dual Gibson humbuckers delivers the classic Les Paul Custom formula.

And unlike an artificially aged instrument, every scratch, ding, area of finish checking, and change in the color of the original Alpine White finish occurred naturally over decades of use and aging.

Naturally Yellowed Alpine White Finish

One of the coolest characteristics of this guitar is its naturally aged Alpine White finish.

What began as a much brighter white has gradually developed the warm cream and yellow coloration associated with vintage white Gibson guitars.

The aging is especially striking against the binding, ebony fingerboard, and gold hardware.

The finish also exhibits checking throughout, along with scratches, dings, and areas of genuine playwear.

Rather than detracting from the guitar, the cosmetic aging gives it the unmistakable appearance of a Les Paul Custom that has actually lived a life.

If you're looking for a pristine white Custom, this isn't that guitar.

If you want an early-’90s Custom with real vintage wear, natural yellowing, and loads of character, this one absolutely delivers.

Original Early 490R & 498T Humbuckers

One of the more interesting details of this 1991 Custom is its original Gibson pickup set.

The guitar features an early Gibson 490R in the neck and 498T in the bridge, with patent-number stamping on the bottoms.

The 490R provides the warm, full neck tone expected from a great Les Paul, with enough clarity to keep chords articulate and a smooth response for lead playing.

The 498T provides a more aggressive bridge voice with increased output, strong upper mids, and excellent definition under gain.

Together, they create a versatile pickup combination particularly well suited to rock and heavier styles while retaining the warmth and sustain expected from a Les Paul Custom.

The gold cover on the bridge pickup has been replaced, but the pickup itself is original to the guitar.

Thin Neck Profile

This guitar has a relatively thin neck profile in the lower positions that gradually becomes considerably fuller as you move toward the body.

Our measurements are:

• Nut Width: 1.69"
• 1st Fret Depth: .80"
• 12th Fret Depth: 1.00"

At only .80" at the 1st fret, the neck feels fast and streamlined in the lower register.

It gradually increases to a substantial 1.00" at the 12th fret, creating an interesting taper that gives you a quick feel near the nut while adding support farther up the neck.

Combined with the 24.75" scale length and 12" fingerboard radius, it's an extremely comfortable Les Paul for both rhythm and lead work.

Ebony Fingerboard & Medium-Jumbo Refret

As expected from a Les Paul Custom of this era, the guitar features a beautiful ebony fingerboard.

Ebony contributes to the immediate response and crisp articulation that helps distinguish a Les Paul Custom from many other Les Paul variants.

The guitar has also been refretted with medium-jumbo frets.

For a player, the refret is a major practical benefit. Rather than dealing with heavily worn original frets on a guitar from 1991, you get comfortable medium-jumbo fretwire and excellent playability.

The frets are in good condition, and the guitar has been professionally set up to play cleanly with no buzzing or dead spots.

Tone & Feel

This guitar delivers exactly what you want from a well-played Les Paul Custom: thick sustain, powerful midrange, excellent articulation, and a solid feel in the hands.

The mahogany body and neck provide warmth and depth, while the maple top and ebony fingerboard contribute attack and definition.

The original 490R and 498T pickup combination gives the guitar plenty of range. The neck position is warm and fluid, while the bridge has the output and aggression needed for everything from classic rock to hard rock and higher-gain applications.

At 9 lbs 14 oz, this is a substantial Les Paul Custom.

It has the solid, planted feel many players associate with older Customs, and all those years of playing have left it feeling thoroughly broken-in.

This isn't a guitar you have to worry about putting the first scratch on.

It's already earned them.

Original Gibson Hard-Shell Case

The guitar comes with its original Gibson hard-shell case.

The case shows cosmetic wear from decades of use, and the combination latch is broken.

Despite the wear and damaged combination latch, the case remains functional and works great for protecting the instrument during storage and transportation.

Having the original Gibson case with a vintage instrument like this is a nice addition to the package.

Transparency & Photos

As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos are provided of the exact instrument—no stock photos.

At the end of the photo set, you'll find close-up images taken under direct lighting to clearly show the scratches, dings, finish checking, back wear, hardware tarnishing, natural finish yellowing, and other cosmetic details.

We don't just describe the condition—we show it in detail so there are no surprises.

Many of our customers tell us their guitars arrive in better condition than expected.

Why Buy From Guitar Chimp?

With over 18 years of experience, Guitar Chimp is trusted by players and collectors worldwide for high-quality, player-ready instruments.

Every guitar is thoroughly inspected and professionally set up by our in-house luthier.

We are experts at shipping and have safely shipped thousands of guitars and basses all over the world. Every instrument is professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation.

Buy with confidence knowing your instrument will arrive safely and exactly as described.

📞 Call/Text: (801) 317-9013

💬 Message anytime—we’re always happy to help!

This 1991 Gibson Les Paul Custom in naturally aged Alpine White is a killer vintage player's Custom with exactly the kind of character that only comes from decades of real aging and use.

The naturally yellowed Alpine White finish, finish checking, aged gold hardware, ebony fingerboard, original patent-stamped 490R/498T pickups, medium-jumbo refret, and substantial 9 lb 14 oz weight give it the look, feel, and sound of a Les Paul Custom that's been properly broken in.

The nut, frets, and bridge pickup cover have been replaced, and the original case has wear and a broken combination latch—all of which are clearly disclosed and photographed.

Professionally inspected, professionally set up, and playing beautifully, this is an outstanding choice for someone looking for an early-’90s Les Paul Custom with real vintage character rather than artificial aging.

Complete with its original Gibson hard-shell case and ready for its next owner.

🎸 Jerald – Guitar Chimp

Providing The Finest Guitars, Basses & Amps Since 2006